Coffee drinkers are probably used to the old style of coffee maker, which has a glass carafe to collect the brew, placed on a burner to keep it hot. The downside of these models is that they can burn the coffee if it is not drunk immediately. This is why many deep coffee lovers opt for the best thermal coffee maker. It can maintain the temperature without the use of the burner, so the coffee stays as fresh and delicious as when it was first poured.

When choosing a thermal coffee maker, there are a few features to check. One is the capacity of the carafe, which allows you to brew the amount of coffee you need. A programmable model allows you to set your brewing time well in advance. The size of the whole machine is important, especially if you have limited space. The warranty is also something to consider, to ensure that you are covered if you receive a faulty machine.

With so many brands and models available, it can be difficult to decide which is the best thermal coffee maker for you. To help you make this choice, we’ve spent hours looking at the different models and manufacturers, checking their product features and reading hundreds of customer reviews. We then picked the best models, created a comparison table with in-depth reviews, and added a buying guide, all to help you make the best decision possible.

Cuisinart DCC-3400

Cuisinart is one of the best appliance brands on the market, so it’s no surprise that it offers the highest rated thermal coffee maker available. It’s well built, with a simple but elegant design. This model also has an abundance of features that every coffee lover loves.

Firstly, the thermal carafe can hold up to 12 cups of richly flavoured coffee. It has a stainless steel handle and keeps your coffee hot for hours. The pouring spout, however, is a bit small, which makes pouring difficult. You have to tip it over a bit to pour the coffee or fill the machine with water, but you should get used to it quickly, especially if you drink coffee every day.

The machine has all the buttons and the display directly on the front for easy access. These buttons allow you to program the many functions this coffee maker has to offer. The Brew Strength control allows you to choose regular or strong flavours. The Brew Pause function allows you to stop the flow to have a quick cup before the brewing process is complete.

There’s also a 1-4 cup setting, an optional ‘coffee ready’ alert, auto shut-off, self-cleaning and a 60-second reset, which remembers the settings and brewing status in the event of a sudden power cut, so you don’t have to worry about making adjustments when the machine turns back on.

Breville BDC450

Just because you buy the best 12-cup coffee maker with thermal carafe doesn’t mean you have to brew that much coffee every time you turn it on. The Breville BDC450 lets you brew the exact amount you want, and even includes a brew and release valve that keeps the water in contact with the coffee a little longer when you choose to use a smaller cup instead of the carafe.

This machine has a number of preset options including Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, My Brew and Gold, which allow you to adjust the water temperature and brewing time to Specialty Coffee Association standards.

The PID control allows you to adjust the water temperature while the pump control allows you to choose the flow rate for a customisable contact time between the water and the ground coffee. This machine is even equipped with a Thermocoil heating system that provides pure, delicious water for a perfect cup of coffee every time.

This thermal coffee maker comes with two filter baskets, one flat bottom and one cone, so you can brew any amount of coffee exactly the way you like it. The water tank has a wide opening for easy filling. The carafe also has a large opening at the top for cleaning, as well as a pouring spout perfect for pouring without overflowing. Two control buttons allow you to adjust your settings quickly and easily.

12 cups

yes

no

13.5 x 9 x 16 inches

Limited to 1 year

Customizable brew settings; comes with flat bottom and conical filter baskets.

BLACK+DECKER CM2035B

If you still want the best thermal carafe coffee maker but can’t afford a high-end model, the BLACK+DECKER CM2035B is a great option. It’s priced very low, but it has all the features you need in a good coffee maker.

The carafe is double-walled and vacuum-sealed, which keeps the coffee at the ideal temperature for a few hours. So you can sip it slowly or drink it quickly, depending on your preference. This carafe is also huge and can hold up to 12 cups of coffee, so you can make enough for a large group of people at home or at work.

This carafe has a perfect non-drip pouring spout, which reduces spills when you pour. It also has a wide opening so it can be easily washed or quickly wiped clean between brews. Cleaning is much quicker, leaving you more time for everything else on your agenda.

The machine is programmable, with customisable brewing options, so you can set it to brew as weak or as strong as you like. You can also choose the small batch setting to make 1-4 cups of coffee without sacrificing the flavour of a larger pot.

Another handy feature is the Evenstream spray, which sprays water evenly over the grounds for good flavour extraction while reducing grounds loss.

12 cups

yes

no

9.5 x 8 x 13 inches

Limited to 2 years

low flow option; built-in cord storage

Cuisinart DGB-900BC

Those who like to grind their own beans or who don’t have a separate mill will love the convenience of the Cuisinart DGB-550BK. This machine includes a grinder with a large hopper that can hold up to half a pound of beans. When you’re ready to brew your coffee, you can choose the desired amount, select your preferred strength and grind, and then start the brewing process.

This requires additional cleaning, however, as some of the grounds can get stuck in the grinder or spout. As well as affecting the flavour of future coffeemakers, this can clog the whole machine, reducing the efficiency of your grinder. So be sure to clean all parts of the grinder daily.

The Cuisinart is 24-hour programmable, so you can set it to start brewing when you want it to. It also has an automatic shut-off feature that turns it off when the brew is finished. This machine even has a stop grinding function if you prefer to use pre-ground coffee instead of grinding your own beans.

This coffee machine also includes two filters, a charcoal water filter and a gold coloured permanent filter, to get the best and freshest coffee taste possible. The carafe is double-walled insulated stainless steel with a comfortable handle, designed to keep up to 12 cups of coffee hot for at least a few hours after brewing.

12 cups

yes

yes

12.7 x 7.9 x 15.9 inches

Limited to 3 years

BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10 cup thermal coffee maker

The BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10 cup thermal coffee maker has an extremely simple design, making it easy to brew fresh coffee every morning. Simply add your ground coffee, fill the water tank and close the lid to start the brewing process. There are no complicated buttons or settings to use either, making it easy to learn.

The carafe is vacuum insulated with a double wall, so you can keep your coffee hot for up to two hours and take your time to enjoy it. You can also make just a few cups or up to ten cups if necessary, depending on how many people are planning to drink it.

The machine has an internal stainless steel water tank, which heats the water quickly and keeps it at the optimal temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a perfect brew. The spray head covers all the coffee beans for perfect aroma extraction and speeds up the brewing process, so your coffee is ready in just a few minutes.

The only drawback of this machine is that the quick brew is for coarse-ground coffees. If you prefer a finer ground coffee or a stronger brew, Bunn has a low-flow spray head that it can send to you at no extra cost.

10 cups

no

no

13.75 x 7 x 15.5 inches

Limited to 3 years

keeps coffee hot for up to 2 hours

Zojirushi EC-YSC100

The best thermal carafe coffee maker should be easy to use and built to last. The Zojirushi EC-YSC100 has a great design that will last for years, and makes brewing your favourite blend a snap. It can brew up to ten cups of coffee at a time, so you can serve a group or make as much as you like for yourself to sip on throughout the day.

The stainless steel carafe’s vacuum insulation will keep your coffee hot for hours. The thumb-activated pouring spout won’t drip onto the counter or table as you pour.

This machine is easy to fill with water and coffee. The water tank is removable, with cup measurements on the side for easy preparation of the desired amount. The basket opens for filling with ground coffee and the filter basket is removable for cleaning.

If you want to take a cup while brewing, the anti-drip mechanism stops the brewing process when the carafe is removed, so there’s no mess to clean up.

The 24-hour programmable timer allows you to set the machine to a specific brewing time, so it’s ready when you need a good cup of coffee. The cleaning indicator tells you when it’s time to give the machine a thorough cleaning with the automatic cleaning cycle.

10 cups

yes

no

10.6 x 8 x 14.9 inches

Limited to 1 year

removable water tank; drip-free mechanism when carafe is removed

Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS 79212

If you’re in the market for a new thermal coffee maker, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS 79212 is worth looking into. This is an eight-cup model, although it is measured in European cups, so if you use a large cup, you may get a little less than you bargained for. This model is also simple to use, easy to clean and super quiet.

The machine has a copper boiling element that heats the water quickly and maintains a perfect temperature for optimal flavour extraction. When the water tank is empty, the element automatically turns off for added convenience.

A nine-hole outlet arm pulses water onto the coffee grounds in the brew basket. The location of the holes does not always allow for all of the coffee grounds to be wetted, so the basket must be stirred or adjusted. The brew basket also has three settings to extend the brewing time or to stop the water flow to remove the carafe and pour a cup in the middle of the brewing process.

Although this machine is made with quality materials, including metal casings and safe plastics, many parts are not actually attached, including the brew basket, its lid and the water tank cover. This means you may need to be careful when using it to ensure everything stays in place.

Capacity

8 cups

no

no

11.5 x 6.75 x 13 inches

Limited to 5 years

manually adjustable brew basket; automatic shut-off switch

Advantages of thermal coffee makers

All coffee machines make coffee, that’s the only reason they were created. Of course, not all coffee makers are created equal. The oldest style usually includes a glass carafe that sits on a hot plate, designed to keep the coffee hot. The disadvantage of these machines is that the plate essentially continues to cook the coffee, which affects the taste rather negatively. After a while, the coffee tastes burnt and no one wants to drink it.

A thermal coffee maker, such as the Cuisinart DCC-3400, includes a special carafe that keeps the coffee hot by itself, eliminating the need for a hot plate. This not only keeps the coffee hot, but also maintains a delicious flavour for hours.

Another advantage of these machines is that they include a range of features, such as programmable timers, automatic shut-off, brew pause and more. Of course, they may not have all the sophisticated features of a latte or semi-automatic espresso machine, but it does mean that you can make your coffee the way you want, when you want, and as much as you want, at any time.

Features to consider when choosing a thermal coffee maker

Coffee makers are designed to make coffee, but many of them come with a wide range of features that you may want to consider before buying one. To help you choose the perfect thermal coffee maker for you, take a look at the following sections to see if you’re buying the right machine for your needs.

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Capacity

When looking at the capacity of the best drip coffee machine with thermal carafe, what you really need to look out for is the maximum number of cups the machine can produce. This can vary from small eight-cup machines like the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS 79212 to large twelve-cup models like the BLACK+DECKER CM2035B. If you only plan to make coffee for yourself, you probably won’t need the large carafe. However, if you’re making coffee for several adults at home or in the workplace, you’ll probably need the larger models, so that everyone is happy and gets a good dose of coffee.

If it’s programmable

There’s nothing like waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, but if you don’t have anyone getting up early to brew it for you, a programmable thermal coffee maker is the answer. This feature allows you to fill the water tank and coffee grounds in advance, then set a timer to brew coffee when you want it. So the coffee is brewed while you wake up, shower, get dressed or do anything else in your daily routine. So when you are ready to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee, it is already prepared for you.

If there is a built-in grinder.

It’s easy to find pre-ground coffee, but nothing beats a cup of coffee made with freshly ground quality beans. That’s why some coffee maker brands include a built-in grinder in their machines, like the Cuisinart DGB-900BC. This allows you to add your favourite beans to the machine, grind the amount you want depending on the size of coffee maker you’re brewing and the strength you prefer, and make your coffee exactly the way you like it.

This feature requires a little more clean-up time as the grinding process can be a bit messy, but coffee connoisseurs will probably be up for the challenge. The built-in grinder also takes up less space as you don’t need to have a separate grinder next to your coffee maker on your counter.

Brewing settings

Brew settings help prevent mistakes in coffee brewing. You can choose from several types of brewing settings. The first is the amount of coffee you want to brew. For example, just because the BLACK+DECKER CM2035B can make twelve cups of coffee doesn’t mean you want that amount brewed every time. The brew settings allow you to choose how much coffee you want to drink and prepare the coffee maker accordingly.

Another convenient setting is the coffee strength. Some coffee makers allow the water to brew the coffee grounds for longer, extracting more flavour for a stronger cup. They also offer faster brewing options for those who like their coffee a little weaker.

Dimensions

The size of your thermal coffee maker is more important than you think, especially if you have limited counter space to use it. Most people leave their coffeemaker outside all the time, so that it is ready in the morning when they need a good cup of coffee. If the coffeemaker is huge, it may not fit into the space you have, take up space on your other appliances or limit your food preparation area.

Warranty

When you buy a new thermal coffee maker, you think it will last for years. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. All sorts of problems can occur when you least expect them, usually due to faulty parts or manufacturing errors. A good warranty covers you for all these problems.

Short one-year warranties are suitable if the problems with the machine occur immediately. Longer warranties, such as the five-year limited warranty on the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS 79212, give you a little more peace of mind if faulty parts don’t fail before the machine has undergone a thorough testing period at your home.

More features

While the ability to make coffee and keep it hot is the main reason to buy the best automatic drip coffee maker with thermal carafe, there are a few features that make using them a little easier. One of them is a removable water tank, which allows you to take the tank to the sink to refill it. The water level indicators on the tank also make it easier to make the right amount of coffee. These machines usually have markings in the cups, which makes it easier to prepare small pots.

If you don’t keep your coffee maker plugged in all the time or if you plan to take it with you on a trip, the cord storage is very practical. It prevents the cord from dragging on your counter or hanging out when you try to move it. An LCD screen is another handy addition to your thermal coffee maker. It allows you to see all the settings you’ve chosen, including strength, the amount of coffee to brew and the time you’ve programmed for the brewing process to begin. It also has a clock, so you can keep track of your time if you’re getting ready for work.

How to clean your thermal coffee maker

When cleaning your thermal coffee maker, you need to make sure you do it properly. Some parts of the machine can be washed in the dishwasher so that you can put them in with your regular loads. You can also wash them in the sink with hot soapy water, making sure they are dry before you put them back in.

The decanter is a different story, however. It’s not always dishwasher safe because of its vacuum insulation. To get rid of coffee stains in the carafe, try the following:

Add a cup of baking soda to the coffee pot.

Fill the coffee pot with hot water

Scrub the inside of the coffee pot with a dish brush.

Drain the water and rinse.

If stains remain, add 2 and ½ tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to the pot.

Swirl the mixture for a minute to coat the inside, then leave for half an hour.

Drain the mixture and rinse with hot water.

Our verdict

The best thermal carafe coffee maker allows you to brew your favourite blend and keep it hot for hours without the need for a hot plate. This not only allows you to take the coffee maker to the table to serve, but also keeps the coffee tasting as delicious as it does when you first brew it. While all of the products we’ve reviewed here are great options for your home or office, there are a few that stand out from the rest.

The Cuisinart DCC-3400 is a twelve-cup model with a sleek and stylish design. It has great features like brew strength control, brew pause, 1-4 cup setting, auto shut off, ready coffee alert and even a 60 second reset during a power outage.

Breville’s BDC450 is another twelve-cup model, with a large carafe and water tank opening for easy filling and cleaning. It has several preset options, PID control for water temperature, pump control for flow, and even includes two filter baskets.

Our budget option is the BLACK+DECKER CM2035B, which offers a very low price without skimping on features. The carafe has a perfect drip-free spout and a wide opening. It also has customised brewing options, small batch settings and an Everstream spray for perfect grounds saturation.