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Calphalon Quick Brew Coffee Maker: Owner Guide and What to Buy Now

The Calphalon Quick Brew was a 10- or 12-cup drip coffee maker that paired good coffee with a design that actually looked like it belonged on a kitchen counter. Brushed stainless steel, a removable water reservoir, a gold-tone permanent filter, and a brew-strength selector that let you toggle between regular and bold. I used one for about three years and it made consistently good coffee with minimal fuss. Calphalon no longer makes drip coffee makers. The Quick Brew line was discontinued, and the brand’s only remaining coffee product is the Temp iQ espresso machine, which appears to be winding down as well. If you own a Quick Brew, it is worth maintaining. If you are looking for a replacement, several current machines hit the same marks.

Calphalon Electric 12-Cup Quick Brew Coffee Maker

What the Quick Brew was

Calphalon is a Newell Brands company best known for cookware. Their coffee maker line was smaller but well-regarded. The Quick Brew came in 10-cup and 12-cup versions, both with the same core features:

Removable water reservoir. The entire tank lifted out for filling at the sink. This solved the most annoying problem with drip makers: trying to pour water into a narrow opening at the back of the machine without spilling.

Gold-tone permanent filter. No paper filters needed. The mesh filter was dishwasher-safe and produced a slightly fuller-bodied cup than paper because it let more oils through.

Brew-strength selector. A regular/bold toggle that adjusted brew time. Bold mode slowed the water flow for longer contact with the grounds. It worked noticeably better than most “bold” buttons on cheaper machines.

Programmable timer. Set it the night before, wake up to coffee. The 1-to-4 cup setting adjusted the brew for smaller batches so you did not get weak, under-extracted coffee when making half a pot.

Pause-to-pour. Pull the carafe mid-brew to pour a cup. The Quick Brew was one of the few machines that did not drip when the carafe was removed.

Keeping a Quick Brew running

If your Quick Brew still works, it is worth keeping. Replacement carafes are hard to find now, so handle yours carefully. The glass carafe is the weak point. If it cracks or shatters, a universal 12-cup carafe from another brand may fit if the opening diameter matches.

Descale the machine every 2-3 months with white vinegar or citric acid. Run a full tank of solution, then two tanks of clean water. The charcoal water filter in the reservoir should be replaced every 60 days if you use tap water. Generic charcoal filters cut to size work if Calphalon-branded ones are unavailable.

What to buy instead

The Quick Brew’s strengths were build quality, a removable reservoir, and a brew-strength toggle. Several current machines match or exceed those features:

The Cuisinart DCC-3200 is the closest equivalent. 14-cup, removable water reservoir (actually removable, not just a flip-top), brew-strength control, gold-tone filter included, and a thermal carafe option. It runs about $80-100.

The Breville Precision Brewer is the upgrade path if you want SCA-certified temperature control and six preset brew modes. It costs $250-300, but it is the best drip maker I have tested. The best drip coffee makers guide covers the full field.

For help choosing between styles, the how to choose a coffee maker guide walks through the decision, and the drip coffee technique guide covers ratios and temperature for any machine you pick. The home and office picks focus on daily-volume brewing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Calphalon Quick Brew still made?

No. Calphalon discontinued its drip coffee maker line. The only Calphalon coffee product remaining is the Temp iQ espresso machine, which also appears to be winding down.

Where can I find a replacement carafe?

Check eBay for NOS (new old stock) Calphalon carafes. A universal 12-cup glass carafe may also fit if the opening diameter matches. Measure your current carafe before ordering.

Does Calphalon still make any coffee makers?

As of 2026, Calphalon’s only coffee product is the Temp iQ espresso machine, which uses a portafilter and steam wand. No drip models are currently in production.

What current coffee maker is closest to the Quick Brew?

The Cuisinart DCC-3200 matches most of the Quick Brew’s features: removable reservoir, brew-strength control, permanent filter, and stainless steel design at a similar price point.

Should I use the gold-tone filter or paper filters?

The gold-tone filter lets more oils through, producing a fuller body. Paper filters give a cleaner, lighter cup. Both work. If you prefer a cleaner taste, a #4 paper filter fits inside the Quick Brew’s basket.

Founder

Daniel Pylip founded TalkAboutCoffee in 2006 after he got hooked trying to master the espresso machine that turned up in his office one morning. Eighteen years and 200+ machines later, he writes the equipment reviews, brewing guides, and practical home-barista pieces that anchor the site.

  • Pedro Delgado

    I need help, my cofee maker sometimes dos not start with the button . 0n/off . It has given me years of good service and I am notplanning