This post is not about whether coffee is good for you. If you’ve landed here, I assume you’re a coffee drinker, just like me.
Actually, I lead a very healthy lifestyle. (This is a natural health blog.) I don’t smoke and I don’t eat junk food. Most of my meals are made from scratch, using organic meat and produce. I get a moderate amount of exercise. I avoid chemical cleaning solutions. Instead, I use DIY cleaners made from essential oils.
Coffee is my one vice. But I make it in a non-toxic coffee pot. At least I thought I had been doing that. Then I realized my electric perk coffee maker contained an aluminum heating unit. (Read my important update below.)
Now, I use a French press coffee maker. I love how easy it is to use and how it makes a great cup of coffee. The hot water that we pour into it doesn’t come into contact with anything toxic. No worrisome plastic or aluminum.
Plastic is definitely something I don’t want to drink. If plastic is exposed to hot water there’s the possibility of leaching. This is why I don’t use drip coffee makers with plastic parts. Nor do I own one of those fancy machines with little plastic disposable cups filled with coffee.
Stainless Steel Coffee Maker No Plastic
Important Update: I love my coffee. I love it so much that I paid a lot for a new electric perk coffee maker. But I thought it was a great deal. Because I assumed it was non toxic. At the time of purchase, the product description clearly stated the “inner fixtures” were made from stainless steel, “rather than the more common (and less durable) aluminum.”
However, I need to thank one of my readers. I owe her a lot of thanks. She told me that all wasn’t well with the Presto Perk, the coffee maker we own. (Very soon it’s going in the recycle bin.) This observant reader noticed a product description in a local brick and mortar store. It said the Perk contained aluminum.
I was shocked, to say the least.
Non Toxic Stainless Steel Coffee Pots
A call to the company confirmed this was correct. For years, I’d been drinking coffee that had come into contact with aluminum. This toxic heavy metal has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and kidney problems.
Even worse, I’d been recommending this coffee maker to my readers. After all, I was using it myself.
The good news is that the Perk doesn’t contain plastic. But it does contain aluminum. There’s a little well in the bottom with aluminum. And it comes in contact with your java. I feel like I’ve been taken for a ride. I also sincerely apologize to my readers for inadvertently misleading them.
Where To Find a Non Toxic Coffee Maker
(This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything, I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
So, how do I make my morning cup of strong black coffee?
Remember in the 1960s, when you wanted coffee, you had to wait for it to percolate? Well, guess what? Percolated coffee is back. Except you won’t to wait too long for that strong cup of java. That’s because you can now find electric coffee percolators that make steaming hot coffee quickly.
We own a Presto Perk Stainless Steel Coffee Maker. (But I don’t use it.) Unfortunately, my husband still likes it, aluminum or not. I am working on switching him over to a French press. But it’s a process.
Meanwhile, I’m perfectly happy with a non-toxic French press. This is the coffee-making option I now recommend to my readers. Because it involves no potentially hazardous parts.
I did research other electric coffee makers. They contained stainless steel insides and outsides. But I wasn’t able to confirm the lack of an aluminum heating element. Since I won’t use them myself, I can’t recommend them to anyone else.
One company I called insisted their products didn’t contain aluminum. But, when I asked for this in writing, I didn’t receive an email. I took this as a very bad sign.
Presto Stainless Maker
Many health conscious coffee drinkers are turning to stainless steel coffee makers. Because they’re billed as non-toxic. I was fooled too.
Glass or stainless steel French presses are a better option. (Just make sure the one you buy doesn’t have a plastic pouring spout. Some models do.) Stainless steel is a much better choice than plastic.So is glass. Coffee is very caustic. So it can potentially pull chemicals out of plastic. Same with aluminum.
I mistakenly used my Presto coffee maker thinking that it was aluminum free. That meant it had no parts on the inside that contained aluminum. Sometimes I’d even let coffee cool in the Perk and heat it up later. I hate to even think about that now, since it has an aluminum well at the bottom.
Coffee Maker Without Aluminum
I definitely don’t want to drink coffee that may contain aluminum. This is a heavy metal that has been associated with a variety of serious or degenerative diseases, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Aluminum is widely present in the environment. But it has no function in the human body. We don’t need aluminum like we need iron or trace amounts of copper.
I remember my grandparents brewing coffee in a stove top aluminum percolator. However, most people nowadays don’t buy aluminum coffee pots unless they are planning to take a lightweight model on a camping trip. (A better option is a French press or a stainless steel Vietnamese coffee maker. We now own both.)
Non Toxic Vietnamese Coffee Maker
Using a Non Plastic Coffee Maker
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of plastic, especially in the kitchen. Coffee and plastic are an especially bad mix. That’s because of the highly acidic and caustic nature of coffee.
This is especially true when the coffee is piping hot. That’s when it’s much more likely to draw toxins out of the materials it comes into contact with.
Much has been written about one chemical, in particular. Bisphenol A is found in many plastic. This compound has been found to cause early puberty in laboratory mice, probably because it mimics estrogen.
Is There BPA in Keurig Cups?
Federal health officials in the United States have differing opinions on the potential hazards of BPA. The FDA has ruled that it is safe, as it’s now being used. However, the National Institutes of Health has issued various warnings, and has advised consumers to limit their exposure and to store food in glass or stainless steel, rather than in plastic containers.
Although many people are now aware of the possible dangers of BPA, some environmental advocates believe all plastic warrants concern, when it comes into contact with something we plan to consume.
From what I can gather, the popular Keurig cups contain no BPA. However, you may want to read this Mother Jones article on polystyrene coffee pods, so you can make your own decision.
I’ve decided that I’m simply don’t feel comfortable drinking anything made from hot water that comes into contact with plastic.
Presto Electric Coffee Maker Alternative
The Presto Perk Coffee Maker makes anywhere from 4 to 12 cups at one time. I liked that, and I also liked the speed of brewing. One cup a minute. But the aluminum heating element is a deal breaker.
Many serious coffee drinkers prefer the taste of percolated coffee. That’s because the water has more contact with the grounds, resulting in a richer taste. Before the advent of automatic drip coffee makers, people used to percolate coffee for at least 10 minutes for a full, deeper flavor. However an aluminum-free French press will achieve the same result, because the hot water spends the same amount of time in contact with fresh coffee grounds.
Presto Coffee Maker Review
At this point I just have to say don’t buy one. The representative I spoke with said the company should update the product description. I just hope they hurry.
Non Toxic French Press
So now, we’re the happy owners of a French press coffee maker. Sometimes my husband will use the French press, instead of that darn percolator. A French press is a good option if just one or two people will be drinking coffee. Our French press makes enough coffee to fill two medium–sized mugs.
Like the Presto Perk, French presses are made from glass and/or stainless steel. (But they contain no aluminum.) I’m choosing to show one here that is 100 percent stainless steel.
Using a French press is very easy. You put ground coffee in the bottom and pour boiling water over it. Then you let it sit for about 10 minutes, before pressing. This involves using a plunger device that comes with the press, which separates the grounds from the coffee.
A French press would also be an excellent choice for camping or vacationing. It doesn’t need electricity. Just boiling water.
In our house we now rotate our coffee makers. We use both a non-toxic Fresh press and a small very portable non-toxic stainless steel Vietnamese coffee maker. You can see them below. The Vietnamese coffee maker is even easier to use than the French press. It’s also great for traveling.
Stainless Steel French PressVietnamese Coffee Maker
For More Reading
Aluminum Toxicity and Alzheimer’s Disease
You mention the presto percolator does not contain aluminum that touches the coffee. I was going to purchase it from Target when I noticed this in the Q&A:
“A: The perk well and nut in the 02811 coffee maker is made of aluminum for better heating.
submitted by Presto Customer Service — 8 months ago”
I am unfamiliar with percolarors-do the perk well and but not come in contact with the coffee?
Thank you!
Hi MR, I was totally under the impression the Presto Perk contains no aluminum whatsoever. However, what you just told me is very concerning. I will research this tomorrow, when the company representatives are in. If that’s true, I will update this article and I will throw away my own Presto and buy a new coffee maker that contains no aluminum. Stay tuned. I will definitely make some changes to this article if that’s the case.
Thank you!
Okay, I checked into this and apparently this supposedly non-toxic coffee maker does contain aluminum. I am so disappointed the product description I read implied that it didn’t. Thank you a million times over for bringing this to my attention. The post is updated and my Perk is going straight into the recycle bin. I will buy another brand, once I find one that is truly non toxic. Until then we’ll use the French press.
I wouldn’t have known had I not happened to read the Q&A. I feel your pain, it seems impossible to find a nontoxic coffee maker that is efficient and affordable.
I’m still looking. I had my morning coffee made in our French press. I am so thankful to you for bringing this to my attention, so I could change my post and do something about it.
Have you found an electric percolator without aluminum or plastic touching the water. I really need one for in the mornings before work but Alzheimers and dementia run in my family and I sure don’t want to do anything to bring it on. Thank you for anything you can tell me to help.
Donna, one of my readers told me about one company that may make percolators without aluminum components. I will check into this tomorrow during business hours because I also need a new percolator too. Right now I’ve been using my French press, which is totally non toxic. I will update this very soon.
I would love to know if you find one as well!
Hi Jessica, this is a frustrating exercise. I called one other company and was assured the percolator didn’t contain aluminum. I asked for this confirmation to be sent to me by email, in writing. I didn’t get it. So I’ll cross that off my list. If someone can’t put something in writing, that to me is a red flag. I do plan to call yet another company soon.
If you give us the name of the company, maybe someone else can research it as well. I suspect it might be Farberware?
Sal, thanks for your feedback. I didn’t want to give the name just in case they made a positive change and I wasn’t on it right away. Thanks again for reading my blog.
Meanwhile, I’m drinking excellent coffee from a French Press. This is the most non-toxic option I’ve been able to find, at this point.
Donna, I am still looking into this and waiting to hear directly from one company.
I really don’t have time in the mornings to use a French press.
Hi 🙂 I was wondering if you found a non-toxic , stainless steal percolator with no aluminum.… thank you in advance!
Hi Chrissia, I have been looking for a truly non-toxic coffee percolator and have not been able to confirm that any of them are on the market. Part of this was difficulty reaching the company. In another case, I didn’t receive an email from management confirming the percolator had no aluminum. So I have to conclude that it might, and, therefore, I can’t recommend it to my readers. What I’m using now is a French press and this is what I’m recommending. I’ll be updating this post to reflect that. I wish I knew of a truly non-toxic electric coffee percolator. But I don’t.
Still looking? From the lack of information I assume that nothing was uncovered.
No, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was looking into another type of pour over glass coffee pot but I don’t think the place where you put the coffee that comes into contact with hot water is made from stainless steel. So I have to say stick with the Vietnamese coffee maker or the French press I wrote about in the post.
I sent a previous post but can’t remember if I hit post; so I shall ask again.
What do you heat your coffee water in to do the French press? Is it also stainless steel or glass like a kettle?
Thanks fran
You boil the water and carefully pour the boiling water into the French press. The one we are using now is ceramic but heat resistant glass works well too. Make sure you get a French press with no plastic parts that touch the hot water or the coffee. Thanks for reading my blog.
Oh, I forgot to ask in my reply. How do you heat your water? Do you use a stainless steel, aluminum free kettle, cook pot?
I so appreciate your info.
Thanks,
Fran
Do you know of any stainless steel or glass electric tea kettles that I may use to heat my water for my French press?
thank you
Hi I think the Farberware purcaltor is stainless steel inside and no aluminin. Please can u confirm this anyone?
As far as I know and it’s been at least a year since I checked there was an aluminum heating element.
seems like every year i do this same search- for an electric coffee maker that has a ceramic or other heating element that is non toxic. How hard can it be to make a glass heating element or even aluminum that is encapsulated and sealed by stainless steel. Glass would be best. I want to set a timer or . command Alexa. Please . shoot me an email if you ever find one – Or better yet . INVENT IT.
Currently I heat my hot wated in a glass tea kettle and then pour it over using a ceramic . Pour Over and organic brown filters. I HATE the time involved and rather set a timer to brew 10 minutes before I wake. Thanks for the research
Hi John, it wasn’t easy tracking down the facts and arriving at the truth. In then end, the only way to make coffee that I trust is with a French press that has no toxic elements that come into contact with hot water or coffee or a little stainless steel Vietnamese coffee maker, my favorite.