How To Use a Percolator

A percolator is traditionally a stove top coffee maker that may be electric that makes percolated coffee. It works by heating water to the point that it travels up a metal stem and over the top of a coffee chamber holding the grounds. While it is slower than the common auto drip method of a regular machine or a Keurig, the quality of the coffee tends to be better as the coffee is cycled through the grounds multiple times.

How To Use a Percolator

A percolator offers a classic method of brewing strong and aromatic coffee, providing a unique experience that combines brewing and serving in a single appliance. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and tips for using a percolator effectively.

What You’ll Need

• A stovetop percolator
• Coarse ground coffee beans
• Fresh water
• A heat source (like a stove)
• A measuring spoon or scale
• Optional: A kettle and paper filters

Step-by-Step Guide to Percolating Coffee

1. Preparation
   • Clean the Percolator: Ensure all parts (the pot, tube, and upper basket) are clean to prevent any old coffee residues from affecting your brew.
   • Measure: Use a measuring spoon or scale to measure the coffee grounds and water, adjusting to your preferred strength.
2. Setup
   • Add Water: Fill the lower chamber of the percolator with fresh water.
   • Add Coffee: Place the coarse coffee grounds into the upper basket. Usually, a standard ratio might be 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water, but adjust according to your preference.
   • Assemble: Ensure the tube is connected properly and screw the lid on securely.
3. Heating and Brewing
   • Start Heating: Place the percolator on your heat source and begin heating slowly.
   • Observe the Peak: Keep an eye on the glass knob atop the lid. Once you see the water starting to percolate (bubble) through it, you know it’s hot enough.
   • Percolate: Reduce the heat slightly and allow the coffee to percolate for 7-10 minutes. The longer it percolates, the stronger the coffee will be.
4. Finishing Up
   • Remove and Discard: Take the percolator off the heat, and carefully remove and discard the used coffee grounds.
   • Let it Sit: Allow the coffee to sit for a few minutes before serving to let the grounds settle at the bottom.

WE RECOMMEND: Cuisinart Classic 12 Cup Percolator

Best Coffee For a Percolator

The best coffee for a percolator is going to depend on the grind size but typically the best is a medium, medium-coarse or coarse grind. The reason for this is because the coffee is cycled through the percolator and it can cause over extraction where the coffee becomes bitter and bad tasting if you were to use finder grounds. Less surface area reduces the chances of that. We also recommend a darker roast as it’ll be less acidic, and should taste delicious.

Volcanica makes a fantastic Papau New Guinea Dark Roast that works great with a percolator. Volcanica makes a great coffee because it is roasted in Atlanta, sealed, and shipped within 1 business day right to your doorstep for an ultra fresh experience.

Coffee For Percolator Pro Tip:

Volcanica will grind the coffee for whichever brew method you’d like, but we recommend getting a cheap Burr grinder, something that’s adjustable for a few bucks, and grinding it yourself. That way you’re getting whole beans with their aromas locked in for that much longer, and when you grind it fresh… it’ll be that much more enjoyable. That’s going to be the best coffee for a percolator.

Electronic Percolator

An electric percolator is a type of coffee maker that brews coffee by continuously cycling hot water through coffee grounds to extract its flavor and aroma. The percolator has a built-in heating element that heats the water, which then rises up a tube and over a perforated basket that holds the coffee grounds. The hot water then drips through the basket and back down into the water chamber, creating a continuous cycle of brewing.

Stove Top Percolator

A stove top percolator is a type of coffee maker that uses heat from a stove top to brew coffee. The percolator typically consists of a metal container with a basket at the bottom for holding the coffee grounds, a tube leading from the bottom of the basket to the top of the percolator, and a lid that fits tightly over the top.

To use a stove top percolator, water is added to the bottom of the container, and coffee grounds are placed in the basket. The percolator is then placed on a stove top and heated, causing the water to boil and rise up through the tube, where it is then dispersed over the coffee grounds.

As the water continues to boil and cycle through the coffee grounds, the coffee becomes increasingly strong and flavorful. The percolator is typically left on the stove top for several minutes, or until the desired strength of the coffee is reached.

Stove top percolators are a classic and traditional method of brewing coffee, and they can be a good option for those who prefer a strong and robust coffee flavor. However, it’s important to note that the brewing process can be somewhat imprecise, and it may take some experimentation to find the right brewing time and coffee-to-water ratio for your tastes.

Conclusion