I've owned this product for about three years. It replaced a vintage one lined in plastic found in my home. Probably over 30 years old and still reeking of coffee all those years later. It was impossible to clean and make use of for anything but more coffee. However, I didn't want the health hazards associated with hot coffee and plastic. Thus began my search for a glass-lined airpot, which I found here at Sam's Club.
Unlike the stainless steel and plastic lined pots that stain and retain odors, the glass vacuum lining works to retain heat longer but odors and stains less.
Cleanup is easy using extremely hot water and vinegar. Fill to capacity, let it soak an hour or overnight, dispense about 1/3 of the vinegar through the dispenser and rinse. Not sure what the other reviewer is saying about it being hard to clean. You aren't supposed to be using an abrasive cleaner on glass because it could scratch and shatter when you least expect it.
The 8-hour heat rating is on the conservative side. If you start with boiling water it will be piping hot over 12 hours later, and warm two days later.
Now one thing I'm not clear about is why Sam's Club has this same manufacturer, same looking airpot and the same capacity listed twice, one that is about $10 more expensive than this one. They look and read the same (item #624578 vs. this model).
I haven't had any problem with the plastic chrome-look lever breaking, either. Perhaps the person who is complaining is using it in an industrial or commercial setting and should be buying an airpot rated for heavier use. This model, however, is ideal for home use. Hot water is always ready and waiting for tea, coffee, cocoa, soup and other cooking uses without any hit to one's electrical bill. Honestly, I don't know why those electric kettles are so popular when they leave the user tethered to a cord and they cost so much more. With a vacuum-glass lining you don't need that. As proof I point to the restaurants who use these to keep their coffee and tea hot.
One important thing to point out is that one should push the dispensing lever with the palm gently. Scalding hot liquid can splatter if you are in a hurry and push it too fast. Pulling the lever down by the fingertips could be the reason the other person had breakage issues. No such bad luck here. For that matter, I never even noticed the lever WAS plastic.
The worst thing I can say about this airpot is that the stainless steel finish is a pain. It looks nice at first but it will scratch and ding pretty fast, as most stainless steel trim does. Also, the logo will rub off and look pretty tattered in time.
By far the most negative thing I can think to say is that this airpot at this pricepoint isn't available in white. I would prefer a white model to better match my kitchen. There is only one model I found online that matches this criteria, manufactured by a competitor, and it is nearly $100. I can't justify spending that when this present airpot works so well.
I don't know how Sam's Club did it, but you just can't get a better value on a genuine glass-lined airpot ANYWHERE online. Sure you can get them smaller, but not this nice for the price. I especially like the lever. When in the upright position it serves to remind you that there is liquid in the pot. The push-button type airpot dispensers don't look any different when they are empty or full. The lever type dispenser on this model is also easier to use than the button type.
I highly recommend this product.
Customer reviews for Member's Mark Stainless Steel Airpot with Lever (2.2 L) for
