Abstract: A coffee pot heating unit is provided with a base, a heating area associated with the base and having a size sufficient to accommodate a bottom portion of a coffee container, and a heating apparatus associated with the heating area to heat the heating area. The heating apparatus may include a heating element, and the heating apparatus may have an electrical resistance such that the heating apparatus generates no greater than about 80 watts of electrical power when the heating apparatus is connected to a 120-volt electrical power source. The heating apparatus generates a substantially fixed and constant electrical power output that does not change substantially while the heating apparatus is connected to the 120-volt power source.

Abstract: A self-sealing coffee pot is provided with a coffee container for holding liquid coffee, a pouring spout associated with the coffee container, a cover associated with the coffee container and having an opening disposed therein, a pivot member mounted to the cover and being disposed adjacent the opening, and a support mechanism that pivotably supports the pivot member. The support mechanism supports the pivot member so that the pivot member is pivotable between a closed position in which the opening in the cover is closed by a portion of the pivot member and in which substantially no vapor may escape from the interior portion of the coffee container to the atmosphere through the opening in the cover and an open position in which the opening in the cover is open and in which liquid coffee can be poured into the coffee container from a location outside of the coffee container.