Abstract: An otherwise conventional automatic-chip coffee maker has a glass carafe made with an inner layer and an outer layer separated by an air gap. Openable apertures allow hot air to enter the air gap when the carafe is supported on a base. The hot air is supplied from a heating coil by a fan and flows into the air gap. During preparation of coffee the hot air can be used to initially heat up the carafe, to brew coffee in the carafe and to keep the coffee warm.