Contents
- Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers Buying Guide: The Hottest Tips
- Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers of 2021 [Top 10 Reviews]
- 1. Technivorm Moccamaster - Our Best Pick
- 2. Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker - Runner Up
- 3. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker - Largest Carafe & Best Programmable
- 4. BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker - Most Practical
- 5. Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Coffee Maker - Most Customizable
- 6. Breville Grind Control - Best with Grinder
- 7. Asobu Red Insulated - Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker
- 8. Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker - Budget-Friendly
- 9. BUNN CSB3T Speed Brew - Fastest Coffee Maker
- 10. Frieling USA Thermal French Press - Best French Press
- FAQs
You’ve invested in the freshest beans, perfected your ratios, and brewed the coffee like a pro. Now, why would you spoil it by letting it stew on a hot plate?
Not only do the best thermal carafe coffee makers brew a delicious pot of joe, but they keep it piping hot for longer without affecting its flavor.
Check out our handy buying guide and thermal carafe coffee maker reviews to find the right one for your needs!
AT A GLANCE: OUR TOP PICKS
Bonavita BV1900TS - Runner Up
- Also SCAA-certified
- Incredibly easy to use
- Wide showerhead for even extraction
Technivorm Moccamaster - Best Pick
- Certified by the Specialty Coffee Association
- Pour-over quality
- Simple one-button operation
Cuisinart Thermal Coffeemaker - Also Great
- Programmable
- Pour over style extraction
- Different quantities
Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers Buying Guide: The Hottest Tips
This is a fairly generic term, so let’s help you narrow down your choice.
What is a thermal carafe coffee maker?
A thermal carafe coffee maker is a brewer that relies on a double-walled stainless steel carafe instead of glass or plastic alternatives to keep the coffee hot for hours.
Because it doesn’t need a hot plate to do so, it never results in bitter, over-extracted coffee and, instead of heading to the kitchen every time you fancy another cup, you can simply keep it next to you.
A thermal carafe coffee maker is also more durable than glass models, which can shatter if dropped.
Types of thermal carafe coffee makers: automatic or manual?
- Automatic thermal carafe coffee makers are machines that only require you to press a button to brew a pot of joe. They’re the most popular choice when it comes to thermal options and we especially recommend them if you’re after a quick, practical solution;
- Manual thermal carafe coffee makers are ideal if you prefer a more hands-on brewing experience. You can either opt for drippers to have complete control over your brew or stainless steel French presses, so that you can just add the grounds and water and let them steep for 4 minutes.
Extra features & considerations
If you opt for an automatic thermal carafe coffee maker, you’ll soon realize that they can either be fairly basic, full of features, or something in between.
Take some time to figure out what would improve your morning routine instead of grabbing the first model you see. Some of the most popular features are:
- 24h programmability, with your thermal carafe coffee maker waking up before you do;
- Brew-pause, to enjoy the first cup without waiting for the entire carafe to be full;
- Strength control, to make the most of different roasts;
- Automatic shutoff, if you always leave the house in a rush and keep wondering whether or not you’ve switched it off yourself;
- Small-batch option, if you occasionally need to brew half a pot of joe but don’t want to compromise on extraction quality.
You might also want to figure out what type of filter you should go for.
PRO TIP: If you prefer the smoother, sediment-free body of pour-over coffee, stick to paper. Fan of bolder-tasting French press joe? Choose a thermal carafe coffee maker with a reusable filter that lets the coffee oils into your cup.
Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers of 2021 [Top 10 Reviews]
Here’s the creme de la creme of thermal carafe coffee makers:
Best Pick  | Best Pick | Technivorm Moccamaster |
| View on Amazon |
Runner Up | Runner Up | Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker |
| View on Amazon |
Largest Carafe | Largest Carafe |
| View on Amazon | |
 | BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker |
| View on Amazon | |
Customizable  | Customizable | Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Coffee Maker |
| View on Amazon |
with Grinder  | with Grinder | Breville Grind Control |
| View on Amazon |
Best Pour Over  | Best Pour Over | Asobu Red Insulated Pour Over Coffee Maker |
| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker |
| View on Amazon |
Fastest  | Fastest | BUNN CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum Thermal Coffee Maker |
| View on Amazon |
French Press  | French Press | Frieling USA Thermal French Press |
| View on Amazon |
Let’s waste no time and dive into the best thermal carafe coffee maker reviews!
1. Technivorm Moccamaster - Our Best Pick
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: up to 40 oz (10 cups)
- Filter: paper
Best for: a hassle-free but superior experience
Our all-time favorite coffee maker and one of the best SCAA-certified models, the Technivorm Moccamaster is synonymous with impeccable quality: (1)
“Nearly 40 years in existence, and probably built to last that long, Technivorm’s Moccamaster may be the most heralded spare-no-expense coffee brewer on the market.” Forbes
Before reaching the reliable stainless steel carafe, your coffee is only ever in contact with metal parts, from its unique copper boiling element to the sprayhead.
This coffee maker relies on a simple one-button operation but is designed to replicate the perfection of manual drippers, recreating both a bloom and an even extraction.
Thanks to its special manual-adjust brew basket, you can customize it even further (for example, by letting it steep for longer) or make the most of the brew-pause feature.
Read more about it in our Technivorm Moccamaster review.
Bottom line: If you secretly want pour-over style quality but prefer the practicality of automatic drippers, this premium coffee maker will not disappoint you.
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: up to 40 oz (8 cups)
- Filter: paper
Best for: a brewer without bells and whistles but that makes perfect coffee
Another SCAA-certified machine, this Bonavita model will make your life easier and your taste buds happier.
It consists of a one-touch operation, includes an auto-off feature, and all of its removable parts are dishwasher safe.
What we love the most about this product is its pre-infusion mode—to let your grounds degas—and its wide showerhead and flat-bottomed filter basket, perfect to achieve an even extraction.
Discover more about this BPA-free coffee maker in our Bonavita BV1900TS review.
Bottom line: A practical coffee maker with a double-walled carafe, proving that simplicity doesn’t come at the expense of quality.
3. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker - Largest Carafe & Best Programmable
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: 1-4 cups or up to 12 (72 oz)
- Paper: permanent gold-tone
Best for: larger households or offices that could do with practical programmable features
Whether that’s when you wake up or when you get to the office, having a hot pot of joe waiting for you is one of the greatest joys in life.
This programmable Cuisinart model and its reliable thermal carafe can make it happen, and they’ll spoil you with even more automatic features. From the auto-off to the self-clean, you only have to worry about drinking your share of coffee before everyone else does.
This thermal carafe coffee maker also lets you choose between regular and bold flavors, includes the sought-after brew-pause feature, and let’s be honest: it looks incredibly stylish with its stainless steel finish!
Bottom line: Just like having your personal barista taking care of everything for you.
4. BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker - Most Practical
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: 1-4 cups or up to 12 (60 oz)
- Filter: paper
Best for: an effortless brew
Struggle to function before your first cup of coffee of the day? This Black+Decker model simplifies your morning routine even further.
First of all, it’s incredibly user-friendly thanks to its digital controls.
Secondly, it includes practical features such as the no-drip spout, brew-pause, and 24h programmability.
As for flavor, you also have nothing to worry about: this machine relies on an Evenstream Showerhead to extract more nuances, and you can always brew less coffee without compromising on quality with the small-batch option.
Whether you choose regular, strong or bold coffee, the double-walled and vacuum-sealed carafe will keep it hot for up to 2 hours.
Bottom line: A streamlined experience for all kinds of coffee preferences.
5. Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Coffee Maker - Most Customizable
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: up to 12 cups (60 oz)
- Filter: paper
Best for: a barista-worthy experience
Do you not get along with one-button automatic drippers? Then get ready for levels of customization that you’ve only experienced with manual pour-overs!
The Breville Precision thermal carafe coffee maker features 6 presets, ranging from a SCAA-certified golden-cup mode to cold brew and your own personalized recipe.
You can tweak every variable, including flow rate and temperature. The latter will be as precise as automatic drippers can get thanks to its unique PID control and thermocoil heating system.
You can even change the brew size to cater to different situations, using one of the two filter baskets included.
Bottom line: The Breville Precision gets you a coffee that’s exactly how you want it… without you having to stress out a real-life barista.
6. Breville Grind Control - Best with Grinder
- Type: automatic dripper with grinder
- Brew sizes: single cup with variable size options or up to a 12-cup carafe
- Filter: permanent gold-tone
Best for: the freshest coffee
If you haven’t already got a burr grinder, you might want to kill two birds with one stone by getting a thermal carafe coffee maker that includes one.
This will allow you to make the most of your coffee instead of relying on stale store-bought grounds: (2)
“Grinding just before brewing helps preserve those aromas and flavorful solubles until you’re ready to experience them in your coffee.” G. Oden, JavaPresse
With the Breville Grind Control you can choose among 8 grind sizes, which result in different coffee strengths.
Its ½ pound hopper is also easy to fill up and use thanks to its locking system.
Should you wish to brew pre-ground coffee occasionally (perhaps someone wants a decaf?), you can bypass the grinder, too.
Finally, the intuitive LCD screen of this programmable brewer lets you customize your coffee even further, providing you with real-time feedback on all its aspects.
Bottom line: Once you taste the enhanced flavors of freshly ground coffee, you’ll never be able to settle for store-bought grounds ever again.
7. Asobu Red Insulated - Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker
- Type: manual pour over
- Brew sizes: up to 32 oz
- Filter: stainless-steel micro mesh
Best for: eco-conscious coffee lovers who enjoy being more involved with the brewing process
Whether you want to brew one cup or more, this manual thermal coffee maker will let you do so without K-Cups nor single-use paper options thanks to its stainless-steel micro mesh filter.
Its design adds a modern twist to the timeless Chemex: it consists of a double-walled carafe that’s also copper-lined and vacuum-insulated.
In other words? While we doubt you’d want to wait that long, it’s good to know that it can keep your coffee hot for up to 12 hours!
Bottom line: If you think that nothing can replace the pleasure of a pour-over ritual, this manual alternative is definitely the best thermal carafe coffee maker for you.
8. Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker - Budget-Friendly
- Type: manual pour over
- Brew sizes: 10 cups
- Filter: gold-tone permanent
Best for: fast & hot coffee with a lower price tag
This affordable model brews a quick pot of joe and keeps it hot for up to 2 hours, letting you know exactly how long it’s been sitting there for through its freshness timer.
Reaching the maximum of the recommended brewing temperature range, it makes hotter coffee than similar models with the same price tag. And—would you believe it?—it’s even programmable!
This not-so-humble coffee maker also includes a water-filtration disk for purer coffee.
Bottom line: Mr. Coffee never fails to prove that you can definitely get more perks for a lower price tag if you know where to look.
9. BUNN CSB3T Speed Brew - Fastest Coffee Maker
- Type: automatic dripper
- Brew sizes: 20-50 oz (10 cups)
- Filter: paper
Best for: coffee aficionados who haven’t got a lot of time in the morning
Always end up leaving the house later than you should because your coffee maker takes too long to brew a pot of joe? You’re in for a treat!
Thanks to a commercial-grade stainless steel hot water tank, the Bunn Speed Brew stays true to its name, brewing a full pot in only 4 minutes.
As for quality, its unique sprayhead ensures optimal extraction, and the double-walled, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe will keep it extra hot for 2 hours.
Should you need to drink it on the go, you can brew 20 oz of coffee directly into your usual travel mug, too.
This thermal carafe coffee maker is designed and assembled in the USA.
Bottom line: Brew it quickly, keep it hot for longer.
10. Frieling USA Thermal French Press - Best French Press
- Type: French press
- Brew sizes: 8, 17, 23, 36 or 44 oz depending on the model
- Filter: reusable metal
Best for: those value traditions & portability
While automatic drippers are a blessing for many, you might prefer the pleasure of steeping your grounds in a classic French press and enjoying a bolder cup of coffee.
If that’s the case but a thermal coffee maker is still a priority, you can’t go wrong with this Frieling USA model.
This award-winning coffee maker (3) is one of the best French presses thanks to its double-walled 18/10 stainless steel body, guaranteed to keep your coffee hot for 4 times longer than glass.
This also means that you can easily take it on holiday with you and that you won’t run the risk of burning yourself or breaking it if you drop it, so it’s pretty much an investment for life.
Thanks to its dual screen and metal wire, you won’t even get as many sediments as you do with lower-quality French presses.
Interested? Read more about it in our Frieling Double Wall French press review.
Bottom line: This stylish modern take on traditional French presses translates into a charming minimalist look and a superior coffee experience.
FAQs
1. Is thermal carafe better than glass?
Yes, thermal carafes can be considered better than glass because they keep coffee hot for longer without making it bitter and they’re much more durable.
2. How long will a thermal carafe keep coffee hot?
This will depend on the model but, in general, a thermal carafe can keep coffee hot for around 2 hours.
3. How do you keep coffee warm in a thermal carafe?
Here’s the best thing: to keep coffee warm in a thermal carafe you don’t need to do anything! It will do so automatically thanks to its stainless steel construction, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it on a hot plate.
References:
1. Mowery, L. (2019, July 6). The Best Coffee Makers For Your Kitchen. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/lmowery/2019/07/06/the-best-coffee-makers-for-your-kitchen/?sh=11609e141696
2. Oden, G. (n.d.). The Secret to Amazingly Fresh Coffee? Grind it yourself. Retrieved from https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/enjoying-coffee/secret-fresh-coffee
3. (n.d.). 2017 Best in Category: Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware. Retrieved from https://homeworldbusiness.com/
