Abstract: An apparatus for brewing hot beverages, such as coffee, comprising a water reservoir, a heating element for heating water in the water reservoir, an extraction device, an electric pump and a thermostat for the detection of the temperature of the water in the reservoir. The thermostat is connected in series with the heating element and the pump is connected in parallel with the thermostat. After the water has reached the desired temperature the thermostat is closed, which causes the pump to be switched on in order to pump the hot water to the extraction device. During the pumping phase the power of the heating element is virtually cut off.

Abstract: There is provided a coffeemaker comprising a water reservoir, a quartz-glass tubular heating chamber having an external electrical heating element in contact therewith, an inlet tube for conducting water from the reservoir through the chamber, and an outlet tube for discharging the heated water over ground coffee. Associated therewith is a switch responsive to the temperature of the heating chamber wall for automatically de-energizing the heating element. When the flow of water through the heating chamber ceases, the heat capacity of the heating chamber, the electrical power consumption of the heating element, and the location and the adjustment of the temperature-responsive switch are so related to each other that the heating chamber walls will be rapidly heated to a temperature of at least about 450.degree. C. before the heating element is de-energized by the temperature-responsive switch. The result is that any scale on the heating chamber walls is thereby thermally decomposed and removed.