How to Make Better Coffee With Non-Toxic Coffee Makers

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How important is a coffee maker in most homes? According to some sources, excluding water, people consume coffee more than any other beverage in the world, and it is the second most traded commodity. Though the health benefits of coffee can be debated, most people (myself included!) consume it in large amounts every day.

How much coffee exactly? Well, the world consumes over 2 BILLION cups of coffee a day. This means that the way we choose to drink coffee can have a big impact on our health and on the environment.

The Rich History of Coffee

According to one (very interesting!) legend, Ethiopian shepherds first discovered the stimulating properties of coffee after noticing that their goats had extra energy after eating coffee berries. A little research uncovers many other interesting facts about coffee’s history:

  • The French philosopher Voltaire consumed up to 50 cups of coffee a day. (Fun fact: The lethal dose is 100 cups/day!)
  • Teddy Roosevelt drank 16 cups per day.
  • The Italian government regulates espresso because it is considered an essential part of daily life (similar to how carbohydrates and proteins are listed and regulated on food packaging here). Baristas are also highly respected in Italy.
  • Bach wrote an opera about a woman who drank too much coffee.
  • The word “cappuccino” comes from the similarity of the drink in color to the robes worn by Capuchin monks.
  • The King banned coffee houses in England in the 1600s because he thought people were conspiring against him in coffee houses.
  • Before coffee gained popularity, beer was the breakfast drink of choice in the U.S.
  • The world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak, costs $600 per pound and is literally coffee beans eaten and excreted by a Asian Palm Civet (a large cat).
  • Money may not grow on trees, but coffee does. The coffee “bean” is actually the roasted seed of a bright red berry (making it a fruit).

So we know the world universally loves coffee … but is it healthy?

The Effects of Coffee on Health

A way to supercharge coffee and make it healthy and great for your skinAlthough I’ve covered the health risks and benefits of coffee before, here’s a recap of some of the issues with consuming a large amount of coffee:

  • Caffeine dependence – Over-reliance on caffeine as a stimulant can affect the adrenals in a negative way.
  • Pesticide exposure – Coffee is a notoriously heavily sprayed crop.
  • Mold – Dave Asprey has several good articles on how much mold coffee from inferior sources can harbor.

The good news is, this doesn’t mean you have to give up coffee. Coffee contains antioxidants and other proven health benefits, and there are ways to limit its downsides:

  1. Something as simple as when you have your coffee can make a difference. Consume coffee between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. to protect natural cortisol patterns.
  2. Add a boost of healthy fats ups the benefits of a morning cup of joe.
  3. The way you make your coffee makes a difference to your health. Choosing a healthy coffee maker is an important way to maximize coffee benefits without adding harmful chemicals or burdening the environment.

The Problem with (Some) Coffee Makers

Even if you choose organic and fair trade coffee to avoid the pesticides, some unsavory substances may end up in your brew from other sources.

Ditch the Pods!

Unfortunately, some modern methods of consuming coffee carry their own set of risks. For instance, the popular coffee pods (or k-cups) have become an increasing burden for the environment. Over 10 billion of them ended up in landfills last year alone! Endocrine-disrupting plastic chemicals from the pods can end up in the finished coffee, and these plastics have been linked to various health problems.

Even regular coffee makers (and coffee pod machines) contain plastics that come in contact with hot liquid. These can leach plastic chemicals into the finished coffee.

Yep … Mold in Your Coffee, Again

It makes sense if you think about it. The perpetually dark, wet, and warm environment in the tubes of many coffee machines provides the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and even biofilms to grow.

In fact half of all coffee mugs tested contained mold spores, potentially from the tubing inside coffee makers, and unfortunately the hot water and acidity of coffee is not enough to kill this mold.

Safer Non-Toxic Coffee Makers (That Make Better Coffee Too!)

Though modern drip coffee makers are certainly a convenient way to make coffee, there are other much healthier options that (in my opinion) produce a much better cup of coffee. These are some of my favorite non-toxic coffee makers:

French Press

There are some great French Press options in the coffee maker world. A French Press allows you to have control over the temperature and intensity of your coffee. The water must be pre-heated using another method, but French Press coffee makers don’t require any electricity or heat. They don’t keep coffee warm like a drip coffee pot would but are a great option for making a couple of cups of high-quality coffee. As an added bonus, they can also be used to make tea.

Traditional French Press coffee makers (like this one) are typically glass with a stainless steel interior filter, but there is now also a completely stainless steel French Press machine that won’t crack or break like some of the glass options.

Pour-Over

As the name suggests, this method of brewing involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds and letting gravity do the work. Unlike the French Press, there isn’t a way to push down the coffee to speed up the process, and the pour over method does take a little longer. I find that the extra time and effort are worth it for the quality of the coffee. In fact, This many high-end coffee shops use the pour-over method.

Popular pour-over brewing options include:

  • The Chemex – An all-glass system that has won awards for its design and is even on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It does require filters and I personally like either the unbleached disposable filters or a stainless steel reusable filter.
  • Cone Coffee Drippers – Slightly less expensive, simple cone filters (like this stainless one) or this ceramic Hario) also use the pour-over method and are typically used to make one cup at a time.
  • Ratio Coffee Maker – This is like a pour over coffee maker but is electric and automatic, so you don’t have to stand over it and manually pour the water. It has no plastic parts (hurray!) and makes some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted! Check it out here.

Old-Fashioned Percolator

What’s old is certainly often new again! Old-fashioned percolator coffee makers are a great alternative to drip coffee pots. Many of us may remember these iconic machines even though they lost popularity (largely due to modern drip coffee pots and more recent coffee pod brewers). Percolators don’t require any additional equipment or filters though, are easily cleaned, and plug in much like a drip machine. They also keep coffee warm like a coffee pot, so they are a good option for anyone who likes having a pot of warm coffee ready for longer than a few minutes.

Just make sure to use a completely stainless steel model for both durability and to avoid plastic.

Stainless Espresso Makers

The traditional Bialetti espresso makers are often made of aluminum (my husband has used one since college and refuses to get rid of it, much to my chagrin!) instead of steel. Though harder to find, stainless steel stove-top espresso makers work just as well and don’t have the health risks of aluminum. These are a good option for those who prefer espresso to regular coffee.

Coffee Makers: Bottom Line

Don’t let a mold-infested plastic coffee maker ruin a good cup of coffee. Try one of these non-toxic coffee makers. Many have the added benefit of not needing disposable filters and create a better cup of coffee anyway!

Are you a coffee drinker? What is your coffee maker of choice?

Most coffee makers can harbor mold or mildew and may leach plastic chemicals into coffee. Try non-toxic methods like pour-over, French press and percolator.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

150 responses to “How to Make Better Coffee With Non-Toxic Coffee Makers”

  1. Poule M. Avatar
    Poule M.

    I appreciate and echo the valuable alerts on aluminum and plastic – but there’s another one to be aware of and that’s the cholesterol-raising compounds in the coffee itself. (Loads of relatively unbiased research on this, including https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2029499). Not a problem for someone with low HDL and LDL, but if your blood lipids are borderline or you just don’t want them creeping up on you, be sure to use paper filters (unbleached if you can find them). If you’re using a french press or percolator, just get a cone filter and pour your coffee through paper on its way to your cup. One less reason to worry, and one more reason to enjoy!

  2. Rosemary Avatar

    I wanted you all to know that the Presto, 12-cup, stainless steel, coffee maker has an aluminum well, and hexagon nut at the bottom of the pot where the percolator tube sits. A recent Wellness Mama post said that this percolator was a healthy alternative because it was made of only stainless steel. I bought one. When the pot arrived and I read the instructions, I was surprised to note that the marketing materials did not highlight the fact that this was a non-toxic coffee maker. So, I called Presto. As I was extolling the virtues of the pot, I suggested to the Presto representative that they may have a niche market in people like me, if they would advertise the fact that this pot had no plastic or aluminum. She thanked me for my input, but stated that there was indeed aluminum in the pot. I am returning the Presto pot and will buy a Chemex.

  3. JENNIFER WEAVER Avatar
    JENNIFER WEAVER

    After speaking with Presto customer service, all parts are stainless including the basket and interior and heating element with the exception of a small (approximately 2″ x 1″) well in the bottom of the pot which is made out of aluminum because, as she explained, “it heats water better”. Not exactly sure how it heats water better (more efficiently, more quickly?) but just clarifying info based on Presto representative reported information.

  4. Cheryl Hopper Avatar
    Cheryl Hopper

    Just read on another site that there is aluminum in the perk well of the Presto you are recommending.

  5. Berkman Dufrene Avatar
    Berkman Dufrene

    I read with excitement of the possibility of getting a stainless steel espresso maker. I followed the link to Amazon. Was saddened to discover that the espresso machine uses a plastic (silicone) gasket. Same problem that I had with my “stainless steel” water distiller.

  6. Jenay Green Avatar
    Jenay Green

    I was praying about a better way to brew coffee and I felt lead to check your site. Thank you for this article and recommendation. I am excited to try this french press.

  7. Laura Avatar

    I read several years back that French press coffee pots do not take out an oil that is bad for the kidneys so I got rid of mine at that time. I will try to find the article on line. Many times I go back to find info like this, only to realize it has been buried.
    What do you think?

  8. charnae Avatar

    Thank you for this post. The percolator your highlighted from Amazon has a aluminum in the 2” hose that heats the water….Is there any other that you recommend that has zero aluminum? A few other reviews said they could taste the metal and the bottom was all aluminum.

  9. GloryB Avatar

    HI Hein,
    Thank you for sharing that information and also to Wellness Mana for posting this article. So many people do drink coffee and I for one love to hear all we can about it. I live alone, so I have settled on the pour over. It’s quick and easy, and clean up is a breeze. In the past I have used many of the other methods. I did enjoy a French press but cleaning all the parts soon became tedious for me. I found the amounts of units of caffeine interesting per method that you shared. Thanks again!

  10. Hein Avatar

    In Uganda, where I lived for some years, they use only french coffee presses.

    After a lively discussion on the merits of every coffee maker, I approached a friend of mine who is a forensic pathologist.

    She was very interested and decided to check it out in the lab.
    She made a coffee with an Italian espresso machine and measured the amount of caffeine in She assigned a unit of 1 to it.
    The results:
    The pour over with a filter paper: 2-3 units
    She then ground the coffee as fine as used in an espresso machine and made a pour over with a filter 3-4 units
    And here comes the whopper:
    French coffee press 4-7 units

    It turned out that the longer the coffee is in contact with water over 80 C, the more caffeine is extracted to a max of 7 units. This occurred when a coffee press stand around for 15 min before being drunk.

    Also light coffee, even though it has a much weaker taste has more caffeine than dark roasted coffee. The dar roasting destroys some of the caffeine.

    So the morel of the story, I suppose, is that when you want a kick start in the morning, use a cofffe press, and when you want to go to sleep and espresso machine

  11. Paula Avatar

    I Have been using a cheap Black and Decker plastic coffee pot for years. I keep it clean by periodically running white distilled vinegar through it. Don’t really know why but here lately I’ve begun to wonder since I drink coffee every morning (32 oz mug) if I shouldn’t be using a safer non-toxic machine. Any suggestions?

  12. Lola Avatar

    Hello guys 🙂
    I am new and so glad I came across this website !!!
    I also love my coffee in the morning :),
    To make it, I use cast iron pot (like Japanese for tea) to which I put some coffee, some ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and tiny bit of salt. Once it starts boiling I turn down the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. All spices are dried and grinded.
    I take my coffee with soya milk and maple syrup… the smell and taste is delicious.
    I have been doing it for years and still it is my favourite one.

  13. Britt Avatar

    I really appreciate that your practical approach to coffee and that you acknowledge the risks and the health benefits and tell how to make it better . I get tired of health bloggers railing against it or saying no one should drink it without recognizing that it’s not an all all created equal.

    We use a pour-over, French Press or AeroPress. In my experience, Percolators make terrible tasting coffee because how they brew it draws the bitterness out of the beans. (I’m married to a coffee nerd who roasts his own and is extremely picky about his coffee! 🙂 )

  14. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    We are big coffee drinkers in our house (my husband works for a local coffee shop). At home, we used to use a french press, but about 2 years ago we discovered the Sowden Softbrew and haven’t looked back! They aren’t cheap, but they produce a superior cup of coffee. And, you can use any size grind you like, and it’s impossible to over-brew. We found ours at Williams Sonoma, but I’m not sure if you can find them there anymore.

  15. Roger Avatar

    Glass or ceramic for me. I won’t use any stainless steel (or other metals) with coffee, including travel mugs. Many chefs will specify in their recipes (esp those using tomato products) to use a “non-reactive” pot or pan because it can affect the taste. I find the same to be true with coffee. I know we think nothing can come from stainless steel, but it’s not true in my experience. It always imparts a metallic taste to my coffee. Also, for pod addicts, the Organic Coffee Co sells a K-cup compatible coffee pod where everything except the very top rim is compostable paper, not plastic. I have no relationship to this company, but have found it to be really good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YDVYLE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=c862463580bfe8ffececadaae30cf31c

  16. Rose Avatar

    There are good alternatives for brewing coffee in this article. However, you may wish to reconsider the old-fashioned Presto percolator. At the bottom of the pot, the center stem nests in a piece of solid aluminum. I used the Presto percolator for several months. I finally discarded the pot when I noticed that the aluminum piece was showing significant pitting.

  17. Sherry Avatar

    Thanks for the info on ways to brew coffee, now I know I’m getting rid of my coffee maker! Just started to use French Press, and I love it. Also started to cold brew, which makes less acid, which is always good.
    Love your posts. I recently saw your book in our local book
    store, Books A Million, and although I may not know you, I was so proud of you when I saw it. Great job!

  18. Xena Ferrario Avatar
    Xena Ferrario

    Good to hear about the percolator. Use to use a percolator and remember the coffee tasting great. I have been using a Cuisinart drip for several years now. After reading this write up I might go back to using a percolator, press or poor over.

  19. Charles Avatar

    Hey Serra,

    absolutely, there is no amount of lead that is safe. However, it would take a really long time for the lead to leach into the food/drink. I own a Chemex coffee maker myself and I have to say that I am a big fan ever since I got mine. Not only for the health benefits but also for the ritual. It makes me appreciate the coffee itself more.

    Also, it draws some attention from friends and guests when they are over and makes for a few minutes conversation. as I said, I couldn’t have made a better choice. They also explain about lead and its dangers. Hope I could help! 🙂

    Kind regards from another Chemex lover

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