Abstract: A coffee maker heater shortens brew times by employing steel components which are brazed together. A copper brazing material efficiently conducts heat from the coffee maker heater element to the base plate and water tube. Brazing increases the thermally conductive surface area of the junctions between components of the coffee maker. A stainless steel water tube minimizes contamination of the heated water. Steel components tolerate increased levels of heat, permitting use of high power heater elements. The combination of high power heater elements with improved thermal performance shortens brew times by as much as one third.