Brewing 101 The Percolator
Hello fellow coffee lovers! Welcome back to Brewing 101 and today we will dive into the percolator brewing process! The percolator has been around for some time and its versatility and simplicity have made it stand out in coffee history. Though the invention of the auto-drip coffee maker outshone the percolator in the later 1900s, the percolator is still a well loved brewing method across America and Europe.
History:
The history of the percolator is a bit jumbled, finding its home in both America and Paris. One of the earliest forms can be traced back to the early 1800s which was created by American-born physicist, Benjamin Thompson. In the 1820s, Parisian tinsmith, Joseph Marie Laurens designed the first of the percolator forms which eventually adapted slightly to the modern forms we use today. It wasn’t until 1889 that the “perfected” modern design was patented by Hanson Goodrich, a farmer and photographer from Illinois. Goodrich added a few adjustments to Lauren’s design and it was well on its way to become a staple throughout the American west and all through Europe. While brewing, the percolator continues to filter brewed coffee over the grounds, creating a bitter and intense coffee.
Process:
Simplicity was the percolator’s specialty. Coffee grounds sit onto a filter plate within the pot. When heated, usually on a stove (but can be used over a fire) water travels up a tube placed in the middle of the pot and sprays out, above the coffee grounds. Once this chamber fills up with water - now coffee, it drains into the main chamber to be vacuumed back up the tube once again in its cycle. This process will continue until the pot is removed from a heat source.
Equipment:
A heat source, such as a stove or campfire.
Stovetop percolator.
Coffee beans (a light roast is suggested).
Grinder (optional)
Measuring spoon or scale.
Kettle (for boiled water)
How To Brew:
Measure coffee beans. You’ll want about 20-22 grams of coffee beans, grind to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to an espresso shot.
If you are using pre-ground coffee, measure out two tablespoons.
Boil water in the kettle and add to the base of the percolator.
Place coffee grounds in the filter basket and place the basket back into its compartment.
Screw on the top of the percolator onto its base. Caution: the base will be hot due to the boiling water!
Place the pot onto its heatsource. If using a stove, use medium heat.
Brew the coffee. You’re going to hear a “sputtering” sound. This means your coffee is brewing! Once this sounds stops, you’ll know your coffee is ready.
Tips: adjust the heat as needed, the burner may be too high if coffee is pouring out of the spout.
Remove the percolator from its heat source.
Discard coffee grounds. Again, this will be hot.
Serve and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee!
The percolator will need to be cleaned almost immediately after brewing, to ensure you keep it in the best shape. It can be cleaned with warm water and soap. Any stains can be taken care of by putting baking soda into the filter basket (not coffee) and “brewing” normally following the steps above. Be careful while handling the pot, it becomes extremely hot, and quickly! Oven mitts or a towel may help with handling it.
We would love to see the different ways you make coffee with a percolator! Tag us with our socials below! Stovetop or fireside, please remember to take caution while brewing - a burned hand has a hard time holding a coffee mug.
Do you have a suggestion? Make sure to comment on our latest Brewing 101 post!
Madison Kapisak
