How to Percolate Coffee: 3 Tips for Using a Percolator

Percolated coffee is made by brewing coffee with a stovetop kettle called a coffee percolator. You start the process by placing coffee grounds in a small, perforated filter basket at the top of the pot. You then pour water into the reservoir at the bottom of the pot closest to the heat source. As the water heats up, gravity pulls it through a narrow tube that connects the two chambers—this process is called "perking." Hot water saturates the grounds and is cycled back into the bottom chamber through perforations in the filter basket. Once the mixture reaches a boiling point, the brewing process ends, and you've got yourself a flavorful cup of brewed coffee.

Percolated coffee is one of the earliest coffee brewing methods, preceding the automatic coffee machines that came onto the scene in the 1970s. The earliest known version of a coffee percolator was invented in 1819 by a Parisian tinsmith named Joseph-Henry-Marie Laurens. In 1865, the first US patent for a stovetop percolator was issued to James Nasson. In 1889, a farmer from Illinois named Hanson Goodrich created the coffee percolator as we know it today.

Electric percolators were released throughout the twentieth century, and new models continue to be produced today. From percolators and pour-over coffee methods to French presses and drip machines, there are now nearly endless ways to brew a cup of coffee. At the end of the day, the best coffee is the one you like. If you're still searching for your favorite brewing method, try making percolated coffee.

Follow a few simple steps to brew coffee with a percolator.

1. 1. Measure and grind the coffee beans. Measure out 20 to 22 grams, or roughly two tablespoons, of coffee beans. Grind the beans to a medium-coarse consistency—similar to the consistency needed to brew an espresso shot.
2. 2. Boil water in a separate kettle. Then add the boiling water to the base of the percolator.
3. 3. Fill the filter basket with the coffee grounds. Give it a little shake to evenly distribute the grounds. Then, place the filter basket into its compartment.
   
4. 4. Screw the top with the spout onto the base. Be careful—the bottom will be hot. Use oven mitts or a dishrag to be safe.
5. 5. Place the percolator on the heat source. Set the burner to medium heat. If you're using an electric coffee percolator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions instead.
6. 6. Brew the coffee. You'll know that percolation has begun when you start to hear a sputtering sound. A percolator works by using pressure to force hot water through a tube to slowly drench the coffee grounds. Keep an eye on your water temperature. If your coffee begins to burst out the top, turn the heat down. If it seems slow, turn the heat up. You'll know it's done when the sputtering sounds stop.
7. 7. Remove the percolator from the heat. As soon as the coffee is done percolating, remove it from the heat source.
8. 8. Discard the grounds. Before serving your coffee, discard the spent grounds, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot percolator.
9. 9. Serve the coffee. Pour the coffee into your favorite mug, wait for it to reach a comfortable drinking temperature, and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

You’ll need a few pieces of equipment and ingredients to percolate coffee.

1. 1. Heat source: A stove, electric hot plate, or even a campfire will do. As long as you've got enough heat to make boiling water and a level surface for the kettle, you're good to go.
2. 2. Stovetop percolator: There are several kinds of stovetop percolators on the market. The most common are made from stainless steel percolators and come in a range from one to 10-cup percolators. Most will also include a reusable filter basket, but you can use paper filters to line the basket to make cleanup easier.
3. 3. Coffee beans: If you've got pre-ground beans, you're all set. Otherwise, use a coffee grinder to achieve the desired medium-coarse grind.
4. 4. Measuring spoon or scale: To get the correct water-to-coffee ratio, you need either a measuring spoon or a scale to measure out the right amount of beans.
5. 5. Kettle: Boil your water before adding it to the percolator; requires an additional kettle or saucepan. You need at least one cup of water per cup of coffee.

If this is your first time percolating coffee or you're looking to improve your percolating process, consider these helpful tips.

1. 1. Choose a light roast. Good coffee starts with good beans. Dark roasts have the tendency to make the coffee taste overly bitter, so choose a light roast if this is your first time percolating coffee.
2. 2. Keep an eye on the percolator during the brewing process. Percolated coffee tends to make stronger coffee than some coffee drinkers are accustomed to. It can also tend to have a bitter taste when over-extracted. Over-extraction can occur when the percolator continues to boil the percolated coffee. The best way to avoid bitter coffee is by keeping a close eye on the brewing process. When you no longer hear the sputtering sound (called the "perk"), immediately take the percolator off the heat. The less time percolating, the better.
3. 3. Clean your percolator right away. Discard the used coffee beans before serving the coffee, and immediately wash out the carafe. If any leftover coffee sits in the percolator for too long, it will stain the interior walls and leave an unpleasant residue. Use warm, soapy water and lightly scrub it clean. If you need to get rid of built-up stains, fill the filter basket with baking soda instead of coffee beans, and complete the normal brewing steps. Discard the baking soda mixture and rinse your coffee pot thoroughly before making coffee.

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