Multiple approaches exist for making coffee without any plastic contacting the liquid when following standard ratios. However most such techniques including moka pots French presses and pour overs work best for individual servings or modest amounts and demand active involvement during preparation.

Automatic drip models have long incorporated plastic elements in water tanks filter holders and internal channels. Even when free of certain chemicals it feels odd to accept boiling water passing through plastic routinely. This raises questions about potential microplastic transfer into daily coffee alongside typical add-ins.

Simply Good Coffee addresses this concern through its automatic brewer called The Brewer. Priced at 479 dollars with frequent reductions to 429 or lower via its site and major retailers a programmable edition costs 520 dollars.

What defines plastic-free brewing?

Initial inspection shows some plastic parts yet all surfaces contacting water consist of glass or stainless steel. Beyond the standard glass carafe this model features a glass water tank. The full unit remains light at just over 10 pounds.

The standout difference appears in the filter basket holding grounds. Its outer shell uses plastic for heat insulation while the inner section is stainless steel. Pathways from tank to shower head along with the funnel to the carafe are stainless steel as is the carafe opening. An included stainless steel scoop supports the plastic-free approach.

Though visually akin to the Moccamaster model favored at CNET the key distinction lies in the basket. Moccamaster intentionally employs plastic there for steady temperatures and quick successive brews without cooling. Relevance depends on household rebrew frequency.

Plastic components here described as medical-grade silicone fulfill essential roles. They insulate edges around the steel-lined carafe mouth and the basket exterior plus the shower head wand to avoid direct heat conduction issues.

Operation features intuitive design and practical details

Parts separate simply for use with clear positioning for the shower head basket lid and grounds release. All components suit dishwasher cleaning.

Toggle prevents drips on hot plate after brewing

The tested model uses a basic on-off switch though a programmable option exists. A bloom setting pauses water flow briefly like pour-over methods to let grounds release gases before full brewing. The shower head mimics pour-over agitation of grounds for better extraction as experts recommend.

A useful switch on the basket marked open to brew and closed to stop drip helps protect the hot plate and reduces cleaning needs. Even this switch is stainless steel ensuring no plastic touches the coffee. One risk involves forgetting to open it leading to potential overflow if unnoticed.

Evaluating value at this price point

Pros include strong construction and features yet the high cost stands out as a drawback. Value hinges on how much plastic-free automatic brewing matters compared to cheaper manual options like pour-over sets moka pots or French presses.

Capacity reaches only 8 cups limiting crowd service at this price. Style small size and a 5-year warranty help but alternatives offer larger capacity or extra functions for similar spend.

Additional coffee insights appear in tested espresso machine guides and explanations of professional grinder choices.

Pros & Cons

Primarily glass and stainless steel construction
Modular and straightforward setup
Targeted plastic use for heat insulation
Switch to halt post-brew dripping
Helpful included accessories
Lab-like appearance with compact size
Bloom and pour-over style functions
Light overall weight
Dishwasher-safe components
5-year replacement coverage

High cost
Limited capacity relative to price