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Best Coffee Percolator Reviews and Guide. Back to the Tradition of Brewing Coffee
Table of Contents
- The Best Coffee Percolators Compared
- The Best Coffee Percolator Options to Pick from
- Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
- Medelco Stovetop 8-Cup Glass Percolator
- Primula TPA-3609 Aluminum Stove Top Percolator
- West Bend 54159 Classic Stainless Steel Electric Percolator
- Mixpresso Electric Coffee Percolator
- Euro Cuisine PER04 Electric Percolator
- Faberware 47794 12-Cup Stovetop Percolator
- Eurolux Stainless Steel Percolator
- What You Need to Know When Buying A Coffee Percolator
- Conclusion
Why have we dedicated an entire post to review the best coffee percolator choices on the market? What was once one of the most popular types of coffee maker is now making a comeback and we couldn’t be happier.
If you are looking for the best coffee percolator to elevate your coffee making experience, look no further than this article. We’ve been on a quest of our own to find the best of the best and based on our findings these are the best coffee percolators.
The Best Coffee Percolators Compared
Last update on 2023-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Table could not be displayed.The coffee percolator enjoyed many years of popularity before being booted out by the rise of top drip coffee makers as well as higher quality instant coffees. Slowly but surely the coffee percolator is once again climbing the ranks of coffee makers and has amassed many loyal fans who swear by this brewing method.
The Best Coffee Percolator Options to Pick from
Each of the following percolators bring something individual to the table and are all highly rated products. With such a great product offering, you’re bound to find your perfect percolator within this list.
Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
The Presto 02811 ticks many of our boxes. Its durable stainless steel body and slender design mean that this percolator will look great on any kitchen counter. Looks aside, this percolator has many features that make it stand out. 
With an indicator light that lets you know when your coffee is ready and an automatic warming capability that keeps your coffee hot after brewing, this electric percolator is extremely convenient & takes the guess work out of percolating. The Presto 02811 includes a filter basket and a perk tube so the moment it arrives all you need to do is plug it and get percolating.
Brewing up to a cup a minute, you can enjoy 12 cups of coffee in as many minutes which is great for when you have visitors over or are making coffee in an office environment for more than one person. Overall, the Presto 02811 is a well-designed coffee percolator that has kept up with the times wonderfully.
Why We Like It
- Brews a cup a minute
- Easy-pour spout
- Signal light indicates when coffee is ready
Medelco Stovetop 8-Cup Glass Percolator
This next percolator is brought to you by Medelco. This stovetop glass percolator boasts an interesting, industrial-like look and can be used on both electric & gas stoves. For people who love watching their coffee brew, this product might be just what you’re after. 
You are able to monitor the brewing process by means of the clear glass knob. The Medelco Stovetop 8-Cup Glass Percolator is constructed with high quality borosilicate glass which means it is thermal shock resistant and able to deal with high heats. You can also pour your coffee without worrying about the risk of burns as the handle is heat tolerant.
While this product is assembled in the USA, its borosilicate glass comes from Germany so you can rest assured a high level of craftmanship is present while all regulations are adhered to. Included with this percolator is the stem, filter basket, filter basket lid and trivet so you can start brewing as soon as it arrives.
Why We Like It
- Drip-free spout
- Stain resistant
- Dishwasher safe
- Extremely affordable
Primula TPA-3609 Aluminum Stove Top Percolator
The Primula TPA-3609 stovetop percolator is a great option for people who are after a fuss-free brew. Its simple, sturdy and durable design coupled with its lightweight properties make this a contender for the camper’s best friend. 
Watch your coffee as it percolates by means of the clear spherical knob. When your coffee is ready, after just a few minutes of percolating, grab the Stay Cool handle and enjoy a perfect pour thanks to its lidded spout. It’s not suited towards usage on induction stoves but perfect for making coffee on other stoves and the grill.
This stovetop percolator really does a great job of making simple look stylish while keeping the brewing experience as easy as can be. The Primula TPA-3609 comes with a lid, filter basket and filter screen so you can get to brewing immediately.
Why We Like It
- Traditional design
- Lightweight properties make it easy to transport
- Stay Cool handle
- Extremely affordable
West Bend 54159 Classic Stainless Steel Electric Percolator
This West Bend 54159 Classic Stainless Steel Electric Percolator is fast gaining in popularity. Its streamlined design and stunning finish mean that this percolator is as pretty as is it practical. 
What we love about this model is that it is clear the user was kept front of mind during its design stage. From the coffee level indicator on its heat resistant handle to its detachable cord for easy serving, this electric coffee percolator is a winner in the eyes of many a coffee lover. For those of us who love the art of coffee brewing, the West Bend 541959 is an authentic experience.
After a few minutes of percolating an indicator light pops on to let you know when your coffee is officially ready to serve. This model comes with a stainless steel stem and filter basket, so just add in your coffee grounds & you’re ready to rumble.
Why We Like It
- The detachable cord makes for easy serving
- Signal light indicates when coffee is ready
- Keep Warm mode
- Heat resistant handle
Mixpresso Electric Coffee Percolator
This electric percolator is the fruit of Mixpresso’s labors and has the coffee community quite excited. It boasts a classic design that has a timeless feel to it with its curved spout and rounded Cool Touch handle. This model is the perfect combination of traditional & modern. 
The Mixpresso Electric Coffee Percolator is constructed with durable stainless steel and plastic Cool Touch components. It indicates when your coffee is ready and offers a spill-free pour. If you don’t drink your coffee straightaway the automatic Keep Warm function will serve you well. Making a cup of coffee a minute, it is tough not to love this percolator.
On top of being stylish and filled with features this product provides an excellent level of temperature control. It comes with a removeable filter, filter basket and pump tube so it has everything us java junkies need to get started.
Why We Like It
- Dishwasher safe
- Cool touch handle
- Spill-free pouring
- Keep Warm function
Euro Cuisine PER04 Electric Percolator
The Euro Cuisine PER04 Electric Percolator is the ideal option for people who are looking for something that gets the job done while being aesthetically pleasing. Veering away from the traditional colors of silver and black that modern day percolators are known for, the Euro Cuisine team wowed us with their PER04 Electric Percolator’s charming copper finish. 
The removable electrical cord means that you aren’t kitchen bound and can easily take the percolator with you to the table or even to your home office. The clear glass knob allows you to monitor the brewing process while the indicator light will glow blue to let you know when brewing is complete which is handy for those who don’t have time to monitor the brewing process.
On top of serving its purpose in the most stylish way possible, the Euro Cuisine PER04 Electric Percolator features a permanent stainless steel filter and is dishwasher safe for maximum convenience.
Why We Like It
- Dishwasher safe
- Keep Warm function
- Removable cord
- Signal light indicates when coffee is ready
Faberware 47794 12-Cup Stovetop Percolator
This next stovetop percolator is brought to you by Faberware so it’s safe to say our expectations were high. This model consists of a clean, simple, stainless steel design with a blue glass lid to give it an unexpected pop of color and a mirror finish to seal the deal. 
While boasting handy characteristics such as its dishwasher safe properties and non-reactive interior this product is a prime example of simple done right. If a no-frills, no-fuss brewing experience is what you desire then the Faberware 47794 12-Cup Stovetop Percolator may just be your jackpot.
A permanent filter basket is included and the overall brewing process is easy. You can monitor the brewing process through the glass knob, although the blue color makes this somewhat difficult. Overall the Faberware 47794 12-Cup Stovetop Percolator is a great way to get back to the basics and enjoy your coffee in an old school manner.
Why We Like It
- Dishwasher safe (excluding the knob and pump tube)
- Non-reactive interior
Eurolux Stainless Steel Percolator
This Eurolux Stainless Steel Percolator is another great option for people who want an authentic cup of coffee. The shiny finish on this percolator coupled with its unique wooden handle make this an ideal option for people who love a rustic feel to go with their modern appliances. 
With no plastic components whatsoever, you can enjoy cup after cup of coffee free from worry of that awful plastic taste finding its way into your cup. Its humble design will look perfect on your kitchen stovetop and camp stove alike. Constructed with high quality stainless steel, you can rest assured that this percolator will withstand the test of time.
In addition to looking great, the wooden handle is also heat resistant and specifically designed to fit comfortably in the hand. Topping this product off is its removable filter basket, dishwasher safe properties and the included filters if you prefer a finer ground.
Why We Like It
- Durable stainless steel build
- Removeable filter basket
- Dishwasher safe
What You Need to Know When Buying A Coffee Percolator
Even with eight exceptional products to pick from, making your decision regarding which coffee percolator to buy can be a difficult one. To help make this decision easier for you we’re going to give you some food for thought.
From understanding the basics of how percolators work and the step by step instructions of using one yourself to the pros & cons of them and how to buy the perfect percolator—this mini buyer’s guide covers it all.
How Does a Percolator Work?
A coffee percolator works in a very simple manner. Place the pot on the heat if you’re taking the stovetop route or plug it in and switch it on if electric is more your style. Inside the coffee pot you will find a vertical tube. This tube allows for the boiling water to propel upwards to the basket containing the coffee grounds and pass through said grounds.
Once the water has passed through the grounds, the coffee begins to drip into the pot where the tube will then propel it forward again and again until the brewing cycle is complete. Due to the constant brewing and movement of the grounds the resulting coffee is incredibly strong.
How to make Coffee in a Percolator
If you’ve been wondering how to percolate coffee, you’ll be happy to note that it is a simple process overall.
The simple step by step instructions that apply to most coffee percolator models are as follows:
- Add water to the percolator coffee pot
- Place the filter basket on the stem and insert into the pot
- If you’re using filters, place one inside the basket now
- Add freshly ground coffee into the basket (a coarse grind is recommended)
- Place the lid on the pot and make sure it is tightly secured
- If you’re using an electric percolator simply plug in it and switch it on. If you’re using a stovetop percolator, place it over the heat
- Monitor the brewing process. Stovetop percolators typically feature clear knobs on top that allow you do this, while electric stovetops usually have a light indicator so there’s no real need to monitor
- Remove from the heat or switch off once brewing is complete
- Serve, sip and enjoy!
What are the Benefits of Coffee Percolators?
There are numerous benefits to using coffee percolators to satisfy your caffeine needs. Let’s take a look at three of them.
1. Enhanced Coffee flavor
Percolators are known to produce strong, bold and robust cups of flavorful coffee. The longer you brew, the stronger the resulting cup of coffee will be. Be mindful of over-extraction and always opt for high-quality coffee beans. If you aren’t a fan of strong coffee a percolator may not be the ideal coffee maker for you.
2. Inexpensive
When compared to other kinds of coffee makers percolators are a much more affordable option as they are typically free from all the bells and whistles modern-day coffee makers include. When it comes to coffee percolators you get what you pay for—a hot cup of strong coffee.
3. Minimal Counter Consumption
For people who have limited counter space to work with either at home or when camping a coffee percolator is the way to go as they boast a compact size by design. Even bigger 12-cup coffee percolators are significantly smaller than other types of coffee makers so the days of battling for space to make coffee are officially over.
What are the Disadvantages of Coffee Percolators?
As with all things in life coffee percolators do not come without their downfalls. Here are three disadvantages to using coffee percolators as your coffee maker of choice.
1. Risk of Over-extraction
Because stovetop coffee percolators don’t have any automatic shutoff capabilities, the risk of over-extracting the coffee beans is present. Over-extraction will result in a bitter cup of burnt-tasting coffee. When working with stovetop percolators special attention must be paid to monitoring the brewing process.
2. Temperature Control can be Difficult
Todays coffee makers are packed with features to regulate temperature for consistent brewing. Percolators don’t often boast many temperature controlling features which can increase the risk of over-extraction. This is especially true in the case of stovetop coffee percolators.
3. Slower Brewing Times
Due to its unique brewing process a percolator will take a little longer to brew than other kinds of coffee makers. Although many coffee lovers find that the marginally slower brewing time is not a deal breaker as they enjoy the authentic experience.
How to Choose the Perfect Percolator
Before talking about aspects like the price and manufacturer, which are both important considerations, you need to first establish your needs. When you’re looking for the perfect percolator to meet your coffee making needs there are three important aspects you need to consider to help you narrow down your list of options.
Capacity
One of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing a coffee percolator is its capacity. In our list we’ve included options that range from a 2-cup capacity all the way up to 12-cup capacity percolators.
To determine what capacity you will need you should examine your household’s coffee drinking habits as they are now. The more coffee loving household members you have—the bigger capacity you’ll need.
Stove top Vs Electric
Picking between a stove top percolator and an electric percolator is a personal choice that can’t be made for you. Does the area in which you live have frequent power outages? Do you often pack up the family and head off the grid for camping adventures? If so then a stove top percolator would suit your lifestyle.
But if you’re all about convenience and simply want to plug in your percolator & grab a cup of hot coffee, an electric percolator is for you. There is also a decreased risk of over-extraction when using an electric coffee percolator.
Weight and Dimensions
Whether you’ll be using your percolator at home or in environments such as RVs or campsites, its weight and dimensions are massively important. When purchasing a coffee percolator for home use, consider the available space you have and make sure the percolator won’t consume too much precious counter space.
If you plan on using your coffee percolator in RVs or campsites, on top of making sure you have enough available space to use and store it you’ll also need to consider its weight & whether or not you’ll be able to transport it easily.
Who Should Consider a Coffee Percolator (And Who Shouldn’t)?
- Percolator coffee makers are the ideal option for people who recognize coffee making as the art-form that it is and those who see beauty in simple products.
- Percolator’s are a great option for people who have limited counter space.
- A percolator is perfect for people who frequently go on camping trips or live in areas that often experience power outages.
- People who usually make large batches of coffee at one time are well suited towards using coffee percolators.
If you are looking for the best coffee maker that is filled with features look elsewhere as the coffee percolator does not match this description at all. In addition to this, coffee percolators might not be ideal for coffee fiends who prefer a weaker brew.
If you are still unsure, check out this comparison of French press, pour over and percolator that will help you understand the different brewing methods.
Conclusion
As you can see, picking the perfect percolator isn’t as easy as you might have expected it to be and there are quite a few elements that need to be considered. While all eight options we recommended will serve you well, two products stand out for us as the cream of the crop.
If you are looking to kick back to the basics and enjoy a traditional, full-bodied brew on your stovetop then the Eurolux Stainless Steel Percolator will be a great option for you. The Eurolux is simple to use, constructed with high quality materials and is 100% free from plastic. Capable of brewing up to 9 cups, while taking up hardly any space, this dishwasher safe model ticks all of our boxes.
Meanwhile, if you’re an electrically inclined coffee connoisseur look no further than the West Bend 54159 Classic Stainless Steel Electric Percolator. With the ability to make up to 12 cups, this is the perfect percolator for people who make larger batches of coffee in one go. Finishing touches such as its coffee level indicator, helpful alert light and detachable cord make it difficult to fault this model & we are happy to recommend it.
We’ve armed you with our top recommendations, loads of information to digest and helpful tips to keep in mind while picking the perfect percolator. Always remember that the ultimate decision is yours and needs to be made in accordance with your personal preferences & unique needs.
