Honestly I’d rather use plastic than have to press my hand down on heated glass. It’s bound to explode one day and send glass down your wrist.
Yes, that’s a fair point. Though, there are other materials that might be explored (types of metal perhaps?) for those that would prefer a non-plastic version.
The reason some might be concerned is that when “food-grade” plastics, like the polypropylene used by aeropress, are used and “exposed to hot water, they release trillions of nanoparticles per liter into the water.”
The slight pressurization and the friction of the rubber plunger likely amplifies that result.
The press doesn’t matter, material wise. Rubber plunger is closest thing to contact the coffee, and it usually doesn’t. The other tube could be made of stainless steel, along with the honeycomb filter holder on bottom.
If that were a taste issue for some reason, it would way up the manufacturing price, but you can put a glass tube encased in stainless steel or plastic. It’s been done with thermos’ and water bottles.
