Carafe Pouring and Spill Problems

Carafe Types

• The glass carafe found inside your coffeepot consists of a rounded vessel with a flat bottom. The top features a large plastic piece that keeps the carafe from touching the hot components. The coffeemaker drips fresh coffee through a hole in the top of the carafe and the glass offers insulation, keeping the liquid warm. A wine or juice carafe has a completely different look and slightly resembles a wine bottle. The carafe has a large opening, a flat bottom and a curved shape. You hold the indented area near the top of the carafe when pouring.

Coffeemaker Carafe Problems

• Consumer Affairs lists dozens of complaints from shoppers complaining about the carafe associated with their coffeemaker, particularly coffeepots from Black & Decker. The most common complaint as of 2011 revolved around dribbling problems, which occur because of the way you hold the carafe as you pour. The coffee slowly pours from the spout on the carafe but gets trapped around the edges. When you stop pouring, the small amount of coffee still trapped keeps coming and dribbles around your hands.

Other Problems

• Pouring and spillage problems also occur with glass juice or wine carafes. Carafes of this type have a large opening at the top without any type of pouring spout. When you pour the liquid, it becomes stuck around the lip at the top of the carafe and slowly dribbles out. Pouring the liquid too slowly or too fast may also result in problems with spills or dribbling.

Prevention

• Guide To recommends taking your time when pouring and slowly twisting the carafe. Keep a steady hand as you pour, and let the liquid evenly flow from the carafe. You want to slowly turn the carafe in your hand and reduce your pouring speed, twisting the carafe continuously until you stop pouring. The small twist changes the flow of the liquid and creates a funnel effect inside the carafe. The liquid moves away from the opening and lip and flows back into the carafe, keeping spills and dribbles from occurring.