Coffee and love are best when they are hot.
- German Proverb
Coffee tastes great when served right away. However, hot coffee does not last too long. Have you ever noticed that the taste of your coffee is not the same anymore after several minutes? Luckily there is a fantastic solution to keeping your coffee hot - the coffee carafe. In this article, we will take a look at the best coffee carafe which will keep your coffee fresh for as long as possible.
Not all coffee carafes are created equal. Many are subpar containers that do nothing more than keep coffee warm for a short time. Only a few truly stand out as the best coffee carafes.
What You'll Learn
What is the Best Coffee Carafe?
To be considered as among the best, a coffee carafe should more than just maintain the temperature of the coffee. It must be something that gives a great overall experience - from form to function.
Here are some qualities to look for in a coffee carafe:
Outstanding Temperature Retention
The coffee carafe has to do an exemplary job at what it was made for - to retain the temperature of your drink for as long as possible. The best coffee carafe can keep coffee warm for 10 to 12 hours and up to 24 hours for cold or iced coffee.
Spill-Proof
Imagine drinking coffee with one hand and reading a book on the other. You wouldn’t want to spill your coffee all over the desk as you pour some more, would you? The best coffee carafe makes it easier to pour coffee with minimal spillage.
The coffee carafe from Hastings Collective (pictured below) demonstrates a spill-proof pouring system.
Well-Built
Craftsmanship is a classic term nowadays. Very few high quality coffee carafes exist out there. There are even less that can be associated with superior craftsmanship. The best coffee carafe is built with materials that integrate superb insulation, rock-solid strength, and does not weigh much.
Visually Appealing
Just because the coffee carafe is heavy-duty doesn’t mean it also has to look like it. It has to seamlessly blend into the kitchen, complementing the quality of the coffee that's being served from it.
The Pykal Thermal Coffee Carafe below is an example of a visually appealing product.
Thermal vs. Glass Carafe
A thermal carafe is typically composed of two layers. Both layers are made of stainless steel, but other designs also have different materials on one layer, such as aluminum, glass, or plastic. There is a vacuum in the space between the layers to prevent heat from spreading to the exterior. In turn, the temperature inside is retained for as long as the container can handle.
Some people claim that thermal carafes can slightly affect the flavor of coffee. This may be true for those with sensitive taste buds, but it's negligible for the majority of coffee drinkers. Probably the only downside of a thermal carafe is in the aesthetics department. It's not as elegant as glass and you can't see what's inside.
A glass carafe, on the other hand, does not retain heat that much. It relies on a heating element, such as a hot plate, to keep its temperature. On another note, there are thermal carafes with a glass interior.
8 Best Coffee Carafes
With all the factors above in mind, we found 8 of the best coffee carafes available in the market today.
1. Cresimo Stainless Steel, Double-Walled Vacuum Coffee Carafe
The Cresimo thermal carafe can keep beverages cold for 24 hours or keep coffee warm for 12 hours. It is also priced lower than other coffee carafes on this list.
2. Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Carafe
Thermos has long been known as the brand behind some of the best water and beverage containers. In fact, many people mistakenly refer to carafes as Thermos.
This unit uses vacuum insulation technology that preserves the temperature and flavor of your drink.
3. Emsa Eleganza Stainless Steel Insulated Carafe
The Emsa Eleganza lives up to its name. With its sleek and modern design, this is probably the most beautiful coffee carafe around. It is absolutely a welcome addition to the kitchen. This unit is durable and has no plastic parts.
4. GiNT Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe
The GiNT coffee carafe has a reputation for being durable and having a great design at the same time. It's a complete package, as they say. The only thing that you need to look out for in this unit is the rubber smell that comes from the seal under the lid. The first few uses might turn you off, but the smell will eventually go away as you continue using it.
5. Elsa Samba Quick Press Insulated Server
If you’re the type who likes color themes, then the Elsa Samba is the best coffee carafe for you. It has a glass interior and is available in 14 different colors.
6. Vremi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Coffee Carafe
The Vremi coffee carafe is made with a no-spill lid that will keep your drink from spilling even when you're moving. For that reason, it is ideal for use in outdoor activities. It can retain heat for up to 8 hours. It also has a push button for easy pouring.
7. Coffmax Thermal Coffee Carafe
This coffee carafe from Coffmax keeps your drink cold or warm at home, at work, at parties, or outdoors. It's a reliable all-purpose thermal carafe. This unit can retain heat for half a day and can preserve coldness for up to a day.
8. Isosteel Tableline VA-9341K Vacuum-Insulated Thermos
This sleek coffee carafe from Isosteel features a QUICKSTOP pouring system for one-hand use. It can keep coffee warm for 8 hours, or cold for 16 hours. It also comes with a 5-year warranty, the longest coverage on this list.
