Takes a bit longer, but most of time it's worth the wait.
Anyone making coffee with a stove top percolator
- Thread starter stan
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Coffee is one thing for which I'll cave into the latest and greatest brewing method. Percolating doesn't fall into that category, either stove top or automatic electric.
I've been able to produce drinkable coffee out of a large urn for big crowds, but I spared no expense on the coffee itself, a blend my roaster recommended for its ability to withstand the percolation process.
I'm a die-hard automatic grind & drip brew kind of guy.
I've been able to produce drinkable coffee out of a large urn for big crowds, but I spared no expense on the coffee itself, a blend my roaster recommended for its ability to withstand the percolation process.
I'm a die-hard automatic grind & drip brew kind of guy.
I used to make coffee all the time with a stove top percolator and it was always good. The secret to good stove top perked coffee is to carefully time the perking (7 to 8 mins,) and to let the pot sit for at least 3 to 5 mins before pouring the coffee. I own 4 or 5 stove top percs., but my favorite is the Farberware Yosemite, next is my 35 year old Revere Ware perc. For the last 9 mo. I have been using my 8 cup 30 to 40 yr.old Farberware electric perc. It really makes great coffee and is so much easier than the stove top perc. But the new Farberware electric percs are JUNK from China, do not waste your money on one of them, I know most people don't like perked coffee anymore, and if its not carefully brewed it can be terrible, but if you take the time to do it right it is great. It's pretty much a lost art anymore.
dynaflow
Well-known member
mine usual ones are
vintage Revere vintage Corning when i dont use electric
vintage Revere vintage Corning when i dont use electric
I think if percolated coffee was my only option, I'd use a Corningware Electromatic or stove top model. I like that it's a glass material except for the heating element, and cleaning is easy.
I have a couple of old second generation Electromatics stashed away that safely pre-date the recalled models. I use them for heating water and keeping it hot if there are tea drinkers visiting.
I have a couple of old second generation Electromatics stashed away that safely pre-date the recalled models. I use them for heating water and keeping it hot if there are tea drinkers visiting.
norgeway
Well-known member
My Mother
Said when She and Dad were first married, She learned one of the advantages of Frigidaire Radiantube units, She put the percolator on the 6 inch unit on high, when it was perking She then turned it off and when it finished on retained heat, it was done, She did this until She bought an electric percolator.
Said when She and Dad were first married, She learned one of the advantages of Frigidaire Radiantube units, She put the percolator on the 6 inch unit on high, when it was perking She then turned it off and when it finished on retained heat, it was done, She did this until She bought an electric percolator.
If I loose power, I always have the option of my Pyrex percolator. Normally it the drip model Proctor Sylex because it is easier and in the morning I want to mess with as little as possible until I am fully awake.
yeah, if the power goes out, its a great backup.....
I have several Corning ware and Pyrex percolators.....
a few of the Cornings are Electric Percs
prefer the drip myself, but there is something about watching that bubbling up inside the glass top....and changing color...
I have several Corning ware and Pyrex percolators.....
a few of the Cornings are Electric Percs
prefer the drip myself, but there is something about watching that bubbling up inside the glass top....and changing color...
I think if Percolated coffee were the only option... I'd drink tea 
But bear in mind I don't like a strong over extracted coffee so other forms of brewing suit my tastes better. As with anything involving the word "taste" coffee is highly subjective, most important thing is to find what you like and enjoy that!
And even if the power goes out, I still enjoy drip lol
But bear in mind I don't like a strong over extracted coffee so other forms of brewing suit my tastes better. As with anything involving the word "taste" coffee is highly subjective, most important thing is to find what you like and enjoy that!And even if the power goes out, I still enjoy drip lol
LOL Phil -- that's taking it to the next level!
If power should go out here, I can use a kettle on the gas stove and go with the manual Melitta pour-over method or a French press. I usually have a small pre-ground amount of my favorite blend stashed in the GE Combination for when I just want to brew a mug's worth.
I do like the sound of a percolator signaling the start of a new day, but like you said, it's a matter of one's personal "taste" and in my case, perking doesn't cut it.
If power should go out here, I can use a kettle on the gas stove and go with the manual Melitta pour-over method or a French press. I usually have a small pre-ground amount of my favorite blend stashed in the GE Combination for when I just want to brew a mug's worth.
I do like the sound of a percolator signaling the start of a new day, but like you said, it's a matter of one's personal "taste" and in my case, perking doesn't cut it.
toploader55
Well-known member
Hans... Exactly. Radiant tubes and Percolators are really matched up like that. My Grandmother did the Exact Method as your Mother.
Gram used a Pyrex Glass Perc.
Gram used a Pyrex Glass Perc.
Think my widowed father has manned my mom's old percolator for his coffee--and fairly recently, after taking over her old Mr. Coffee (& most likely a few other brands, such as Black & Decker) "dripper"... Of which my late-mom had gone through a number of since they'd been the norm for brewing since their introduction...
Me, I am still on my first Mr. Coffee, going on 8-years (I had considered a single-cup-dispenser-brewer--that is before Keurig--but I'm happy w/ my multi-cup pot boiler) though now you've got me entertaining the percolator idea...
If there are any new stove-top coffee brewers out then, I may be interested & if stove-top brewing is as easy & accurate as how I make my morning Joe...
-- Dave
Me, I am still on my first Mr. Coffee, going on 8-years (I had considered a single-cup-dispenser-brewer--that is before Keurig--but I'm happy w/ my multi-cup pot boiler) though now you've got me entertaining the percolator idea...
If there are any new stove-top coffee brewers out then, I may be interested & if stove-top brewing is as easy & accurate as how I make my morning Joe...
-- Dave
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I have mixed feelings about percolator coffee. Back in my Coffee Snob Days, I looked down on it, as every coffee snob is carefully trained to do.
However, earlier in my time at EC, I got bitten by the "why not try playing with a percolator" bug. So I got one. Actually, more than one. More like a shelf of them. Most were used as decorations; however, I used 3 as daily drivers at various points. Two were Farberware of differing sizes. The smallest (4? 6? cups?) is best for someone who lives alone, though. I also used a small Electromatic. I think the Electromatic made the better coffee. But the Farbereware was prettier, I think, and it seemed faster, although I never timed it.
I never found percolator coffee to be the best coffee. But when made with reasonable care, it was quite drinkable as a daily coffee, and it could be better than badly made drip coffee. I could see even serving percolator coffee to guests, although they'd have to be the right guests, and the presentation would likely be along the "fun vintage coffeepot theme."
It's worth noting that while I think drip is probably better, I am not wild about the coffee from the automatic drip pots I've had experience with in recent history. The coffee can be drinkable, but it's more convenience than ultimate quality. The best drip coffee I've ever had has been from small filters that sit on top of the cup, and have hot water poured manually.
And the best coffee, period award probably goes to French press.
However, earlier in my time at EC, I got bitten by the "why not try playing with a percolator" bug. So I got one. Actually, more than one. More like a shelf of them. Most were used as decorations; however, I used 3 as daily drivers at various points. Two were Farberware of differing sizes. The smallest (4? 6? cups?) is best for someone who lives alone, though. I also used a small Electromatic. I think the Electromatic made the better coffee. But the Farbereware was prettier, I think, and it seemed faster, although I never timed it.
I never found percolator coffee to be the best coffee. But when made with reasonable care, it was quite drinkable as a daily coffee, and it could be better than badly made drip coffee. I could see even serving percolator coffee to guests, although they'd have to be the right guests, and the presentation would likely be along the "fun vintage coffeepot theme."
It's worth noting that while I think drip is probably better, I am not wild about the coffee from the automatic drip pots I've had experience with in recent history. The coffee can be drinkable, but it's more convenience than ultimate quality. The best drip coffee I've ever had has been from small filters that sit on top of the cup, and have hot water poured manually.
And the best coffee, period award probably goes to French press.
@lordkenmore
Totally agree with you on the french press.
If I go out - I cannot drink my usual order of black coffee. Espresso machines just completely ruin the taste. It always tastes burnt and over-extracted - that said, "Espresso blends" of coffee are notoriously dark, and I prefer a very light roast.
As for drip machines, the Technivorm Moccamaster is *The Last Word* (as Launderess would say) in drip coffee machines.
www.technivorm.com
Totally agree with you on the french press.
If I go out - I cannot drink my usual order of black coffee. Espresso machines just completely ruin the taste. It always tastes burnt and over-extracted - that said, "Espresso blends" of coffee are notoriously dark, and I prefer a very light roast.
As for drip machines, the Technivorm Moccamaster is *The Last Word* (as Launderess would say) in drip coffee machines.
Moccamaster USA: Premium Pour-Over Coffee Brewers
Coffee brewers handmade in the Netherlands out of high-quality, sustainable materials, built to last a lifetime. Dedicated to seeking the real taste of coffee.
www.technivorm.com
ovrphil
Well-known member
Stan -
I've not tried your method, but we have a corning ware to try that out,if curious.
We went from drip to percolated. The interesting thing about the percolators we have is that only one produces a hot enough water to make the difference in taste.
I enjoy coffee from all methods of brewing; drip, grind, percolated and stove top, if done right. Personally, I think the French Press method still produces the smoothest and nicest cup of Joe.
Not to offend anyone or get into a discussion, but honestly, eight-o-clock coffee from A&P used to be great. I'm not so sure it's the same product today. It used to be my mom's go-to, which she only served at Bunco Clubs. I tried it a few years ago, but I wasn't really caught up in the flavor. Some people I know love it. Maybe they brew it differently. I tried it with French Press and it was really good - smooth, rich, etc. all those tv ad taste-seducing descriptors. Not that it will correct a bad crop or old set of coffee beans, but French Press is amazing in that mediocre tasting coffee (brewed via drip or percolator) tastes, at least to me and my partner in coffee exploits and adventures, much better.
I need to try that stove top, for fun-zies.
Phil
I've not tried your method, but we have a corning ware to try that out,if curious.
We went from drip to percolated. The interesting thing about the percolators we have is that only one produces a hot enough water to make the difference in taste.
I enjoy coffee from all methods of brewing; drip, grind, percolated and stove top, if done right. Personally, I think the French Press method still produces the smoothest and nicest cup of Joe.
Not to offend anyone or get into a discussion, but honestly, eight-o-clock coffee from A&P used to be great. I'm not so sure it's the same product today. It used to be my mom's go-to, which she only served at Bunco Clubs. I tried it a few years ago, but I wasn't really caught up in the flavor. Some people I know love it. Maybe they brew it differently. I tried it with French Press and it was really good - smooth, rich, etc. all those tv ad taste-seducing descriptors. Not that it will correct a bad crop or old set of coffee beans, but French Press is amazing in that mediocre tasting coffee (brewed via drip or percolator) tastes, at least to me and my partner in coffee exploits and adventures, much better.
I need to try that stove top, for fun-zies.
Phil
philr
Well-known member
Yesterday, I thought about getting a generator like Phil...
...as last week, I got an automated call from the power company saying that they'd cut the electricity from 8 AM to 3 PM today in my neighborhood to do some maintenance work.
Since I'm not exactly an early bird, I programmed the timed outlet on my range for the first time to start the Philips drip coffee maker a bit earlier. It's a good thing because I woke up just a minute before the power went out, at 7:59 AM! At the time I was getting some coffee, the power just went out. I'm usually too lazy to prepare coffee before I go to bed but I liked having my coffee ready so I had to set the timed outlet again tonight for tomorrow even if there's no planned power interruption!
...as last week, I got an automated call from the power company saying that they'd cut the electricity from 8 AM to 3 PM today in my neighborhood to do some maintenance work.
Since I'm not exactly an early bird, I programmed the timed outlet on my range for the first time to start the Philips drip coffee maker a bit earlier. It's a good thing because I woke up just a minute before the power went out, at 7:59 AM! At the time I was getting some coffee, the power just went out. I'm usually too lazy to prepare coffee before I go to bed but I liked having my coffee ready so I had to set the timed outlet again tonight for tomorrow even if there's no planned power interruption!
Both my mom and dad only made stove top coffee even after we bought them a Philips drip coffeemaker like the one in reply #16. The only time it got used was when I went home to visit or if they had company that did not normally come over.
