This grinder is metal in more ways than one. Sure, you can get a plastic grinder, but why wouldn't you get a metal one instead? The only problem we can see is getting this one through security detectors, and even that isn't a big problem because you shouldn't be taking your grinder to the airport with you. Not yet anyways, we'll get there soon. This metal grinder has 4 pieces and will do a fantastic job of grinding whatever, uh, medical vegetables you need to grind. There's an acrylic window in there as well, so you can see if you need to grind more.