An electric coffee maker (2) comprises a first chamber (4), and a second chamber (6) arranged on top of said first chamber. A tube (8) extends down from the second chamber (6) into the first chamber (4) for transferring liquid between the two chambers. The base (20) of said first chamber (4) is provided with electric heating means (24) and a thermally responsive control (46) is provided associated with the base (20) so as to be responsive to the temperature of the heating means (24) or to a section of the base (20) for interrupting the power supply to or reducing the heating output of the heating means (24).