Below is a small list of some questions that we have received over the years. We’ve done our best to answer these questions here but if you have a question that isn’t asked or answered below, give us a call and we’ll gladly try to help!
Café Brew FAQ’s
Which Café Brew replacement carafe will fit my coffeemaker?
All you need is your current coffeemaker brand (i.e. Mr. Coffee, Cuisinart etc.) and model number, then click on the Carafe Fits List here on our website.
Please note this Fits List is intended as a guide. If your coffeemaker model number is not listed, you as the customer are responsible for reviewing the carafe dimensions in the product listing to confirm if the product will fit.
If you don’t see your model number listed, please call our Customer Service department at 1-888-633-3526 for further assistance.
What materials are Café Brew products made with?
All of our Café Brew products are BPA-free and comply with FDA requirements for food contact items. The majority of our products are made with the following materials:
Borosilicate Glass (Carafe/Kettle Bodies): Heat resistant Schott DURAN© glass from Germany, which is resistant to temperature changes, and has a very strong composition that will not stain from use. Dishwasher safe.
ABS Plastic (Carafe Handles): Considered superior for its hardness, toughness and gloss. Dishwasher safe.
Phenolic Plastic (Kettle/Percolator Handles): High rigidity, heat resistant qualities, compact and dense. Dishwasher safe.
Polypropylene Plastic (Lids/Adaptors/Filters): Non-deformable, brilliant gloss, low water absorptive capacity and water vapor permeability. Dishwasher safe.
Stainless Steel (Filter Mesh/Fastening Hardware): Ideal composition of chromium and nickel which can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids, and durability that is easy to sanitize, and therefore ideal for kitchen applications. Dishwasher safe.
Are Café Brew products dishwasher and/or microwave safe?
Café Brew products are dishwasher safe using the top rack. Care should be used so that the glass Café Brew product does not contact other objects in the dishwasher.
Only the following Café Brew product models are safe for use in the microwave: GL204, GL205, GL210, GL210CP, GL212, GL220, GL220-Duo, GL312, GL312-Duo and PO108.
WARNING: Do not use any Café Brew products containing metal parts in the microwave including models PK008, WK112 and all coffee filters.
How do I properly care for my glass Café Brew products?
WARNING: You should use caution when using and caring for your glass Café Brew products. Misuse of our products can cause the glass to break or plastic components to melt and result in personal injury from cuts, scalding or hot/melted plastic. Below are basic guidelines to follow when using our products, however, please follow all instructions included with your specific Café Brew product.
- Do not clean the carafe with abrasive cleansers, scouring pads or other abrasive materials; they will scratch and weaken the glass which may cause the carafe to break.
- Use only sponge, plastic or nylon wash pads with soapy water when washing by hand.
- The glass products are dishwasher top rack safe. Avoid carafe/kettle contact with other items in dishwasher.
The glass should not be: bumped against other objects; scratched with any object; heated dry or boiled dry. In the event the glass is damaged, discontinue use and discard product immediately.
Why can't I steep tea in my glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle?
The glass kettle is strictly intended for boiling water. We do not recommend steeping tea inside the kettle for two main reasons:
- After boiling the water, we don’t want you to burn yourself by placing tea bags, infusers, loose tea etc. inside the kettle with very hot water.
- We don’t want you to use stirring implements inside the kettle during steeping, which may scratch/damage the glass, resulting in breakage and scalding during use.
What is the metal Trivet included with my Stovetop Whistling Kettle and Stovetop Percolator?
This part is called a heat diffusing Trivet. At times, electric range coils do not heat evenly, and the Trivet is designed to distribute heat around the glass bottom more evenly.
On electric ranges, the Trivet must be placed atop the coil prior to placing the Kettle or Percolator on the range to boil. If the Trivet is not used on electric ranges, the glass may break and lead to a hazardous situation.
You only need to use the Trivet if you have an electric stovetop range. You may discard the Trivet if the product(s) are used on gas, glass or ceramic stovetops. Please refer to the instructions included with your product for more use and safeguard information.
Are Café Brew products made in the USA?
Our Café Brew products are composed of foreign and domestic parts, almost all of which are assembled in our factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA!
Where can I purchase Café Brew products?
More and more retailers are adding our products to their shelves and/or e-commerce platforms. You can purchase Café Brew products here on our website or at the following retailers: Ace Hardware, Amazon.com, Boscov’s, Canadian Tire, Corner Electronics, Discount Drug Mart, Do It Best, HEB Grocery, Ingles Markets, Meijer, Overstock-Bed Bath & Beyond, Publix, Shop Rite, SuperValu, True Value, Wakefern, Walmart, Wayfair and many more!
Can I purchase replacement parts for my Café Brew products?
YES! You may purchase replacement parts here on our website for most of our coffee products, including Lids and Trivets. Any product that requires a structural part such as a Handle needs to be repaired and/or replaced by our facility.
What type of coffee grind should I use?
For the best taste, we always recommend starting with whole coffee beans and grinding them fresh for each use. The type of grind depends on your method of brewing coffee:
- French Press Coffeemakers: Use Coarse Ground
- Drip Coffeemakers (Auto-Drip, Percolators & Pour-Overs): Use Medium-Fine Ground
- Espresso Machines: Use Fine Ground
How much coffee should I use when brewing?
Nothing is more subjective and personal than your coffee taste, so there is no right or wrong answer. As a rule of thumb, we recommend that you use 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 4oz. of water. Feel free to experiment from there until you reach your desired taste!
What's the best way to store coffee?
After roasting, coffee beans will begin to lose flavor if they’re exposed to air and moisture. For best results, we recommend storing your coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and grinding the beans just before brewing.
What is Medelco's return policy?
You may return your item(s) to us, at your shipping expense, within 30 days of receipt for an exchange or refund of the purchase price (less a $5.00 handling and restocking fee). Claim approval is purely at Medelco’s discretion. The following conditions are not eligible nor covered within this exchange or refund policy:
- Damages caused by misuse or non-household use.
- Carafes purchased whose correct fit is not explicitly defined on our website Carafe Fits List.
Items received with broken glass are not considered defective products. Medelco must be notified of any breakage within five business days of receipt of product.
Prior to submitting any returns, please contact our customer service department for return authorization:
By email: customerservice@medelcoinc.com
By phone: 1-888-633-3526
Once you receive return authorization, ship your item to our Returns Center at the address below:
Medelco Incorporated
Attn: RETURNS
54 Washburn Street
Bridgeport, CT 06605
To ensure prompt processing, we recommend using a trackable shipping method and including a copy of the packing slip or the customer receipt. If you do not have a copy of your packing slip, please enclose a note with your reason for return and return authorization code.
Refunds on returned item(s) will be issued in the same payment form as tendered at the time of purchase and should appear as a credit in your account within 1 – 2 billing cycles.
