Unfortunately, AeroPress doesn’t have a version of their coffee maker in glass. It only comes as BPA-free plastics with a silicone seal. This is true for both models they offer: AeroPress Original and AeroPress Go. There are no other materials these comprise except plastic. But, there are many good reasons for this.
Part of this is due to the convenience and practicality that AeroPress strives for. It’d be a little difficult to take a glass or metal device with you to work or when you travel. There’s the whole potential for it breaking or denting, respectively. Plus, the pressure offered by the plunger as it goes down into hot, boiling water does create something of a hazard.
What Would be the Limitations of a Glass AeroPress?
The potential of glass as an AeroPress isn’t really pragmatic in terms of the physics involved. The volcanic implosion effect might be disastrous, not to mention messy and possibly painful. This means that boiling hot water may spew out the other direction.
It would not only burn your hands, but it might also splash onto clothing, skin and other undesirable areas. Plus, clasping the chamber would be excruciatingly hot on your hands. The delicacy of glass also comes into question and with it comes the potential for breakage, which might cut your hands.
Another possible limitation would be the device’s ability to hold a hot temperature. Glass gets colder much quicker than plastic because glass isn’t nearly as insulated. It may prove to be difficult to get a well-brewed cup of coffee in wintertime.
Would it be Possible to Make an AeroPress out of Glass?
It may be possible to make an AeroPress out of Glass regardless of the delicacy. For instance, if everything, including the plunger, comprised silicone with the only chamber being glass, it might work. In this case, Pyrex would probably be ideal. But, it would make the device more expensive than the $30 price tag it comes with now.
However, consider for a moment that using glass in an AeroPress would essentially turn it into another type of French Press. But this one would have a filter, albeit a faster way to make a cup of coffee.
Why Does an AeroPress Need to be Plastic?
Plastic is a practical material that’s strong, inexpensive, durable, lightweight and convenient. So, it only makes sense for an AeroPress to comprise plastic. This means you don’t have to be careful or gentle as you would with a glass one. It can take a little abuse, handling bumps, dings and harsher impacts.
Plus, plastic gives an AeroPress more traveling and portability options. You can throw it into a bag or a backpack and take it with you to work or on a hiking trip. You can’t really do that with glass without taking deliberate steps to protect it from breakage.
What’s more, the plastic comprising the chamber will protect your hands from getting burned. Because there’s no handle on an AeroPress, a glass one may be too hot to touch and this would make depressing the plunger difficult. And, in order to make the device affordable enough for anyone, plastic helps keep production costs down.
What Kinds of Plastic Comprise an AeroPress?
According to AeroPress’s website, they make their devices with three different plastics. The plunger and chamber comprise copolyester. The filter holder, funnel, stirring tool and filter cap contain polypropylene. And then the rubber seal and plunger tip comprises thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone.
Is it Healthy to Make Coffee from an AeroPress Even though it’s Plastic?
AeroPress stands by their claim that their plastics are free of harmful chemicals such as bisphenol-A, or BPA, and other phthalates. These are the worst culprits when it comes to cancer-causing agents. So, you can take some piece of mind knowing that an AeroPress doesn’t have these in their plastic components.
Is AeroPress Still Recyclable Even though it’s Plastic?
Many components on the AeroPress are recyclable and there are a few that are not. For instance, the plunger, filter cap, chamber, stirring tool and funnel comprise plastics that you can recycle. This is also true for the micro-filters. But, the rubber seal and plunger tip are not recyclable because they compose silicone.
Does AeroPress Coffee Taste Like Plastic?
There are mixed reviews from people who have had a cup of Joe from an AeroPress. Some people love the taste and find it a wonderful journey in coffee consumption in the morning. But, there are a few reports that say there’s a plastic under taste they find noticeable and disconcerting.
Does AeroPress Make a Metal or Stainless Steel Version?
No, AeroPress doesn’t have a metal or stainless steel version. Although this would be durable, it also presents a lot of problems in being able to be convenient and practical. However, it would be possible for AeroPress to make it out of metal and still be just as cost effective in their manufacturing.
That said, metal or stainless steel does create a flavor issue with the coffee. Some people don’t like the metallic taste that does tend to leech out.
What Would be the Limitations of a Metal or Stainless Steel AeroPress?
One of the biggest problems of an AeroPress being metal or stainless steel is how hot the metal would get once you add boiling water. Plus, metal isn’t translucent in the same way as plastic or glass it. This will make the side numbering on the chamber difficult to measure and see properly.
Aesthetically speaking, the stainless steel would give the device a sleek, posh and mod appearance. But, it does tend to dent, ding and bend rather easily.
Does the AeroPress Company Have Any Plans for Other Materials in the Future?
As of the time of this writing AeroPress doesn’t have any future plans to develop devices with other materials. According to the company, they actually played around with the idea, but they felt the varying substances affected the coffee’s taste.
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.
