Page Contents:
-Stovetop Percolators
-Electric Percolators
-Replacement Glass Tops
-55-Cup Urn
-How a Percolator Works

Related Pages:
-Percolator Cleaner
-Percolator Coffee Filters
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Coffee Percolators

The Percolator is one of the more familiar methods of brewing coffee in the U.S. It works by sending boiling water upwards, through a tube to the top of a perforated basket, where it rains down over the coffee grounds, and back down into the boiling water to start the process repeatedly. Many people still enjoy this old favorite, and with careful timing you can get a wonderful cup.

To "percolate" means to filter through. It also means to become spirited, lively, just like the bubbling you see inside the glass top of non-automatic percolators. The glass top helps you to see the changing color of the brew and determine its readiness for consumption.

Approximate brewing time for about 6 cups: 5 min
Approximate brewing/serving size: 5 oz/cup

Stovetop percolators should be watched while brewing, so they can be removed from the heat source when brewing is completed. If left on the heat source for too long, they can cause over-boiling, which tends to release bitterness in the coffee and mask distinct flavors and tastier blends.

Electric percolators make a consistent brew by automatically stopping the percolation when the coffee is done. Most automatically switch to a warming mode after brewing is completed.

Clean your coffeemaker on a regular basis, in order to keep your coffee tasting great every time. 

And, of course, use the best coffee you can find. You'll find our selection on the Coffee Beans page. Buy only the amount you'll use within 2-4 weeks, and store it properly. Learn more about coffee and coffeemakers in our brief Coffee Guide.

	2-3 Cup Stovetop Percolator $29.99 #9759	5-3/4" high overall, 3-3/4" diameter base 18/8 stainless steel body, cover, pump, basket & spreader plate, "Permawood" laminated wood handle, Hinged cover with replaceable glass top, Engraved water-fill-level graduated markings on side, Can be used on induction cooktops, Dishwasher safe China
	2-6 Cup Stovetop Percolator $31.99 #9760	6-3/8" high overall, 4-3/4" diameter base 18/8 stainless steel body, cover, pump, basket & spreader plate, "Permawood" laminated wood handle, Hinged cover with replaceable glass top, Engraved water-fill-level graduated markings on side, Can be used on induction cooktops, Dishwasher safe China
	2-9 Cup Stovetop Percolator $34.99 #9761	7-3/4" high overall, 4-7/8" diameter base 18/8 stainless steel body, cover, pump, basket & spreader plate, "Permawood" laminated wood handle, Hinged cover with replaceable glass top, Engraved water-fill-level graduated markings on side, Can be used on induction cooktops, Dishwasher safe China
	2-12 Cup Stovetop Percolator $36.99 #9762	8-3/4" high overall, 5-1/2" diameter base 18/8 stainless steel body, cover, pump, basket & spreader plate, "Permawood" laminated wood handle, Hinged cover with replaceable glass top, Engraved water-fill-level graduated markings on side, Can be used on induction cooktops, Dishwasher safe China
	Glacier Stainless Steel Percolator, 14-Cup $69.99 #9764	14 cup capacity, 8.5" high to top of lid, 10.6" high with bail handle raised, 6.6" diameter base, Stainless steel body, handle, pump, basket, and cover, Heat resistant plastic top, Made in China Not for use on flat or induction stovetops. High quality stainless steel, for stove and camping use.
	Glacier Stainless Steel Percolator, 36-Cup $129.99 #9765	36 cup capacity, 11.5" to top of lid, 14.7" high with bail handle raised, 9.3" diameter base, Stainless steel body, handle, pump, basket, and cover, Heat resistant plastic top, Made in China Not for use on flat or induction stovetops. High quality stainless steel, for stove and camping use.
	Blue Agate Stovetop Percolator, 8-Cup $27.99 #5067	8 cup capacity, 9" high, 5.9" diameter base, Enameled steel body, White specks on blue, Aluminum pump, basket and cover, Heat resistant plastic top, For stovetop and camp use, Made in Mexico Old fashioned, attractive blue agate, for the stovetop or your next camping trip.
	Green Enameled Stovetop Percolator, 8-Cup $27.99 #5062	8 cup capacity, 8.9" high, 5.75" diameter base, Enameled steel body, Small white specks on green, Aluminum pump, basket and cover, Heat resistant plastic top, For stovetop and camp use, Made in China Old fashioned, attractive green enamel, for the stovetop or your next camping trip.
	Red Enamel Stovetop Percolator, 8-Cup $27.99 #5065	8 cup capacity, 8.9" high, 5.75" diameter base, Enameled steel body, Small white specks on red, Aluminum pump, basket and cover, Heat resistant plastic top, For stovetop and camp use, Made in China Old fashioned, attractive red enamel, for the stovetop or your next camping trip
	8 Cup Simax Glass Percolator $14.99 #121013	7-1/4" high, 5-1/4" diameter at base, Black plastic lid, stem, basket, spreader and bubble top, Borosilicate glass, Stovetop safe when filled, Use metal trivet with electric heating elements Czech Republic

	Cuisinart 6-12 Cup Classic Electric Percolator Model PRC-12 $59.99 9885	Makes 6 to 12 cups, 12-1/2" high overall, 4" round top, 6-1/8" round base, 6, 8, 10 and 12 cups inside markings, Stay-cool plastic base and handle, Transparent acrylic knob, Stainless body, pump tube and spring, basket and lid, cover, Removable cord for serving, Indicator lights at end of brewing, 120v 1000w, 3 year limited warranty China Manual
	Farberware 2-4 Cup Electric Percolator $49.99 #15526	Stainless, Super fast brew cycle, Auto-switch to "warm," 1000w 120v, 9.5" tall China (Manual PDF 501 KB)
	Farberware 2-8 Cup Electric Percolator $54.99 #15527	Stainless, Super fast brew cycle, Auto-switch to "warm," 1000w 120v, 11.5" tall China
	Farberware 2-12 Cup Electric Percolator $59.99 #15528	Stainless, Super fast brew cycle, Auto-switch to "warm," 1000w 120v, 12.5" tall China

	Small Replacement Percolator Glass Top $2.29 #11380	Fits openings 13/16" to 1-1/2" Glass top with aluminum fastening ring Fits the above stainless steel stovetop percolators and many others Do not over-tighten! Made in USA
	Large Replacement Percolator Glass Top $2.49 #8131	Fits openings 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" Glass top with aluminum fastening ring Do not over-tighten! Made in USA

Waring Pro Professional 55-Cup Coffee Urn $129.99 #7821

55 cup capacity, Under 30 minute brew time, Dual heater for brewing and keeping hot, Commercial spigot, Removable sight glass with brush, Ready and power indicator lights, Stainless steel components, Brushed stainless exterior, 18-1/2" high overall, 9-5/8" diameter base, 8-3/8" interior diameter, Approved for commercial use, UL Listed 120v, 60hz, 1600 watts, 1 year limited warranty China

Top

~ Percolator Parts ~
~ How to Make Percolator Coffee ~
~ How a Percolator Works ~

 
~ Percolator Parts ~

♦ Cover Knob

A translucent glass or plastic top cover knob helps you see the color of the coffee, and is especially desirable on stovetop percolators, to help you determine when to stop the brewing.

A clear top is not necessary for most electric percolators. They usually have timers that stop the brewing process, making it unnecessary to monitor the color of the coffee.

♦ Spreader Cover

Has a hole in the center, through which fits the Pump Stem. Fits snugly on top of the Basket.

Usually with a series of circular rings and lots of openings, shaped and sized to create a soaking shower effect on the grounds below.

The Spreader Cover also helps to keep grounds from splashing upwards.

♦ Basket

It has a central tube or round opening, through which the Pump Stem is inserted.

Small holes along the Basket bottom help keep all but the smallest coffee grounds in the Basket, while allowing the liquid infusion to pass through.

Special flat and envelope shaped paper filters can be used inside this Basket, to help smooth the taste and allow for less grounds to pass through to the infusion below.

♦ Pump Stem

This long tube sits in the middle of the pot, extends from the base up to the underside of the lid, supports the Basket, and operates as the non-mechanical pump which makes a percolator function.

The Pump Stem has a round base which usually sits flat on a stovetop percolator, or a ringed based which sits within a cavity or well inside an electric percolator. The base of the stem must be kept clean and undamaged for the coffeemaker to function properly.

Some distance up the stem there is usually a protruding flange, on which the Basket is seated.

On electric percolators there is a spring above this flange, which keeps the Basket pushed upwards and the Pump Stem downwards, to keep a better seal with the lid on and closer contact between the base of the Pump Stem and the heating elements underneath.
 

 
~ How to Make Percolator Coffee ~

♦ Add water to the empty pot, to the level desired according to the markings on the pot walls. (By the way, the standard measurement for a cup of coffee is 5 oz.)

♦ Place the Basket on the Pump Stem and insert them into the pot. (On electric percolators, the base of the Pump Stem must be seated properly into the cavity or well at the bottom.)

♦ If you are using a paper filter, place it inside the Basket.

♦ Add coarsely ground coffee into the Basket, allowing 1 tablespoon for each cup , or according to taste. (Consider 1-1/2 tablespoons for medium strength, and 2 tablespoons for a strong cup of coffee.)

♦ Place the Spreader Cover over the Basket.

♦ Close the pot securely.

♦ -- Electric percolator - Plug it in, (adjust coffee strength settings, if any,) and turn it on. It will stop brewing when it's done. Most electric percolators stay on to keep the coffee hot.

♦ -- Stovetop percolator - Place it over a heat source at about a medium heat. (If a flame, keep it under the pot.) When you see the desired color in the coffee that appears through the clear glass or plastic cover knob, remove from heat and serve.

♦ Serve when brewed. If you need to serve it later or over a period of time, transfer it to a thermal carafe to keep it hot and its taste fresh.
 

 
~ How a Percolator Works ~

The basic principle relies on air bubbles that form in boiling water at the bottom of the pot and their natural rising action. The base of the Pump Stem tube is designed to concentrate this flow of bubbles toward the tube opening. The tube is smaller in diameter than bubbles, so that each snugly-fitting bubble that passes through the tube will carry a bit of water above it along its upward journey.

As these continuous jets of water reach the top of the Pump Stem, they discharge onto the Spreader Cover, which helps disperse the water over the grounds underneath in a more uniform manner, and also keeps grounds from splashing up.

Repeatedly, the infusion will boil upwards and filter through the grounds back down into the pot. Each time the water filters through the grounds, it moves more of the oils into the infusion, making it stronger. Too much time on the stove can make a pot of coffee bitter, and too little time can make it weak.

Good quality coffee, ground and measured properly and consistently, can make your coffee taste great all the time. Experiment until you find the optimal taste for you.
 

Download this Coffee Percolator Guide (PDF 85.8 KB)