What is the difference between a coffee pot and a percolator

You have a cup of coffee. The main differences are the number of times this process needs to be repeated and the resulting flavor, strength, and mouthfeel. In this corner, we have the modern marvel, the drip coffee maker. To elaborate on the above description of how these machines work, you start the drip brewing process by placing a paper filter and grounds in the designated compartment.

Proceed by filling a water reservoir and turn on the machine. The drip coffee machine will heat the water to boiling or near-boiling, and the steam will rise through a tube system until it reaches a drip area where it is dispersed. The heated water evenly flows through the grounds and filter then into the waiting coffee pot. This cycle is usually only performed once, which is what differentiates it from a percolator. If you want a few recommendations on which drip brewer to buy, check out this article for a few of our favorites.

The percolator was invented by American soldier and scientist Count Rumford, U. So the tool had been an American staple for over a century before the drip coffee makers arrived. Percolators differ from drip coffee makers in that they cycle water through the grounds multiple times. With a percolator, you are going to get a strong, robust but bitter tasting coffee, due to the combination of consistent boiling and the length of time the percolator runs.

The water in the bottom of the pot can get to a rolling boil and the already brewed coffee can cycle through grounds multiple times. Because of this, users must essentially babysit their percolator to maintain the proper temperature and brew time. Once you get a hang of it, this method can brew a decent cup of coffee. The main pull of this method is its versatility. Percolators come in self-heating and non-self-heating options.

That means some of them can be used both in-house on a stove-top or in a microwave, or on camping trips over a fire. On the other hand, a drip coffee maker only runs water through once, making a brew that is cleaner and less strong. If you are trying to make coffee for a LOT of people in a relatively short period of time, a percolator is probably the better choice. Some can even brew in the realm of twelve cups at a time. These two things are clearly not the same.

Here are my reasons: Moka pots - They use small amounts of pressurized water flowing through the coffee grind to make a fine stovetop espresso. On the other hand Natecat 2 2 bronze badges. Anthony Pham Anthony Pham 1, 1 1 gold badge 13 13 silver badges 33 33 bronze badges. I was under the impression that moka was not espresso - hot water is pushed through the coffee grounds by steam pressure, but it is not actually under pressure.

This answer about moka pots and crema states that the pressure, for one thing, is much lower in moka pots -- on the order of 1. PythonMaster - I don't know what you mean by your statement "The steam goes up then comes down" -- but I think for a percolator this statement is inaccurate; other than condensation, steam isn't at work; water goes up the tube and drips over the grounds. Also, it's not mentioned, but a percolator seems to me to be flawed in that it boils the water containing the coffee; I've always read that water for coffee should be lower than boiling or it becomes bitter.

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Accept all cookies Customize settings. It has the SS strainer inside on a post, a plastic see-through top knob, and an electric cord. Nov 09, Percolation is highly underrated by: Mark I think the issue is American-style coffee, which is pretty weak compared to how the rest of the world drinks its coffee, and so most Americans can't really handle all the flavors that are supposed to be in coffee.

In Italy and other parts of Europe, the Bialetti Mokka Express, a simple, stovetop espresso percolator, is the most popular home coffee maker there is. I own one, one of the smaller models, that makes about 2 little demitasse cupfuls of coffee, and love it. When I first got it, I made a few bitter, burnt-tasting cups because I left it on the stove too long, but after a few tries, I got the hang of knowing the exact right time to take it off based on sound, and get a perfect cup every time.

Also, a lot of the ongoing criticism of percolators, at least the electric ones, is based on way outdated information, as the thermostats on new models have gotten much better, and they automatically click into "warm" mode as soon as the coffee is brewed, so they aren't recycling it through the grounds multiple times like people think they are.

I have a cup Hamilton Beech urn that makes its coffee by percolation that I use for parties, and people rave about the coffee it makes, even though I find it weak compared to the Bialetti and it is more like American-style coffee. Between the good thermostat and brew control, and the fact that with such a big volume, the grounds are pretty far above the heat source, the coffee is generally comparable to drip coffee in quality, except a little bit richer in flavor.

Plus for a large crowd, a big percolating urn is the best way to make and keep coffee without hiring a barista. Also everyone who tries my Coffee is amazed at how good it is!

U can find a Used Presto 12 cup on ebay! Don't be afraid of a used machine they last forever and u can buy a Cleaner called Dip it by Lime Away at any grocery Store or on Amazon and make it just like new inside! The Faberware is a good machine! I'd recommend the Presto 12 cup 1st. But both blow away any drip machine on the planet as long as u don't use any paper filters! I left exact directions a few posts ago! Cheers, The Truth! I get excellent results with both but generally find that the percolator makes coffee that is really competitive but different in character with the Bonavita's coffee, a lot better than most people would have you think.

I think I've found the reason I'm getting such good results with the percolator compared to the drip coffee maker though. I live at feet and water boils at degrees here, 11 degrees cooler than at sea level. That means that the water is cooler than it would be at sea level with both coffee makers by the time it hits the grounds.

I've confirmed this with an electronic thermometer. This means that the Bonavita is hitting lower than ideal temps and the percolator is getting closer to ideal temps during the brewing process. I just wanted to share this for what it's worth. Jun 26, Older is better by: Kkmkl I recently found a Farberware B Superfast electric percolator in a box of things my in-laws were getting rid of.

I've been trying to recreate good old fashioned N. Having no success, I decided to try the percolator. Was I ever pleasantly surprised. This unit was a shower gift back in It produced the best cup of coffee I have ever had at home. Fast forward to last weekend. My beloved percolator has finally succumbed to old age. I purchased an inexpensive Hamilton Beach model and returned it after brewing one pot.

Flimsy construction and grounds everywhere. After spending the day running from store to store looking for a Presto or Bialetti model, I called it quits. My wife sensing my disappointment, quickly logged onto to ebay and found an identical Farberware model. Brand new believe it or not. It should arrive in time for the weekend. I plan on rebuilding the original unit and keep it in the family. Always nice to have a reliable back up.

If you are a fan of percolators, you would be amazed how many older models are available out there. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Jun 15, No Comparison! Follow these Directions! See Amazon Reviews Theirs 3 important Steps that make all the difference! Don't use any paper filter in a Percolater. Completely wet the Steel Basket inside and out right before putting in your grounds.

Easy method to remember is use two extra big Scoops over the amount of Cups your brewing. Steps 2,3 are the key to not only avoiding any grounds in your brew, but also the key in making the best cup of Coffee you ever had!

Key as long as you tamper down the ground coffee it doesn't matter if your using a Fine Ground Coarse Ground,Drip Ground it always tastes better! Apr 07, Perc over drip by: Black Widow My mother put a perfectly good percolator away to use the Drip coffeemakes.

After she died, I found the percolator in the back of the buffet. You get more coffee brewed out of the grounds than with a Drip maker. If your Drip maker's just-used grounds still have the smell as the grounds before you brewed your coffee, then you rob yourself of a good, strong cup of coffee. With my percolator, after the brewing cycle is overeally and the grounds have cooled off, the grounds have more of a dirt smell with a slight coffee aroma to them.

To me drip brewers just taste watery. Kinda funny saying then when most of it is water. I guess the percolator has a full body flavor. Someone asked about the grinds. What kind to use. That is because the grounds are two small and make their way through the metal filter of the basket. You can have whole beans ground for a percolator at most stores that sell whole beans. Another good option is to use paper filters designed for percolator baskets.

Dec 30, type of coffee by: Anonymous I am not a big coffee drinker,but I do like to drink coffee sometimes. I was telling my son about this. I cant wait to try it out. I am unsure which type of coffee to buy.

Dec 28, Perking for me! I had a percolator myself back in the 80s then finally went to drip. I have never been able to get that aroma of coffee being perked in the morning from a drip coffee maker, nor have I been able to get the wonderful flavor that a nice cup of percolated coffee provides. Recently my 3rd Mr. Coffee maker bit the dust, 3 within 3 years, and I said "no more" and I bought a vintage Pyrex 6 cup percolator from Ebay and I'm the happiest person in the world!

I haven't had coffee this good in decades and I've forgotten what a good cup of coffee tastes like! No you don't boil the water in a percolator and you don't boil the coffee! Took me a while to remember but once the water boils, it's turned down to a simmer and one lets the coffee perk for about 10 minutes then the stove is turned off and the coffee rests for about 5 minutes to let the basket drain out. I put my fresh coffee in a thermal carafe and it stays hot for hours and hours without being heated and without any horrible burnt taste that make drip makers famously horrible.

Coffee used to be sold by how coarse the ground was, "drip" "perk" etc. Nov 22, Percolated best for me by: Anonymous Used drip for as long as I could remember and was always satisfied. Moved to percolated a couple of years ago and I couldn't be more pleased. Now I truly enjoy my coffee, bold, strong and tastes to me what I think coffee ought to taste like I spent a year in Italy and I mostly missed bagels and American brewed coffee. Added bonuses that it's cheap, it doesn't require a filter and its sturdy.

I have heard that perks can burn coffee. I suppose it can on a stovetop if you aren't careful, but my cheap little Hamilton Beach electric perc hasn't burned my coffee yet. I have been using auto drip coffee makers for a log time, and seem to never have a great cup of coffee Coffee fancy!

Pulled out my mother's old stovetop percolator What a difference in flavor and temperature! Family members said the same thing.

I like the stovetop and am enjoying great coffee again, though I think I will try an electric percolator since my sister loves hers and is a bit more convenient. Have to say, what was I waiting on Coffee went out, but allowed mento try my mom's stovetop percolator!!! Perc is best Mar 06, Turkish coffee method is the best by: Anonymous Turkish coffee destroys them all, in my opinion. It's the oldest method to make coffee too.

Can't go back to anything else now But I do like drinking a good cup of espresso as a second resort. Feb 27, I prefer percolated but taste is subjective by: Anonymous We have an expensive drip machine at work, but I use a percolator at home.

I prefer the percolator. Taste is subjective. If you are used to the taste of drip coffee you may not like the taste of percolated. Jan 23, millenia garbage by: Anonymous There is not and never will be a better way to brew coffee other than a percolator. No matter how I adjust coffee for the drip they were not cheap models either coffee makers the taste is not as robust as it is from the percolators I owned. Even the aroma from a percolator is more aromatic than from a drip makers.

I have even tried the single drip versions-even worse. The coffee is weak and lacks real coffee aroma Therefore, this weekend I am tossing out the drip and buying a real coffee maker-a percolator.

Dec 31, I Love Coffee by: Anonymous I have always enjoyed a good cup of coffee and purchased a single cup brewer machine. Long story short, I don't care for the weak coffee, high price and that they don't last. My XMas gift to myself was a percolator and arrived yesterday. Best coffee decision EVER. Oh how I have missed quality coffee. Dec 30, Percolate Me by: Zack I have a hard time telling the difference between my french press and percolator when using the same amount of water and high quality beans.

One difference I do regularly notice is that percolated coffee has a certain velvety smooth quality that I don't find as prominent with other brew methods. There is just a unique consistent smooth complex richness to it that I don't get with french presses or pourovers.

One misconception about percolators is that they boil the water. Stovetop models can boil the water if you're not careful , but my electric Presto keeps the water in tank about degrees in pot when finished I measured with a candy thermometer. Quality pots will percolate before boiling is acheived, and I believe that by the time the water hits the grounds, it is within the range of to degrees.

Claims of over-extraction occuring with percolators are just not true in my experience. In addition, I believe that percolation gives one other added benefit: increased oxygenation which aids in brewing.

When the water spurts up and then drips through the top of the basket, through the coffee, and then again through the bottom of the basket and for some of the mixture this is repeated as the water cycles , I wonder if this is adding free oxygen that aids in brewing. Or perhaps this oxygenation happens as the hot brewed coffee falls into the cold reservoir water. I'm no chemist, but there is something special about the percolator, and there's got to be a reason for it.

Editor's Note: Excellent feedback Zach. Dec 25, Anonymous by: Pamela You can google about a drip o lator, you can also go to YouTube for videos.

Boil water, top part for that hot water, inside container in the bottom is for coffee and the bottom container will hold the brewed coffee. Hope this helped Dec 21, Help by: Anonymous I inherited my grandmother 's drip o later and it came without instructions. Anyone who know how to use a drip o labor, I would appreciate it if you'd share your knowledge.

Dec 18, Go old school or go home Go to Cabelas. They sell two styles under their name brand. Whether your making a cup on your kitchen stove, or on Coleman stove or campfire those models are great!

Here I got a perfect old New England recipe to go with your cup of Joe Got a blueberry cake recipe. Really old..

New England. Dec 12, Kathleen question I grind my own, so I buy whole beans. Also, some places have where you can grind your beans right there! You would choose the type of "grind" you want for your coffee ex: drip, percolate, fine, coarse, etc.

Hope I helped. Regarding my below comment, apologizes, I spelled percolator wrong :. Dec 12, I have been missing out all these years What a difference in taste from drip.

I bought a stainless steel Faberware for my gas stove and I am so happy to have done the switch. I want to thank all of you for your comments because it gave me insight and answered some of my questions ex: coarse grounds for perculator.

That is the one drawback for perk. Bring On Granny's Steel Percolator! Add me to the list of the converted!

If any parts wear out, they are easily replaced. Coarser than drip, not as coarse as "French Press" grind. If you're using one of those plastic pseudo-coffee POD machines Nov 25, Coffee by: Kathleen Where can I buy coffee for a percolator,,. Nov 24, Glass Pyrex Percolator Heaven by: Tommy C I've tried just about every possible way people around the world make coffee, and enjoy being open to different methods. I think it's a great way to know a new city or country. When I order coffee around my home, I like regular black coffee.

I'm simple, and never get caught waiting for a drink with my name from a barista. However, many popular coffee chains make terrible coffee. Even though they grind it and put it though a fancy machine, it tastes acidic and burnt. I've also noticed over the years that home drip coffee makers taste like plastic and all around weak.

I started researching drip-alternatives for my house, and was surprised to see many percolators being advocated. I was always told they "boiled the water and ruined the beans, leaving a bitter taste. I received a vintage 's cup Pyrex Flameware stovetop coffee percolator for my birthday, and I am truly happy with the results. What comes out after minutes is a very smooth, rich flavor that will surprise any drip lover into eating crow I am sold on my percolator for life!

Best damn coffee I have every drank, and while it may be a bit laborious compared to modern auto drips, it's a time-cherished labor of love well worth the little bit of extra cleanup. Aug 03, Coffeematic. It was so beautifully shaped and sturdy it just captured the "essence" of a coffee maker. This percolator makes the most amazing cup of coffee!! After a few pots I got the exact right strength and enjoy a perfect hot cup every morning.

No more wasted paper filters. To the ghosts of Coffeematic which is no more, thanks so much for the beautiful thing you made. Drip coffee does not hold a candle to it. Aug 02, Perk it up! I just made that up. My wife broke our Mr coffee drip glass pot.

Mom in law gave us an old perkolater Jul 27, To Percolate or not to Percolate, that is the question I purchased it because it reminded me of the wonderful homey aroma and sounds that emanated from the percolator my grandmother used while making breakfast. The flavor of my Vintage is far superior but because of its age, I have only used it on occasion. For daily use I have a Mr. Coffee drip that has lasted so many years, I forgot how long I have had it.

Recently I broke the glass carafe on the Mr. I was deliberating between either finding a replacement for the carafe on eBay or purchasing a brand new coffeemaker. After much research and reading many reviews, I realized that the new coffee makers do not last that long — even the expensive ones. Plus there have been complaints about the plastic taste in the coffee. When checking them out in the stores, the plastic seemed more flimsy.

I happened upon this article and thanks to the overwhelming reviews in favor of percolators, I just purchased a Farberware Superfast Automatic Percolator on eBay for daily use.

I also decided to purchase a replacement carafe for the Mr. Coffee on eBay since it still works which I will store. Thanks again and happy percolated coffee drinking! Jun 02, Need a Durable Percalator by: Anonymous A friend tipped us off to going with electric perk about 2 years ago and we love the taste and temperature.

We start our day very early and were used to setting the timer on the auto-drip so I plug the electric percolator into a timer at the wall outlet and when we get to the kitchen the coffee is ready. Our only problem is that the percolators only last 6 months to a year with daily use. We have had 3 different brands and this morning the West Bend heated the water, but didn't perk,the coffee. May 20, aluminum by: James Not all percolators are made of aluminum.

I have a sunbeam AP20 from the early 60's it is constructed out of copper and chrome plated on the outside and nickle plated on the inside.

May 09, Perced Coffee! May 06, Aluminum by: Karen I forgot to add that there were concerns that aluminum presented itself more with acidic foods like tomatoes or coffee. May 06, Aluminum by: Karen I would love to get a vintage Sunbeam or GE electric percolator - but don't all vintage coffee pots have aluminum linings? Another poster here said he wouldn't drink coffee from these pots because of the aluminum and the risks.

Any thoughts on this subject? Apr 25, perked coffee by: skillet I use a Faberware stovetop percalator every morning. It takes longer, but is arguably better. I am naturally retro. There is an advantage.

When the power went out during the last snow, I just pulled out my gas stove and did not miss a single cup of coffee. Real he-man survivalist prepper types prefer percalators. Much more masculine. I also like the stovetop european coffee brewers, but I keep those secret. European espresso coffee has a marxist Che Guevara feel to it, and any real American will avoid being corrupted by espresso. I will admit I whipped that thing out to the delight of some Frenchies who visited me a few years back.

They said my stovetop contraption was how their grandparents made coffee. But I am all about the 's style real Americana percalator. It is a bulwark against communism and socialism. Great for lone prairie types. Jan 07, Going Retro by: In Memorium I was recently browsing for old books in an antique store, and came upon a vintage 's G. That got me to thinking about replacing my ailing Mr.

Coffee machine with a vintage percolator. For years I had my grandmother's old GE percolator, but after almost 40 years, it gave up the ghost. After several years of various and assorted drip machines, I have reverted to a vintage Sears cup percolator I found on e-Bay. I can't wait to hear the age-old sound pf coffee percolating again! I am increasingly less and less impressed by all the "gee-whiz" high tech stuff being thrown at us today, especially since most all of it comes from China.

Nevertheless, I'm grateful that well-made, American-made vintage products are still available. Jan 03, Perc is best! It beats Keurigs and drip machines hands down. I have both of those coffee makers sitting in my garage now. I disagree that anything is "lost" in perc coffee as far as flavor. But my favorite thing about an electric percolator is that you get a truly hot beverage and not a lukewarm one.

Dec 22, Perked vs. As much as I have always loved percolated coffee, the pour over drip makes a superior cup of coffee.

Dec 20, Perk by: Brad Moyse The best coffee is a perked cup. I have my Nanny's and Mum's pyrex coffee pots. The trick here is to add a sprinkle of salt to the coffee. They always did. It gives it a smooth flavour Please try it!!! I threw out my coffee maker. Dec 17, Reply to Editor. I love it for a good brew.

But still wouldn't use it to get the very best out of a high quality coffee bean". To me the worst are the press, and auto. Like most things there is a learning curve, once this curve is straightened out in coffee brewing, for me there is no way better than perked coffee. Out of all my percolators, I have 6 : I finally got it down to using an old Farberware SuperFast for me, that is the best.

Also, with perked coffee less beans are required, and seeing as how my beans cost a small fortune, less beans for a better 'cupa-joe' is a winning situation. Dec 14, Perc Brands by: Gary F. Stick with the West Bend Brand, you can't go wrong! I would personally go out on ebay and you can find a New Old Stock NOS or a lightly used one really cheap, and you can try it and you're not out that much if you don't like it.

But I don't think that will be the case! Does it control how hot the element is or how hot it gets before units shuts off. Mine is brewing for to long and trying to figure it out. Dec 14, Coffee Detective seems to have changed? Editor's Note: Busted me!

But still wouldn't use it to get the very best out of a high quality coffee bean. Dec 14, Coffee Dective is greatly mistaken! Americans brew coffee is by percolating. If convenience is something that is important, and perhaps one of the reasons a person chooses to use the horrible drip method, simply get one of the old Farberware Superfast electric percolators.

They are as their name states, fast, and one gets the best coffee ever Dec 05, She who perks is not a jerk. Coffee in it's best form is percolated, or made on the stove manually The GE electric perk pots from the 60's and 70's are my favorite.

I set them on "strong", and mix Cafe'Bustelo with a milder ground coffee And for a real treat Somehow starting with ice-cold water, the coffee comes out even better. Who wants to drink coffee that has only once slid through the flavorful grounds???

Nov 04, I found a Farberware Superfast by: Anonymous I'd been using a cheap drip maker with paper filters. I found a Farberware Superfast percolator in the cupboard and started using that. I love the coffee from this thing! I find the flavor to have more pleasant nuances to it than filtered drip coffee. It's more satisfying. I really enjoy that morning coffee now. I actually just searched on "Who likes old time percolators" and found this site.

I might buy a vintage percolator to give as a gift this Christmas just to spread the word. Oct 23, A better cup by: Anonymous I only recently started using an electric percolator and I love it. I found that automatic drip did not heat the water enough to extract the best from the coffee. The percolator coffee is warmer and more flavorful. Oct 19, Perc is fine As stupid as it sounds, I believed what I read and avoided a perc.

My MIL bought me a cute little 8-cup percolator for Xmas a few years ago and it's become my favorite. As soon as I see that the brewing has started, I turn the heat almost all the way down and give it 6 minutes.

Sep 28, Drip coffee is a drip! I'm old enough to remember when drip coffee makers first came on the scene; and let me tell you this; no one I knew liked them!

Yes, a stove top percolator CAN boil the water IF you don't monitor it, and simply leave the percolator on a high heat It seems as though the sheep of the world love to love that which is popular; drip is popular, drip is the best to the sheep; press is popular, press is best to the followers etc.

Humanity has lost its ability to think, and to use logic. Percolators BOIL coffee? Absolute nonsense! That sort of thinking could only come from the mind of one who believes the fairy tale of a man living inside a fish to be factual. Sep 26, Another silly meme! I'm able to visually see when the coffee starts to percolate in my glass percolator.

The coffee begins percolating way before boiling! It starts to percolate during the simmering stage.. So, if you percolate coffee using a stove top percolator, which is my favorite , simply lower the heat way down as soon as you see the coffee begin to percolate. Aug 31, Perc is the Best by: Anonymous I hated always replacing a drip and the coffee tasted weak. I got a French press and the coffee is great but it only makes a small pot.

We picked up an electric perc about 6 months ago and love it. The coffee tastes great and it is just as easy and quick as a drip maker. I'm not sure what free floating oxygen is, if the water had an extra oxygen it would be Hydrogen peroxide. The best coffe I ever have is the stuff made in a percolator over an open campfire. Aug 19, Percolated is the way to go by: Anonymous All those coffee snobs out there are really missing the good stuff. Percolated and stove-top brews are the best, and I've tried every method there is.

I've bought and gotten rid of countless drip pots, French presses the one I disliked the most , vacuum pots, etc, jut because the coffee was always either, bitter, tasteless, or too acidic tasting. Didn't matter what brand coffee, or how little or how much I spent on it. Then one day I found an old Folgers coffee can from the 's that somebody had made into a very cool lamp, which gave instructions on how to make coffee on the stove without a percolator.

I tried it and it was awesome! Some time after that, I saw a Corning Ware electric percolator at a thrift store and decided to try percolated coffee because I remembered how good it smelled when I was a kid, plus I liked the sound it made and watching it shoot up into the glass bubble.

I was hooked! Since then I've collected several vintage percolators, which I alternate using with making stove-top coffee, which is easier on the clean up. They all make phenomenal coffee, plus they're great for perking spiced apple cider in the fall and winter, using spices in the basket.

The little inherited perculator has become my "go to" coffee maker. Aug 16, defense of percolators by: Anonymous The comments about the loss of flavor while using a percolator display a lack of knowledge of physics. Just take your comments on percolators and reverse them. You concentrate the flavor with a percolator, you don't boil it away.

It just sounds like the comments of someone justifying being too lazy to perk. Aug 15, Percolators by: Anonymous Actually percolators do not boil the water; they heat the water up to degrees which is ideal for making a good cup of coffee.

Most drip coffee makers, in my experience anyway, do not get hot enough to meet this temperature. Now the ones I used were maybe 5 years ago so I would hope the newer ones have been modified to fix this issue.