The AeroPress is made up of three different types of plastic. Even though the bulk of the coffee making device is made from plastic, all of the plastic used is considered food-safe so that the device is not toxic. Nevertheless, those against using plastic should opt for another alternative.
If you are interested in learning more about the materials used in the AeroPress, keep reading. This article explains what types of plastic are used, where, why, and more.
What material is the AeroPress made of?
The AeroPress is made from three different types of plastic. These plastic types depend on where the plastic is being used. The chamber, plunger, filter, stirrer, and rubber are all made from various types of plastic.
Both the chamber and the plunger are made from a copolyester. Meanwhile, the filter cap, filter holder, stirrer, and funnel are made from polypropylene. Finally, the seal is made from a thermoplastic elastomer, which is almost like rubber.
All of these materials classify as a type of plastic, but they are considered food-safe plastics so that you are not ingesting mass amounts of plastic.
What parts of the AeroPress is made from plastic?
Practically every part of the AeroPress is made from plastic. The chamber, plunger, filter cap, filter holder, stir, funnel, and seal are all made from a different of plastic. This essentially means that the entire coffee maker is made from plastic.
What kind of plastic is used in the AeroPress?
Three different types of plastic are used inside the AeroPress. The first is a copolyester, which is a type of polyester that has various modifications. The second type of plastic inside the AeroPress is polypropylene. Polypropylene is one of the most popular types of plastics because it is soft and flexible, and it is typically considered safer than other plastic types.
The last type of plastic in the AeroPress is the thermoplastic elastomer. Sometimes, this type of plastic is called a thermoplastic rubber because it almost has a rubber-like consistency. Technically, this type of plastic is a type of copolyester (like the first plastic mentioned), but it has had additional modifications done.
Of these different plastic types, the first mentioned is recyclable, but the other two are not. This means that the lid and plunger seal are not recyclable, whereas the chamber itself is.
Do AeroPress filters contain plastic?
Even though the majority of the AeroPress is made from plastic, the AeroPress filter is not. AeroPress filters are made from recyclable and compostable materials. You could also opt for a metal AeroPress filter, which does not contain plastic either.
Is AeroPress safe to drink from?
Yes. The AeroPress is safe to drink from. Even though the majority of the device is made from plastic, all of the materials are food-safe, which means they are free from any BPA and phthalates. BPA and phthalates are specifically what makes plastic materials potentially dangerous.
Since the AeroPress is free from any sorts of BPA and phthalates, it is completely food-safe, and you don’t have to worry about drinking plastic when drinking your favorite cup of coffee.
Is AeroPress toxic?
The AeroPress is not toxic. Even though it is made from plastic, the plastic is entirely food-safe to ensure that you are not consuming any toxic chemicals or plastic when drinking your coffee. Since the plastic is BPA and phthalate free, chemicals do not leak into your coffee from the high temperatures.
Why is the AeroPress made from plastic?
Because plastic can be so potentially dangerous, you might be wondering why the AeroPress is made from plastic in the first place. Even though it’s true that plastic is dangerous, there are many advantages to it, especially regarding the AeroPress.
The AeroPress is a favorite coffee maker for those on the go. It is especially a favorite for hikers, campers, and other active individuals. The plastic materials allow the AeroPress to be portable and convenient. If the AeroPress were made from glass or a harder material, it would be difficult to transport with you.
Does AeroPress taste like plastic?
If you use the AeroPress correctly, the coffee should not taste like plastic. That’s because you are supposed to use lower water temperatures when brewing your coffee in an AeroPress. The lower temperatures result in better flavors, and it also prevents chemicals from leaching from the plastic.
In the case that your AeroPress coffee is tasting like plastic, make sure you are using the right temperature of water. If you are, make sure there are no damages to the various parts that could cause the plastic flavor to latch onto the coffee easier.
Is AeroPress ecofriendly?
Even though the AeroPress is great for a number of reasons, it isn’t exactly ecofriendly. Only a couple parts of the AeroPress are actually recyclable. The chamber, for instance, is recyclable, but the seal is not.
Luckily, most AeroPress devices do last a long time. When they are maintained and used correctly, you can expect the AeroPress to last you many years. This means that the AeroPress isn’t terrible for the environment, even though it isn’t the best.
Although the AeroPress itself is not ecofriendly, its filter options are. With the AeroPress, you can either select paper filters or metal filters. The paper filters are completely compostable. Meanwhile, the metal filters are reusable so that you don’t have to buy new filters.
Is there a plastic-free AeroPress alternative?
Unfortunately, there is not a plastic-free AeroPress alternative. By this, we mean that there is no device that uses the exact same AeroPress methods without using plastic. The reason for this is that plastic is the best material for this style of brewing and on-the-go brewing.
Still, you can opt for a different brewing method that is plastic-free. For example, the French Press is similar to the AeroPress, and it is typically made from glass and metal, not plastic. Still, the brewing technique is not identical and the cup of coffee will not taste the exact same as it would from the AeroPress.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.