Mornings are incomplete without a steaming cup of your most favorite coffee. That first sip of hot coffee after you wake up feels very comforting. But it can soon start to go downhill when your coffee ceases to be hot and swiftly cools off. In that case, do you know how to keep coffee hot for a long time after you brew it? If not, you may find this article very useful.
Making sure your freshly prepared coffee stays hot is a difficult task, and a time-consuming one too. Whether you like to take your time savoring every sip or are in a hurry to get to work or places, there is a way to keep the heat up without compromising taste, flavor, aroma, etc. In fact, there are several ways!
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5 Best Ways to Keep Coffee Hot
1. Thermal Carafe
There’s a reason why coffee makers are equipped with a thermal carafe. The whole point of designing thermal carafes is to lock in the heat of your freshly prepared brew. The insulation the carafe contains can really trap the warmth so you always have access to a hot cup of coffee whenever you like.
The materials used for thermal carafes include double-walled glass or stainless steel. This double-walled construction, along with a vacuum layer, forms a solid insulated barrier to keep the contents inside the carafe hot for an extended amount of time.
There’s an additional thermal coating as well on the outside for heat retention, which prevents the exterior from getting too hot.
2. Travel Mug
Even travel mugs are crafted to lock in heat for a really long time. These types of insulated mugs are usually made of plastic or stainless steel, with a layer of vacuum that traps heat. So your coffee is bound to remain hot and steamy for when you want to drink it later.
Many coffee machines are built to accommodate travel mugs. This allows your freshly prepared brew to pour right into the mug itself. So everything from the heat to the flavor and aroma of your favorite coffee is kept intact.
Therefore, for keeping coffee hot on the go, a travel mug is necessary. And most of them will easily fit into the cup holder in your car.
3. Cup Warmer for the Car
You could get a travel mug or if you’re really particular, then consider purchasing a heated car travel mug. This stainless steel, self-heating travel mug plugs into your car charger to keep your coffee from getting cold when you’re stuck in traffic dropping off your kids to school, getting to work, etc.
The anti-slip base and spill-resistant lid are superb for providing a non-messy coffee-sipping experience while you’re on the go. And more superb for preventing heat to separate from your bold, aromatic brew.
4. Cup Sleeve
Now here’s one of the most effective DIY hacks to keep coffee hot – use a cup sleeve. It’s a handy and inexpensive way for preventing the heat to escape too quickly. Mainly, cup sleeves are designed to keep your hands from getting scalded when you’re holding a hot cup of coffee. In the process, they also provide insulation to the mug!
You get all kinds of cup sleeves these days – knitted sleeves, neoprene sleeves, paper sleeves, and a few more. The sleeve is small, thus travel-friendly too. As a matter of fact, there are insulated coffee sleeves for travel mugs as well.
5. Hot Plate
One of the most common and effective tips for keeping coffee warm involves the use of a hot plate, like this easy-to-use, affordable heating plate by Oracer. You just have to plug in the cord, press the ON button, and place your cup on top.
The Oracer coffee mug warmer also features multiple temperature settings – between 120 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. And it’s a compact cup warmer hot plate, which means you can use it at your work desk too.
The Most Common Myths About Keeping Coffee Hot
Myth #1 – You Can Use An Insulated French Press
If you leave your coffee inside a French Press for too long, it will continue to brew. Even after the plunger has been pushed down, coffee grounds can still keep brewing. Resulting in over-extraction, which makes the beverage too bitter to consume.
So always pour out your coffee once it’s done brewing in the French Press. French Press coffee is supposed to taste rich and smooth, and not excessively bitter.
Myth #2 – You Can Microwave Coffee
Radiation is what microwaves use for heating, which is not ideal for coffee since it creates hotspots. Thus, high chance of your coffee getting heated inconsistently where some areas are still left cool. As for the hot areas, these can get too hot, especially burnt and bitter.
Also, when you microwave coffee, you can’t check the temperature. This means it’s difficult to know just when your coffee is warm enough.
Myth #3 – You Can Use A Hot Plate
This is direct heat you’re subjecting your coffee to – direct, high heat. A hot or heating plate can easily take your favorite beverage from being cold to being over-extracted and bitter. That’s how unfavorable the heating mechanism is.
Now I know that I’ve also promoted the use of warming plates for coffee cups. I’ve done that simply because desperate times call for desperate measures.
FAQs – How to Prevent Coffee From Cooling Down
What Keeps Coffee Hot All Day?
A thermos has a well-insulated design to keep your coffee hot all day long, a vacuum flask would do the same. Alternatively, you can also use an insulated mug (made of plastic or stainless steel) that consists of such double-walled insulation. Or just buy an electric cup warmer – its heating element maintains a consistent temperature, so you can sip hot coffee throughout the day.
Which Cup Keeps Coffee Hot the Longest?
Ceramic cups and stainless steel, vacuum-insulated thermoses. They’re the best for maximum heat retention in comparison to other materials like glass and plastic.
How to Keep Coffee Warm In A Paper Cup?
You can keep your coffee warm in a paper cup with the help of a glove or scarf. Just wrap either one around the paper cup for preserving some of the heat. Something is better than nothing in this case, especially when you’re outdoors.
How Long Does Coffee Stay Hot In A Carafe?
There are specific coffee makers that make the hottest coffee. And this freshly prepared brew is stored inside a thermal carafe to keep the beverage hot for a minimum of several hours. The temperature stays within the range of 150 degrees and 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for drinking coffee.
Are Tumblers Good for Keeping Coffee Hot?
A tumbler is great for when you want to keep your coffee hot for at least 5–6 hours. Plus, tumblers prevent leakage and are eco-friendly and easy to clean.
Conclusion
Nothing comes close to a hot cup of coffee in the morning or at any other time of day. But keeping your most favorite beverage hot like it’s just been prepared is tricky. At the same time, it’s no magic trick. From thermal carafes and insulated mugs to cup sleeves and hot plates, there are lots of ways to prevent your coffee from cooling down.
