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Some Like It Hot: A Guide to Thermal Coffee Carafes
Coffee is best served hot! Here's your guide to thermal carafes.
Published October 17, 2021
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Asharita D'Silva
Coffee experts@Era of We
A cup of coffee going cold before you can drink it is every coffee lover’s nightmare. Everyone loves a fresh, hot, steaming cup of coffee. The easiest way to ensure your coffee stays hot and fresh is to invest in a thermal coffee carafe.
What Is a Thermal Coffee Carafe?
A thermal coffee carafe is a double-walled container designed to store coffee or other hot beverages at an optimum temperature. A thermal carafe can keep drinks hot for about 12-24 hours depending on the material and the size of the container.
The double walls of the thermal carafe contain a vacuum that prevents outside air from coming in contact with the hot coffee and also prevents condensation within the container itself (any condensation is trapped within the double walls). This works to keep the inner contents hot for longer.
The double walls are commonly made of stainless steel. Other options include plastic, powder-coated aluminum, or mixed materials (the inner wall is one material like stainless steel and the outer wall is a different material).
Advantages Of a Thermal Carafe
If you love hot coffee or like to drink your coffee on the go, a thermal carafe is a must-have. Apart from the obvious advantage of keeping your coffee hot for longer, you can expect the following benefits with a thermal carafe:
- Portability
A thermos coffee carafe is made of durable material, often stainless steel. This makes it light and portable, perfect for those with active lifestyles. It gives you the option to brew your coffee at home and take it to work, on picnics, hikes, and more.
- Durability
Unlike the usual ceramic or glass coffee pots, a thermal carafe is made of strong material that will not break and has less wear and tear. This means you won’t have to keep replacing it. In addition, the materials used to make good thermal carafes are designed to withstand very hot temperatures without affecting the safety or taste of the liquid inside.
- Large volume
Most thermal carafes can hold almost 10 cups of coffee at once. This is in stark contrast to a simple thermos cup or a coffee pot which usually only contains 2-3 cups at a time. This is ideal for travelers, large groups, or simply people who like to drink multiple cups throughout the day.
- Freshness
A thermal carafe is the most efficient way to lock in heat and flavor. The vacuum seal prevents not only heat loss but also keeps the flavor and aroma intact. This means you get hot, flavorful coffee all day and only have to brew it once.
Glass vs Metal Thermal Coffee Carafe
A glass carafe is simply a glass pot that is used to store and serve coffee. Drip coffee machines come with glass carafes so they’re fairly common in most homes. Their ubiquity doesn’t make them the better option, however.
Glass carafes are cheaper than thermal ones and can be more visually appealing for serving, but that’s where the pros end. In comparison to thermal coffee carafes, glass carafes don’t keep coffee hot for long and there is a noticeable loss of aroma and flavor. Your standard glass carafe usually has an open top and this allows heat, aroma, and flavor to escape. In addition, they are kept over hotplates to keep the coffee warm. This results in an unpleasant burnt flavor.
Lastly, glass coffee carafes are delicate and break easily so they’re less durable and often expensive to replace.
How To Clean a Thermal Coffee Carafe
Cleaning a thermal carafe can be troublesome due to the shape and design. Luckily, it just takes carefulness and patience to keep your carafe clean. Thermos carafes can’t be put into dishwashers and must be manually cleaned. You can use normal dish soap to carefully rinse and wash the inside of the carafe.
Thermal carafes tend to accumulate coffee stains so once in a while you need to give it an intensive wash with something like vinegar and baking soda.
There’s nothing like coffee served hot! A thermal carafe is a perfect accessory for coffee-lovers who want hot, fresh coffee all day and wherever they go.
About the author
Asharita D'Silva
Join me in discovering the wonderful world of coffee! As a writer, coffee is my fuel and newfound passion. I love writing about new coffees, sustainability, and coffee culture around the world. I'm always discovering new things about coffee and the industry, which I share with the great community here at Era Of We.
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