Choosing a stainless steel carafe is largely a matter of personal choice. To choose the best carafe to fit your specific needs, first determine what it will be used for. Stainless steel carafes are made for many purposes and can range greatly in price. Consider how important maintaining the temperature of the liquid in the carafe will be, how much you need it to hold, and how easy it will be to clean.
As a stainless steel carafe can be used to keep liquids either hot or cold, it will be important to determine how much insulation a carafe offers. Some carafes feature double-wall vacuum insulation which will help a liquid maintain its optimum temperature longer. Carafes which feature minimum insulation are often better for drinks which will be served cold rather than those that will be served hot. Drinks which should be kept hot need the maximum amount of insulation a carafe can offer to help them maintain their heat.
The size of the stainless steel carafe will often prove to be a deciding factor. How many cups or quarts the container holds will help determine what carafe will best fit your specific needs. A carafe that is going to be used for serving liquids at parties will need to be much larger than one that will be used at a family breakfast table, for example.
Tops for a stainless steel carafe can differ greatly. Some have a stopper top with a twist and pour feature which allows the top to remain on the carafe while the liquid is poured out. This feature helps maintain the temperature of the liquid while still allowing for it to be dispensed. Other carafes have a top that must be removed entirely before the liquid can be poured.
When purchasing a carafe, it is important to recognize how easy it will be to clean. This is especially important if the carafe is to be used to house many different types of liquids over its lifetime. The ability to easily access the body helps ensure that no oils or residues are left within the carafe which would taint the flavor of the next liquid poured into it.
There is a popular type of stainless steel carafe that is particularly crafted for the person on the go. These carafes, often called thermoses, are made to carry 1 or 2 cups (237 to 473 ml) of liquid. They often feature a top that doubles as a cup, so liquid can be poured directly into the top for drinking.
