The 10 Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How We Tested

The majority of thermal carafe coffee makers featured in this article were sent directly to our expert food writers for testing. Our reviewers spent weeks using and evaluating the machines in their kitchens to see how they performed with everyday use. After testing, our writers provided insight on everything from a coffee maker's design to how the coffee actually tastes. They submitted feedback about what they liked and disliked, and they rated each machine on the following features: ease of use, ease of cleaning, heat-up time, and brew quality.

Other Options We Tested

Cuisinart Coffee Plus 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker: We sent this two-in-one device to a member of our team so they could test it in their home over several days. While the coffee that the machine brews is strong and tasty, the item underperformed in other areas and we were unable to recommend it. The main issues our tester faced were related to the hot water system, which was inconsistent and difficult to use.

Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press: The Bodum Columbia was tested in our Lab alongside 20 other French presses and, because it's made of double-walled stainless steel, it was in consideration for this article. Unfortunately, our testing team gave the item low scores for its design and brew quality. The filter was less efficient than many alternatives, and the coffee itself tasted bitter to slightly burnt.

Bonavita 8-Cup One-Touch Thermal Carafe: This coffee maker didn't live up to its high-end price tag, preventing us from including it on the list. Our tester noted that it has very few features and the coffee it brews is solid but not stellar. In short, there are coffee makers on the market that outperform this Bonavita model and come at a cheaper price.

What to Look for When Buying a Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker

Price

Thermal carafe coffee makers are, on average, more expensive than ones with glass carafes. There is still a broad range of prices to choose from, of course. You can find budget options all the way up to models that cost a few hundred dollars. Since thermal carafes are more durable than glass, spending a little extra at first may save money in the long run. The price difference is not exorbitant, but adjust your budget accordingly.

Settings

Thermal carafe coffee makers, like all electric coffee makers, can be equipped with a wide variety of settings, and it’s worth knowing your options before buying. Some of the most popular features include 24-hour programmability (which lets users select a specific brew time in advance), different strength settings, and an option for 1 to 4 cups instead of a full pot. There are even thermal machines with built-in grinders, which is a great way to improve the freshness and flavor of your coffee. Expect machines with more features to come at a higher price and, conversely, a more basic model to be less expensive.

Cleaning

We’ll go over cleaning tips in greater detail later on in this guide, but it should be noted that thermal carafes are often more burdensome to clean than glass. Many have small openings that make it difficult to fit your hand inside to scrub, and since stainless steel can scratch you should avoid cleaning items like steel wool brushes and certain scouring powders. If a harder-to-clean carafe is a major drawback for you, look for dishwasher-safe options or cleaning powders and dissolvable tablets that make the process easier.

Capacity

How much coffee do you drink in a day? Do you need a brewing device for personal use or are there other coffee drinkers in your household? Thermal carafe coffee makers are especially great for family-sized batches, since they keep coffee at the right temperature and richest flavor longer, but that doesn’t mean larger carafes are automatically better. Plenty of smaller machines whip up more flavorful coffee and have more useful features than some of the larger options out there. If you only drink a cup or two a day, you may even want to consider a non-electric thermal device, like a pour over or French press.

Size

Thermal carafe coffee makers are no different in size than glass-based ones, even if the carafe itself is bulkier. This means there are plenty of compact options available for those with limited counter space. No matter what, it’s worth measuring beforehand. Pay especially close attention to the depth of your counters and the height of your cabinets.

Types of Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers

Drip

Coffee makers with thermal carafes are most commonly drip machines. This is no surprise, considering the immense popularity of drip machines to begin with and that thermal carafes are especially useful for the large batches they brew. These machines can be equipped with a variety of features, from 24-hour programmability to built-in grinders. Prices vary widely in this category, so it is a viable option no matter your budget.

Coffee-and-Espresso Maker

Thermal carafe coffee makers aren’t just limited to drip coffee. Those who enjoy espresso or espresso-based drinks, like lattes and cappuccinos, can find dual-purpose machines that provide all kinds of variety. These devices typically have a split design, featuring a carafe on one side and an espresso maker on the other; though, there are some space-saving options that brew both through the same mechanism. Just keep in mind that coffee-and-espresso makers are usually among the more expensive brewing devices. 

Non-Electric

Many non-electric brewing devices are favored among coffee experts, as they allow more control and often a stronger cup. The downside is that they tend to lose temperature quickly since they are not equipped with a hot plate. This isn’t an issue for thermal coffee makers though. In this category, you are primarily looking at French presses and pour overs, both of which can save money and space compared to electric brewers. One quick tip: pour hot water into these devices beforehand and they will retain coffee temperature even longer.

Brands/Manufacturers

Black+Decker

This century-old American company was initially known for its power tools but, over the years, has transitioned into manufacturing a number of different appliances, including coffee makers. Customers should keep this name in mind especially when looking for an affordable thermal carafe coffee maker, as Black+Decker offers several highly reviewed budget picks. Along with standard-sized machine, its line also includes a single-serve coffee maker with a thermal travel mug.

Cuisinart

Cuisinart is the go-to name for thermal carafe coffee makers. The American company manufactures several top-grade options, including machines with built-in grinders and even ones that are K-Cup compatible. It’s an easy brand to find both in-store and online. In fact, Cuisinart makes so many different appliances, not just coffee makers, there’s a good chance you already have one of its products in your home.

Technivorm

Many might be unfamiliar with this Dutch brand, since it solely manufactures high-end coffee products, but Technivorm is a name worth knowing. Its machines are beloved by experts and known for making extremely delicious coffee, and Technivorm just so happens to make an array of thermal carafe options. Its products are quite expensive and take up more space than standard coffee makers but offer unparalleled quality, plus all machines are backed by a five-year warranty.

Maintenance

The brewing process for a thermal coffee maker is the same as one with a glass carafe: simply fill the water reservoir, scoop coffee grounds into the filter basket, and hit start. To make your thermal carafe even more effective, rinse it with hot water before brewing; this will prime the material to offer longer heat retention.

Unfortunately, cleaning a thermal carafe can be a nuisance. They often have smaller openings than glass carafes, making it more difficult to clean by hand, and they are less likely to be dishwasher safe. They are also heavier, so it isn’t as easy to hold them for long periods. There are three ways to clean a thermal carafe by hand. First, you can use good old-fashioned dish soap and a brush that’s safe on stainless steel. Second, a combination of vinegar and baking soda; let the mixture soak inside the carafe for several minutes before rinsing. And, finally, using a cleaning powder or cleaning tablets specifically designed for coffee makers. They will cost a little extra but provide a more thorough (and possibly easier) clean.

If your thermal coffee maker is electric, it will also require regular descaling. This is the process or removing mineral buildup inside of the machine itself. The easiest way to descale is by wiping all parts and pieces with a combination of vinegar and warm soapy water. As an alternative, many brands sell cleaning solutions specifically designed for descaling. Try to descale at least once every three months, though more often won’t hurt. Check the instruction manual included with your coffee maker to see if the manufacturer specifies how often it should be descaled. If you don’t regularly descale, the machine may face a number of issues, like clogging, altered coffee taste, not getting hot enough, or not running altogether. 

Accessories

A reliable coffee grinder is a useful accessory no matter what brewing device you own. The simple process of grinding beans right before brewing, rather than relying on weeks-old grounds, makes a huge difference in the flavor of your coffee. Brands like Baratza, Bodum, and Cuisinart manufacture some of the most popular electric grinders, while Hario is a top choice for manual options. Allie Caran, the Product Manager at BaristaValet, told us that burr grinders are superior to blade grinders. "A lot of people buy blade grinders because they're super cheap," she says. "The problem is that it gives all different size grinds." Burr grinders, on the other hand, offer a more consistent grind and produce less heat, so the coffee’s flavor remains intact.

Since thermal carafe coffee makers can be somewhat time consuming to clean, it’s also worth looking at products that speed up the process. Brands like Urnex and Brew Rite manufacture cleaning powders and liquid solutions that help whether you’re simply touching up the carafe or entirely descaling the machine.

FAQs

What is a thermal carafe?

Thermal carafes, also called insulated carafes, are coffee pots constructed from stainless steel (and sometimes aluminum), as opposed to the more common option of glass. The idea behind them is to keep coffee hot for several hours and to do it more naturally than relying on a hot plate, as glass carafes typically do. Thermal carafes usually consist of two layers of stainless steel, which you’ll see referred to as “double-walled,” and are vacuum-sealed so that external air doesn’t cool down the coffee.

How should coffee be stored?

To better understand how to keep coffee fresh, we spoke with Allie Caran, the Product Manager at BaristaValet. She said that coffee lasts longer and tastes better when stored in an airtight container and placed in a cool, dark place. Oxygen, sunlight, moisture, and high heat all negatively affect the quality and shelf life of coffee beans. Under ideal circumstances, whole bean coffee stays fresh for two weeks. Naturally, it loses freshness more quickly if any one of those four damaging factors are in play.

Many coffee lovers turn to the fridge or freezer to store their beans and, while this may seem like a logical method of preservation, it is actually quite harmful to coffee due to the high levels of moisture that come from freezer use—not to mention the temperature fluctuation of taking it in and out every day. In a pinch, coffee can be stored fairly well—though not optimally—in the bag it comes in. "Those circles on coffee bags will let all of the oxygen out," Allie told us. "You can keep coffee inside the bag and squeeze out all of the air and it will extend the life of your coffee beans, even though it isn't the best solution." The best solution, instead, is an airtight coffee canister.

How much caffeine is in drip coffee?

The caffeine content in drip coffee ranges widely depending on the type of coffee bean and number of scoops used when brewing. In general, an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee contains anywhere from 80 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. This puts drip on the more caffeinated end of the coffee spectrum, especially because customers often drink it in large servings. Espresso has more caffeine by volume—roughly 60 to 75 milligrams per single shot—but it is of course served in smaller portions. It may seem counterintuitive, but light roast coffee is slightly more caffeinated than dark roast, so keep this in mind too if you are especially monitoring your caffeine intake.  

What is descaling?

Descaling is the process of removing mineral residue—also known as “scale”—that builds up inside a coffee maker over time. If the task isn’t performed regularly, a device can face issues that range from brewing weak coffee to the machine not working at all. The general rule is to descale at least once every one to three months, but users should default to manufacturer instructions if a different interval is recommended. Descaling can be done with a simple at-home combination of vinegar and warm soapy water, and many brands sell liquids or powders specifically for descaling. The first step in the process is to fill your coffee maker’s reservoir with a mixture of water and descaling solution. Second, run the brew cycle. Third, empty the carafe (now full of descaling solution) into the sink and rinse clean. Finally, run the brew cycle with just water to remove any leftover descaling product. 

What is a 1-4 cup setting?

A 1-4 cup setting calibrates a machine’s brew cycle to suit smaller batches of coffee. Since most drip coffee makers are designed to brew 10 cups or more, the normal drip speed is too fast for small portions and leads to a weak pot of joe. By clicking the 1-4 cup setting, your machine will slow down the drip speed to perfectly extract the small amount of coffee you want. 

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. For this piece, he researched the difference in heat retention between glass and stainless steel, as well as the best methods for cleaning stainless steel. He typically uses non-electric coffee makers at home, alternating between the Bialetti Moka Express and the Bodum Brazil French Press.

Sources

Allie Caran is the Product Manager at BaristaValet—a delivery service that partners with more than a dozen roasters to bring fresh coffee right to your door. Allie has been in the coffee industry for more than 15 years.