I've bought over 2,000 products via Amazon and this one makes me happy... every morning. Of course I'm talking about my BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker! Let me get a few specific items out of the way. I want to address some specific questions that others have been asked and the answers that left me with questions still.1. NO, it does not come with a reusable coffee grind filter basket. YES, you can purchase one here on Amazon that fits perfectly and does a great job (I bought the GOLDTONE Reusable 8-12 Cup Basket Coffee Filter for a little under $8.00).2. Read this one carefully! The unit comes with a anti-drip or "stop" basket. This basket allows you to get a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is complete by automatically closing a spring-loaded valve when you remove the carafe (thermos) from the coffee maker to pour a cup of coffee. There is also a spring loaded valve in the carafe lid that, when the carafe is in the coffee maker, the spring is depressed and allows coffee to flow from the basket into the carafe and, when removed from the coffee maker, this spring closes, thus sealing the carafe so that your coffee stays warm in the thermos. Both of these spring-loaded valves can become clogged with rogue coffee grinds (especially if you use paper liners and they are not properly seated in the bottom or sides of the coffee filter basket and a few grinds end up on the outside). If this happens, you might experience overflow and get water on your counter. This is easily avoided by simply removing the basket from the coffee maker itself and washing after use (it lifts right out). Just be sure to depress the spring-loaded part when rinsing to make sure that no grinds are clogging the drip hole. Similarly, when cleaning the carafe (thermos) lid, depress that spring-loaded valve, and make sure water runs freely through the lid. This is a NORMAL thing to do when cleaning a coffee maker after brewing a pot, so I'm not real sure why there are issues, but these steps are not specific to this coffee maker and are standard cleaning practices.3. This coffee maker uses flat-bottom filters... NOT cone filters!4. NO. The carafe does not sit on a heated plate. The carafe is insulated like a thermos, but if you let your coffee sit for more than a couple of hours, you will need to (dare I say!) microwave your coffee. Do not be tempted to re-run brewed coffee back through the machine as it will eventually gunk up the innards! It does help to pre-warm the thermos before brewing. Simply pour in the cold water to your coffee maker first. Then, using very hot water, fill up the thermos, put the lid on and let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Then pour out the hot water and start the brew cycle with the empty carafe in place. Your coffee will stay hotter, longer.5. TIP-TIME! I find that using a re-usable coffee grind basket saves me $$ (aside from the obvious of having to buy paper filters). This coffee maker comes with a feature to brew STRONG and BOLD coffee (settings to increase the strength of your coffee by lengthening the brew cycle by a few seconds, therefore allowing the grinds to steep a bit longer). The usual ratio of normal coffee is 1 TBSP of coffee for each two cups of water. If I choose BOLD (which is the highest setting - normal --> Strong --> Bold), I can use 5 TBSP to 12 cups of water and still get a strong, great-tasting brew.6. Bonus TIP! You can use even less coffee, and get better flavor, if you grind your own beans. Either grind them just prior to making your coffee, or grind them at the local grocery store if they have the machine to do so. Coffee oils are sensitive to time. The fresher the grind, the richer the taste.7. Bonus TIP #2! Use COLD water! Never brew using hot water from the tap... I'm not Millennial enough to suggest that you use bottled water (those who drank from water hoses as a kid will get that reference), but the quality of your water will make a difference in the taste of your coffee. Nuff said.