Great Sunbeam find from 1953 percolator/vacuum coffee maker

[launderess]

Yes, you can use paper filters

Did so all the time when got fed up with cleaning the cloth (have a small stash of them somewhere, came with my first C50).

Just use the upper metal piece (not the lower screen) part of filter as a template.

I just purchased a box of drip coffee filters, took the above top part of filter and drew a circle around. Then took as many filters as one could cut comfortably and using the original with circle drawn at top proceeded to cut around. Since the filters are two ply each will give a "two fer", as only one is needed at a time.

Only thing with using an extra filter (paper or cloth) is having to dissemble the filter apparatus to insert between layers of metal filters.

The cloth filters were originally designed for earlier Sunbeam Coffeemasters. In theory when Sunbeam came out with the redesigned C50 need for cloth filters was eliminated as the two layers of metal (screen and mesh) were to be a permanent filter system. However the owner's manual for C50 states if one wishes to use the cloth filters by all means do so. This is because with certain grinds of coffee even the fine screen filter of C50 does not produce a clear brew.

 

[abcomatic]

Thanks Laundress, another question. All we have with this is just the metal wheel that has a spring on the top. the metal wheel comes apart. Do you put the filter between both parts so that the filter (we are doing what you said to)is a bit larger than the circle or must it be the exact size? Thanks so much, this is so much fun.
Gary

 

[ea56]

Gary, if your filter is just the frame and doesn't have the metal screens you will need either a mesh filter or cloth filter to place into the frame. I have used unbleached, cotton flannel, cut into circles and just punched a hole in the center to put the frame rod through. I also once cut out the gold mesh from a drip permanent filter, using a razor blade and cut it into a circle that fit the frame and punched the necessary hole in the center. This set up really worked better that the wire mesh that Sunbeam provided with their later model Coffeemasters. If you try to just use paper filters with the frame you'll need to use 2 or 3 to keep them from being sucked down with the return to the lower pot. I've also used the mesh filters from a french press pot. Necessity is the mother of invention. Play with it and see what you like best.
Eddie

 

[abcomatic]

Thanks guys, Eddie, I'll try that. Thanks Laundress, I'll try what you suggest too. you guys are of great help.
Gary