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While coffee percolators have a bad reputation for brewing bitter coffee, they still have a credible following.
Some serious coffee lovers believe that the deep, rich taste achieved with percolators is the best and no other coffee maker can match that performance.
That’s why there are many people who wonder how to make coffee in a percolator. The truth is, it’s easy to brew coffee with a percolator as these coffee makers feature a simple design.
Coffee percolators can be electric, microwave, or stovetop, also known as manual or non-electric.
Whichever coffee percolator you want to buy, just know that the brewing process remains the same as they use similar brewing techniques.
In this text, you will learn about ten facts about how to buy a stovetop percolator for coffee brewing. But before that, let’s first understand what exactly is a stovetop coffee percolator.
What is a Stovetop Coffee Percolator?
A stovetop coffee percolator is a kettle system that draws hot water from the bottom to the top to flow back down through ground coffee beans.
They function like electric percolators to brew coffee through a process known as percolation, but they use flame or stove as their heat source instead of electricity.
Stovetop coffee percolators are usually criticized for brewing an extremely hot and strong coffee or bitter coffee.
However, bitter-tasting coffee results from various mistakes made when brewing coffee in a stovetop percolator. They include using a fine grind-size and brewing coffee for too long, which leads to over-extraction.
You can make great and better-tasting coffee with a stovetop percolator learning how to make coffee using a stovetop percolator.
Outdoor enthusiasts who love drinking good coffee while camping love stovetop coffee makers as they are great for outdoor coffee brewing.
10 Facts About How to Buy a Stovetop Coffee Percolator
1. Stovetop Vs Electric; You Have to Decide
When buying a coffee percolator, you need to decide which type is best for you between electric and stove top percolators.
Stovetop percolators are cheaper than electric ones and are more popular due to the convenience they deliver.
The best thing about stovetop coffee percolators is that they can use different heat sources, including gas, flame, charcoal, and more.
If you want a portable coffee maker that will help you brew coffee while camping, a stovetop percolator is the best.
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2. Stovetop Percolators Come with Their Own Coffee Filters
Stovetop coffee percolators come with their own metal filters on the upper chamber, so you don't need to invest in coffee filters.
There is no need to buy paper filters for a stovetop percolator provided you brew coffee with a coarse grind-size.
You only need to use a coffee filter to sieve your coffee before drinking when you brewed it with a medium-coarse or small grind-size.
Nonetheless, you can use premium disc coffee filters when brewing coffee in a stovetop coffee percolator to ensure that you obtain a smooth cup of coffee. These coffee filters are designed to fit in all percolator baskets.
3. Stovetop Percolators Are Affordable
Coffee percolators are generally cheaper than other coffee makers like drip or French Press.
Moreover, stovetop percolators are cheaper than electric percolators as they come with a simple design that doesn’t require electricity.
The capacity and quality of a stovetop percolator usually affect the price. This means that larger and high-quality items are more expensive.
If you want a simple stovetop percolator that will help you make more coffee within a short time, you will want to invest in a larger device.
4. How a Stovetop Percolator Work
If you want to buy a stovetop percolator but are not sure of how a percolator works, don’t worry as I will show you how.
A stovetop coffee percolator is one of the easiest ways to brew coffee as you only need a few things, including water, coarsely ground coffee and the coffee maker.
It works by allowing hot water to rise through a tube to the top of the upper chamber with a perforated basket where the coffee is placed.
Then the water rains back to the lower chamber through the coffee grounds and the process repeats.
This results in a strong and bold cup of coffee. If you are not careful enough, you might end up with bitter coffee.
5. The Stovetop Percolator’s Efficiency and Durability
Stovetop percolators come with different materials. The material used to make a coffee maker will affect its efficiency and durability.
It's essential to invest in a stovetop percolator made with quality materials like stainless steel and heavy-gauge steel.
Aluminum percolators are also good, but they are linked to Alzheimer’s disease, though there is no scientific proof to support the claim.
A recent study reveals that experts are now focusing on other areas that are believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Nonetheless, if you want a durable and sturdy stovetop percolator that will last for many years, you will want to go for stainless steel.
6. Cleaning a Stovetop Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Some people think it's hard to clean a stovetop percolator since it doesn't use coffee filters. However, this is not always the case as you just have to rinse off the machine after you finish brewing.
Besides, most stovetop percolators are dishwasher safe, and it’s easy to find such options at an affordable price.
The best way to clean a stovetop percolator is right after you are done brewing as the coffee grounds can stick on the basket when not removed immediately.
You should also keep in mind that leaving the basket on the percolator while it still has the used grounds may stain the walls of your device. These stains are bad as they will affect the flavor of your next brew.
When cleaning your stovetop percolator, you need to use warm water, soapy water. If there are stuck coffee grounds or sediment on the bottom, you can use a sponge to scrub lightly.
7. Where to Buy a Reliable Stovetop Percolator
Stovetop coffee percolators are readily available in stores and shops that sell small kitchen appliances.
You can also buy a reliable stovetop percolator from an online store like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and more.
The good thing about online stores is that you can see read reviews and customer ratings, which will help you narrow down your choices.
8. Best Stovetop Percolator Brands
Today, there are many brands that produce different types of coffee percolators. Some of the best brands that produce high-quality stovetop percolators include Farberware, Primula, Presto, and Coleman.
Farberware is the most trusted when it comes to quality and durability. They make large and compact stovetop percolators that meet different customers’ needs.
9. You Need a Timer
Another fact you should know about how to buy a stovetop coffee percolator is that you need a timer.
A timer will help brew your coffee consistently and steer clear of bitter coffee. You use a timer to ensure that you brew coffee for the recommended time.
To use a timer, you need to set it immediately the water in the percolator boils. Depending on the desired strength and flavor intensity, you can set your timer to alert you after six to ten minutes.
10. Best Coffee Grind-Size, Roast, and Type for a Stovetop Percolator
A coarse grind-size is the best for a stovetop coffee percolator. Using medium-coarse of a finer grind will lead to bitter coffee and more sediment at the bottom of your coffee maker.
This is because finely ground coffee beans don’t allow water to pass through easily, resulting in over-extraction.
If you’ve heard about people who had a bad experience with a stovetop coffee percolator, they probably used the wrong grind-size.
To avoid this, it's good to invest in a good grinder like the Conical burr coffee grinder that has different settings. Then choose the coarse setting when grinding coffee for a stovetop percolator.
When it comes to the roast, you need a medium roast as dark roast will brew bitter-tasting coffee while light roast will taste watery and lose flavor
The last thing you need to know is the best type of coffee to use in a stovetop percolator.
There are many coffee types available in medium roast needed for a stovetop percolator, and some of them are better than others.
The best coffee types that make delicious coffee in a percolator includes Columbian coffee, Ethiopian coffee, Indonesian coffee, and Guatemala coffee.
FAQs
There are many great and reliable stovetop coffee makers in the market. The best one for you depends on various things like your budget and preferences.
However, the Farberware Classic Stainless Steel stovetop coffee maker beats most products due to its classic design. It’s made with stainless steel that makes it durable and convenient.
If you are on the budget, an affordable stovetop coffee maker like the Primula Today 9-cup is your best bet.
The best stovetop coffee maker is made with high-quality materials like stainless steel and aluminum and is easy to clean and use.
Six to ten minutes. You need to percolate your coffee on the stovetop for about six to ten minutes, depending on your preferred taste.
If you just want a natural rich-tasting cup of coffee, six to eight minutes will be okay. But if you want a stronger taste and intend to fill your house with coffee fragrances, you can wait for up to ten minutes.
It’s easy to use a stovetop percolator as less or no skill is required. You only need to follow the instructions carefully and use a timer.
Stovetop percolators have two chambers, including the lower and the upper chambers.
To use a stovetop percolator, you need to add water on the lower chamber and put coarsely ground coffee beans on the upper chamber with a basket.
Then put the stovetop percolator on a stove to heat the water. As the water boils, it will be forced to rise through the tube from the lower chamber to pass over the coffee beans as it drips back to the bottom.
The cycle repeats for several times to produce a strong coffee brew. It will also fill your house with a lovely coffee aroma.
However, you should be extra careful when brewing coffee in a stovetop percolator as it's easy to end up with over-extracted, bitter coffee.
The best way to be careful is to set your timer and reduce the heat immediately after the water boils. It will help you have better control of your coffee strength.
To make coffee with a stovetop percolator, there are various things you need, such as coarsely-ground coffee beans, water, and a stove.
Add several cups of water to the percolator on the lower chamber and then one tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee beans per cup into the upper chamber (basket).
If you want to make five cups of coffee, you will use five tablespoons of ground coffee beans.
Once you have added the water and coffee beans, cover the basket with its lid and ensure that everything is secure.
Set your percolator onto the stove and cook with medium heat. When the water boils set your timer and reduce the heat to keep the water hot and prevent vigorous boiling.
Remove the stovetop from the heat source after five to six minutes. You can even wait for up to eight if you want a very strong cup of coffee.
Conclusion
Stovetop percolators hold a unique place in the hearts of many coffee lovers, with some loving it and others hating it.
If you are a serious coffee lover looking for a perfect way to make a stronger cup of coffee, you need to invest in a reliable stovetop percolator.
Having discovered the ten facts about how to buy a stovetop percolator, it will be easy for you to choose the best product in the market.
