In this modern age of espresso machines, single pack coffee makers, and French presses, there is one device that I reach for over and over again. It doesn’t rely on steam pressure, special coffee packets or even a particular roast of coffee. In fact, I don’t think that this device will ever wear out since it has no moving parts. My particular model has been going strong since at least the 1960s (though original models have been around with all of their inner parts since the 1800s). This wonder device? It is my humble enamelware percolator.
What is a percolator you ask? It is a pot used to brew coffee by circulating nearly boiling water to the top of the pot where the water then percolates through the coffee grounds. Water travels up through a vertical tube and tumbles out into the basket where the grounds are placed. The bottom of the basket is perforated so the liquid seeps through and drops down to the lower part of the pot. With a heat source (usually stove top or in some cases… campfire) located under the pot, the cooler liquid is forced back up the tube and the cycle repeats itself until the resulting brew reaches your desired strength.
The parts of a percolator does vary from the modern drip style coffee makers. There is the cover, or lid of the pot. Within the cover is a glass knob which allows you see the liquid as it percolates. Next is the basket with a perforated bottom designed to hold the coffee grounds. This basket may or may not have a ‘spreader’ which is a cover for the top of the basket and it is also perforated. The basket sets upon the pump tube which the vertical tube which water (and later becomes coffee) is forced up as the liquid is heated. The pump tube sets within a pump based whose main job is to provide stability to the pump tube. In most models, the pump base is almost as large as the interior base of the percolator. The percolator container itself has a handle for holding as well as spout for pouring. Most spouts of a percolator as also perforated which helps keep coffee grounds out of your waiting cup.
To use a percolator, follow these steps:
1) Determine the amount of coffee you wish to make ( 4 Cups, 6 Cups, etc…)
2) Measure water based on number of cups, but determine a coffee cup to be 6 ounces. This means that if I want 4 Cups of coffee, I add 24 ounces of water. NOTE: coffee strength is a personal choice and some may choose to measure out 5 ounces of water for each cup of coffee desired.
3) Add ground coffee to the desired measurement mark on the coffee basket. You may use a coarse grind for this type of coffee maker.
4) Place the percolator over a heat source (note: this is assuming you are not using an electric percolator). If using a stove top, set the burner to a medium high heat setting.
5) Allow the coffee to percolate. You will be able to see the water “perk” up into the knob and during the course of percolating, become darker until it becomes the desired strength of coffee. (Be careful and do not allow the coffee to boil. Boiled coffee will take on a bitter taste.) My mother and grandmother knew exactly the shade of ‘coffee brown’ they were looking for and took the percolator off of the heat at the right time. Some folks listen to the ‘perks’ and then wait until perking sound subsides before removing from heat. Me? I experiment and have watched the color as well as listen to my percolator.
Even in this modern age, you too, can enjoy a nostalgic cup of coffee. Percolator coffee; enjoy it over breakfast. Share it with friends. Savor it to the last drop.
Great info! I want to get a percolator but I’ve been a little intimidated. This helped! Is it easy to dump out and clean the basket?
Yes. When it is cool enough to handle, raise the cover (lid) and then grab the top of the pump tube and pull up. That will pull out the ‘inner workings’ of the percolator. Then just pull up on the basket and dump the grounds out. I run water over the basket (while holding it upside down) to get any remaining grounds out of it.
Thanks! It would be nice to stop using coffee filters. 🙂
The basket works just as well as when it was brand new. Happy percolating!
Oh, you just made me nostalgic for my old time coffee percolator, which I gave up many years ago in favour of one of those new-fangled, bells and whistles fully automated coffee makers that never did make a decent cup of coffee…… I have since returned to the old fashioned plunger which makes a decent cup, but I remember the full bodied richness of the percolated coffee I drank as a young mother. I must keep a look-out and see if I can find one again. Great post!!
Oh… thank you. I still enjoy percolator coffee. It takes me back to my childhood and family dinners. Plus… I can still enjoy a good cup of coffee when camping.
Glad to see your old percolater getting a work out! I need to dig mine out–thanks for reminding me.
It makes a regular appearance in the kitchen. And … it is just fun to use.
My sister still uses our grandmothers percolator every day.
We’ve tried using the reusable filters in drip coffee makers but haven’t been happy with them. Maybe we need to get a percolator, eliminating the need to buy coffee filters…
The percolator baskets were made to last. And I like that I don’t have to buy anything else in order to use my percolator.
Oh my, I remember my grandmother brewing coffee every morning in her percolator. The hubby and I are currently looking in thrift stores now searching for one. Thanks so much for bringing a wonderful memory back to me.
I too, have fond memories of my grandmother and mom making coffee in a percolator. We still see them show up in thrift stores and at garage sales for not much money. Good luck with your search!
I found one of these at a yard sale and bought it. I also remember parents and grandparents making coffee in one of these and I had no idea how it worked. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy making coffee in your percolator. Enjoy!
I LOVE the old Percolator 😀 It looks so sweet 😀 I have one and i wanted to make my coffee like that every day but my husband want a coffee machine to set the time LOL lazy guy 😀
Vintage percolators are fun. I can’t imagine not having one. While we have a modern drip coffee maker, we still use the percolator. You should use yours!
I just purchased a vintage one, I don’t know why, my mom only used a percolator, and I can still smell the coffee..I may use it when the power goes out, but manly I want to country-fy my kitchen stove..
I have fond memories of my mom’s and grandma’s kitchens… smelling coffee freshly made in the percolator. While we have a modern drip coffee maker, I still use my percolator.
Just started using my percolator camping and remembered how much better the coffee tastes. I have a RV and could plug in a drip me coffee but would rather use this. Thinking of getting a vintage one for my home
I hope you get one. Coffee made in percolators has a great flavor.
Good morning,
I love the post and am just wrapping up my last percolated cup for the day. I am having one issue that you might be able to help with. I am struggling to keep the coffee grounds from entering the coffee. My basket does have a lid but it still sends grounds into the pot.
Try using a slightly coarser grind to help keep grounds out of your coffee. If that is not possible, you could try using a coffee filter as the finer grounds may be working their way through the holes in the percolator basket.