An electrosurgical instrument comprises a shaft and end effector positioned distally of the shaft. A first jaw comprises a first jaw body, a first jaw energy delivery surface, a first jaw electrode positioned at the first jaw energy delivery surface, an insulator positioned between the first jaw electrode and the first jaw body to thermally insulate the first jaw electrode and the first jaw body, and an inner surface positioned at the first jaw energy delivery surface, thermally coupled to the first jaw body, and electrically coupled to the first jaw body. A second jaw pivotable towards the first jaw from an open position to a closed position comprises a second jaw energy delivery surface. The first jaw energy delivery surface and the second jaw energy delivery surface face one another when the end effector is in the closed position.
