Just so you know, if you click on a product on KitchenZap.com and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
Coffee percolators have a unique place in a coffee lovers world, you either love them, or you hate them. Often the cause of great debate, these coffee percolators thrived in the 1950, ‘60’s and into the early 1970’s and then quickly took a backseat to the more modern day drip style coffee maker.
Before we learn the facts on how to buy a stovetop coffee percolator, there are three kinds of coffee percolators we need know: electric, microwave and non-electric, (also known as stove top). In this article, we will be outlining 10 facts of the stovetop (non-electric) coffee percolators prospective buyers should be aware of before making this purchase.
What Exactly Does a Stovetop Coffee Percolator Do?
A stovetop coffee percolator is a type of coffee maker. Coffee percolators were at their peak in popularity until about the 1970's when modern-day drip coffee makers came on the market. Many people find that the quality of coffee made in coffee percolators is reduced in comparison to modern day coffee makers, this is often thought to be because the water is reboiled several times throughout the process with a coffee percolator.
This machine is also known for creating an extremely strong cup of coffee, with what has been described by many people as a “bitter taste”. This happens because of how hot the water gets during the brewing process, and how often the water is cycled through the machine.
The Parts of a Stovetop Coffee Percolator
A stovetop coffee percolator has five parts to it.
1)The Stem - Which is a metal tube that fits into the bottom of the pot.
2) The Bottom
3) The Filter Basket - The filter basket slides onto the tube and holds the coffee beans.
4) The Filter Basket Cover - This is a perforated cover, it is placed on top of the filter basket and is used to make sure that the water released into the filter drips in evenly.
5) The Coffee Pot Lid - The coffee pot lid, which usually has some sort of glass component allowing the user to see into it, sits on top of the coffee percolator covers the moving liquid, while allowing the coffee to be made in clear view of the user.
How To Buy A Stovetop Coffee Percolator
When looking to buy a stovetop coffee percolator, it is important to know which kind, electric, microwave, or stovetop, is best suited to your lifestyle. For example, if you are planning on taking it camping to make yourself and others fresh coffee each morning, than a stovetop is the kind you want to be looking at, as it does not require the electricity that the electric and microwave coffee percolators do.
Once that is sorted out, it is time to do your research into which brands are best, and which stores offer them at the best prices.
Where to Buy a Stovetop Coffee Percolator
Stovetop Coffee Percolators are sold in many different stores, pretty much anywhere that small appliances are sold. Some stores that offer these stovetop coffee percolators at some of the best prices are Walmart, eBay, Amazon, Home Outfitters, Home Depot, and Loblaws.
Best Seller
GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
4.5 of 5 stars
Imusa Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker
4.5 of 5 stars
Primula Aluminum Maker Bold
4.5 of 5 stars
Stovetop Coffee Percolator Instructions
-Fill your pot with water equivalent to the number of cups of coffee you want, (machine capability and size may vary).
Hint: It is best not to overfill your stovetop coffee percolator as it will boil over.
-Next you will want to place your (ideally fresh) coffee grounds into the basket along with about 1bs of water.
-Your third step is to fit the basket back into the urn and set your coffee percolator on your stovetop.
-Continue to heat until your water has begun to boil.
Hint: Be sure to keep an eye on it as the water can boil over quickly and easily!
- As the water is boiling you will be able to see it (the water) being pushed through the coffee grounds, making the coffee. This coffee will then settle in the pot that initially held the water.
- This will all be visible through the glass part of the pot lid. Use this ability to see the coffee being made to determine how strong you want your coffee. Each time the coffee cycles through and the water boils you will see it getting darker and darker. This whole process should take about 5 minutes or so.
-Once your coffee is as bold as you would like it, shut off your stove and place your coffee percolator on a cool burner.
-Take the filter basket with the used coffee grounds out and then pour your coffee.
Hint: The finer the grind in the coffee you use, the more likely you are to end up with a few coffee grinds in your drink.
Traditional Ethiopian coffee pot made out of clay
Things to be Aware of When Using a Stovetop Coffee Percolator
-When deciding to use a stovetop coffee percolator always be aware that you are going to get a stronger cup of coffee than if you had used a regular countertop drip coffee maker.
- Be aware that the water is boiled to a much higher temperature than coffee made in regular drip coffee makers.
-Sometimes when using a this type of coffee percolator, the coffee will come out looking almost cloudy, simply let it sit for a couple of minutes and that look will go away.
-Once your coffee is made, if you do not take out the urn with the coffee grinds in it prior to pouring yourself a cup, you will end up with coffee grinds in your cup of coffee.
-Even with taking out the urn, if you do not use very fine coffee grinds you run the risk of having some coffee grinds in your cup of coffee.
-Keep in mind when using this machine that it involves using the stove. While it seems simple enough, often people forget regular stove use rules, (be aware the burner will be hot) because they are not used to their making coffee involving their stove being on.
What are the Top Stovetop Coffee Percolator Brands?
Some of the top brands for stovetop coffee percolators are:
Westbend, PRESTO, DeLonghi, and Farberware.
What are Some of the Main Differences Between Stovetop Coffee Percolators and Basic Drip Coffee Makers?
The biggest difference between these two types of coffee makers is the temperature of the water. Stovetop percolators have a habit of boiling the water a little too much so that when the water comes in contact with the coffee grounds causing the coffee to have a somewhat bitter taste.
Another notable difference is how strong the coffee gets. Many coffee drinkers who take their coffee strong love using a stovetop coffee percolator because it recycles the water several times while still using the same coffee. This makes for extremely strong coffee, all while going through less in the way of coffee grounds.
What are the Most Best Kinds of Coffee Grinds for a Stovetop Coffee Percolator?
The biggest thing to remember when buying coffee to be made in a stovetop coffee percolator, is that the smaller the coffee grind the better. That being said, here are some of the top customer recommended coffee’s to make in your stovetop coffee percolator:
- Maxwell House Colombian blend
-Regular Grind Kroger Colombian blend
- Major Dickason coffee
-Flodgers Dark Roast
-Tim Hortons Dark Roast
-Folgers Medium Roast
-Dunkin Donuts Medium Blend
One tip that a user of a stovetop coffee percolator had was to invest in a coffee grinder, such as a burr grinder, to insure that the coffee grinds of whatever type of coffee you enjoy is ground up small enough, that it will not negatively impact your otherwise wonderful cup of coffee.
Please Know that These are not for Everybody
Stovetop coffee Percolators, and coffee percolators in general, are not for everyone. If you go online, and look them up, you will see a plethora of reviews, some good, some bad, some mixed, some awesome, and some very, very bad.
Many people find that the water is just boiled too much, that not only is it too hot, but that it also creates a foul and bitter taste. That being said, it is just like everything else, there is nothing out there that everyone likes. Stovetop coffee percolators are excellent choices if you want really, really, hot and strong coffee. One recommendation I would have is to actually find a coffee shop that sells coffee made in a stovetop coffee percolator, and try it out before buying one for yourself.
Well there you have it, 10 facts you need to know about how to buy a stovetop coffee percolator. Hopefully you have found this article to be helpful in your decision making. Remember, there are lots of coffee makers out there, and lots of types of coffee to choose from. Whatever your decision here is, hopefully you will get a great cup of coffee out of it!
