Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.

Abstract: A coffee maker has a reservoir for water connected to a conduit which terminates above a holder for coffee grounds which sits atop a coffee carafe. A heater is provided in this conduit which can heat the water therein and displace it along the conduit into the coffee-ground holder. The heater is energized for a brief period of time to supply a small quantity of the water to the coffee-ground holder, and is then shut down so that this limited quantity of water can brew with and pass through the ground coffee. Thereafter the heater is again energized to heat and displace the rest of the liquid in the reservoir into the holder.