Hotplate vs. Thermal Carafe: Which Is Best at Keeping Coffee Hot?
Consumer Reports' experts help you weigh the pros and cons of these two warming methods
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Traditional drip coffee makers keep coffee hot one of two ways: with a hotplate under a glass carafe or in an insulated thermal carafe, which is often more expensive.
“We find that there isn’t a significant difference in temperature loss between the two types,” says Ginny Lui, a test engineer at Consumer Reports. For both types, we measure the temperature of the coffee after 30 minutes and 1 hour.
Best Coffee Makers With Hotplates
If you prefer the ease of handling a glass carafe and the continued heating provided by a hotplate, these are three of the best drip machines with hotplates that you should consider. For more options, check out our complete coffee maker ratings.
Best Coffee Makers With Thermal Carafes
If you prefer to keep your coffee warm for long periods of time and avoid the potential for that burnt coffee taste, these are three of the best drip machines with thermal carafes that you should consider. For more options, see our drip coffee maker ratings and sort by thermal carafe under Features & Specs.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the November 2019 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
