If you’ve been drinking coffee for any length of time, you’ve probab...
Let’s start with a caveat. Nearly any coffee expert will tell you that a percolator is about the worst possible way to make coffee. Because the water is heated to a boil in order to perk, it’s really too hot for the coffee. It gets over extracted, and you end up with the bitterness and acidity that made coffee a ‘grownups only’ drink.
That said, there are people still who prefer perked coffee to any other kind. Taste is, after all, a matter of taste. In addition, those enormous coffee urns are still the best way to make lots and lots of coffee for a crowd.
A coffee percolator consists of five parts. There is the percolator coffee pot, into which you put your coffee. There is the stem, a hollow metal tube that fits into the bottom of the pot. In non-electric percolators, it has a flat, round bottom. There is the filter basket, which slides onto the tube and holds the ground coffee. There is the filter basket cover, a round perforated lid that fits on top of the filter basket and makes sure that the water showers the entire basket of coffee evenly. Finally, there is the coffee pot lid, which often has a glass bubble in it.
The glass bubble just might be the most fun part of the entire contraption. It lets you watch the coffee splurting up from the tube and splashing inside before it spills back down onto the lid.
Coffee percolators come in two distinct types – electric and non-electric. The electric percolators include coffee urns that can make up to forty cups of coffee at a time. Stovetop percolators are great for bringing along on camping trips. Both can actually make decent coffee despite their horrible reputation if you follow a few simple guidelines.
1. Keep all parts of the percolator clean.
That means washing the entire thing with dishwashing liquid and hot water every time you use it. To clean inside the stem, use a pipe cleaner or a long, thin brush.
2. Use freshly ground coffee.
Obviously, this may present a problem if you’re on a camping trip with no electricity miles from nowhere. In that case, carry your ground coffee in a vacuum container with a lid to prevent the air from getting at it and spoiling the flavor.
3. Disassemble the Coffee Percolator. Put the coffee stem in place.
4. Fill the Coffee Percolator with water to below the line on the stem where the filter basket will rest.
5. Put the filter basket in place.
Add one heaping tablespoon of coffee for each cup of water in the pot.
6. Fit the basket lid into place inside the percolator.
7. Here’s where we branch off in two directions. – If you are using an electric percolator, plug it in and turn it on. The coffee pot is now on its own until its done perking. If you are using a stove top percolator, put it over a low flame to heat the water. As soon as the first splurt of coffee hits that little glass bubble, turn the heat down. We now return you to your regularly scheduled directions. For both electric and stovetop pots:
[adinserter block=”2″] 8. Watch the pot carefully.
As soon as the pot stops perking, remove it from the heat.
9. This is the most important part of making coffee with a percolator.
Being careful not to scald yourself, remove the lid of the percolator and remove the entire filter stem from the pot. If you leave it in there, the steam from the coffee will continue to condense, drip over the spent coffee grounds and drip into your coffee.
10. Fill your cup and enjoy.
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Natalie says
David Greer, your recommendation to add a pinch or two of salt was one that I took from the very beginning. It made the coffee more flavourable as well. I recommended the same to my neighbors and they claimed that they didn’t even tasted the salt but their coffee was better. Thank you!
Instead of using vinegar + baking soda, have you tried to use Washing Soda? It is as inexpensive and you can get it at Walmart in the Laundry product isle. Use 1 Tbn. for every 4 cups of water. On the percolator, just perk this mixture as usual. Let it cool, discard the mixture. Then, rinse it well. Washing Soda is the same as Brew Rite but so much cheaper. A box of 55 oz. Washing Soda is about $3.24 at Walmart and it goes a long way.
David L. Greer says
Bob, based on my tastebuds/experiences u are correct. The less cracked and ground the better plus if still a bit bitter/acidic add a pinch of salt to pot as do I because sometimes it might also be the water. Look at my blog 497.
Bob Snelgrove says
@FRED
Extra fine coffee for percs goes against everything I have ever heard. The finer the grind, the more bitter it can be. Since percs recirc the coffee that just adds to the problem. But to each their own!
bob
David L. Greer says
General comments: Some (most?) people go far out of way to make simple things complicated but if they would occasionally turn down/off tv and/or cell phone, Ipod, etc and apply common sense and basic science thinking, it makes life’s pleasures, i.e., good coffee; more enjoyable w/o stress. It Ain’t That Difficult! Duh? or Duh! Still confused about means to make good coffee why not pick the brains of (several) older folks who used percs for years before drip pot swamp water coffee became vogue about 30 yrs ago and subsequent generations not taught even basic kitchen skills, everyone suddenly in too much a hurry/so much to do. Pant! Pant! Take notes of what they suggest and compare one w/another to suit your desires. I have drank coffees across the USA finding most northern and west coast stuff too weak and New Orleans french roast and chicory stuff fine for one or two cups then the remainder used for boot blacking. I’ve drank Mediterranean basin dark roast stuff and usually excellent and two small cups boiling Turkish/Greek mud via powdered beans and super sweet will carry one American consumer an entire day. They drink it often during day!? The main keys are. Beans: Light/mild roast is waste of money/efforts. Little flavor which is derived only via darker roasting. Try Medium, dark medium or dark roast. French roast is usually too heavy/oily. But, I sometimes find bargains of it and use to mix w/lees dark grinds. Dark too heavy then save it and try medium and blend the dark grinds 1:4 until used. Waste not want not. Water: If your tap water supply is so poor that one must purchase bottled stuff, I suggest moving. Water supplied by systems in the USA are safe but, if like mine in West Tenn. is hard with dissolved minerals which can be beneficial and only affects laundry soap sudsing, spots on glassware but corrected via adding borax and occasional soaking/flush shower heads w/white vinegar to remove calcium deposits. My hard water not affect taste of coffee, tea or cooking. I occasionally perc a cup of vinegar w/pot of water to clean my maker, rinse and finish by percing w/2 Tbs baking soda and water to sweeten it, then rinse. Waste money if desired but investigations have shown that much/most bottled water comes from someone’s tap and labels (claims) are cheap/lie. However, should you obtain your water via your well as do many folks here, and your water tastes bad, have health/water dept check and/or if your well is down-stream of your/neighbor’s septic tank/out-house, you might sink another well out of the flow stream/direction. Only then would I suggest buying bottled water or via less costly means. A lot of the previous re water is rather tongue-in-cheek but also serious, for some. Use your head for what it intended/designed.
Fred says
Hi Sara,
I’m fussy when it comes to my coffee so here is my way and its always consistently perfect flavor out of your “flame ware”: 1)Use spring water (I get it by the gallon at Walmart) 2)grind up coffee beans for full 20secs then 15sec more (this extra-fine grind) will get the full flavor out when it comes to full perc turn burnes to lowest setting (I use Gas) this should allow for “perc-down” 6 or 8 mins, p.s. I use 58 grams for 9 cup flame-ware pot. Note if you have soft water in your area you could skip the botttled spring water but I like the Walmart Maine water here.
Fred.
David L. Greer says
Sara, More info I meant to include re ur pot. Please look at my blog 241 re Corning/Pyrex pots. If yours fits re handle straps attached via adhesive you might retro fit w/simple bolts/screws, etc any handyman could rig. Any parts, i.e., clips/straps, etc. might be obtained at a neighborhood (old-type) hardware store where experienced old guys like myself might assist.
David L. Greer says
Sara, If you have confirmed that the pot actually percs. timing begans when percing starts when water temp reaches about 200F, Not, when you turn on the stove. If heat and timing not problem then there another. All Parts? (1) Must include a tube with wide collector at base which captures the heated water and directs up tube:(2) basket w/lid: (3) pot cover. Make tests w/o coffee using min. amount water. Heat to percing and determine that water travels into basket and drains easily (basket holes not plugged. If all works well then problems should be in amount of time and/or coffee being too, too mild a roast. If coffee the problem, too light a roast makes weak lousy coffee. I suggest using medium/med dark roast and use-up your lighter roast grind via mixing 1:4 w/new dark roast. Waste not want not. Let us know.
Bob Snelgrove says
I use 2TBS (10 grams) per 5 oz of water. You need to tell us your ratio!
bob
Natalie says
By the way, when I mentioned cup, it means a “coffee” cup. One coffee cup is not the regular 8oz. It’s between 5.6 oz. to 7oz. depending on the manufacturer.
Natalie says
Hi Sara, there are a few possibilities but without having any details at your end, these are what I can think of…
Is your heat diffuser metal? The surface looks similar to a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet. If you have a cast iron skillet large enough for your percolator to sit in, you may want to try it this way and see if it works better.
As for the recommendation of 5-8 minutes, was it in the original manual? If no, where did you get that information? From my experience, depending on how much coffee I’m making, the normal time for perking is 1 minute per cup. Please note, this is when the perk begins. You may want to do the same for the first time. Then, you can adjust the timing or quantity of coffee to fit your taste.
How many cups are you making and how much coffee are you adding? Could it be that you’re not adding enough coffee?
Sara says
Hi all, I recently bought a Pyrex flameware percolator from an antique store and it appears to be in mint condition. I have watched others youtube videos to see how to use it, and (despite my best efforts) mine makes really weak coffee! The parts are all there; I’m using perc grind coffee; I have a heat diffuser for my electric stove-top; but it seems like the only way to get a strong brew from it is to let it perk way longer than the recommended 5-8 minutes.
I was so excited to use this percolator, but now it’s just making me sad!
Pheline says
Hee hee – by the time I got to the bottom of this I forgot what I was going to say. Gotta love it when a “comments” section goes on, literally, for *years*.
Luckily I remembered: some say the biggest problem is too much heat. I live in Boulder so I can’t overheat it. A recent percolator experiment with a cheap aluminum pot & French roasted beans produced excellent brew- so much so that I’m keeping my eye out for a better one.
I think the biggest percolator problem is over extraction; too much water or time for the beans. That’s why I need to know how long to perk! Anyone?
Natalie says
Bob, you seem to like glass percolators. I prefer the stainless steel type. With my disability, I know I will break the glass eventually. Mine is the Society Easy-Flo 10-cup electric percolators.
I have also purchased from eBay older model of the Presto 10-cup and 12-cup stainless steel percolators for friends and they’re still working fine. My friends love them.
Best of luck to you with your bids.
Bob Snelgrove says
Thanks, Natalie.
Mind sharing what brand, model, vintage you have that serves you so well? I have been following them on ebay and it seems the older Faberwares superfasts are really good? While waiting, I picked this up on a lark and maybe a cool conservation piece:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170761677508?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Here are some pics from another; check out the cool mood lighting:
http://kitchenmadeusa.com/ProductImages.aspx?ProductId=2052256
I digress, I know . The best strong, black, smooth, rich coffee is my goal!
thx
bob
Natalie says
Bob, please believe me, not many of us here like burned coffee neither. And if percolators burn coffee, we certainly wouldn’t be using percolators neither, would we? And, you wouldn’t have spent time and money buying a new one 3 or 4 times neither, would you?
There’s a different in the regular dripping method coffeemaker and how a percolator makes coffee. If you already have used 4 percolators then, you would know that the perk and drip cycle is repeated in a percolator. Pre-electric percolators were heated over a stove or campfire. The coffee taste could be adjusted by timing how long one wants the cycle to repeat. Once the coffee had reached to one’s taste, the percolator was removed from the heat.
On the other hand, an electric percolator saves us from having to do all that. It has its own timer to cut off the heat. Those electric percolators that have a mild to strong adjustment, it allows the timer to cut off early for mild coffee or perk longer for stronger coffee. Those that do not have this feature, it is up to us to adjust the quantity of the ground coffee used.
Now, you mentioned “Chinese”. Well, if it was me and I’m Asian, I can’t expect much from an appliance made in China. Tea perhaps but not appliances. This is one of the reason why so many of us purchased older model of electric percolators. Many were made in the USA and were made of better quality. Mine was made in the 1960’s, in USA, and it’s still going strong. It doesn’t burn coffee; instead, it makes a smooth and very tasteful cup of coffee.
If you are still after an electric percolator, try looking for one on eBay and make sure it’s not made in China.
Bob Snelgrove says
Percs with brewing strength? Like the older G.E.s What does the “mild – strong” adjustment do? We have been through 3 Chinese GE’s and a Chinese presto, using Starbucks House Blend and they all seem to burn the coffee while brewing. My wife can’t stand the smell in the kitchen while the old Krups drip with the same coffee smells wonderful?
thx
bob
Diane says
Great site! Just perked my AM coffee instead of a K-cup!
Valmiki says
Own a French Press and a non elec Percolator.Having lived in India and the Caribbean and had the greatest flavors of coffee growing up.I would recommend having both and going for the coarse grind.
K.R says
Hi all, after riding the Krups/Braun/Mellita merry-go-round myself and wondering why it was my father in law could make great tasting coffee at the cabin with an old percolator and inexpensive coffee, I resurrected my Korean-made circa 1998 Well-Built brand 8- cup machine for testing with a remote reading thermometer. I found a fairly consistant 8 1/2 minute perc time, and after reaching a maximum coffee temp of 200.4 degrees/199 deg. in the grounds, the percolating would stop. After one-half hour the hold/warm temp. of the coffee is 186 degrees. As Eric stated above years ago, there is no boiling of water occuring, even in the well. It is the clear winner in a same quantity water/coffee “taste off” with my current drip, a commercial Bunn pour-over that replaced a the Mellita wich never got as hot as it claimed. The Bunn gives 191-194 degree brew temp measured in the grounds.
Kudos to the Bunn, on its speed(2 minutes!), ease of use, and back to back brewing ability. I think if it brewed slower, it would do better though.
Can’t wait to try the old Corningwear stove-top perc I picked up!
BRAT says
Very nice and informative thread. I’m kinda glad the electric drip broke, Been using the SS stovetop perc for a week now, and love it!
Jean says
My Chinese coffee pot broke (2nd one in 14 months) Will not buy another Chinese coffee pot. Went crazy, on E-Bay and before I knew it I won 3 glass Pyrex flame ware and one GE electric vacuum type. Oh yea, a stainless steel Sunbeam Coffee Master vacuum type too. Just made coffee in my first Pyrex. Hot as hell! That was one problem we had with the electric drip types, not hot enough. Read the blog and learned how to make coffee in my American made Pyrex. May be selling one of these soon. Going after the Corey with the glass rod as the filter.
Amy says
Thank you Natalie. I will open up the bottom and take a look to see!
Natalie says
Jana, I forgot to mention. It maybe that the timer of your percolator is off and needs adjustment.
Natalie says
Jana, I believe the newer models of Presto were made in China, not of good quality. Many of us purchased older models through eBay because they were made in USA and were mostly of better qualit. Did you tried to contact Presto and see if they have any suggestion for repair?
Amy, if your percolator has a light, it should turned on after it is done percolating. If it doesn’t, the pilot light is burned out. Sometimes, these lights are easy to be replaced. You’d need to open the unit and see and check it out. If you’re not comfortable opening the percolator unit, you can bring to a local small appliance repair shop and see if they can check it out for you.
Amy says
I bought a vintage Hamilton Beach 35 cup percolator at an estate sale for….$1.50 woohoo! It cleaned up very nice. I ran a few cycles of water and vinegar through it to clean the inside, which worked very well. Now, I’ve noticed that the little light at the base doesn’t turn on :( It doesn’t seem to affect the function of the unit, but I’m wondering maybe it turns on after it’s done percolating? I waited about 10 minutes after it was done percolating, but it never turned on. About how long should I wait until I should make a determination that the light just doesn’t work?
Jana says
I bought a 12 cup Presto percolator a year and a half ago because of these posts and it has stopped perking correctly. The coffee is weak and watery. I have changed nothing but I can tell it’s not perking the same due to the sound. Has anyone else had this experience? It was very highly rated online at Walmart.com and was a great price. Any suggestions for a better model or something I can do with this one? It’s electric.
Thanks! Please e-mail me any thoughts/ideas. In the meantime I am using a vintage corningware stove top perk.
Natalie says
Kirby, yes, you can use regular ground coffee. I do it all the time. However, you’d need to use a paper filter in order for the ground not falling through the filter cup holes. Using a paper filter also helps to clean up easily. I use a single-hole hand puncher and punch a hole in the center of the filter.
Kirby says
Can I use “ground” coffee with a perculator? I know there is a special grind for perculators, but I have some ground coffee from Costa Rica I want to serve for Thanksgiving.
Joel says
Just wanted to add that I have been using percolators for years and got tired of the Farberware ones breaking quickly. Switched to Cuisinart brand and have been happy with it for years.
Natalie says
Hi Brianna, first of all, it’s not baking soda, it is Washing Soda that you’d use to clean percolators and other coffee makers. Normally, you can find a box of it in the laundry detergent isle at your local store.
Products sold globally don’t always make it to the USA. But I will look up your percolator brand and see if I find any more information and will come back with it.
You are correct. On most electric percolators, the light (if there’s one) will come on after the percolator finished perking. It’s best to wait another minute or two before pouring to allow all the coffee in the filter cup to drip down. If you keep it plugged in, it will keep your coffee warm. Once you’re done using it or when it is empty, the percolator needs to be unplug.
In an electric percolator, the only way to adjust the coffee to suite your taste is to add or subtract the quantity of the coffee ground. Whereas, a stovetop percolator will keep on perking until you remove it from the heat. The more it perks, the stronger the coffee would be.
brianna says
Hi guys. Thanks so much for all the info! I’ve only started drinking coffee since I got promoted (and need to be more alert!) and a coffee roaster/cafe moved in next door. I dug out my grandmother-in-law’s 50’s or 60’s electric perc to try and make it at home and stop giving all my money to the cafe next door. It’s a Langco Coffeematic and I think that is the same as the Universal Coffeematic, at least it looks the same as in a youtube vid I found! Has anyone heard of it? (PS We are in Australia) My questions are: whether 4 cups is the minimum to make and does it stop automatically when the light comes on? ie I don’t have to unplug it? I tried my first pot tonight and it seems a bit harsh and not quite strong enough, but I’m not sure how long it’s been since it was last used so I will try the baking soda clean out and use your guidelines for coffee/water ratio (as opposed to guessing like I did tonight….) Thanks in advance :)
Natalie says
You’re very welcome. Glad to be of help. Please keep in mind that I’m not the author of this page. Most credits should go to the author for making these information available. I’m merely one of the contributor among many that have been here.
Therefore, for those of you new readers, you’d gain tons of information if you take the time and read all the comments. I understand, it’s alot but I did just that not too long ago and have learned so much too.
Happy perking!
Jack, Michael and Joe says
thank you natalie- you have most definitely helped us through our final year at university.
X
Natalie says
The majority of percolators need a minimum of 4 cups of water in order for the perk cycle to work through and repeats simultaneously. Smaller size percolators may work with less water as in the case of 2-4 cup size percolators. With these, you can make a minimum of 2 cups and max of 4 cups.
A few things you’d need to keep in mind when purchasing percolators:
1. If you want to make another batch of coffee with an electric percolator, you’d need to wait until the unit cools down before enabling to make the next batch. A stovetop percolator does not have this requirement.
2. A stovetop percolator needs to be watched and timed when perking. Most electric ones are automatic and will keep your coffee warm once it’s done perking. They are faster too, they will perk within a minute after it is plugged in.
3. The larger the percolator, the longer it’d take to make coffee. I have a 55-cup electric percolator for parties and that takes up to 1 hour to make coffee.
I have about 3 different size percolators that allow me to chose which to use for how many people I serve. My everyday one is a 10-cup eletric percolator. I can make as little as 4 cups of coffee with this one. You guys may want to do the same.
Hope these infos help. Happy bidding :o)
Jack, Michael and Joe says
We were having an argument about coffee makers. Michael doesn\’t even drink coffee but has had much to say. I (jack) want to buy a percolator and ebay seems a good place to go about this. Our dilemma concerns the size of coffee maker. I instinctively went for the biggest size- hold up- michael and joe said i was being a n00b and that biggest was not best. i replied that i wanted the option of making coffee for as many people as possible- in a potential dinner party situation for example- but no, came the reply. apparently making less coffee than you need creates some sort of problem with the pressure in the percolator. i have never heard of this problem- is it real?? X p.s. this thread is great!!
Natalie says
Great stories! Thanks for sharing Robert.
Robert Baker says
I never used to drink coffee as a youngster, but my mom and dad used to make coffee in an old aluminum stove top percolator. I remember my dad telling me to watch the coffee pot, and as soon as it begin to perk, to be sure do turn down the burner to simmer. I’ll never forget that early morning coffee smell that filled the kitchen. Soon after, I joined the Navy (back in the 1950s) and spent several years on an aircraft carrier. We always had coffee, but I never knew how they made it until my number came up to work down in the galley. They use 60 gallon steam heated “coppers” as we called them. I was shown how to make coffee, and remember they opened up a large metal container of coffee grounds (I think it was 25 pounds, but I’m not sure now). As I remember, there was a large metal disk with holes in it and a cloth covering that was pulled over it. We dumped the can of coffee over it, closed the lid, and turned on the hot water (boy, was it hot!). In a little while, 60 gallons of coffee. I guess we would call this “drip” coffee. I still was not a coffee drinker yet, so I cannot attest to how good it was, but the sailors drank it with gusto. Now, the Chief petty officers had their own kitchen. They had these large coffee makers with a glass tube along the side to show how much coffee was inside, and a spiggot on the bottom to get a cup of their special brew. The grounds went into a cloth bag on top, and now water was poured automatically over the grounds until somehow it knew when to stop. I have seen these in some of those old Twilight Zone programs. I guess that was typical of truck stops back then. Moving ahead a couple of years after I got out of the Navy, I met my wife, and she made a cup of coffee and a couple pieces of toast! Wow! What a cook! Three months later we were married, and have now been making coffee for over fifty years together! We still love to “perk” ours. Isn’t the way to a man’s heart through a coffee pot?
rsqdogsmom says
Natalie, Bless your heart!
Thanks so much for telling me exactly where to look.
I did read the whole thread, but I guess I zoned out there for a while. ;-)
That Popular Mechanics article is amazing!
Perfect for troubleshooting. From 1976, no less. Figures.
I’m going to get the percolater back out & see which one of the problems I’m dealing with. Then, I’ll know what to do.
Thanks again for your help.
I’m really excited at the thought of being able to use this machine again.
( and how pathetic is THAT!);-)
Natalie says
rsqdogsmom, if you would like to try and fix the percolator yourself, look at post #430. I posted a couple of websites that showed the mechanical built of a basic electric percolator.
As for parts, try to contact Sunbeam directly and see if they still make parts or can direct you to someone that does.
You can also continued and read on the posts after (431, 432, etc.) on this page to see a couple of places that may carry parts you need. If they don’t have them, google around or look up on eBay.
Good luck.
rsqdogsmom says
I purchased a vintage Sunbeam electric percolator on EBay a few years ago. It made the best coffee that I have ever had! I used it daily for 2 years but, unfortunately, I apparently used it to death!
Earlier in this thread, I read that there might be a way to fix the problem.
If it heats but does not ‘perk’ is the problem the thermostat? Also, if it does not heat at all, is it the cord? I purchased a new cord when I got this so it did not occur to me that this 1 year old cord could have gone bad while the 40-year-old percolator was still good!
I would be so thrilled to be able to use this again: it is a very unusual style, being OVAL in shape instead of ROUND, so, for me, part of the fun was simply using this graceful machine, in addition to the great taste.
If it is the thermostat, is this a part that is readily available? I’d like to know where to start to look for the part, then I’ll try to find someone to fix it. ;-)
I couldn’t bear to throw it away even though it was not working, so I’ve had it sitting in my dining room on top of my 1940’s Hoosier cabinate. Thanks for any help troubleshooting my precious percolator!
Cribster says
Hi Kerry,
That’s something I do quite frequently. Start the heat on medium-high and keep a close eye on it. As soon as you can see it start to perk through the bubbler turn it down real low so you get about a perk every second or two.
It takes about five minutes, you can judge by the color through the glass and the smell. If you leave it on high it will burn real quick.
Kerry Lanahan says
How long to brew on a Coleman camp stove with a percolator
Natalie says
Chris, the difference in the percolator vs. the other coffee makers is that the cycle repeats. With a stovetop percolator, by removing the pot from the heat, we can stop the cycle once the brew had reached our taste (mild –> strong). The electric percolator will automatically stop after gone through a few cycles.
The cycles give more time for the coffee to open up and release its flavor and creates a silky smooth coffee.
Chris says
A nice read other than the beginning, the topic about water and how it has to get hot to move up a tube; what is it that you trying to say here? If the water being held by the pot or machine is lower than the filter and coffee grains, then that machine, like many others is using heat to move water up a tube and in turn dumping the hot water onto the coffee grains. At least for me, everything I have ever owned has worked by way of heat makes the water overcome gravity and sends water up above the coffee grains to make me a pot of coffee to enjoy. Again, other than the beginning of this web page and the reference of burning water and then the coffee, a good web page and some good information from others that have posted comments.
Patty says
Thanks Sandra, Deb and Natalie. I also found a ‘used in box’ auction with a picture that stated ‘Stainless Steel’ on the box. Relieved! Enjoying my perc coffee from my Farberware 134B as I write this morning…aahhhh.
Natalie says
Thanks Joanie. I made one for a a tall teapot too. I doubled the cotton batter layers. The cozies literally keeps the coffee and tea hot for hours.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve lost on eBay biddings. What had helped me when bidding on eBay is waiting until the last hour (1 hr.) of the bid. Then, I’d put my absolute max amount plus a few more cents (not according to the set up increments) that I’m willing to pay for the item and let it bid. If someone bid over my limit, I don’t feel as bad because it was my max.
I also often look for items that are “buy it now”. When the price is right, it’s worth just to pay for it and not having to worry about someone else snatching the item away from you.
Deb says
Oops; I meant perc, not perch. LOL, I hate the new auto spell corrector.
Joanie says
Just wanted to check in and say I continue to love my stovetop perc. Best coffee in the world. I’ve solved the morning rush problem by just organizing myself a bit better. I set up the pot the night before and then just turn it on in the morning. By the time I take the dogs out it’s starting to perk and then it’s just a matter of turning the burner down and waiting a few minutes for the coffee to finish. Yes, it’s more work than a timer-drip model but oh, so worth it.
Natalie, I love your coffeepot cozy. Perfect solution! I will have to attempt one.
Still trying to score a vintage electric perc on ebay. I’ve lost out on several now that they have that automatic bid thing going where the robot comes in and outbids you at the last possible second ;-)
Take care, all, and enjoy that coffee!
Natalie says
Actually, stainless steel alone is not magnetic. Unless, the SS is cored with other magnetic metal.
I did some search and the same make and model percolator sold on eBay stated differently. Some would stated that it was SS and some stated that it was chrome. None however, stated that the pot was aluminum.
Deb says
The Farberware 134B is stainless. And good quality stainless is NOT magnetic; in fact, that is how we used to test the quality of fittings back when I worked in the marine industry. Aluminum is typically a dull almost grayer color, whereas stainless is usually shiny like chrome….at least when it comes to coffee pots. So don’t worry about your percolator. Enjoy!
Here’s a link to the same perch, new in box, for sale:
http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Farberware-134B-2-4-Cup-Superfast-Percolator-New-in-Open-Box/39386493