I get this question A LOT!
“Tamara, what coffee maker do you use?”
A: Mostly we use a French press style coffee maker.
However I do want to clarify that I have found lead in several French presses. Specifically (as with many measuring cups and other glass items with logos or marked writings on the exterior) the paint on the markings is often lead paint, especially if the paint is white (as with many of the Bodum brand coffee makers.)
Here are a few links* to check out. I have not necessarily tested each of these exact models, but I wanted to share them as examples. In each of these cases the borosilicate glass itself is always going to be lead-free. [I have never tested modern clear borosilicate glass that was positive for lead.]
Here is a French press by Brewsentials.
You can see in this image that the logo text is in black. In my experience it is less likely to have lead if the logo marking on a modern item is black (instead of white), however that is not 100% certain and I have not tested this exact model.
Otherwise this looks like an excellent choice as all of the components that touch the coffee are either glass or stainless. Plus it is also inexpensive! Here’s the link to this product.
The Bodum brand French presses seem to have either white or black writing (depending on which one you get) although from the Amazon link it’s har
d to tell which one you will get when you order it. For example the link to this product (pictured) has both of these images which include one with white exterior writing (which I have confirmed is leaded on at least some of the Bodum brand presses) and one with black exterior writing (for the exact same product listing on Amazon!) I also do not recommend this type of press in general as it has interior components made of plastic (see the photo with the lid which shows the black plastic filter/screen at the top near the pour spout.) While the plastic itself is not a lead concern, in general you never want hot liquids being poured over, stored in, or consumed from plastic containers of any kind. Here’s the link to this product so you can see the images close up.
Since the lead concern with French Presses is specifically on the exterior writing of the product, you can easily get replacement beakers that appear to have no writing at all, and that is a good alternative (especially if you start with a product that is otherwise all stainless steel!) Please note that while the photos on this particular replacement beaker have no writing in the Amazon ad that does not guarantee that the product you receive in the mail will not have writing on the outside (either logo or measurement markings), so if you want to ensure a lead-free product – I always recommend asking questions on the Amazon listing OR contacting the company directly. There are appear to be SEVERAL companies making this product without writing, so check out these listings as well: example 1, example 2.
As always, thank you for reading! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Also – I am sharing these particular products and information as examples to give you guidelines for purchasing… please do not feel obligated to purchase the specific ones I have recommended, but take it a step further and look at other products that may be suggested by Amazon (or other vendors), using the concepts I share in this post as a purchasing guide.
Also – I am not saying that using one of these products with lead paint on the exterior will necessarily poison the user. In most cases I would never make that leap, the studies have simply not been done. HOWEVER I do not think that lead paint belongs ANYWHERE in our kitchens, especially on a product we use (and wash in our sinks, with our other things!) daily!
Happy shopping!
Sincerely,
Tamara Elise Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
#UnexpectedLeadExpert
Have you tested Coffee percolators? Specifically a Hamilton Beach Urn? It’s an aluminum type metal, but the hot water stays in there for a long time and I am wondering if it’s just leaching lead into the water. Can’t find any info on it.
I have not tested any of those, sorry!
Have you found any 40oz metal French Presses that are lead free? Our glass Bodum press broke and we are switching to metal. Ideally, double insulated and double filter. Points if it’s dishwasher safe!
I can’t speak to lead but the farberware electric percolator is all stainless steel. There is debate as to whether the bottom heat/small part has aluminum or not but it’s at least far less aluminum. I’m trying to find a coffeemaker without inner plastic parts but also without lead, so that’s the one I’m thinking of buying. I think percolators could be a good option but not sure which is truly safe.
I use a percolator and I’m wondering the same. I’ve tried to research it but nothing has come up.
Tamara,
Thanks for your diligence and work on these issues! It seems as if you are one of the handful of individuals in the world standing against the barrage of daily household toxicity.
My question is whether the leaded lettering on the outside of the french press is any risk of entering the coffee on the inside? The recent discovery that this toxin is lurking in so many of my dishes will be an expensive fix. Would be nice if some things would not need to be replaced so immediately.
Thank you!
In the Bodum brand I have not seen the lettering come off at all, but I have also not yet tested it with a swab. I will do that and share the result. If it tests positive with a swab that means the leaded surface could (technically, under certain circumstances) chalk off, which wouldn’t contaminate your coffee in the moment of making your coffee (because you usually don’t touch the outside of the canister and then put your hand in the coffee afterwards) but it could wear into your kitchen environment (sink, sponge, dishwasher) which I AM SURE has not ever been studied as a concern – but in my opinion is not ideal!
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It’s the same with all the painted glass measuring cups (and all of the baby bottles with lead paint that I have found recently) – they seem to inevitably have wear in the paint, right?! And where does that paint residue go? Remembering for context that it just takes a microscopic amount of lead dust to poison a child and the lead found in this paint on glass is generally a very high level of lead – far from microscopic!
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The canisters break so often (at least in our house they do) just order a paint-free one the next time it breaks. I don’t have access to a painted one right now but will test with a swab next time I do. We recently (like 6 weeks ago) got a replacement canister for something like $9 on Amazon with free two-day shipping! (yeah, and it broke already. KIDS!) Note: There are also some with lead-free paint, but I have not yet identified a brand that consistently has lead-free paint.
Hello Tamara
Have you been able to test the Bodum coffee maker for lead? Or any more of others? I would love to hear your results and purchase.
Thanks
https://tamararubin.com/category/bodum/
What are you thoughts on the Prop 65 warning on coffee beans? Is the presence of acrylamide dangerous?
I don’t know a lot about that. We do try to have organic as much as possible – and I understand that different roasting techniques have different impacts as far as that goes.
I’ve seen organic potato chips with the Prop 65 warning as well. It stated is was because of acrylamide that occurs naturally when cooking the potatoes. A quick internet search can help understand the potential dangers but I still don’t know how I feel about it. One thought is “I can’t bring myself to purchase food with a cancer warning” and the other is “accepting that as a valid fear possibly renders all cooked food to be carcinogenic”. What has brought me comfort is all the info I’ve read states it happens when foods are over cooked so just don’t overcook your food. Because I can’t confirm practices on processed foods and restaurants (that probably expose their conventionally farmed food to a LOT more toxins than I’d prefer to know) I personally maintain a goal of only eating two meals outside the home a week, which my children and I generally hit every week. On the note of coffee, I imagine a lighter roast is less likely to have acrylamide than a darker roast.
Just bought the SterlingPro stainless steel French press as it’s touted as a nontoxic option, but the inside has lines for measurement. Do you know anything about the safety of this product? Really need coffee back in my life!
Me too!
I know there’s a lot of stuff to test and go over, however I have to ask. Have you ever tested or found a coffee machine that doesn’t have lead.
I have never found an espresso machine that was 100% free of Lead.
Hello Tamara,
Have you ever tested the white Chemex logo on the bottom of Chemex coffee makers?
Thanks,
Mel
Hi I am having a hard time finding a non toxic manual or electric coffee grinder. Do you know of any.
Thank you
Have you ever tested hand operated coffee grinders? Some that we’ve looked at buying have ceramic burrs (and lots of ceramic things on your site have lead). Some that we’ve looked at have unspecified metal components (copper? brass? anything with lead? we don’t know!). They always contain some element of glass (which from your site I’ve learned can have lead), though they don’t say it’s borosilicate. We prefer to avoid plastic components, but haven’t yet found a hand operated coffee grinder that is clearly made of lead-free glass, metal, and/or wood. So we were wondering if you had tested any yet!
PS Still hoping you can come to NC in the near future!
Have you ever tested the metal grinders inside coffee grinders for lead- namely the Capresso ones?
Hi Tamara,
I just purchased the Stelton Theo French Press Coffee Maker from Crate and Barrel.
Is this lead free? I can’t seem to find that on the product detail.
Thank you!
Could you say what brand French press you would currently recommend or are using yourself? The brew essentials one isn’t available anymore. Thanks so much 🙂
If its stainless steel and made in China you can be darn sure that it will be leaching lead.
Most stainless does not test positive for even trace lead, unless it is a solder spot / join point or similar or a non-stainless decorative element.
Have you tested any stainless for nickel or copper?
Hi! Looking to see if you know about ceramic in manual coffee grinders possibly containing lead. I was interested in the Hario coffee grinder but it has ceramic burts so I’m leaning towards stainless steel now. Thank you!
Hello Tamara my name is Geraldina and need to ask about a company called “Public Goods” from New York. They offer a french press coffee maker lead free for 17 dollars. It sound to good to be true. Please tell me what you think.
Thank you for all you do
Hi! I just checked this out on public goods since it’s so inexpensive. It might be lead free as they claim, but it does have a plastic seal around the lid which has made me steer clear of it.
Hi Tamara
Thanks for your excellent work!
I use either glass or stainless steel coffee presses to avoid heavy metals.
BUT I have run across several plungers that come with the presses that smell like cheap metal jewelry.
Have you ever tested the screen, post, or screws used in the plungers for lead?
Thanks!
Hi, Tamara!! Could you please give a link for an approved French press. You listed one but it’s no longer available. Help!! Thanks so much
Help!! I’m desperately wanting a French press but don’t want to buy one without further assistance from you. I have researched but not confident Thank you for your assistance on this. You’re the BEST!!!
Have you tested the white logo on the Chemex coffee makers? Are they lead free?
Have you tested the Chemex drip coffee maker?
Have you tested coffee grinders?
Hi Tamara!
I really appreciate your work and have been searching for an all Stainless French Press since the one you recommended is unavailable at this time. I found this one from Rodolffo on Amazon that you might like to recommend. There are no markings on the glass and no plastic at all in the body. However, the brand name seems to be either etched or printed in black on the front of the steel carafe. It’s so fine I can’t tell. I can send you a close up pic if you’d like.
https://a.co/d/j6X1aAT
Hi! Wondering about the white ceramic pour over from World Market? I use it on top of my World Market coffee mug every morning to make my coffee. Thanks!
Hmm – it *might* be Lead-free, but it might not. How old is it?
what are your thoughts on the Caraway Kettle? Lead?
I am looking at the YIELD coffee press. I was wondering if it would have lead because it is brown in color?https://getopenspaces.com/products/850-ml-glass-french-press
Thanks so much for all your great information!!!