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15 Best Coffee Percolators (Review) In 2021

Written by:
Unclutterer
Last Updated: January 21, 2021
Best Choice
Primula-Today-Aluminum-Stove-Top-Percolator-image
Primula Today Aluminum Stove Top Percolator
PRICING
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Best Value
Farberware-Classic-Yosemite-Stainless-Steel-Coffee-Percolator-image
Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
PRICING
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Premium Pick
Farberware-12-Cup-Stainless-Steel-Percolator-image
Farberware 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator
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Show Contents
Contents
  • 1. Primula Today Aluminum Stove Top Percolator
  • 2. GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Coffee Percolator
  • 3. Farberware 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator
  • 4. Moss & Stone Electric Copper Coffee Percolator
  • 5. Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
  • 6. Gastrorag 4-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator
  • 7. Gastrorag 12-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator
  • 8. CAFE BREW Stovetop Percolator Coffee Pot
  • 9. Elite Gourmet 12-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator
  • 10. Cook N Home 8-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator
  • 11. Coleman 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator
  • 12. Cuisinart Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator
  • 13. Mixpresso 10-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator
  • 14. COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot Percolator
  • 15. West Bend Electric Coffee Percolator with Heat Resistant Handle
Award
Brand
Rating
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Award:

Best Choice
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Brand:

Primula Today Aluminum Stove Top Percolator

Rating:

10
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Award:

Premium Pick
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Brand:

Farberware 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator

Rating:

9
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Award:

Best Value
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Brand:

Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator

Rating:

8
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Award:

Stylish Pick
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Brand:

Gastrorag 12-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator

Rating:

7
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Award:

Budget Pick
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Brand:

CAFE BREW Stovetop Percolator Coffee Pot

Rating:

7

The Best Coffee Percolator

Drip coffee is what coffee makers tend to use, and so the majority of households will tend to have generously-sized coffee makers which have lots of settings and work well with your average bag of pre-ground coffee. It's convenient and can be left to get on with making coffee without you having to tend over it.

Percolators, however, were the original way in which our forebears made coffee, either around a campfire (going way back) or on a stovetop in more recent decades. The main difference is that it doesn't necessarily need to be plugged into an electrical socket, but simply needs a heat source, be it gas, fire, butane, or heat plate underneath.

Inside your percolator, you will see a vertical tube that permits boiling water to travel up to where coffee grounds are stored, before dripping back into the pot and starting that cycle all over again. Pressure percolators do things in a slightly different way; steam rises upwards through the tube and coffee is steamed upwards into an upper chamber, until all the water has been evaporated.

Obviously, this process is a little more bespoke and convoluted, and so is really for the lover of coffee rather than the casual drinker of coffee. In most restaurants, they will use a drip coffee maker, because they don't have time to tend over a percolator. However, in specialist coffee houses, they will have a range of different ways in which your coffee will be brewed, at your request.

One big difference between regular drip coffee and percolated coffee is taste. The majority of coffee connoisseurs will choose percolated coffee over drip coffee, every time. The aroma is also something to write home about. The look of a percolator is also different than the rather clunky, plasticky look of your average coffee maker. They tend to be elegant, stainless steel ornaments, rather than efficient electronic units.

Another reason for percolators is that they thrive upon any heat source, and so can be used when camping or at the beach. They can be taken to work, on vacation, or between homes, if you own a second home. The best coffee percolators will produce up to a dozen cups of coffee, so they're not only for those singular, coffee-loving individuals but can be shared with your household, or when entertaining.

Below are some reviews of the best coffee percolators currently on the market. If you currently use a coffee maker from Monday to Friday, then maybe the percolating process could become a weekend ritual, when you'll tend to be a bit more freed up and have time to play the barista!

1. Primula Today Aluminum Stove Top Percolator

Best Choice
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Key Features

    Compact

    Easy to use

    Classic design

    No electricity of single-use pods required

    Works on all stovetops

    Durable lightweight aluminum

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Primula Today Aluminum Stove Top Percolator
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This sturdy yet lightweight aluminum construction makes the Primula Today 9 Cup Coffee Percolator an ideal companion at home or on a camping trip. You can enjoy the richer, fuller flavor of percolated coffee without any additional technology, other than a simple fire or gas or electric plate underneath. You can keep tabs on the strength of your coffee by viewing the bubbling coffee through the translucent knob on top of the lid. The fact that it makes 9 cups is a huge advantage when camping with friends or having a little coffee morning at home. It comes with a lid, fit basket, pot, and filter screen assembly. All you need by way of cleaning is some warm water infused with lemon juice.

    Pros

    Ideal for camping

    Sturdy, stay cool handle

    Cons

    Manufacturer’s warranty must be requested

    Aluminum a little thin, not that robust

2. GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Sturdy structure (heavy-gauge steel)

    Three-ply construction maximizes heat distribution

    Unbreakable resin cap allows you to see coffee

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GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Coffee Percolator
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This attractive enamelware GSI Outdoors Coffee Percolator is able to brew 8 cups of delicious coffee. It is constructed from heavy-gauge steel and sports a classic flecked enamel finish. Impressively, each piece has been kiln-hardened not once but two times at 1000 deg F, in order to withstand chipping and potential scratching. It utilizes a 3-ply construction that makes heat distribution highly efficient, while the stainless steel rim lends it a classy, sleek appearance. You can even view your coffee through a resin cap, so you know when it’s underway and ready for drinking. It’s light enough to throw into your bag when camping. Equally, it complements any worktop or counter at home. It only weighs 0.6 kg so isn’t a burden, whether on the move or at home. Not that you’ll need it, but it comes with a lifetime promise and GSI outdoors’ more than thirty years’ experience of creating quality products.

    Pros

    Lifetime promise

    Enamelware – suits a campsite, cabin, or any kitchen

    Cons

    Fine coffee can spill through

    Very thin metal, flimsy

3. Farberware 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator

Premium Pick
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Key Features

    Premium Stainless Steel Exterior

    Pungent Aroma and Flavor

    Cup-A-Minute

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Farberware 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator
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This robust Farberware 2-12 Cup Electric Percolator, at 60 Hz, makes roughly one cup every minute, for your convenience. It has an automatic ‘keep warm’ capacity so you’re not being rushed to pour it out, while its detachable cord increases the ease of storage and pouring when you’re ready to consume. It won’t wear out easily, due to its premium stainless steel exterior and stainless steel basket, which will capture the maximum flavor possible from your grounds. You don’t need to hover over it, either, because it will just immediately turn to its ‘keep warm’ function once the brewing process is done. Its handle and lid are ‘cool-touch’, so there’s no need to panic and even a teenager or older child can handle it without worry.

    Pros

    Automatic Keep Warm

    Detachable Cord

    Cons

    Doesn’t percolate long enough.

    Electronic components are cheaply made

4. Moss & Stone Electric Copper Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Premium quality coffee percolator

    Filter basket and pump tube

    28cm (H) X 23cm (L) X 14.5cm (W)

    Makes 2 to 10 cups of coffee – one per minute

    Luxurious stainless steel construction

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Moss & Stone Electric Copper Coffee Percolator
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This classic can brew from 2 to 10 cups of great tasting coffee at a time, and is composed of sturdy yet elegant stainless steel with a copper body. Moss & Stone Electric Copper Coffee Percolator has a ready to serve indicator light, so no guessing as to when it is done, while it automatically switches to a warming mode when the coffee is ready, so you don’t need to rush to pour it out, but can enjoy it at your own pace, using its ‘cool touch’ handle to pour. It has a removable coffee filter and easy pour spout, while its traditional design complements any kitchen and is pleasing to your guests. Even its color lends a bit of style and sophistication to your kitchen, and the whole experience of coffee consumption is given that little bit of extra panache, as a result.

    Pros

    Stylish design

    Signal light indicates when coffee is ready to serve

    Keeps coffee piping hot automatically

    Cons

    Can leave coffee grounds and bitter taste in your coffee

    Thin material already stained; hard to clean

5. Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator

Best Value
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Key Features

    Classic coffee maker

    Durable and convenient

    Permanent filter basket – no mess

    Quality assurance guarantee

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Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
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Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator is able to perfect four to eight cups of coffee, for your taste buds’ satisfaction. For over a hundred years Farberware has been at it; producing high-quality products that are designed to make your life easier and better. It has an iconic style that enhances the appearance of any modern kitchen while retaining a classy, shiny, retro look at the same time. As well as a filter basket that obviates the need for eco-unfriendly paper filters, it also boasts a non-reactive coffee maker interior that stops water from absorbing bitter or less than desirables flavors. It has snug lid seals that retain heat and a robust, transparent knob which allows you to see when percolation has begun and when it ends. It is fine to put it in the dishwasher and is fully immersible, as well as gleaming at and awaiting you morning by morning. What better start to the day can you have!

    Pros

    Dishwasher safe

    Lifetime warranty

    Cons

    Can be hard to clean

    Glass knob on lid is fragile

6. Gastrorag 4-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Easy pouring

    Beautiful design

    Cool-Touch Ergonomic Handle

    Drip-Free Spout

    Detachable Cord

    4-cup capacity

    Ready-to-serve indicator

    Automatic Keep-Warm

    Stainless steel construct

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Gastrorag 4-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator
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This exceptional Gastrorag Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator brews flavorsome coffee, 4 cups at a time. It is beautifully designed, robust, and made from stainless steel for ultra durability and dependability. There is no need to tend over it, due to its blue signal light which informs you when it is ready. It maintains the perfect temperature for serving, so you will not be left with cool or cold coffee if you don’t get to it immediately. Due to its resilient material, it is easy to clean and long-lasting. Moreover, its permanent filter basket means you don’t have to keep using paper filters which are costly for your wallet, and the planet. Its shapely handle is cool to the touch, while its no-drip spout is precisely that, ie. clean and spill-free. Its 25.6″ cord can be detached, making pouring and storing so much easier. Meanwhile, it has non-slip feet for extra safety, and a stay-cool bottom so you won’t have to worry about burnt table tops. It has no plastic construction in its innards, which can affect the taste, and the filter chamber and tube are dishwasher safe. It even has a boil-dry safety feature, so won’t just stay on burning itself once the water has evaporated.

    Pros

    Cool bottom

    Boil-dry protection

    800 Watts, 120V – 60Hz

    Cup-A-Minute

    Dishwasher-safe basket and stem

    Cons

    Knob can be fragile

    Only 4 cups

7. Gastrorag 12-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator

Stylish Pick
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Key Features

    Fast and easy

    Maintains the heat

    Beautiful design

    Always-cool knob and handle

    Cool bottom

    Detachable 25.6 inch cord

    Boil-dry protection

    800 Watts, 120V – 60Hz

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Gastrorag 12-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator
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This elegant, stylish Gastrorag Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator can make 12 cups for you and your friends, in a smooth and efficient manner. It is easy to clean, produces a cup of coffee per minute, and has a handy blue light that informs you when the coffee is ready, so you’re not left wondering or guessing what’s going on within from outside. It automatically flips into a ‘keep-warm’ mode once done, thus keeping your coffee piping hot for consumption. Its stainless steel is highly durable and easy to clean with stainless steel cleaners, while its permanent filter basket is dishwasher friendly and obviates the need for endless paper filters to be used, sapping your wallet and harming the environment. Its cord is detachable so makes for easier pouring, while its bottom is ‘stay-cool’, which stops any surface from getting heat scars. Its non-slip feet add extra safety to this percolator, so you need not fear a young child getting scalded due to it slipping and sliding. Its heating element is concealed, so the percolator is fully submersible, while its boil-dry safety feature means that it will not burn out and damage itself in that way.

    Pros

    12-cup capacity

    Ready-to-serve indicator light

    Automatic Keep-Warm function

    Cup-A-Minute

    Stainless steel inside and out

    Dishwasher-safe filter and tube

    Cons

    Heating element under percolator tube appears to be aluminum

    Power cord too short to pour while plugged in which defeats the purpose of stay warm feature

8. CAFE BREW Stovetop Percolator Coffee Pot

Budget Pick
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Key Features

    High-quality Borosilicate Glass from DURAN, Germany

    Stain-resistant

    Dishwasher safe (top rack)

    Drip-free spout

    Product Dimensions: 7.4″ x 5.5″ x 7.3″

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CAFE BREW Stovetop Percolator Coffee Pot
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This unique and original design of CAFE BREW 8-Cup Glass Percolator is composed of high-quality Schott Duran borosilicate glass from Germany, which lets you view your delicious coffee from the outside, enhancing the sleek, modern feel of your kitchen or office. It has a heat-tolerant handle which is suitable for a whole variety of cooking surfaces. It is affordable and is able to work with any heat source, not just electricity or gas. It comes with basket, stem, basket, basket lid, lid, and trivet, so there’s nothing else you need to order or have in place. It is stain-resistant and boasts a drip-free spout. The ‘trivet’ will allow it to be used on any electric stove, not just a gas-powered stove. It is dishwasher friendly and just looks so cool that your friends will want to have one.

    Pros

    For use on gas or electric stovetops

    BPA-free

    Assembled in the USA

    Includes metal heat diffusing trivet

    Cons

    The plastic insides makes coffee taste like plastic

    Actual item was plastic, not glass

9. Elite Gourmet 12-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Ready to serve light

    Wrap-around cord storage

    Versatility in use

    Ergonomic style and design

    Brew up to 12 cups

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Elite Gourmet 12-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator
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This classic yet highly efficient Elite Gourmet Platinum 12 Cup Automatic Tea & Coffee Percolator can brew 12 cups of delicious coffee, tea, or cocoa at a time. It has a washable removable stainless steel filter, indicator lights which inform you when your beverage is ready, and an automatic ‘keep warm’ feature, so you can take your time before serving it. Its handle is heat resistant and comfortable, while its base swivels round 360° and offers cord-free serving, so you’re being hampered by anything when pouring. It has a ‘boil dry’ safety which means it will not burn itself out; meanwhile, if you want to check on your coffee’s progress its knob is translucent so you can peer in. Non-slip feet mean that it is extra safe, while its cord can be stored separately to the main pot, which makes taking it on vacation that much easier. It is dishwasher friendly, and its brewing stem, coffee basket lid, and coffee filter basket can all be immersed. It can even be used to make hot cereals or oatmeal if desired, so is a perfect piece of the armory in your kitchen’s array of utensils and machines.

    Pros

    Dishwasher safe

    Measurement markings

    Cons

    Each time it leaves a huge amount of coffee grinds

    This leaves lukewarm coffee after it has finished percolating

10. Cook N Home 8-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Polished stainless steel

    Stainless steel permanent filter basket

    Tight seal lid with a clear knob to view percolating

    Can be used to make coffee, tea, and boil water

    Drip-free spout and has a classic design

    Product Dimensions 5 x 8 x 8 inches

    Works on all other stovetops

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Cook N Home 8-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator
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The mirror-polished stainless steel of this Cook N Home 8-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator Pot Kettle along with your best stove kettle excellently retains the heat of your coffee and is non-reactive. Its filter basket can be taken out and easily cleaned and reused, saving you money and wastage on paper filters. Its tight seal lid has a transparent knob which allows you to see the percolation in action, while its handle stays cool to the touch. In fact, this percolator can be tea and boil water, as well as coffee, and its stylish design will complement any kitchen, modern or traditional. It has a drip-free spout, for your convenience, while it works on all stovetops, electric, gas, or propane. It is fully submersible and dishwasher friendly, and its eight cups will allow you to entertain friends and family without having to constantly refill and start the process all over again.

    Pros

    Dishwasher safe and fully immersible

    Can be used on a camp stove or campfire (coals)

    Cons

    Manufacturer’s warranty must be requested

    The handle melted while in use

11. Coleman 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator

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Key Features

    Quickly brews up to 12 cups of coffee

    Stainless steel construction resists corrosion

    Includes base, tube, basket, and basket lid

    Lightweight and durable

    Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.6 x 6.4 inch

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Coleman 12-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator
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Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator has the twin advantage of being beautifully designed and being able to brew twelve cups of coffee, to meet the needs of a whole range of people. Its stainless steel is resistant to rust, while its lightweight feel makes it easy to transport any be used in any number of different locations. It works on any heat source, be it a grill a stove, or even a campfire. Its resilient stainless steel is both flavor-resistant and corrosion-resistant, so this ensures consistency of taste. Its glass knob is replaceable, so you won’t be pulling your hair out in the unlikely event that it cracks. It is as suitable for outdoors as for indoor use.

    Pros

    Made of stainless steel

    Corrosion-resistant

    Cons

    The glass top breaks even when kept loose

    Started rusting after one use at home

12. Cuisinart Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator

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Key Features

    Convenient capacity of 4 to 12 cups

    Precision no-drip spout

    Long, tapered and pours without a spill

    Stainless steel housing

    Transparent knob shows the coffee

    Comfortable handle

    Detachable cord

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Cuisinart Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator
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This rather stylish Cuisinart Classic Stainless-Steel Percolator is able to produce twelve cups of vibrant coffee, every time. Delicious coffee rises up into the percolator’s knob, while a detachable cord makes it really easy to serve, and a ‘stay-cool’ base lets you rest it anywhere. It has measurement markings in its removable basket, to allow you to easily see the number of grounds you need to make your coffee. Meanwhile, its shapely handle, no-drip spout, and knuckle guard all help to make pouring your coffee as easy and effective as possible. It will enable you and your friends and/or family to enjoy great tasting coffee from a sleek, aesthetically pleasing vessel.

    Pros

    Stay-cool bottom

    Ready indicator light

    Cons

    Grounds end up in the coffee

    Does not keep the coffee hot after it’s done

13. Mixpresso 10-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator

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Key Features

    Premium quality

    Includes removable coffee filter, filter basket and pump tube

    Easy pour spout and traditional design

    28cm (H) X 23cm (L) X 14.5cm (W)

    Ready to serve indicator light

    Automatic keep warm function

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Mixpresso 10-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator
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This sturdy Mixpresso Electric Coffee Percolator produces 10 cups of rich coffee; one per minute, so that your guests can enjoy that coffee shop vibe in the comfort of your own home. It can even be used to boil water and make tea if you so desire. It has a drip-free spout for your convenience and is dishwasher safe. It has a helpful indicator light so you know exactly when your beverage is ready, while its material is stainless steel. Its filter basket means you don’t have to keep buying endless paper filters, thus saving you money and reducing waste. It would make a super housewarming gift and could be used in the office as well as at home. Its dimensions: 28cm (H) X 23cm (L) X 14.5cm (W) are ample but not overwhelming, and it will complement any kitchen, whether modern or traditional.

    Pros

    1-Year No Questions Asked Warranty Policy

    Durable shiny stainless steel

    Black cool touch handle

    Cons

    Not all stainless steel inside

    The pot leaks from the bottom

14. COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot Percolator

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Key Features

    No aluminum or plastic

    Extracts a fuller, richer flavor

    No cords required

    Filters included

    Veteran owned

    Dishwasher safe

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COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot Percolator
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The COLETTI Bozeman Percolator is a rugged and hardy percolator that will thrive in outdoor conditions as well as indoors. The glass top is actually heat-tempered, so is adept at being on a campfire as well as in a more domestic environment. It contains no plastic or aluminum but is 18/8 stainless steel and is dishwasher friendly. Interestingly, it was given its name after the city of Bozeman, famed for its cowboys. It manages to extract a richer, more full-bodied flavor than drip methods, and doesn’t need electricity or paper filters, thus making you as independent as an old cowboy! Pleasingly, Coletti invests in causes that promote freedom around the world, so by purchasing one of their percolators you are even doing your bit for these causes.

    Pros

    Solid 18/8 stainless steel

    Engineered for outdoor or indoor use

    18-gauge thickness

    Cons

    The unit is not user friendly

    Glass top doesn’t fit well; very loose

15. West Bend Electric Coffee Percolator with Heat Resistant Handle

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Key Features

    2-12 cup capacity

    Ready-to-serve indicator light

    Coffee level indicator on handle

    Stainless steel construction, stem, basket, and spreader

    Keeps coffee at the perfect serving temperature

    Dimensions: 7.00 (W) x 9.50 (D) x 12.50 (H) inches

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West Bend Electric Coffee Percolator with Heat Resistant Handle
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The pleasing chrome mirror finish of this quick-brewing West Bend Electric Coffee Percolator is guaranteed to get your day off to a good start. After making twelve cups of palate-tastic coffee it reverts to a ‘keep warm’ temperature so that every cup is warmed, ready for consumption. It boasts a ready-to-serve light that shows you exactly when your coffee is ready. Its detachable cord allows you to bring it to the table without complications, while its heat resistant handle and base add to that sense of comfort and enjoyment. Components are removable so that they can all go in the dishwasher; stem, basket, and spreader. The lack of need for a paper filter is a real bonus, as the stainless steel spreader ensures that the grounds are consistently saturated. Not that you’re likely to need it, but for added peace of mind, it comes with a one-year warranty.

    Pros

    Cord detaches for tabletop serving

    950 watts

    Handle and base are heat-resistant

    Cons

    Plastic knob on can break

    Silicon around glass on top can come loose

Features To Consider With Coffee Percolators

Capacity

Percolators aren't known for their extra-large capacity, and 4-cup models are quite common. It depends on your own schedule and routine, however, and there are quite a few larger models on the market, which can produce and warm twelve, or in some cases fourteen cups of lovely java, for your friends, family, or work colleagues, whatever the case may be. The best coffee percolators are going to be able to function equally as well in terms of quality regardless of whether they produce 8 cups of coffee or if they're a 12 cup percolator. Electric percolators are often able to have a higher capacity to hold more coffee, so if you're preparing for a household then it may behoove you to check out of the best electric models on the market.

Detachable Cord

Having a detachable cord is a great benefit for owners of electric coffee percolators. This will allow you to detach the cord and serve your guests their coffee as if from a jug of coffee, rather than from a sophisticated machine. To have to pour from the percolator into a pouring jug will result in the coffee losing its heat and slowing you down. What with all the other things that go into making great coffee (bean grinding, measuring, pouring, etc.) it's an added hassle you just don't need.

Ease Of Cleaning

The best tips are to never use paper filters and always use cold rather than warm water to start the process of coffee percolation. These two tips will preserve the flavor of your coffee, but also preserve the integrity of your percolator and make it easier to clean. Paper filters will, unfortunately, reduce many of the important oils that come from the humble coffee bean, and should percolate nicely into your coffee. In terms of using cold water, well, especially with electric percolators, their thermostat has been designed to shut off at a certain point, so starting with warmer or hot water will mean a shorter cycle and ultimately a weaker coffee.

When cleaning your percolator, stay away from abrasives and soap; they may negatively affect the lining of your percolator, and even seep into the flavor of your coffee during future brews! Rinse carefully after use, and adopt the general rule that the water you use should be of the same temperature as the pot's current condition, ie. when the pot is hot use hot water to clean when cold use cold. Ensure that all the component parts are bone-dry, before storing away in your cupboard. You should aim to store no way near any moisture because this can create mildew, which will in turn affect the taste of your coffee.

You May Also Like: Best Pour-Over Coffee Kettles

Ease Of Use

A 4 cup percolator should suffice many a household, although you can get ones that produce up to a dozen or more cups at the touch of a button. Electric percolators are great in this regard, especially when you're bleary-eyed and trying to get everyone ready for school or work. Another advantage that electric percolators have is their 'keep coffee warm' function, which again, if you're looking after a household, can be a great bonus since timing isn't everything, ie. people can reach for a nice hot cup of joe whenever they're ready. Models that work off an independent heat source are more convenient in terms of being able to be brought to the office, on vacation, camping, and many other locations.

coffee percolator outside

Electric

An electric percolator has to be used on a level surface, near a power outlet. It does all that a campfire percolator does, but at the touch of a button, and often with a built-in warming mechanism that retains the coffee's optimum drinking temperature. By contrast, a non-electric percolator does of course have to have a heat source but is not reliant on electrical power per se. Another advantage you will often see with electric percolators is that there are various lights to tell you when the coffee is ready and if so what is its status.

Insulation

In percolation, ground coffee is contained in one chamber of the percolator, while heat is applied and a steam-powered vacuum draws coffee up through a centralized tube. It is filtered through a perforated metal filter, while the process goes on until all the water has evaporated. In order to keep the coffee piping hot, stainless steel is often used, because it retains heat so well. The electric version of percolators will usually have a 'keep warm' function so that a constant temperature is maintained regardless of how well the heat is being insulated from the outside world.

Material

Stainless steel, enamel, aluminum, all have different advantages and disadvantages. People like stainless steel because it can go in the dishwasher, does not oxidize, and is long-lasting. Others favor enamel due to its old-fashioned look, its lack of metal, and the beauty of texture. Campers might like aluminum because it tends to be more lightweight and is very durable. Plastic is best avoided at all costs; think about it – how long can a plastic-heavy coffee percolator survive at those temperatures, and surely the taste will be altered to some extent, just the same as when you store your sandwiches in a plastic tub rather than in aluminum foil.

coffee percolator material

How To Use A Coffee Percolator

Percolators tend to come in two main types: the pressure method and the gravity method. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. Pressure percolating in the strict sense isn't really percolating because so much more is going on than water trickling down through coffee grounds. Europeans tend to call it a Moka method, whereas in the States it comes under the umbrella term of being a percolator.

Pressure percolation or 'Moka' brewing uses water on a bottom chamber, a vertical tube leading to an upper chamber, and the grounds are kept dry in a middle area, in between. There is also a filter just above the dry coffee grounds, which allows pressurized steam to rise up and create liquified, smooth coffee through the upward trajectory. The newly brewed coffee sits there, away from the heat source, ready to be consumed.

Gravity percolation, by contrast, relies upon boiling water which is 'fed' into a filter basket that holds the ground coffee. This basket is perforated so that freshly brewed coffee trickles down into a lower chamber. There is another perforated section that will prevent grounds from joining the newly liquified coffee when poured, so you won't end up with a cup full of grounds. You need to keep an eye on the gravity percolation, because the water keeps 'cycling' around the pot, getting every possible ounce of flavor out of ground coffee; however, if you do so you'll end up with great tasting coffee. Just remember to take out the filter basket from the pot so that loose grounds don't join your freshly brewed coffee. Don't leave it for too long, otherwise, the taste will become a little bitter.

The main difference, then, is that gravity percolation has a downward trajectory, whereas pressure percolation has an upward trajectory.

coffee percolator use

Coffee Percolator FAQ

Q: What type of coffee do you put in a percolator?

A:

True coffee enthusiasts still love percolators, even though automatic drip coffee has grown in popularity because it's so easy and requires no real tending or oversight; just press the button and you're done. If you want full-bodied, flavorsome barista-worthy coffee, percolators will help you do achieve that. You also have the romance of being independent from an electric plug, because most percolators will work over an open campfire, which also makes them versatile and able to be used virtually anywhere.

It is important to choose the right coffee for percolation, though, and this includes the country of origin, where the coffee was first grown and roasted (sometimes it's roasted in a different place so that's of secondary importance).

Roast

A medium roast coffee best suits percolation. A darker roast has been accused of being a little bitter by coffee experts, whereas a lighter roast can become somewhat diluted and weak. Coffee is often roasted in a different location from where it was planted and harvested, so we now move on to consider some of the best regions in the world for this.

Colombian

This full-bodied flavor does very well in the percolation process. It tends to be enhanced and enriched, pleasing your palate. Many have argued that Colombian beans are the best for percolators, although critics will always disagree, and there are many other countries from which to choose.

Indonesian

For an even more full-bodied coffee, consider coffee which was originally grown and picked in Sumatra. This is an island in western Indonesia that is known for producing full-bodied, very rich tasting coffee. This is in part due to the winey, dry aftertaste you get, which lingers on the tongue with gentler aftertones. Percolation effectively retains the full gamut of these flavors and so it has become very popular in recent years.

Ethiopian

Coffee beans from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia are best for percolators, so if you're buying from an independent coffee dealer you can ask exactly where the beans are from; you probably can't do this in a grocery store. The kind of coffee you get from such beans tends to have a pleasantly spicy and citrus-esque tone to it. It also has hints of maple syrup and a wonderful floral aroma that will make your kitchen, or whether you're brewing your coffee, smell great. The smell is a big factor in coffee drinking; many love the aroma who don't actually consume the drink!

Guatemala

Guatemalan coffee beans are another rich region in terms of ultimate taste. Such beans produce smoky coffee that has a strong, unique flavor, typically having a full or medium body. A full-bodied bean is best for your percolator, so ask the coffee dealer (if it's an independent store) to guide you in this process. In fact, you can ask for other tips, too, because their whole careers are exclusively focused on coffee and coffee alone!

Peruvian

Peruvian coffee is slightly less full-bodied, which may suit certain people's taste-buds. You might enjoy a slightly lighter body to your morning coffee, and the aromas are just as strong and pleasing as the fuller-bodied varieties.

Overall, it's worth test-driving various kinds of coffee from different regions. The two things which should be constants are the medium-roast and coarse grind setting of these beans. These are two things that usually go well with all percolators. The more you become proactive and conscious about the coffee-making process, the more enjoyment and satisfaction you'll gain from each and every cup.

coffee from percolator

Q: Does a percolator affect the taste of coffee?

A:

American soldier and scientist Count Rumford is the man attributed with first inventing the percolator, while James Mason patented it in 1865. It was later tweaked to meet the needs of stove-tops in 1889 by a farmer called Hanson Goodrich, so it's a quintessentially American appliance that has been around for quite some time. Before the advent of drip coffee makers, it was the main way of making coffee.

Unlike mainstream coffee makers, percolators tend to 'cycle' water through the coffee grounds a number of times, a process known as "over-extraction". That is why you need to be actively tending to your percolator, whereas you can just walk away from your coffee maker in the knowledge that when all the drips are done, the coffee is done, and awaits your consumption usually in a tempered glass container on a heat pad.

Percolated coffee will become stronger, more robust, but possibly more bitter the longer you leave it on, due to the number of cycles through which the coffee grounds are being processed with boiling water. However, percolators are for coffee lovers, and typically will suit those who like to grind their own coffee beans to perfection, then enjoy the gradual process and aroma that you get with your percolator. It's a little bit like the difference between a manual 'stick' shift car and manual transmission. The percolator, similarly, lets you feel that you're really and fully in charge of your whole coffee-making adventure.

Sources

    How to Use an Electric Coffee Percolator - Leaf

    What Type of Coffee to Use in a Percolator - Leaf

    How to Make Coffee in a Percolator – Richer Flavor & Aroma - Trouble Coffee

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