Percolator Brew Guide

Step 1

Grind and measure your coffee as close to brewing time as possible using a burr grinder to yield a consistent, medium-course ground similar to what is required for a French Press. 

Step 2

Determine how much coffee you want to make, use 15 grams of coffee for every 250 milliliters of water (1 tablespoon of grounds per 1 cup of water). Adjust this ratio to you liking for a stronger or weaker cup. 

Step 3

Add cold water to the reservoir of your percolator. Place the funnel filter on top and pour the coffee into the basket, pressing gently on the grounds to flatten the bed. 

Step 4

Begin heating the percolator on the stovetop. Set it over medium-low heat to heat it up slowly to prevent any burned or bitter taste that occurs when the grounds heat too quickly. Watch through the top for bubbles to form, and adjust the heat source to maintain the temperature. You don’t want to see a steady stream of bubbles because this means the water has gotten hot too quickly and is boiling. However, you do want to see some inconsistent bubbling. 

Step 5

Let the percolator occur for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your coffee. Once the time is up, remove the percolator from heat. Be sure to use an oven mitt because the percolator is know to get very hot. 

Step 6

Discard the grounds, and then pour your coffee into your favorite mug! Remember, this method produces a stronger cup of coffee, so feel free to add sugar and cream to your liking.