Percolators and Coffee Urns

Percolators are still in existence as both electric and non-electric and are one of the more familiar brewing methods. At one time, you'd find a coffee percolator in most households throughout the USA.

Before they manufactured the electric versions, these were used on the stove top and were often mistaken for the moka pot. The non-electric were popular because they could be used over most heat sources including camp fires.

Often they were referred to as bubbling coffee makers because of the brewing system. Most of the stovetop versions have now been replaced with the electrical for convenience.

How Percolators Work

To percolate means the bubbles from the boiling water are forced continuously through the pump stem to the top of the coffee percolator. As the bubbling water starts to filter back down towards the bottom of the coffee maker, it's distributed over the cover of the basket. The cover allows the water to filter down into the grounds in the basket which also keeps the grounds from splattering. As the infusion continues this process, it will take more of the oils and caffeine back into the carafe which makes the coffee stronger.

The Parts of the Percolator

This coffee maker looks similar to some carafes and it consists of the cover knob, basket and cover, and pump stem.

The cover knob is usually made of glass or plastic and is translucent. This is so you can see the coffee as it perks which is especially useful on the non-electric types.

The basket for coffee grounds comes with a cover that is usually referred to as a spreader cover. The cover does have a hole in the center which allows the pump stem to fit through. The cover is very useful to keep the coffee grounds from splattering inside the coffee maker.

The basket has a small tube in the center of it from which the pump stem is inserted. You'll also find small holes in the base of the basket which allows the water to pass through the coffee grounds and back into the pot. You may use a paper filter if you wish, but it you use coarse coffee grounds when brewing it's not a necessity.

The pump stem has a roundish base on the electric coffee makers and it fits into an opening in the base of the pot. With the electric styles, it will also have a flange on it with a spring which is where the coffee basket sits.

The Basic Instructions

   - Fill the pot with water - you'll find a mark inside the coffee pot for the maximum amount of water.

   - Set the basket onto the stem, if you're going to use a paper filter add it now.

   - Insert the pump with basket into the pot.

   - Add your coffee to the basket (coffee cup size for percolators equals five ounces - coarsely ground coffee should be used).

   - Place the cover onto the basket.

Some electric coffee makers come with settings to adjust the strength. Set that before plugging it in. Once the coffee is brewed it will go to a "keep warm" setting.

If you're using the stovetop style, place it over medium heat. When you see the coffee bubbling in the knob on the top and it has reached the color that you want the coffee to be, remove it from the stovetop.

Most percolators come in sizes from two cups up to twelve cups.

If you're a camper, you'll also find campfire models. These are usually stainless steel and used for backpacking, picnics and camping. They also have a seamless construction and are made of heavier gauge stainless steel to help eliminate corrosion.

The Coffee Urn

The coffee urn works on the same principle as above.

The coffee urn is used frequently for large family gatherings such as reunions, church functions, or basically any type of large gathering.

Some of the features you will find are:

   - Freshness indicator light

   - Adjustable thermostat

   - Non-drip spigot

   - Level indicator

   - Indicator light for serving

   - Removable drip trays - this sounds a little odd for those that claim to have non-drip spigots but some drip regardless.

Coffee Urns range in various sizes from twenty cups up to one hundred cups. The brewing time is longer for coffee urns but well worth it when you're serving a large crowd.

You'll find percolators manufactured by Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, Farberware, DeLonghi, Presto, Bialetti, and Dualit.

Coffee urns are manufactured by several companies, the most popular ones I've seen are by West Bend, DeLonghi, and Hamilton Beach.