Thank you for your comments - we're very serious about our coffee - I've gone through Starbuck's, Krups, Braun and the last one was a Cuisinart programable - it did okay for three years - the life of the warranty - son has one and a couple of my friends - their coffee is HOT and their machines are just as old - mine never was that hot - maybe it was just a lemon - and I should try another - and thanks for the comment about the thermal carafe - I was thinking that maybe that would get it hotter - no dice !!