Excellent Grind and Brew! This is our 4th(?) Cuisinart Grind & Brew and decided this time to purchase a model with the thermal carafe. The 3-piece brew basket is now 2 pieces; the cover and the brew basket holder are now 1 hinged piece. I'm cleaning the same number of pieces so the daily cleaning time is the same. Because a carafe heating element is no longer needed, I've found keeping that bottom plate clean is easier much easier because coffee drips and grounds no longer drip onto/burn onto that plate. The thermal carafe keeps the fresh-brewed coffee hot for at least 2-3 hours. We've had our new Grind & Brew for several weeks and - as with all of our other Cuisinart coffeemakers and kitchen items - we are very pleased with it's quality and performance.