It’s time to ditch your toxic coffee maker!
Yes, I’m talking about that super convenient Keurig and coffee pot that you can’t live without.
Some of you came here ready to get safe alternatives, and then there’s some who are thinking there’s absolutely no way you’re ditching your coffee maker. Before you write off the whole idea, hang around with me and I’ll be sharing the reasons why you really need to reconsider your brewing options and then I’ll share a long list of safe options that I’m confident you’ll be able to find at least one that meets your needs.. and I promise, will brew a MUCH better tasting cup of coffee! Take it from a former Keurig user, the taste doesn’t even compare!
First step in detoxing your coffee routine.. Ditch the K Cups!
From a financial standpoint:
Single k cups are significantly more expensive (5x more expensive than using a coffee pot!) According to the Business Insider article, “Coffee costs $190 per year for the coffee pot drinker and $800 for the k cup drinker! New York Times calculated that K-Cup coffee costs roughly $50 per pound. To put that into perspective, a bag of Starbucks house blend ground coffee costs $11.95 per pound, and a pound of Dunkin’ Donuts original blend is $8.99. Even the majority of the high-end bags of beans made by artisanal roasters go for under $20 per pound.”
Personally we love getting a bag of organic fair trade coffee beans and grinding them at home. Saves money and tastes fresh. Win, win!
Now you may be someone who grinds your own beans and uses a reusable pod instead. That’s what we used to do during the short time we had a Keurig and while it is smarter from a financial perspective, there are still reasons why you want to ditch the Keurig completely, keep reading and we’ll get there!
From an environmental standpoint:
The Story of Stuff Project, a Berkeley environmental nonprofit, estimates the amount of K-Cups in landfills “could wrap around the planet 10 times.” With 25% of American homes owning a single-cup brewing machine, that’s over 75 million homes brewing single use, nonreusable, nonrecyclable plastic pods everyday, multiple times a day. These pods may be small in size but they are quickly filling up our landfills and having a huge impact on our environment!
Has anyone else noticed brewing coffee has changed dramatically over the years? I remember growing up coffee was a time to gather with family, sit and chat around the table, slow down and recharge. I don’t remember my parents being in a rush to brew coffee. We used an old school coffee maker and we did just fine, didn’t we all? Today, coffee needs to be fast and require the least amount of steps and clean up. How can I get my caffeine fix as quickly as possible so I can do more, work more, and go go go? Not to say efficiency isn’t a good thing but it does make you wonder if we prioritize convenience over our health and planet. Our fast pace, on-the-go culture is all about convenience but I promise you, it doesn’t come without a price. Our health and the planet are paying for it.
From a health standpoint:
First of all, Keurig’s are filthy machines. When brewing coffee you want removable and easy to clean parts. The problem with a Keurig is the inner chamber is not able to be accessed and cleaned properly. A dark, wet environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew.
Ahh gross!!!🤢
You may have heard the advice to run vinegar through your machine to “clean” it. I don’t know about you but anytime I’ve cleaned with vinegar, or any cleaner for that matter, it isn’t as easy as just pouring vinegar over it. It takes elbow grease and scrubbing to clean effectively. If you think your Keurig is clean because you add some vinegar to it every once in a while I hate to be the one to tell you, it isn’t. 😬
The other major health concern with a Keurig is obviously the plastic. I’ve shared many times about the dangers of plastic, *especially when heat is involved!* Let me take this opportunity to also encourage you to ditch your plastic food storage, utensils, bowls, cups, straws, ect.
Studies have shown the chemicals from plastic transfers to beverages and food when heated. These chemicals are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, birth defects, infertility, obesity, impairment of the immune system, neurological, reproductive, and developmental toxicity, and more! These toxins have direct and documented impacts on skin, eyes, and other sensory organs, the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems, liver, and brain.
Bottom line.. the Keurig AND coffee pots with plastic pieces leech toxic chemicals into your coffee!
Good news is there are so many great plastic-free, easy to clean, great tasting brewing options!
Ditch your toxic coffee maker and switch to:
French Press
Be sure to choose a plastic free one, stainless steel or glass.
Very easy to use, inexpensive, not automatic, no filter required, no electricity required, water kettle required.
Pour Over:
Chemex and Coffee Dripper
Easy to learn, inexpensive, takes more time, not automatic, water kettle and filter required, no electricity required.
* Use unbleached paper, organic reusable or stainless steel filters.
Electric Pour Over
Great for someone who wants automatic! Easy to use, convenient, more expensive, requires electricity and filter.
Syphon Coffee Maker
Looks like a science experiment but it uses vacuum and water vapor to brew great tasting coffee. You can watch a video of how it works at the link above.
Stovetop, Easy to use, inexpensive, no filter or kettle required.
Percolator
Electric or Stove-top, Easy to use, inexpensive, no filter or kettle required, keeps coffee hot.
Automatic Coffee Makers
Bunn makes great plastic free options with stainless steel reservoirs! Here, and here, and a Stainless Steel Funnel
Convenience, automatic, larger portions, stays warm, more expensive, electricity and filter required.
Additional thoughts:
Choose your beans carefully. Skip the pesticides! Did you know that coffee is one of the most chemically treated crops in the world?According to the CS Monitor, up to 250 pounds of chemical fertilizers are sprayed per acre of non-organic coffee. I recommend whole Organic Fair Trade Coffee Beans and grinding them at home for the freshest and best tasting coffee. Coupon code “MINDFULMOMMY” for 10% off organic coffee here!
Filters are something you’ll have to think about for some of these brewing methods, as mentioned above.
You can use unbleached paper filters, reusable organic cotton, hemp or stainless steel filter.
Water kettles.. you’ll want to avoid plastic here too.
There are many different options from electric to stove top, glass to stainless steel
Lead free mugs is something else you may want to look into as well! Here and here
And lastly, clean water is so important! There is a whole post in Mindful Mommy about water filtration if you’d like to read more, but our water is filtered, purified, remineralized, ionized making it alkaline with antioxidants and electrolytes AND yes, it makes the BEST coffee and tea!
That’s all I have for now! Enjoy your (toxin free, mold free, plastic free) cup of joe, my friends!
I hope this was helpful and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite brewing methods are!
Have a favorite brewer? Share it! Have a friend still using a Keurig? Share this article with them!
Check out post, 10 Simple Steps to a Detoxed Home or more safe swaps!
Copyright Mindful Mommy, Meghan Smallwood