You might have seen or heard about carafes used as ornamental pourers for wines and other spirits. They usually have a narrow long neck and a broad base to ease the pouring process. But, this post is not about those types of carafes; it is about a coffee carafe. Coffee lovers, tea admirers, and brewer enthusiasts asked for an efficient container that could keep their beverage hot and fresh for long. The result of such a demand was the introduction of coffee carafes.
What are they? How are they different? What is their purpose? Should you buy a glass or steel one? There are so many questions around this topic; worry not, everything is well explained herein.
What is a coffee carafe and how is it different from a wine carafe?
It is a container or pot used for storing hot and cold beverages available in materials like glass, plastic, and steel. It is in a carafe that you will brew your coffee for an aromatic and pleasing experience. You may find such a carafe in hotels, restaurants, home kitchens, offices, and other commercial places.
It is different from a wine carafe in its appearance and purpose. A wine carafe is usually made of glass with a long and slim neck, small mouth, and broad base. It is also made ornamentally and aesthetically pleasing to attract diners or drinkers.
However, a coffee carafe is not necessarily made of glass and it does not have a long slim neck; it resembles the shape of a pot or a cylindrical kettle. Its purpose is not aesthetics, but the utility of keeping the beverage hot or cold for a longer time.
What material is the best for a coffee carafe?
Since you will be using the carafe for coffees, teas, and other beverages, it is advised to prefer a steel flask or carafe. The glass one will not be able to bear the high temperature and may break afterward. The plastic option might seem to be cheap, but it is also unsafe as it may have BPA which is a toxic compound. Steel will be durable, resistant to breakage, and will keep your brew hotter for a long time.
What is an insulated carafe?
Insulation is a tech in form of a layer added in bottles, tiffin boxes, and even carafes to promote temperature retention. It is an extra layer in the carafe to prevent the flow of heat from leaking. So, you should prefer a thermos flask with insulation for tea, coffee, and other beverages that you wish to enjoy when hot. The presence of such an insulation layer will make the carafe worthy of taking along to cold vacation destinations or even for your daily cravings for hot coffee and chai.
What are the common components of a good carafe?
If you wish to enjoy the carafe in the best possible way, you should look for features like leak-proof, odorless, tri-ply tech, 304 stainless steel, and BPA-free like that of the Pexpo carafe. Otherwise, you must buy a carafe having a sturdy handle attached to it for a convenient and strong hold on it. Its lid should have a press button to make pouring an easy and spill-free task for you each time. The pouring spout or nozzle should also be neither too big nor too small to further facilitate the smooth outflow of the beverage.
Key takeaway
You might feel tempted to buy a glass carafe because of its elegant look, but remember that it is less durable and cannot bear high temperatures resulting in damage. Try to stay away from the cheaper plastic option as it may contaminate your favorite chai or coffee. The steel carafe covers all good points and will serve you fresh and hot brews for several years.
