The outside gets crazy hot-- any idea how to keep the outside from burning people who touch it?

It's just thin sheet metal with no insulation, so yeah, it gets hot just like using a pan on the stove. The plastic piece that you maneuver up and down to fill cups doesn't get hot and that's all you should be touching. If it IS getting hot there, something is wrong with the urn and you should return it. I don't know, folks here know it's hot like a pan and don't touch the sides.

What kind of filters do you use?

Hi there Sally,Actually, I just use the same basket-filters that I use for my 12 cup coffeemaker (laid flat, they're slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom of the basket) I just fold one into quarters (in half, then in half again...) then use a knife to cut about a 1 inch "X", along the center of those folds, for the stem. I'll also run just a little water in the basket first, on top of a new filter - to get it to lay flat and so that it stays-put for filling with a pretty coarse grind. It can be used without a filter too, IF the grind is very coarse and consistent - but I like to use the filters because there is always some sediment which can both tend to clog the holes in the basket and wind up in the brew... all that may sound like a pain, but I gave up trying to find filters that were really "made for it", and it only takes a minute to "customize" the use of what I already had a pretty huge stock of. BTW - contrary to instructions, I push the brew time quite a bit by starting out filling it with 75-80% hot tap water, for a full pot, then using 10-12 large scoops of coarse French Roast - that's MUCH quicker than using all cold water, and it tastes really good, as it doesn't give the result a chance to get bitter due to brewing for what seems like forever. Just clean it out quickly, every time it's used, don't store it with the lid on (if the insides are at all wet), and you'll find that it'll last a long time and it's capable of making pretty darn good coffee! Good beans = good coffee, even in a 30-cup percolator. Duh, that's definitely TMI - but I hope some of it helps!

Does it have a permanent filter?

I know the maker has a permanent filter, but for me, clean up is much easier with a paper filter in it. I work at a High School, and we use the coffee maker in different locations. Sometimes, it just easier to have a coffee filter. We use a smaller one and put a hole int the middle of it too.

Brand	West Bend
Color	Silver
Product Dimensions	10.8"D x 10.8"W x 15.6"H
Special Feature	Manual
Coffee Maker Type	Percolator
Filter Type	Reusable
Style	30-cup
Specific Uses For Product	Coffee brewing
Included Components	Coffee Urn
Operation Mode	Fully Automatic
Voltage	120
Model Name	Coffee Urn
Number of Items	1
Human Interface Input	Buttons
Customer Package Type	Standard Packaging
Unit Count	1 Count
Global Trade Identification Number	00072244580303
Coffee Input Type	filter/basket
Manufacturer	West Bend
UPC	072244180169 072244580303 190584169047
Item Weight	4.1 pounds
ASIN	B00008IHA1
Item model number	58030
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Date First Available	December 7, 2003

West Bend Coffee Urn Highly-Polished Aluminum Features Automatic Temperature Control with Cup Per Minute Brewing and Easy Clean Up Includes In-Basket Measuring Guide and Ready Light, 30-Cup, Silver

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