Abstract: A water heater for a domestic coffee maker comprises a hot plate which is heated by an electrical resistance heater. A cavity is formed within the hot plate. The cavity extends substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the plate and has a closed end within the plate and an open end in the peripheral surface of the plate. The cavity is divided transversely by a partition which defines together with the internal walls of the cavity, a substantially U-shaped water circulation passage within the cavity. Water flowing through the U-shaped passage is thus heated by the heater.