Thrift Shop Finds

[j2400]

"I saw this thread about the percolators and wonder did they make better coffee than the coffeemakers we have now?"

This is probably a dangerous question to answer. First, this forum does tend to value older appliances. Secondly, I'm not sure I'm qualified, since I've not done enough comparisons.

This said, percolators are considered by coffee experts to be horrible. The process cycles brewed coffee through the system, subjecting it to higher heat than brewed coffee should get.

Then, some experts point to the percolator coffee smell that some get nostalgic about, and point that smell should be staying in the coffee when you drink it.

Another thought: aluminium was very common in old percolators. Many were all aluminium. Aluminium can, theoretically, react with the acids in the coffee, changing the taste. Then, there's the possible aluminium/Alzheimer's connection

My own experiences tend to show percolators are limited. I have an old Corningware stove top. (Stove top percolators, carefully controlled, are the only ones that I've ever seen tolerated by a coffee experts--and, to date, only one.) I've never had luck getting it to perform well, but, then, I haven't spent much time, either.

Another, an old Regal Poly Perk, makes coffee that's drinkable, but not as good as what I can make with other coffee makers.

Still, I wouldn't pass up an interesting percolator. And some might have done better than others.

The best bet for a good vintage coffee maker is a vacuum pot, like the Sunbeam Coffeemasters.

 

[scott55405]

I insist on percolated coffee personally. The coffee experts will just have to go down the street if they don't wish to drink that which it produces! LOL

And yes, I buy my coffee at the grocery store, pre ground in a CAN!

Oh, the horrors... ;-)

I have a number of different types of percolators and Coffeemasters, but use a Farberware most often.

 

[panthera]

Well,

since this is technically a percolator, but one which does not recycle the brew, I am happy to say the percolators do make some of the best coffee.

Anybody who thinks Maxwell House is just the cat's pajamas should really do themselves a favor and go down to the local health-foods store, have them grind 1/4lb of medium-roast Arabica beans from Vietnam or Jamaica or the 'real' Columbian or Mexican highlands coffee.

We use a 1960's Presto Percolator and Maxwell House as our daily drivers here in Cheyenne, 'cause that's what my honey likes...just to forestall the blue-rinsed ladies seeing this as an attack on gen-u-whine all-all-American values...

I do think a reactive metal such as aluminum is not the best choice for coffee. The acid must be etching out some of the aluminum.

Was the Alzyheimer's/aluminum link ever confirmed? Seems that one was discussed thoroughly a few years back in our club.

 

[sudsmaster]

I've got a real good, stainless electric percolator, and it produces pretty good coffee. It even has a row of lights that show how long the coffee has been sitting in the pot.

The only problem... it's a 60 cup unit, so it only gets pulled out of storage when I have a relatively large gathering. Last one was about four years ago ;-)...

I don't think there's ever been a link between aluminum consumption and Alzheimer's. If I'm not mistaken, Alzheimer's is thought to be the result of an internal brain protein accumulating and killing off brain cells. Perhaps the protein folds incorrectly as well (like prions). I think the aluminum connection started when higher than normal concentrations of aluminum compounds were found in brain tissue of Alzheimer's patients, but it's not known if that is simply a symptom or a cause.

Aluminum is perhaps the most abundant component of soil. It's everywhere. However, elemental aluminum, as found in pots and pans etc, is very rare since the metal reacts so readily with oxygen etc.

I avoid any kind of antacid that contains aluminum compounds (I think Rolaids has it) or cooking ingredients with aluminum (like "alum" or some baking powders). No sense in tempting fate.

I also don't use much if any "bare" aluminum cookware. I make an exception for the teflon coated stuff, but usually I prefer stainless.

 

[panthera]

Rich,

I remember the aluminum/Alzheimer's discussion even back when I was in college.

Be interesting and more than a bit strange is there ere a connection, given the prevalence of aluminum on the planet.

The NY-Times had an article recently about on-going research into the intriguing statistical correlation between coffee drinkers and dementia...namely, we heavy drinkers show lower incidents of dementia than non/light drinkers of java.

Next thing you know, they'll be saying eggs are good for you and butter better than margarine...

 

[sudsmaster]

"Next thing you know, they'll be saying eggs are good for you and butter better than margarine..."

Actually, Julia Child was saying that some 30 years ago... she warned specifically against margarine... and lo and behold, she was 100% right, at least when margarine was still made with trans fatty hydrogenated vegetable oils. Very bad stuff, those trans fats. Raise one's triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels about 30% or more.

Eggs? Like the commercial says, eggs have gotten a bad rap. They don't contain any more fat or cholesterol than a slice of chicken breast. Good food, in moderation.

The key to long life and good health seems to be a calorie restricted diet. Small wonder that most centegenarians seem to live in areas of the world that are not especially the most well-to-do - eastern europe, Asia, etc. Most likely they are on lower calorie diets for most of their lives, out of necessity and/or cultural practice. Here in the super sized America, we spend twice as much on health care as our equivalents in Europe but live shorter lives that are twice as unhealthy.

Forgot to add: antiperspirants are typically loaded with aluminum compounds. Some evidence that aluminum is higher in olfactory lobes of brains of Alzheimer's patients. Is there a connection? Best not to use spray antiperspirants until we are sure...

 

[j2400]

"I also don't use much if any "bare" aluminum cookware. I make an exception for the teflon coated stuff, but usually I prefer stainless."

Actually, it seems like nonstick should fix the aluminium problem, since there's something between the aluminium and the food. (Of course, cheaper pans have coatings that are easily scratched down to the aluminium layer!) And, if I remember right, anodized aluminium (Calphalon, etc) was said to be non-reactive. But nonstick is now coming under fire. One can't win, I guess.

I've been hearing the coffee is good argument in recent years. It's sort of funny, since I recall when I was in high school, there was a study released that showed it to be the latest thing to cause cancer.

 

[neptunebob]

Why not be "Better, not Bitter"?!

Panthera, you seem to be constantly angry. Why can you not be Better, instead of Bitter? Maybe you should invest in a BUNN.