Coffee Percolators - Reviews

Coffee percolators were a US kitchen staple until automatic drip brewers became popular in the 1970s.

A percolator works on the principle of warm water rising to the top of the pot and flowing over ground coffee.

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Some percolators require an external heat source, like a stovetop or campfire. This gives the user control over the brew time. Alternatively, automatic percolators have an integrated electrical heat source, and a pre-programmed brew time.

Coffee drinkers have very strong opinions about percolators. Some swear by them and others feel they violate the basic principles of great coffee brewing.

Coffee Percolator - Corningware - Disassembled

Image courtesy of PackRat_07 via Photobucket

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Coffee Percolator Reviews
Percolator Coffee Pot Pros and Cons
How Does a Percolator Coffee Maker Work?

Reviews: Coffee Percolators

Start your search for the best percolator coffee makers right here

	Presto Stainless Steel Electric Percolator #02811/02822
	Consumer Rating:		4.4 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners like it
	Price Range:		$50 to $100
	Farberware Percolator Classic Yosemite #50124
	Consumer Rating:		4.1 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners like it
	Price Range:		Under $50
	Paula Deen 8-Cup Stove Top Percolator
	Consumer Rating:		4.0 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners like it
	Price Range:		Under $50
	West Bend #54159 2 - 12 Cup Stainless Steel Electric Percolator
	Consumer Rating:		3.9 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners like it
	Price Range:		Under $50
	Dualit Cordless Percolator #84038
	Consumer Rating:		3.2 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners don't like it
	Price Range:		$50 to $100
	Cuisinart Classic 12 Cup Stainless Steel Percolator PRC-12
	Consumer Rating:		2.9 out of 5
	Overall Opinion:		Owners don't like it
	Price Range:		$50 to $100

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Percolator Coffee Pot Pros and Cons
How Does a Percolator Coffee Maker Work?

Pros and Cons of the Percolator Coffee Pot

Very hot brew and an aroma that fills the house are some of the things people love about using coffee percolators. Careful technique can ensure overextraction doesn't occur.

Pros

	Percolator coffee pots tend to produce a very hot cup of coffee. This is especially attractive to those who think automatic drip is never quite hot enough.
	Many think percolation makes a very robust and flavorful brew. Those accustomed to percolator coffee sometimes find coffee brewed by other methods to be too weak.
	Non-automatic models give you control over the brewing time.
	You can select a model that does not rely on electricity, making percolators great choices for camping and other outdoor use.
	Many percolator fans love the nostalgia factor associated with this brew method. The sounds, smells, and taste of percolator coffee remind them of simpler times.
	Durability is a strong point, particularly for stovetop models. There are no electronics to break. Consumers report using their percolators for decades.

Cons

	Over-extraction mistakes are easy to make, resulting in a bitter brew. Many claim that over-extraction is unavoidable, making the percolation method a bad choice.
	Boiling: If the user does not take care to end the brewing before the boiling point is reached, over-extraction will occur.
	Multiple passes over ground coffee: If proper temperature is not maintained, already-brewed coffee will be forced up the tube and will make multiple passes over the ground coffee, over-extracting the grounds.
	Brewing is slow, compared to other methods.
	Perfecting this method takes practice.
	Some think percolators themselves are rather clumsy. It is easy to spill grounds into the percolator body while measuring out grounds or situating the percolator basket. Clean up is a chore; several parts must be removed and rinsed, and cleaning the soggy grounds from the basket assembly is tedious.