These days, you can find plastic everywhere. Which raises concerns about BPA.
Unfortunately, this applies to coffee machines as well.
Naturally, you want to enjoy your fresh cup of joe without worrying about some nasty chemicals getting into your beverage. That’s why it’s always a good idea to search for the best BPA free coffee makers. We will take a look at them today and share a handy buyer’s guide to help you make the most informed decision.
| Product | Price | |
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Best Overall — Editor’s Pick – Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker (DCC-3200P1) | Check current price on Amazon |
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Best BPA Free Drip Coffee Maker – Ninja 12-Cup Coffee Maker (CE201) | Check current price on Amazon |
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Best BPA Free Single-Serve Coffee Maker – Keurig K-Elite | Check current price on Amazon |
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Best High-End Pick – Technivorm Moccamaster (59616 KBG) | Check current price on Amazon |
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Best Value for Money – Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker (49950C) | Check current price on Amazon |
Our Reviews of 5 Best BPA Free Coffee Makers
Best Overall — Editor’s Pick
Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker (DCC-3200P1)
- programmable 24-hour timer;
- 14-cup glass carafe;
- charcoal water filter;
- automatic shut-off function;
- mesh coffee filter;
- brew strength controls.
The first model that deserves to be among the best BPA free coffee makers is the Cuisinart Perfectemp. This coffee machine brews hot beverages without sacrificing the flavor. Plus, it’s extremely easy to use and even allows for beverage customization.
If the 14-cup capacity is too much, you can use the Cuisinart as a 1 to 4-cup coffee maker, depending on how much coffee you want on any given day.
This is an automatic coffee maker that has a drip system. It is programmable, so you can set a timer for up to 24 hours and the machine will brew coffee for you in advance. The carafe is glass, which makes it easier to monitor how much coffee you have left. You can also control the temperature of the warming plate to preserve the flavor of your coffee.
To sum up, the Cuisinart is a worthy coffee maker. It brews hot, delicious coffee and comes with a set of essential features for your convenience.
Best BPA Free Drip Coffee Maker
Ninja 12-Cup Coffee Maker (CE201)
- plastic and metal parts;
- 12-cup glass carafe;
- adjustable warming plate temperature;
- 60-oz removable water tank;
- reusable mesh filter;
- small-batch brewing function.
The next item that deserves your attention is this stylish and sleek drip coffee maker by Ninja. It uses an advanced heating element to brew hotter coffee. And the adjustable warming plate will keep it fresh for hours.
The Ninja carafe features a flavor straw in the middle. It delivers the freshly brewed coffee to the bottom, which allows the beverage to blend nicely and retain its balanced fresh flavor.
Now, this top-rated coffee
maker is extremely easy to use. The water reservoir is removable for easy refills. You can brew a small batch of fresh coffee when you don’t want a full carafe. There are classic and rich brewing options, which gives you the freedom to experiment a bit with the flavors.
Overall, the Ninja can satisfy various categories of coffee lovers. It is suited for both beginners and avid coffee drinkers and makes delicious drip coffee.
Best BPA Free Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Elite
- brews at 187-192 degrees Fahrenheit;
- 5 brewing sizes;
- descaling function;
- plastic construction with metal details;
- includes a water filter.
Being among the best BPA free coffee makers, the K-Elite is perfect for those who want their coffee fast and always fresh.
This model works for iced beverages as well. When you choose the ICED function, the coffee maker picks the optimal brewing size and strength for a delicious cold beverage. All you have to do is fill your cup with ice and press a button.
This awesome Keurig coffee maker brews 5 different cup
sizes. The drip tray is removable, so you can use taller travel mugs. The consistent brewing temperature ensures that your beverages don’t end up tasting burnt or flavorless. There’s also a strong brew button for a richer aroma.
To summarize, the Keurig K-Elite has the right to be among the best single-serve coffee makers. Despite some minor flaws, this machine has everything you may need for a delicious cup of coffee.
Best High-End Pick
Technivorm Moccamaster (59616 KBG)
- 40-oz water tank;
- automatic shut-off after 100 minutes;
- metal and plastic construction;
- brewing temperature between 196 and 206 degrees Fahrenheit;
- hotplate temperature: 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit.
This model belongs to the best BPA free and SCAA certified coffee makers. The Technivorm looks like a professional piece of equipment and delivers excellent coffee quality.
What makes this model special is the water outlet used for brewing. It has a 9-hole design that allows for an even water distribution and coffee saturation. This results in smooth, flavorful coffee every time.
Using a copper heating element, the Technivorm does what many other drip coffee makers can’t do. It brews coffee at the optimal temperature for the smoothest flavor. The thermal plate also maintains the optimal warming temperature and shuts off automatically. If you want to remove the carafe and sneak a cup during the brewing cycle, the machine will pause to prevent dripping.
Overall, this model has a chance to impress you. The Technivorm combines elegance, simplicity, and great performance.
Best Value for Money
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker (49950C)
- works with K-cups and brews up to 10 oz.;
- brews using regular ground coffee (up to 14 oz. in the single-serve mode);
- comes with a mesh filter but works with paper ones as well;
- bold and regular brew options;
- programmable timer.
Another model that deserves to be among the best BPA free coffee makers is the FlexBrew by Hamilton Beach. As this is a dual coffee maker, this device offers a good value for money and gives users multiple brewing options.
The unit comes with a single-serve brew basket, which you can use with your ground coffee. This allows coffee lovers to experiment with different grind sizes and bean types to achieve that perfect aroma.
The Hamilton Beach is a versatile coffee maker, which makes it suitable for a wide variety of users. It can brew a full carafe or a single cup. You can also sneak a cup out of the carafe during the process without dripping coffee. There’s also a timer function for pre-programmed brewing.
To tell the truth, the Hamilton Beach has a lot of potential. Even though it doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles, this coffee maker is very flexible and brews delicious coffee.
Plastic Coffee Makers and BPA – Concerns and Safety
BPA stands for ‘Bisphenol A’ and is one of the main components for manufacturing plastic goods. BPA helps plastic harden and keeps it clear and shiny.
However, there are a lot of studies confirming that long-term exposure to BPA has a lot of adverse health effects, such as:
- Hormonal imbalance. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, which means that it can mimic the effects of body estrogen and bind with estrogen receptors. Long-term exposure to the BPA in the environment can be connected to inducing hyperprolactinemia and certain types of cancer. These correlations have only been made on animal studies so far, but scientists think that humans can be susceptible to the effects of BPA too (1).
- II Type diabetes. Studies also show that long-term exposure to the BPA can trigger insulin resistance (2), which is the main factor for type II diabetes and obesity.
- Heart problems. Science has confirmed the connection between exposure to Bisphenol-A and heart disease. According to a 13-year epidemiological study, bisphenol exposure acted as one of the predictive factors for cardiovascular disease in more than 91% of cases (3).
- Fertility problems. BPA is linked to disruption in the reproductive system, specifically in men. Studies show that exposure to this chemical may result in lower urinal concentration of the reproductive hormones, as well as in worsening of the semen quality (4).
FDA has stated that bisphenol A is safe in small doses. However, its volatility increases with heat. This means that if essential parts of your coffee machine — or the parts that are in direct contact with hot water and coffee — are made of plastic, you will get increased exposure.
And we all know that a real coffee lover can easily drink huge amounts of coffee per day, which also means that higher amounts of BPA enter the system.
Identifying BPA in Your Coffee Maker
So, how do you find out if the plastic parts of your coffee maker contain bisphenol? There are several simple ways:- Check the labeling. This is the first step you should do. Marking for BPA isn’t mandatory in the US, but coffee machine brands with a good reputation typically place it on plastic parts. If you cannot find the marking or still aren’t sure, proceed to the next steps.
- Look at the color of plastic and its transparency. BPA is typically used for making hard and clear plastics that are safe for microwaving or freezing. If your coffee maker has plastic parts that are opaque, black, or colored, there’s a high chance that they’re made from another type of plastic.
- Look at the marking numbers. Many plastic parts are suitable for recycling, and those are marked with different numbers inside the ‘chasing arrows’ symbol (5). You should specifically be aware of the number 7, which includes plastics that cannot always be recycled, and some of these plastics may contain BPA. However, if the said plastic part doesn’t have contact with water, heating tank, or coffee grounds, it might be fine to use the coffee maker.
Pay attention to the water reservoir and coffee filter basket. These parts come in direct contact with your coffee, which means they can release BPA (if they contain any). If you aren’t sure whether those parts are BPA free (or can’t find the info on the product’s page), it’s always a good idea to contact the manufacturer.
Types of BPA-Free Coffee Makers
Concerns around BPA make users search for the alternatives.
Luckily, there are plenty of options to pick from. As such a variety can be overwhelming, let’s categorize the top-notch BPA free coffee makers. The most common types are:
- Drip. Being one of the most popular options, drip coffee makers typically use the combination of plastic and stainless steel. There are plenty of BPA free models, including both carafe and single-serve models. Thermal carafe coffee makers are favored for their ability to preserve the flavor without making coffee taste burnt. As for glass models, they use a warming plate. Both carafe types are safe in terms of BPA contents.
- Espresso machine. Experienced coffee lovers prefer this type as it allows them to brew rich and bold espressos. While some machines use plastic parts, most of the components are typically metal, especially those that touch the beverage or the grinds. This makes espresso machines a good option for people who want a BPA free coffee maker.
- Pour-over. Typically made of glass, pour-over coffee makers (like Chemex, for example) are completely safe. They require more time to brew coffee and might not be ideal for hasty mornings. However, the results are worth waiting for as you get clean-tasting, flavorful beverages. Keep in mind that pour-overs require coffee filters, typically paper ones. There are also good automatic pour-over coffee makers that do all the work for you. Some of them may use plastic components, but manufacturers usually avoid BPA, especially in those parts that come in direct contact with water or coffee.
- Stovetop. Also known as a Moka pot, stovetop coffee makers are typically made of stainless steel. They are perfect for those users who love strong coffee and want their beverages to be similar to bold espressos. Additionally, Moka pots are rather durable and budget-friendly. They typically belong to the group of coffee makers under $100 and combine affordability with a more than decent performance.
- Percolator. Percolators are quite popular thanks to their simple operation and reliable stainless steel design (which is also safe). This is an efficient plug-and-use type of coffee maker that doesn’t require any experience or skill on your part.
- French press. This type belongs to the manual category of coffee makers. They are usually made of stainless steel and glass, which makes them BPA free. Brewing coffee in a French press takes a bit longer because it needs time to steep. However, with this type, you can brew strong and rich beverages.
- Syphon. Not the most widespread type, syphon coffee makers belong to top-notch Japanese coffee machines that don’t use BPA (or plastic, for that matter) in their construction. These cool-looking devices use a vacuum system to force the heated water through the grounds, extracting bold, full-bodied coffee. This is a manual style of coffee makers that requires more time for brewing than, let’s say, regular drip machines. However, most coffee lovers agree that the results are worth the wait.
- Cold brew coffee makers. This is a perfect choice for those who love a cool and refreshing brew with a strong flavor. Cold brew coffee is steeped in cold water for up to 48 hours, and these coffee makers are typically made of glass and natural materials, such as bamboo or cork.
- Chemex. Chemex is a manual brewing method named after the Chemex glass that features 2 sections and has an hourglass shape. Chemex filtered coffee has a mild flavor and a complex body because of the fast extraction process through a paper filter.
The easiest way to recognize a BPA free coffee maker is to check whether it has plastic parts that are in direct contact with the coffee. For instance, if a coffee machine has a plastic exterior, it doesn’t pose a threat to your health as, in this case, BPA won’t get in your coffee and, consequently, in your body.
Also read: Types of Coffee Makers
How to Pick the Best BPA Free Coffee Maker – Buyer’s Guide
Sometimes it can be hard to make up your mind.
Especially when there are so many options. Many of them seem attractive, but the trick is to find the one that would work for you.
To do that, you need to consider the most important factors that can determine which model would be suitable for your needs:
- Size. Now, BPA free
coffee makers have different capacity and offer various brewing sizes. You can pick among the best single-serve coffee makers, 14-cup machines, and everything in between. Now, if you are an avid coffee drinker, a standard 8- or 10-cup model should suffice. If your family likes coffee too, you may want to consider a larger option (12- or even 14-cup). Now, if you’re afraid that using a larger-capacity model would turn your coffee stale, consider something in the middle, like one of the best 5-cup coffee makers. As for the single-serve models, they are perfect for small kitchens and solo users. - Type. Keep in mind that pour-overs and French press coffee makers take more time to brew your favorite beverage. As for drip coffee machines, they are quite versatile in use. However, you need to make sure that their plastic components are BPA free or don’t come in contact with your coffee.
- Materials. Modern coffee makers can be made of stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or feature plastic parts. To minimize exposure to BPA, choose any material except plastic. But if you cannot afford a plastic-free coffee maker, choose the ones without clear plastic parts or those where the contact between the plastic and the essential parts is limited.
- Functionality. The simplest, budget-friendly models don’t allow for much customization, so you need to keep that in mind when shopping. Pricier coffee machines oftentimes offer brew strength controls, different brewing sizes, automatic timed brewing, temperature controls, etc. You can also come across grind and brew coffee makers, which have a bean-to-cup system and brew the freshest coffee. Many of them can brew multiple types of beverages and belong to the best all-in-one coffee makers, doing all the work for users.
- Ease of cleaning. If you are looking for a low-maintenance device, you can pick a model that has a self-clean or a descaling mode. Some coffee makers have dishwasher-safe parts, which can be a great bonus. Also, keep in mind that models with warming plates can be tricky to clean as coffee may drip onto the plate and create buildup.
- Water reservoir.
Shoppers often overlook this aspect, but a water tank is an important component of any coffee machine. First of all, it has to be completely BPA-free, as this part is always in direct contact with the water you use for your coffee. Additionally, a removable water tank is always easier to use, as it allows for fuss-free refills. If you don’t want to be bothered with refills at all, you can consider getting a good coffee maker with a water line. Such devices connect directly to your home water supply and pump as much water as needed for brewing, avoiding leaving stale water in the reservoir (and eliminating the need for refills). - Manufacturer’s country. This is one of the rare cases where the brand and the country of assembling really matters. If you purchase a coffee maker from a reputable brand, which cares about its customers, the chances of getting exposed to BPA are low even if the brewer itself is made in China. However, imported coffee makers are made according to different standards, and may contain a higher percentage of harsh chemicals, including BPA, in their plastic parts.
F.A.Q.
How to know if a coffee maker is BPA free?
Typically, manufacturers mention this info on their product page. You can also check the labeling on the coffee machine’s plastic parts. If it says “PC” or “7”, chances are the plastic contains BPA.
Are BPA free coffee makers safe?
Yes, BPA free coffee machines are generally considered to be safe.
Are all Mr. Coffee makers BPA free?
Yes. According to the manufacturer, all Mr. Coffee makers are BPA free.
Is the Ninja coffee maker BPA free?
Yes, all Ninja coffee makers are BPA free.
Are stainless steel coffee machines BPA-free?
Absolutely, stainless steel is a BPA-free material, and if you find a coffee maker with stainless steel gear, you should be fine. However, some stainless steel coffee makers still feature plastic parts, so be sure to check if they are made of BPA-free plastic.
Which is better — stainless steel or glass coffee machine?
It all boils down to your personal preferences and preferred brewing method. For example, if you prefer Moka pot coffee, then most of them are made of steel or metal. On the other hand, the French press is a glass vessel, so there’s also only one option for you if you like this type of brew.
Conclusion
BPA is a rather controversial component. And while it may be considered safe, you can easily avoid it for your peace of mind.
While there are many plastic coffee makers, most manufacturers use BPA free parts, especially those that are in direct contact with the coffee.
There’s plenty to choose from, but my personal favorite is the Cuisinart Perfectemp. This BPA free coffee maker is perfect for those who want their coffee hot, rich, and fast. It’s a rather affordable pick that can pleasantly surprise you with its performance.
What do you think? Which model caught your attention? Let us know in the comments!
References:
- Lanxiang Hao, Jing Zhang, Yonghong Zhang, Haitao Hu, Weiwei Shao, Xiaochen Zhang, Chunmei Geng, Yanyan Wang, and Ling Jiang (2016, October 15). Effect of Bisphenol A on occurrence and progression of prolactinoma and its underlying mechanisms. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5095312/
- Milos Pjanic (2017, September 13). The role of polycarbonate monomer bisphenol-A in insulin resistance. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28929027/
- Shinje Moon Sung, Hoon Yu Chang, Beom Lee Young, Joo Park Hyung, Joon Yoo Dong, Sun Kim (2021, April 1). Effects of bisphenol A on cardiovascular disease: An epidemiological study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2016 and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720364718
- Lidia Mínguez-Alarcon, Ph.D., Russ Hauser, M.D., Audrey J. Gaskins, Sc.D. (2015, September 16). Effects of bisphenol A on male and couple reproductive health: a review. Retrieved from https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(16)62624-9/pdf
- AcmePlastic (n.d.) Your Guide to Plastic Recycling Symbols. Retrieved from https://www.acmeplastics.com/content/your-guide-to-plastic-recycling-symbols/
My name is Yurii Brown. I am a passionate coffee geek and, concurrently, a certified coffee specialist.
I’ve been learning about coffee for a long time, testing various devices and practicing in home coffee brewing. I like to share my experience and insights with fellow coffee lovers so that my readers could enjoy the real taste of quality-brewed beverages.
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