Thermal-Carafe Coffee Makers

Thermal carafes keep coffee hot without scorching

Experts say that thermal carafes trump glass carafes set on hot plates when it comes to keeping coffee warm without scorching. Corby Kummer, author of "The Joy of Coffee," goes so far as to lambaste "evil" hot plates that "burn coffee." Thermal carafes' main drawback is that they work best when the carafe is warmed in advance with hot water -- swishing around some hot tap water will do.

At the top end of the price spectrum sit the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS741 (*Est. $245) and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT741 (*Est. $265). Reviews say that these coffee makers do just about everything right: they brew at the perfect temperature and dispense coffee into thermal carafes, which do an excellent job of keeping coffee fresh and flavorful. According to Coffeegeek.com's Mark Prince, Technivorm coffee makers "work like magic." The main difference between the two models lies in the carafe: the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS741's rounded carafe holds one liter, and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT741's larger carafe holds 1.25 liters. Reviews say that neither carafe is perfect -- the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS741's carafe can dribble, and the KBT741's taller carafe pours too slowly for some. Neither of the thermal-carafe Technivorm coffee makers have a clock or programmable timer. Despite these minor drawbacks, most owners are thrilled with the quality and complex flavor of the coffee. Reviews say that both models, which are hand-built in the Netherlands, do a superb job and are designed to last.

In The Wall Street Journal's test of five thermal-carafe coffee makers, the Capresso MT500 (*Est. $190) earns top marks. Not only did the Capresso MT500 produce the best-tasting coffee, it kept it hot for four hours. Owners posting to Cooking.com and Amazon.com say that the Capresso MT500 brews quickly and fairly quietly. They praise its non-drip spout, large water reservoir, auto-shutoff feature and reusable gold filter, which experts say yields better-tasting coffee than paper filters. Owners also say that the Capresso MT500 thermal coffee maker is sleek and easy to clean.

According to users posting to Amazon.com, the Capresso CoffeeTec (*Est. $220) performs similarly to the Capresso MT500. While both the Capresso MT500 and the CoffeeTec have a 10-cup capacity, the latter includes a milk frother. Several owners say that the CoffeeTec requires a finer grind than other drip coffee makers, but it delivers great coffee in return. We read a few complaints about leaking water reservoirs, but overall the CoffeeTec seems like an option if you're in the market for a coffee maker with a steam wand. It is, however, expensive, and you can froth your own milk by heating milk on the stove and whisking vigorously.

In tests by The Wall Street Journal, the less expensive Zojirushi Fresh Brew EC-BD15 (*Est. $90) kept coffee hottest over a four-hour period. Owners posting to Cooking.com give the Zojirushi Fresh Brew EC-BD15 average scores overall. While they say the 1.5-liter carafe keeps coffee tasting fresh for hours, the lid is difficult to unscrew. Owners at Amazon.com also note the fussy lid, but give the Zojirushi Fresh Brew EC-BD15 higher ratings overall. For those who don't mind its height (15 inches) and lack of a small-batch setting or built-in water filter, the Zojirushi Fresh Brew EC-BD15 is a good budget choice among thermal-carafe coffee makers. You may also want to consider buying a less expensive coffee maker with a glass carafe, and simply transfer coffee to a separately purchased thermal carafe after brewing.