#21

wow [this is the dispenser often used at events]:

Cambro insulated beverage dispenser, or a similar brand, commonly used for catering and large events. These dispensers are typically made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, which is known for its durability, heat resistance, and ability to keep beverages hot or cold for extended periods.

Does it Leach Microplastics?

• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene, Type #2 plastic) is one of the safer food-grade plastics and is commonly used for food and beverage storage.

• It is generally BPA-free, meaning it does not leach bisphenol A, a common plasticizer found in other plastics.

• While HDPE is less prone to microplastic shedding than softer plastics , over time and with heavy wear (scratches, aging, or exposure to very high heat) , it can degrade and release small plastic particles.

• If the dispenser is well-maintained, cleaned properly, and not excessively scratched or worn, the risk of microplastic contamination is minimal.

Minimizing Microplastic Risk:

  1. Avoid Scrubbing with Harsh Abrasives – Scratches can break down the plastic over time.

  2. Use Soft Cleaning Tools – A sponge or soft cloth is best.

  3. Keep Within Recommended Temperature Limits – While HDPE is heat-resistant, extreme temperatures over 100°C (212°F) could degrade the plastic.

  4. Replace If Heavily Worn or Scratched – If the inside surface becomes rough or damaged, it may be time to replace the dispenser.

Would you like recommendations for alternative materials if you’re concerned about microplastics?

#22

Definitely pour over systems are the cleanest in theory. I use Hario ceramic coffee dripper saddle and pot. I use cheaper Trader Joe’s unbleached filters.

#23

also tea… Tea Bags Release Billions of Plastic Particles | Technology Networks

oh, nevermind - I just saw your post - you don’t use tea bags !

1 Like
#24

What is the source for this information???

#25

I just use kettle to pour over a chemex now, it’s very simple AND very low time-investment. I can’t believe it took me this long to realize this.

As of April 22, I’ve been consistently boiling water pour over A LOT of coffee grounds each evening so I can drink all the coffee early in the day and like, fuck, I wish I did this earlier, it’s the most important thing (both appetite suppressant and a stimulant that lasts the day that reduces my need for other stims). Coffee sounds so mild but the quantities I drink are heavy (like probably 5-7 cups equivalent each time) and I still tolerate them.

#26

What probably happens to the lobby-breakfast coffee at

Hotel Trio, Healdsburg

Step in the chain Typical material in commercial set-ups Likelihood it is what Hotel Trio uses Key considerations
1. Water-heating boiler (inside the brewer) Stainless-steel tank (built into the brewer) ≈ 95 % Virtually every plumbed drip brewer sold to hotels – Bunn, Curtis, Fetco, etc. – uses an internal stainless tank for durability and safety.
2. Spray head / plumbing that delivers hot water to the coffee bed Stainless body with a high-temp plastic or silicone spray plate/gasket ≈ 70 % Metal bodies are common, but many models (e.g., Bunn Infusion, AXIOM) use a plastic “smart” spray plate for flow control.
3. Brew funnel / basket that holds the paper filter and ground coffee High-temperature plastic (glass-filled poly / BPA-free) ≈ 65 % Black or orange “SplashGard®/Smart Funnel®” baskets are standard on a majority of Bunn and Curtis hotel brewers; stainless baskets are an upgrade but less common. The Bunn AXIOM-3, for example, is shipped with a plastic funnel option.
All-stainless brew basket ≈ 25 % Some higher-end Lavazza/Curtis “gourmet” installs swap to full-metal baskets for flavor or sustainability, but that costs more.
4. Server / dispenser sitting on the buffet Double-wall stainless-steel thermal urn/air-pot ≈ 98 % The shiny metal dispenser you saw is almost certainly this kind of unit; it keeps coffee hot without additional plastic contact.

Putting those pieces together

Scenario Rough probability (subjective) Rationale
A. Standard commercial drip brewer with plastic brew basket feeding a stainless thermal urn ≈ 70 % This is the default package sold to limited-service hotels: reliable, inexpensive, easy to replace parts.
B. Same brewer platform but upgraded to all-stainless brew basket ≈ 20 % Sometimes chosen when a property wants to emphasise “premium” coffee (Hotel Trio advertises Lavazza beans).
C. Coffee brewed by single-serve Keurig or pod machines and poured into the urn ≈ 7 % Rooms have Keurig units, but doing this for buffet volume is slow and labour-intensive.
D. Other methods (French press, percolator, satellite brewer, external caterer, etc.) ≈ 3 % Possible but no evidence in photos or reviews.

Why the odds lean toward

plastic in the brew basket

  • Industry norms: Hotel breakfast areas overwhelmingly use mid-tier commercial drip brewers whose default “funnel” is glass-reinforced plastic; the manufacturer catalog explicitly lists both “PLASTIC” and “STAINLESS” funnel SKUs, with the plastic models appearing first and costing less.
  • Photographic evidence: Marriott’s gallery shows stainless chafing dishes and a metal coffee urn at the buffet, but no sign of a large, old-style percolator. That look matches modern Bunn/Curtis drip systems whose baskets are hidden inside the brewer chassis.
  • Coffee brand: Guests report Hotel Trio pours Lavazza drip coffee at breakfast, not Keurig cups. That implies a bulk brewer with a thermal server, not a percolator.

Key take-aways for plastic exposure

  • Water is heated in stainless , so it is not boiled in plastic.
  • During the 3–4 min brew, water at ~93 °C (~200 °F) briefly contacts either a plastic or stainless brew basket and a paper filter.
  • Once it reaches the urn, all holding surfaces you can see are stainless steel.

If eliminating every second of hot-water-plastic contact is critical to you, you could:

  1. Ask the breakfast attendant which model they use (they can usually show you the basket).
  2. Request coffee brewed directly into a French press or metal pourover (most hotels will oblige outside peak hours).
  3. Brew in your suite’s Keurig with a stainless refillable pod—that reduces plastic at the basket stage, though the machine’s internal plumbing still contains some plastic.

Bottom line: The most probable workflow is “stainless tank → plastic brew basket → stainless thermal urn,” with roughly a 65-70 % chance of plastic at the basket stage and a 25 % chance the basket is stainless throughout.