Let’s be upfront; our original aim was to profile coffee makers that are completely plastic-free, at least in the parts that come into contact with hot water. Plastic components—especially the thin pods used in many single-cup systems—can leach Bisphenol A (BPA) into the resulting brew (reportedly up to 55 times faster than in plain water). In practice, though, apart from manual coffee makers like the stovetop espresso and pour-over sort, nearly every coffee maker incorporates some plastic. (Consider this a call to product designers for more truly plastic-free appliances!)
The list below profiles coffee makers that are least BPA-free. Note, however, that BPA-free can contain alternative bisphenols such as BPA or BPF, which may be less harmful but still carry endocrine-disrupting potential.
Starting with models that use the least plastic…here goes.
Above: The Brewer from Simply Good Coffee is designed intentionally as a “plastic-free” automatic brewing coffee maker. It’s not entirely free of plastic but the model ensures that no plastic or aluminum touches water. With a stainless steel boiler and shower head, it brews coffee via an all-metal water path (plus a few insulated non-water-contact plastic parts for safety); $429.99.
Above: Built like a tank, the Bunn VP17-1 SS Pourover is almost entirely stainless steel in its water and fluid handling. The only plastic element is a splash-guard funnel; everything else in the brew path is stainless steel, minimizing plastic exposure; $398.99 at Webstaurant Store,
Above: The Moccamaster KBGV Select pairs a glass carafe and stainless boiler with BPA-, BPS-, BPF- and phthalate-free plastic in non-critical parts. Hot water meets metal and glass; plastic is limited to external components that don’t touch the brew. It’s $359 from Moccamaster directly.
Above: The Ratio Eight Thermal Set routes water through borosilicate glass lines and a stainless steel shower head, avoiding plastic in the hot-water path. It’s also designed with a precision die-cast aluminum body and a BPA-free tank and thermal carafe; $999 at Ratio.
Above: At a fraction of the cost of the above more robust Ratio Eight model, the Ratio Six Series 2 flows hot water through glass and stainless steel, while the BPA-free copolymer tank and a few silicone seals limit plastic contact to a minimum; $359 at Ratio.
Above: The OXO Brew 8-Cup is both affordable and low on plastic: a stainless steel brew basket and carafe, plus BPA-free plastic in the reservoir and lid. While there are water-contact plastics, all are certified safe—food safe and BPA-free; $199.95 at Williams Sonoma.
Above: The Aarke Coffee Maker combines SUS304 stainless steel and borosilicate glass, with only minor BPA-free plastic in the reservoir and seals. Hot water runs through metal and glass, while the clear tank and visible stainelss shower head showcase the brewing process; $400 at Aarke.
Above: The SMEG 10-Cup Drip combines a glass carafe and stainless steel heating plate with BPA-free plastic in the reservoir, carafe lid, handle, and filter basket. Though not plastic-free, hot-water contact is limited and the retro design is paired with safer modern materials; $259.95 at Williams Sonoma.
Above: The Fellow Aiden Precision keeps the brew path to metal and glass, with BPA-free plastics limited to the reservoir window and exterior parts. Precision controls meet careful material choices; $399.95 at Fellow.
Above: The Zwilling Enfinigy Glass Drip uses a glass carafe and stainless-steel shower head, with the water reservoir and aroma tube made of BPA-free plastic. Its standard filter basket is plastic too—though there’s a steel permanent option—so hot-water contact is mostly metal/glass, with plastic limited to components that help convenience and flow; $199.95 at Williams Sonoma.
For more coffee supplies, see our posts:
