An ERJ-170 flight crew performed an emergency evacuation in the gate area when the cabin filled with smoke; apparently from an overheating coffee maker.

Narrative

On approach at approximately 8000 FT Flight Attendant called about possible smoke smell; while another Flight Attendant was looking for a source. There was no presence of smoke at the time and still an unconfirmed smell; possibly something to do with the hotplate with the coffee maker. I was not able to confirm it; all I could smell was a sweet smell; which is what the other pilot smelled as well. I landed the aircraft; exited onto the taxiway and was taxiing in when we received the EMER call button from the Flight Attendants about smoke in the cabin. As I pulled into the ramp area there were no ramp personnel present at the gate and the smell and taste of smoke was heavy in the air; so we followed the emergency evacuation checklist; notified ATC; and evacuated the passengers from doors L1 and L2. The First Officer went down the slide to help passengers exiting the aircraft; while the flight attendants assisted the passengers down the slide. After everyone was evacuated I did a final walk through and found no one left; so I exited as well. The passengers were escorted into the gate without any injuries that I was briefed on. AARF arrived; boarded the plane and inspected for possible fire in the forward galley. Inboard forward coffee maker had obvious black marks from either smoke or possible fire on the backside and coffee maker was warm to the touch. Operations and maintenance were notified as soon as possible and arrived shortly after.