My Switch to a Stainless Steel French Press
One of the main reasons I moved into this new house was to hit reset—to establish new habits that support a healthier, more intentional life. A big part of that for me is going plastic-free, especially in the kitchen. And that brings me to coffee.
I used to make coffee with a machine that ran hot water through plastic tubes and filters. Every cup came with the nagging thought that I was probably drinking a little bit of microplastic too. So I decided to make a change.
The First Switch: Bodum French Press (Almost There…)
My first step was buying a Bodum French press. It’s mostly glass, which felt like a win. But someone in a previous video pointed out that even the Bodum had a bit of plastic—especially the black plastic ring that the hot water runs through. They were right. That kind of defeated the purpose.
The Upgrade: A Stainless Steel French Press
So I went back online and picked up a stainless steel French press. No plastic inside. All metal. This one looked clean, minimal, and sturdy.
It was time to try it out.
Heating Up: The Coise Electric Water Kettle
For boiling water, I used to have a stovetop kettle, but it got corroded inside and I had to toss it. I replaced it with an electric water kettle from Koios. I liked the retro look, and it has a little thermometer built in, which is a nice touch.
It heats fast, and it topped out at around 212°F before shutting off automatically.
Brewing Time
I poured the hot water into the French press, added the coffee, and let it steep for five minutes. I’ve heard people say you shouldn’t push the plunger down—you’re just supposed to pour off the top. But my parents always pushed it down, and I guess I do too.
This was only my second time making French press coffee by myself. I’m not an expert—I’m figuring it out in real time. But when I pushed the plunger down and poured it out, the coffee came out darker and richer than the first time. And honestly? It tasted great.
Final Thoughts
There’s something satisfying about simplifying. About making a small change that lines up with your values. This one was about removing plastic from a daily habit. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.
Cheers to small wins—and better coffee.
Products Mentioned
- Utopia Kitchen Stainless Steel French Press (affiliate link)
- Koios Electric Water Kettle (affiliate link)