Coffee percolators are a real blast from the past, but retro brewing styles have been making a real comeback, so you may want to give a percolator another look.

Originally a stovetop brewing method, most modern percolators are now electric. They brew in a similar way to a Moka pot, using pressure to circulate water.

In a percolator, steam is pushed up the central stem, condensing over a filter full of ground coffee. The water makes contact with the grounds and drips through back to the main chamber.

Not many people have great memories of coffee made with this method, but much of that comes down to technique and not using the right coffee. 

With a little care and attention, you can make potentially great coffee with a percolator.

1. Add Water

Start by adding water to the reservoir that makes up the base of the percolator. It has handy lines on the side to indicate how many cups of water have been added.

You do not need to brew a whole pot at once, as most percolators are designed for a large number of servings. You will need to remember how much water you have added to get the coffee to water ratio correct.

1. Add Coffee to the Filter Basket

There are markers on the filter basket to indicate how much coffee to add per cup of water. This is essentially equal to a tablespoon of coffee per cup.

The ideal grind size is up for some debate, but steer clear of fine grinds as it will not allow for the water to filter through efficiently and can lead to a high amount of grit in the final cup. A coarser grind, like for a French Press, is recommended.

1. Prepare for Brewing

Attach the central stem to the filter basket and then place this into the main carafe before placing the lid on top. Most lids have a locking mechanism, which is essential due to the need to build up pressure in the main chamber.

1. Brew

Now you can plug in your percolator and let the brew cycle run. This will typically last for 7 minutes in total if using an electric model. 

Suppose you have a more old-fashioned stovetop percolator. In that case, you may need to be more active during the brewing process by adjusting temperatures and checking for when the brew has been completed.

It All Starts with the Right Coffee

No brewing method can be complete without the proper coffee for the job. Next time you brew a cup of percolator coffee, consider using premium coffee from Belvico.

This high quality, fair trade coffee has been carefully grown and roasted to the highest standards. The best way to see what the hype is about is to try it for yourself!