A Plastic-Free Coffee Brewing Option We Love

As part of our ongoing mission to reduce plastic in our home, we started looking at some of the things we use every single day. One of those things was our coffee maker.

When you really stop and think about it, coffee makers are mostly plastic, and they're repeatedly exposed to hot water. Since coffee is something we drink every day, it felt like a change worth prioritizing over some of the less frequently used items in our home.

I had tried French press coffee years ago, but when you're gifted a coffee maker, you tend to use what you have. So when we started looking for alternatives, naturally our thoughts went back to French press.

I'll admit, we haven't completely switched over. Life is busy. Between working full time, caring for a baby, and keeping up with three pets, there are definitely mornings when convenience wins. But on slower mornings, cozy weekends, or whenever we have a little extra time, we reach for this French press.

The main reason we chose the Veken French Press Coffee Maker was because it advertises that no plastic touches the coffee during brewing. That was important to us and one of the biggest selling points. If I'm going to take the time to buy quality beans and grind them fresh, I'd rather not have hot coffee running through a bunch of plastic first.

There are a couple things worth mentioning if you've never used a French press before. This style doesn't have the little rotating piece on top that covers the spout. Because of that, it doesn't stay quite as hot as some other designs, so I recommend drinking it sooner rather than later. Also, don't fill it all the way to the top line, even though it looks like you can. Leaving a little room makes the whole process much easier, especially when it's time to press.

As with any French press, press the plunger down slowly. If you've owned one before, you probably already know why.

One small thing that surprised me is that the glass insert can slide out of the frame. It's not an issue during normal use, but I learned pretty quickly not to hold it upside down by the handle while cleaning.

The instructions recommend pouring hot water into the container before brewing your coffee, but we've tried it both ways and honestly haven't noticed much of a difference, so we usually skip that step.

What I Love Most About French Press Coffee

What I love most about this French press isn't actually the French press itself.

It's French press coffee.

If you've never tried it before, the difference is noticeable. The flavor feels richer and the texture is slightly more silky than coffee from a traditional drip machine. We also grind our beans fresh, which makes the experience even better.

There's something about slowing down for a few extra minutes and making coffee this way that feels intentional. It's become one of those little rituals that makes a morning feel cozier.

Is this the fanciest French press on the market? No.

Does it get the job done and make delicious coffee without plastic touching the brew? Absolutely.

If you're looking to reduce plastic in your kitchen or you've simply never experienced French press coffee before, I think it's worth trying. Honestly, the biggest risk is that you'll discover coffee can taste even better than you thought.