The Two Main Types of Coffee Percolators in Review

Coffee makers are popular appliances in many countries. Consumers are always excited to see the latest technologies into their favorite coffee makers. However, the classic coffee percolator is still popular in the United States. Some consumers appreciate the romance of brewing coffee in their percolators. Using a percolator to brew coffee is one of the most familiar methods of making coffee in US.  There are many percolators available, but there are some that are more popular than others. Yet, there are only two main types of percolators available for consumer purchase, which are the stove top and electric percolators.

Rather the percolator is electric or stove top, they all work by sending boiling water upwards through a tube to the top of a perforated basket, where the water comes down over coffee grounds, and back down into the boiling water, where the process is repeated several times. The basic principle of the percolator relies on air bubbles that form at the bottom of the pot and the natural rising action these bubbles have. In a percolator, the base of the Pump Stem tube is designed to concentrate the flow of the bubbles toward the tube opening. As the jets of water reach the top of the Pump Stem of the percolator, they discharge onto the percolator’s Spreader Cover, which is used to disperse the water over the coffee ground underneath in a uniform manner, while keeping the grounds from splashing up.

The infusion boils upwards and filters through the coffee grounds, then back down into the pot. Each time the water filters through the coffee grounds, it moves the coffee’s oils into the infusion, which makes the coffee stronger. Percolators have a cover knob, which is a translucent glass or plastic top that helps the preparer see the color of the coffee. Glass cover knobs are usually best for stove top percolators, because it helps the preparer determine when to stop brewing the coffee. If the coffee is on the stove for too long, then the coffee will be bitter. On the other hand, if the coffee spends too little time on the stove, then the coffee will be weak. Glass tops are not necessary for electric percolators, because electric percolators often have timers, which make it unnecessary to monitor the coffee. Percolators also have spreader covers, which have a hole in the center that fits the Pump Stem. The spreader cover also fits on top of the Basket, and helps keep the coffee grounds for splashing upwards.    

Percolators also have a Basket, which has a central tube or round opening, through which the Pump Stem is inserted. Baskets have small holes at the bottom that help keep all but the smallest coffee grounds in, while allowing liquid infusion to pass through. Pump Stems are the final part of a percolator. The Pump Stem is a long tube that sits in the middle of the pot and extends from the base to the underside of the lid, supports the basket, and operates the non-mechanical pump that makes the percolator function. The round base of the Pump Stem sits flat on a stove top percolator. On the other hand, electric percolator Pump Stem’s have a ringed base that sits within a cavity or inside the percolator.

 An electric percolator is a plug in coffee pot that has settings that allow the preparer to adjust the strength of their coffee. Electric percolators will stop brewing when the coffee is done, and most electric percolators stay on to keep the coffee hot. Stove top percolators must be placed over a heat source, which is usually the flame of a stove. It’s best to place stove top percolators over medium heat, and when the desired color is achieved, the pot should be removed from the heat. The type of percolator a person chooses depends on their personal taste, but all percolators achieve the same result, and provide consumers with a classic choice for brewing coffee.