The methods of making coffee vary a lot when we are making coffee by ourselves. And different methods can lead to the different flavors you get. And if you are interested in the percolator here are all you need to know about a percolator.
What is a Coffee Percolator?
A coffee percolator is a kettle with separate chambers for the water and coffee grounds. Due to the fact that the appliance functions just as well over a campfire as it does on a stovetop, the majority of Americans associate them with camping. Electric models of today’s percolators make brewing coffee more convenient than ever; they are no longer restricted to flame-based cooking techniques.
Percolator Vs. Other Brewing Methods
Is percolator coffee better than drip coffee? French press coffee? Pour-over coffee? Better is a subjective term, so it’s hard for us to give an absolute answer to this question. Instead, we can discuss the differences between percolator coffee and other brewing techniques.
If you prefer lighter, more nuanced flavors, drip coffee or pour-over coffee is the method for you. Coffee made in a percolator typically has a bolder, more robust flavor. It tastes almost as bitter as French press coffee, but because it’s been brewed multiple times, the aroma is richer. For brewing coffee for a crowd, a percolator might be preferable to a French press because it allows you to brew multiple cups at once.
If you’re interested in pour-over coffee, you can see this post.
How Does a Percolator Work?
Both the water and the ground coffee are stored in a basket in the upper chamber of percolators, which has two chambers. As the water heats, it’s forced through a vertical tube that passes it over the coffee grounds before dripping back to the bottom of the pot. In contrast to other brewing techniques, percolator coffee is brewed several times. Every time the now-flavored water drips down, it passes once more through those grounds to produce an incredibly fragrant cup of coffee.
Sadly, using a percolator makes it simple to overbrew coffee. It is simpler to manage the flavor when brewing coffee using a drip machine or a pour-over method, which only passes water through the grounds once. We advise using a timer when using a percolator to control the amount of coffee that is made, just like with a French press.
How to Make Coffee in a Percolator
Ingredients
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Water
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Percolator
Before starting, clean the percolator. The flavor of the fresh batch of coffee may be impacted by any leftover grounds. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the maximum water level when adding water to the reservoir. Most of the time, one mug of coffee requires two cups of water. (Reaching the reservoir might require disassembling the stand and stem. If so, once the water is in place, put the pieces back together.)
Step 2: Add the Grounds
Activate the upper basket and add the coffee grounds. Use a tablespoon of grounds per cup for strong coffee or a teaspoon per cup for weaker coffee. Make sure the percolator is put together properly, with the lid on and all pieces secured with screws.
Step 3: Heat
Over medium heat, place the percolator on the stovetop. Through the glass top, keep an eye on the percolator’s progress as it warms up gradually until it reaches its peak. Turn down the heat so that the water is warm but not boiling or simmering. There shouldn’t be any steam coming out of the percolator that you can see.
Plug the appliance in and heat the water according to the manufacturer’s instructions if using an electric percolator.
Step 4: Perk!
Depending on the level of strength you want, let the coffee percolate for 7 to 10 minutes.
Step 5: Let the Coffee Rest
Take the percolator off the stove. Remove the coffee grounds basket with oven mitts and throw away the used grounds. Prior to serving, let the coffee sit for a few minutes. This resting period gives the grounds a chance to sink to the bottom of the percolator if any grounds do manage to get into the coffee.
How to Clean a Percolator
Percolators require some tender loving care, just like cleaning a drip coffee maker or a Keurig device. Immediately following brewing is the best time to clean a percolator. The coffee grounds can become a dense cake if they’re allowed to dry in the basket. Similar to leaving coffee in the chamber overnight, doing so can stain the walls and change the flavor of the subsequent brew. Clean the brewing basket, the water chamber, and the stem that connects them with warm, soapy water, using a sponge to gently scrub the surfaces as needed.
Deep-clean your percolator with vinegar or baking soda for persistent stains and oil smudges. As though you were brewing coffee, fill the water chamber. Instead of adding coffee grounds, add either two tablespoons of baking soda or vinegar (but not both). Prior to removing the water from the mixture, heat it for 10 minutes. You might need to add fresh water to the pot after cleaning with vinegar, then heat it again until the vinegar smell is gone.
Tips for Using a Percolator
What is the Best Coffee for a Percolator?
For percolator coffee, the coffee beans you select are extremely important. Dark roasts may be too overwhelming because the coffee is rebrewed numerous times. Look for low-acidity coffee among the various varieties that is described as light-roast, smooth, or mild. It’s also important to coarsely grind the beans so they don’t fall through the basket and make their way into the finished coffee.
How Much Coffee Do You Put in a Percolator?
You’ll have a good idea of how much coffee you need for percolator coffee after the first few brews. To make a robust brew, generally use 1 tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per cup of water. Use 1 teaspoon per cup to make a weaker brew.
How Long Do You Let Coffee Percolate in a Percolator?
Depending on the desired strength level, you’ll want to percolate coffee for 7-10 minutes. It’s important to keep even heat in the percolator during this process (an area where electric coffee percolators definitely shine). Even if you only brew the coffee for a brief amount of time, the over-extracted flavor will be very bitter if the water gets too hot and produces steam. On the other hand, if the water isn’t hot enough, the grounds won’t be able to impart their fullest flavor.
Conclusion
Practice makes perfect. It’s quite difficult to master the percolator, but just keep on using it, and finally, you’ll get the strong and rich coffee you want!
Use the following methods to increase the flavor of your coffee:
What Is a Soft Top at Dutch Bros & How to Make
How to Make Coffee Creamer at Home
5 Ways to Give your Instant Coffee a Better Taste
FAQs
Do You Use a Filter With a Percolator?
No, using paper filters with a percolator is not necessary. The use of a coarse grind is crucial because the coffee grounds are kept in a metal basket with holes at the bottom. As when you make French press coffee, this allows more coffee oils into your final cup.
Does Percolated Coffee Have More Caffeine?
That is the quick response. One benefit (ha!) of percolating coffee is that you can change the amount of caffeine and brew strength by adjusting the percolation time. The type and degree of roasting of the beans as well as the quantity of coffee grounds will all have a significant impact on how much caffeine is ultimately present in your final brew.
