Are Thermal Carafes Good?
Are thermal carafes good at keeping your favorite brew at the right temperature? Discover they are perfect for travelling, entertaining, and picnics in the outdoors.
A thermal carafe is extremely convenient for entertaining, catering, and traveling.
Every home, office and picnic basket should have one of these vacuum insulated coffee carafes within easy reach.
Whether you need a small thermal carafe just for yourself or require a large one for a large group of people, you will find one to suit.
These heat insulators are a savior when needing to keep any liquid hot for an extended period of time.
They are especially useful when you will not be close to any electrical outlet to heat up your brew when you are dying for a nice cuppa.
Thermal Carafes Available From Amazon
There are some beautiful options available from Amazon. We have handpicked some products for you.
So – let’s have a look at the right thermal carafe for your needs.
How Do Thermal Coffee Carafes Work?
The main purpose of a thermal carafe is to keep your beverage as you want it. The carafe insulates the contents preventing loss of internal heat.
Thermal carafes or thermos flasks are very efficient at maintaining your coffee’s heat because they are double-walled and vacuum-sealed.
Vacuum sealing means that the flasks have had all the air removed from between their two stainless steel walls.
The lack of air means that there is less heat transfer. Heat, therefore, is retained much longer without air present to act as a conductor.
Some thermos coffee carafes use foam as an insulator. This acts like a cooler and is efficient when having a hot drink while it is chilly outside.
Hot Water Carafes – Easy and Efficient To Use?
Very!
Brew your coffee via your favorite method. Transfer your beverage into your favorite insulated carafe.
To keep your fresh brew at its optimal temperature, we recommend you preheat your thermos flask. The coffee will not lose heat immediately upon entering the container by doing this.
- Simply fill up the container with freshly boiled hot water.
- Wait for approximately 30 seconds.
- Then empty.
- Pour in your fresh brew immediately.
- Seal securely with the lid.
The lid helps slow the steam evaporation from the hot coffee. This helps keep the coffee hot for extended periods of time.
The recommended time frame for storing your brew in an insulated coffee carafe is approximately 60 minutes. This is a good guide for maintaining the flavor and freshness of your coffee.
After all, what is the point of going to all the effort of creating the coffee of your dreams with your special gadgets and favorite home coffee machine – and then it gets cold and ugly before you have the chance to drink it?
What To Consider Before Purchasing An Insulated Carafe
When you are looking at the options available to you, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
These will be different for everyone as lifestyles differ and use will also change accordingly in every home.
Here are a few pointers to lead you in the right direction.
Carafe Size And Capacity
The capacity of the carafe is very important. Sizes can vary greatly and you need to get one that suits your requirements.
You don’t want to end up getting annoyed and frustrated because you chose one that was too small for your needs.
Thermal carafes can vary in size from a pint-size 20 ounces to a generous 170 ounces. This is a huge size variation and the price will be reflected in these size ranges.
Opting for the largest option may seem like the best choice, but that may not be the most viable.
If you are the only person making use of it, think how many cups you drink at any one time. No need to waste money on a large carafe and end up throwing coffee away.
A large option is great for a large family and if you do lots of entertaining.
Weight Of The Carafe
The weight of a carafe can be an important consideration if you are elderly or have other impediments that make lifting heavier items difficult. Especially one that is filled with hot liquid.
A smaller, more lightweight option would be a good choice in this case.
Weight also comes into consideration if you are hiking or cycling and need to carry it on your person for extended periods of time. Anything will feel like a stone after a few hours of carting it around.
Most carafes these days are lighter than their original models, but it is always best to check the specifications before you buy.
Length Of Heat Retention
This is one of the most important considerations to take into account.
The whole reason for buying a thermal carafe is to have the contents hot when you need it. You don’t want to end up with lukewarm coffee and not enjoy it.
It stands to reason that a high-quality carafe will perform better and retain the heat, or cold, of your beverage for longer. So depending on how long you need to keep something hot reflects on the quality of your purchase.
Therefore, it is a good idea to check the product information of the thermal carafe you are interested in. Knowing what to expect from your purchase will prevent disappointment later on.
Remember that better heat retention is created with greater amounts of air locked in the double walls.
Alternative Option To A Carafe: Battery Operated Coffee Maker
Pouring Options
There are a couple of pouring options offered in the different brands of thermal carafes on the market.
Push-Button Pouring
This method allows you to push the button on the handle to release coffee from your carafe. Then you just pour it into your cup.
This is very convenient allowing you to use the carafe one-handed.
Screw Cap Opening
There are many thermos flasks that have a screw top that needs to be unscrewed before you can pour.
Some screw tops come off completely but some you just need to turn a few times to open the aperture for pouring. It is advisable with this type to hold the lid in place while you are pouring.
You do not want the lid to come off while you are pouring and create a huge outpouring of hot liquid when you least expect it. This can be dangerous and very messy too.
Price vs Value
It is always important to have a budget to work with when purchasing any item. The same goes for a thermal carafe.
Prices range from inexpensive to fairly expensive. These all depend on the features offered and the materials the carafe is made from.
So look at all the features relative to the cost and go with the option that best suits your needs and budget.
Quick and Easy Maintenance
Thermal carafes are generally not dishwasher safe so do need to be cleaned manually.
As with any kitchen appliance they do need to be cleaned regularly – even if they are only used for storing boiled water. There will always be a build of either limescale or stains created from the beverages being stored inside on a regular basis.
To ensure easy cleaning and maintenance there is a tip to consider when purchasing your thermos.
Look for a model that has a wide opening at the top. A small mouth will make it more difficult to gain entrance to clean it properly.
A wide entrance will allow you to use a brush easily and give it a good swish around to remove any stains and build-ups that may have occurred.
On the other hand, a narrow opening will retain the heat in the carafe better. So consider the benefits that are more important to you.
How To Clean A Thermal Carafe
The most efficient method is:
- Sprinkle a little baking soda into the bottom of your carafe
- Add enough water to form a paste
- Scrub with a bottle brush
The baking soda together with the movement of the brush in all directions will scrape the stains and residues off the walls in a matter of minutes.
Once the interior is sparkling again, simply rinse the carafe well and drip dry upside down.
It is now ready to use again.
Top Tip
Coffee does tend to stain over time – to avoid the inside of your carafe or thermos going brown use a bottle brush to scrub the inside walls occasionally.
So – Are Thermal Carafes Good At Keeping Their Contents Hot?
In a nutshell – yes.
For a few hours – after that, the temperature will start cooling down as the hours’ progress.
These types of hot water carafes are more durable than carafes made from glass. You don’t need to worry about them shattering or cracking. (Unless you drop them from a fair height).
This makes them easy and convenient to transport your favorite hot drink far and wide.
Functionality does not have to exclude beauty and elegance these days!
Find a design that blends seamlessly with your lifestyle and decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does coffee stay hot in a thermal carafe?
A thermal coffee carafe will keep your coffee at maximum heat for approximately 2 hours. After that, the coffee will slowly start to cool down. A good quality thermal carafe can keep its heat up to 6 hours.
How do you keep coffee warm in a thermal carafe?
The best method to keep your coffee as hot as possible for as long as possible is to preheat your carafe before pouring your fresh brew into it. Pour freshly boiled water or hot tap water into the carafe, swirl it around inside, pour out and pour your coffee brew into the thermal carafe or flask immediately and seal well.
Is a thermal carafe better than glass?
This all depends on how long you need your coffee to stay hot. A thermal carafe will definitely keep your coffee hotter for longer than a glass carafe.
Can I put boiling water in a thermos?
Yes, you can put boiling water into a thermos quite safely. The boiling water will stay hot for a couple of hours and will still be fairly hot for up to 6 hours.
How do you keep coffee warm without electricity?
There are a variety of ways to keep coffee warm without the use of electricity. The most efficient way is to put the fresh brew straight into a preheated thermal carafe to keep its heat for several hours. Other options are not as long-term – like preheating your mug, wrapping the coffee in a towel, or scarf for example.
