Percolator Coffee
An acquired taste?
On this page…
1. Intro
2. Brewing Tips
3. Buying Tips
4. Product Links
Coffee Search…
Can't find what you're looking for? Find it here!
Click to see more Percolators
Much maligned by coffee experts, people accustomed to percolators often prefer the dark, strong taste of percolator coffee to that of drip coffee makers. Going against all the standard rules of coffee making, the percolator not only uses boiling water, but sometimes re-brews coffee by taking it through more than one brew cycle (this is not recommended!).
Those who have a preference for percolators usually like their coffee more robust - hotter, stronger and more bitter than drip coffee makers can achieve.
Steps to making a good percolator brew...
1. Prep
Make sure all your equipment is cleaned to remove any rancid coffee oils from a previous brew, and rinsed to remove any detergent residue.
2. Grind
Percolators require a coarse grind. You will know if your grind is too fine by the sediment in the coffee.
A high quality grinder will help you achieve a consistent coarse grind size across all coffee particles. This is necessary to prevent over-extraction of the coffee. Our article on coffee grinders covers all you need to know.
3. Assemble
Fill the percolator jug with fresh water and add coarsely ground coffee to the brew basket. Use 1 rounded tablespoon of coffee per 1 cup of water. Place the basket into the urn / jug.
4. Heat
Place over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling it will be forced through the coffee and into the urn. Do not allow the coffee to be reboiled in the jug. One brew cycle will take 5 to 6 minutes.
5. Remove Grounds
After the brew cycle has finished, remove the brew basket with the used grounds.
6. Serve
Pour carefully from the percolator into pre-warmed coffee cups.
When buying a Percolator…
Points to consider:
1. When buying a percolator, you have two options - manual (stove-top) or automatic (electric). The electric is likely to give you a better result because it will reduce the heat after one brew cycle. This prevents the coffee from being reboiled and percolating more than once.
2. Some features you might look for on an electric percolator include:
-built-in filter (no paper filter required)
-stainless steel or chrome for good looks
-ready light
-detachable base for cordless pouring
3. If you are buying a manual/stove-top percolator, look for:
-heavy-based pots to avoid scalding
-large handles for easy pouring
Check out these Percolator links…
From Amazon.com:
OR
Cooking.com:
|
|
Click here for Cooking.com:
DeLonghi Retro Collection Electric Perc.
From Cooking.com: "…a detachable cord so you can serve at the table, a coffee level indicator, viewing window that allows you to safely monitor the brewing process, and a keep warm function that ensures each cup is as deliciously warm as the first. Power and ready lights give direction - time to brew, time to drink!" |
|
|
Click here for Cooking.com:
Farberware Stainless Steel Cordless Programmable Perc.
From Cooking.com: "The percolator system makes one of the fastest and hottest cups of coffee around. This handsome and now-classic machine delivers 12 cups of piping hot coffee in just 9 minutes, and keeps it hot until it automatically shuts off after 2 hours. The machine forces hot water up through a center tube and then sprays it over coffee resting in a metal filter basket below it; the water passes over the coffee several times during brewing. The Farberware sits on a base containing a clock and timer, so you can program it to start brewing before you to wake up." |
|
|
Click here for Cooking.com:
Coffee Percolator (28-cup)
From Cooking.com: "This 28-cup coffee percolator is made of lightweight stainless steel - the ideal take-along for your next camping trip or outdoor excursion. Features a wooden handle for pouring, a removable basket for coffee grounds, easy-pour spout, attached lid with easy-flip thumb tab and hang-up handle for heating it over the campfire." |
|
