A stovetop percolator is a simple and inexpensive way to brew coffee. Coffee brewed in a stovetop percolator tastes better than coffee from most drip machines since it doesn’t use paper filters or heat the water to an extreme temperature. Coffee brewed with most other methods is often over-extracted resulting in bitter-tasting coffee. We will discuss how to make coffee in a stovetop percolator, what you should know about this type of caffeine maker before purchasing one, and some tips for brewing the best cup of joe possible with your new pot.
The Coffee Percolator: A Brief History and Some Unexpected Facts
Coffee percolators were invented by a man named Michael S. Smith in 1819, but they weren’t widely available until the 1850s when William Butler Coffee & Co began manufacturing them for commercial purposes. Coffee brewed with stovetop percolators tastes better because it doesn’t use paper filters or heat the water to an extreme temperature like most drip machines do today. Coffee brewed with other methods is often over-extracted resulting in bitter-tasting coffee; this isn’t as much of a problem using a stovetop percolator since boiling does not happen during brewing which prevents overheating beans and extracting too many oils from them. Coffee brewed with percolators also has more caffeine than coffee brewed using different methods, but the difference is minimal.
Why use a stovetop percolated coffee maker?
A coffee pot or French press can be used in place of stovetop perc as an alternative method for brewing coffee, but stovetop percolators have a few advantages. Coffee brewed with a percolator tastes better because it doesn’t use paper filters or heat water to an extreme temperature like the French press and other methods do. Coffee brewed in a percolator also has more caffeine than coffee brewed using other methods, but the difference is minimal.
Perks of Coffee Perked Over Other Methods
- Coffee made from a stovetop pot will taste fresher
- Easier to clean up after brewing
- Suitable for larger batches that need many cups at one time
The best thing about using stovetop perc is that you can make a large batch of coffee at one time. Whether it’s for an office, or just to save some time in the morning before work, brewing percolated coffee over other methods will get the job done quickly and efficiently.
What Coffee Beans Work Best with Stovetop Coffee Makers?
The best kind of beans for a stovetop pot is medium roasted beans because they have more oils that give them their flavor than dark or light roast beans do. Try using Arabica as opposed to Robusta if possible – both varieties taste good but different roasts better suit this method.
How Long Does It Take To Perk Coffee on a Stover Pot?
When making pots of coffee in a stovetop percolator, the time is about five to ten minutes.
How To Use A Coffee Percolator?
First things first – you have to buy or make yourself some good quality coffee beans. You can find them at any grocery store and they are relatively inexpensive so don’t try going for the cheap stuff! Check out your local roaster’s website too for deals on bulk bags of roasted beans that will last a while since we’re assuming this isn’t something you want to do every day. Get those heavy-duty filters ready because it might take more than one go-around before all of your grounds are properly filtered, depending on how strong people like their brews. Fill up about halfway with coffee beans and then fill the rest of your filter up with water.
Place the percolator on a medium to high heat stovetop burner – this shouldn’t take more than about five minutes before any coffee that is brewing will start bubbling over out of the top part of it which means you’ll hear that familiar sound of boiling coffee! The amount of time it takes for your pot’s contents to cool down depends mostly on how big your percolator is since they come in all sorts of sizes so keep an eye on it, but generally we’re talking between one to two hours. Coffee should always be served piping hot anyways and if anyone tries drinking cold brews I’m afraid their heart might stop from shock given how strong it is.
Coffee should be made with a coarser grind to ensure that it percolates properly which means if you’re using an automatic espresso machine or anything like that, make sure your grinder setting is on the “coarse” side of things and not more towards coarse as this will affect how quickly coffee comes out of your pot versus being too fine (which won’t result in much bubbling).
One thing I’ve found helpful when brewing stovetop coffee for guests who are less familiar with what they might think about as traditional coffee tastes is adding some flavored creamers: skim milk powder mixed into whole milk makes for one delicious combo! Coffee can also be brewed up cold by placing water and ground beans inside the filter basket in the morning and then letting it steep overnight in a pot of cold water on your stove.
What is the Difference Between a Percolator and a Moka Pot?
A major difference in these devices is that a percolator has an external heating element or burner while a Moka pot does not. However, this doesn’t mean that all traditional-style stovetop espresso makers can make great-tasting coffee.
The best one to use for making delicious percolated coffees? An old fashioned electric “perk” type device with its own thermostat control knob usually between 175°F and 190°F(80°C to 88 °C), which is the ideal brewing temperature.
Why Most People Say No to Stovetop Espresso Makers?
The major drawback stovetop espresso makers can pose is that you need an external heating element or burner on your range. This means you’ll be limited by how much you can cook at the same time, and you’ll need to regulate stovetop temperature for safety.
Stovetop coffee percolated coffees are a thing of the past, but they’re still an option for those who want to try something different. Coffee percolated coffees are not for everyone, but if you like the taste and texture of coffee that has been percolated, it’s worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a regular coffee filter in a percolator?
You may pour hot espresso via a paper filter out when you brew it in a percolator. Basically, you would take a percolator, pour hot coffee over a paper filter out and permit it to drip right into a cup. |
How long do you percolate coffee on the stove top?
Depending on the preferred strength level, you may want to percolate espresso for 7 to ten minutes. It is crucial to hold even heat within the percolator for the duration of this method (an area where electric-powered coffee percolators in reality shine). |
Is percolator coffee unhealthy?
Percolator espresso isn't always terrible for you. But, research has proven that any unfiltered espresso, such as that made with a percolator, contains better degrees of oils called cafestol and kahweol. These are regarded to elevate cholesterol levels and have been connected to cardiovascular disease. |