Percolator Coffee: Definition, How It Works, and Brewing

Percolator coffee is a bold, traditional brew made by repeatedly cycling boiling water through coarse grounds. Percolator coffee is strong, aromatic, and rich in caffeine, oils, and bold flavor. A coffee percolator is a durable brewing device that uses gravity or pressure to make coffee and comes in stovetop or electric models. A coffee percolator brews by extracting flavor through repeated percolation until the desired strength is reached.

To make coffee in a percolator, add coarse grounds and cold water, then heat gently to cycle water for 7–10 minutes. Use 1–2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. The best coffee for percolators is coarse-ground, medium to dark roast specialty-grade beans, ideally from regions like Colombia, Brazil, or Ethiopia available from Colipse. Percolator coffee differs from other methods in how it brews, how it tastes, and how much control you have over the process.

What is Percolator Coffee?

Percolator coffee is a traditional brewing method that uses a pot device to cycle hot water through coffee grounds using gravity. The word "percolator" comes from the verb “percolate,” meaning to filter or pass a liquid through a porous substance. The percolator coffee relies on continually passing boiling water through a chamber of coffee grounds until the desired strength is reached. The resulting brew retains more oils and aromatics compared to paper-filtered coffee, which creates a distinct flavor and fuller mouthfeel.

Percolator coffee is typically a dark brown to nearly black color. The color deepens depending on the brewing duration and the coffee bean roast level. Percolator coffee is typically served black and has a strong aroma with a robust, slightly bitter flavor. Percolator coffee is typically made from medium to coarse-ground Arabica or Robusta beans. An 8-ounce (237 ml) cup of percolated coffee contains about 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, much higher than drip coffee’s 95–165 mg per cup.

Percolator coffee has a bold, robust flavor with a slightly bitter edge due to its repeated brewing cycle. It often tastes stronger than drip coffee. Percolator coffee is generally more acidic, especially if brewed too long, because over-extraction releases more acidic compounds from the grounds. It is ideal for those who enjoy bold coffee but not for users seeking delicate or nuanced flavors.

Is Percolator Coffee Good?

Yes, percolator coffee can be good when brewed correctly. Its pros include durability, simplicity, and strong flavor. Percolator coffee is good for outdoor backpacking hikes, large gatherings, and bold-flavor preferences. It suits camping trips due to its stovetop design and is ideal when brewing large quantities. According to Primula, a leading manufacturer of stovetop and manual coffee brewing equipment, “One of the primary advantages of using a coffee percolator is its ability to achieve unparalleled flavor infusion. Continuous cycling of water through the grounds yields a robust and full-bodied cup of coffee.”

However, percolator coffee is less popular than drip or single-serve. In a 2020 CivicScience survey of 2,400 U.S. adults, only 6% used percolators as their primary method, compared to 48% for drip and 29% for pods. Percolator coffee is not ideal when you want a smooth, less bitter brew. It tends to over-extract resulting in a harsh or burnt taste. Percolators are also unsuitable for brewing delicate, lightly roasted single-origin beans, as they lack control over key brewing variables like temperature and timing, often destroying nuanced flavors due to repeated boiling.

What is a Coffee Percolator?

A coffee percolator is a brewing device that circulates boiling or nearly boiling water through coffee grounds using gravity or pressure. A coffee percolator consists of four main elements: a lower water chamber, a central stem, a perforated metal filter basket for coffee grounds, and a top chamber or glass knob to monitor brewing. These parts work together to cycle hot water through the grounds to extract flavor.

Most coffee percolators use stainless steel, ceramic, or aluminum. Some modern percolators use plastic or glass, but metal remains most common for its durability and efficient heat conduction. Stainless steel and aluminum provide even heat distribution, which is essential for consistent brewing. Metal is also corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for long-term, high-temperature use.

Coffee percolators vary by material, heat source compatibility, and capacity. Some coffee percolators use stovetops, while others are electric. Materials include titanium, cast iron, or metal. Coffee percolators also vary by size and the number of cups they can brew. Sizes typically range from 4-cup to 12-cup models for home use, and up to 100-cup models for commercial or event use.

When was the Coffee Percolator Invented?

The the early version of the coffee percolator was invented between roughly 1810 and 1814 by Benjamin Thompson, known as Count Rumford, an American-born British physicist and inventor. His design was inspired by Turkish-style brewing but lacked the key tube for continuous water cycling seen in modern percolators. Rumford promoted coffee for its stimulating effects and wrote the 1813 essay “Of the Excellent Qualities of Coffee,” detailing his brewing methods.

The invention of the modern stovetop percolator came later, featuring a metal basket and central tube to cycle boiling water through coffee grounds. Hanson Goodrich, an Illinois farmer, patented this design on August 16, 1889, under U.S. Patent No. 408,707. Goodrich's design introduced a broad boiling base, an up-flow tube, and a perforated basket to improve brewing efficiency and coffee quality. This design set the standard for the modern stovetop percolator.

How Does a Coffee Percolator Work?

A coffee percolator works by using percolation to brew coffee. Coffee percolator cycles hot water continuously through the coffee grounds using a thermally driven pump mechanism based on boiling water and vapor bubble dynamics.

Coffee percolator works as water in the bottom chamber heats and rises to near boiling. Boiling produces bubbles of steam at the base. These bubbles rise and push hot water upward through the vertical tube by buoyant force, similar to an airlift pump. This principle relies on density differences between steam and water to create upward flow. As hot water reaches the tube’s top, it spills over the lid and disperses evenly through small holes onto the coffee grounds.

Coffee percolation uses gravity to filter hot water through grounds, extracting flavor and soluble compounds. The brewed coffee drips back down into the lower chamber, where the cycle repeats. The downward-falling droplets cool and mix water at the base, maintaining circulation. Cyclical percolation continues until the coffee reaches the desired strength.

Coffee percolators do not regulate or monitor temperature at the grounds level. Instead, rely on a heating element or stove to bring water near boiling. Most electric percolators use a thermostat or switch to reduce heat as water nears boiling. This stops pumping to prevent over-extraction and coffee burn. In stovetop percolators, control is manual by removing the pot from heat once brewing finishes.

Most modern coffee percolators require electricity to heat water and automate the brewing process. Electric percolators usually draw between 500 and 1,000 watts and plug into standard 120V outlets. They have built-in heating elements, internal thermostats, and timers that regulate temperature and brewing duration for consistent results. However, traditional stovetop percolators do not need electricity; instead, they rely on external heat source such as a gas or electric stove.

What Can You Make in Coffee Percolators?

You can make coffee, tea, and instant coffee in a percolator because water-based infusions leave no residue to clog or damage the mechanism. However, hot chocolate or cocoa should not be made in a percolator due to dairy and powder content. Milk or cream curdles at high heat. Cocoa powder’s oils and thickness clog percolator tubes, reduce function, and make cleanup harder. Similarly, avoid milk-based drinks like chai, lattes, or sugary beverages in a percolator due to clogging and residue buildup.

How to Make Coffee in a Percolator?

To make coffee in a percolator, follow these six steps below.

1. Clean the Percolator: Start with a clean percolator to remove any old coffee oils or residue that could affect the flavor.
2. Fill with Water and Insert Stem: Pour cold water into the bottom chamber (reservoir), usually 2 cups per mug. Insert the central stem into the reservoir.
3. Add Coffee Grounds: Place coarsely ground coffee in the upper basket — 1 tablespoon per cup for strong coffee or 1 teaspoon per cup for a milder brew. Optionally, use a paper filter to reduce sediment. Assemble and securely close the lid.
4. Heat the Percolator: Set the percolator on medium heat. Watch the glass knob for intermittent bubbling. Avoid full boiling by adjusting heat as needed to maintain gentle percolation.
5. Percolate and Remove: Brew for 7–10 minutes, depending on strength preference. When sputtering fades, remove from heat. Use oven mitts to take out the stem and basket, then let the coffee sit for 1–2 minutes.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Pour the coffee into cups and add cream, sugar, or flavorings if desired. Enjoy your freshly brewed percolator coffee!

What is the Ideal Coffee to Water Ratio to Make Percolator Coffee?

The ideal coffee to water ratio for percolator coffee is 1 to 2 tablespoons (5 to 10 grams) of ground coffee per 6 ounces (177 milliliters or about ¾ cup) of water. The coffee to water ratio in percolator brewing refers to the amount of ground coffee used per unit of water. For a standard 8-ounce cup, use 1 tablespoon of coffee. Adjust the amount to match your taste preference. More for stronger coffee and less for a lighter brew.

The amount of coffee to use in a percolator depends on the number of servings. The following table lists the recommended coffee amounts in grams, ounces, and tablespoons to brew 8 to 100 cups of percolator coffee.

What is the Ideal Grind Size for Percolator Coffee?

The ideal grind for percolator coffee is coarse to medium-coarse, around 1,000–1,200 microns, with a texture like sea salt or rough sand. Coffee grind size in percolator coffee refers to how coarsely the beans are ground. Percolators require a coarser grind than drip, AeroPress, or espresso to keep grounds from passing through the metal filter and ensure even extraction. Using too fine a grind can result in bitter coffee and clogged equipment.

You cannot make percolator coffee from whole coffee beans without grinding them first. Whole beans prevent water from penetrating and brewing effectively, resulting in weak, under-extracted coffee. To grind coffee for a percolator, use a burr grinder with adjustable coarseness, such as the Baratza Encore or the Capresso Infinity. These grinders produce a consistent coarse grind. Blade grinders are not recommended due to uneven particle size.

What is the Ideal Brewing Time for Percolator Coffee?

The ideal brewing time for percolator coffee is 7 to 10 minutes after the water starts boiling. Brew for 7 minutes for a balanced flavor or up to 10 minutes for a stronger cup. Brewing longer than 10 minutes can result in bitterness and should be avoided for optimal taste.

You can see that percolator coffee is brewing by watching the clear knob on top. As brewing begins, hot water bubbles up the central stem and splashes over the coffee grounds. The knob shows these bursts of water darkening over time, indicating active brewing and increasing coffee strength.

The bubbling sound and clear liquid in the glass knob signal active perking. Percolator coffee is done when the perking sound slows to every few seconds and the coffee darkens. Watch for steady steam and check that the glass knob shows fewer bubbles.

What is the Best Coffee for Percolator?

The best coffee for a percolator is coarse ground, freshly roasted, and medium to dark roast specialty coffee from high-altitude regions like Colombia, Brazil, or Ethiopia. Specialty coffee beans are denser, more uniform in size, and rich in complex flavors with minimal defects, typically scoring 80 points or higher on the SCA scale. Colombian beans are best coffee for percolator as they bring balanced flavor and medium body. Brazilian coffee adds low acidity and chocolate notes. Ethiopian beans, especially dry-processed, offer floral and fruity brightness that contrasts percolation's intensity, making them some of the best coffee for percolator brewing.

Where to Buy the Best Coarse Ground Coffee for Percolator?

You can buy the best coarse ground coffee for percolator from Colipse. Our lineup includes pre-ground and whole bean options roasted to order, with medium roasts, and bold flavors ideal for electric and stove percolators. No grinding needed. At Colipse, we offer free U.S. shipping on every coffee bag, bulk size discounts, decaf and high-caffeine blends, and subscription deals. Coffee beans for percolators at Colipse range from $19.95 to $23.50 per 12 oz bag, depending on the blend.

How Does Percolator Coffee Compare to Other Brewing Methods?

When comparing percolator coffee to other brewing methods, it produces a bolder, stronger cup with more body and higher acidity. Unlike drip or pour-over, percolators cycle water through grounds multiple times, enhancing intensity but increasing risk of over-extraction if not carefully timed.

What is the Difference between Percolator Coffee and Drip Coffee?

The primary difference between percolator coffee and drip coffee is the brewing method. Percolators cycle boiling water through coffee grounds repeatedly, producing a stronger, bolder flavor. In contrast, drip coffee brewing uses gravity to pass hot water through grounds once, resulting in a cleaner, milder taste with less bitterness.

What is the Difference between Percolator Coffee and French Press Coffee?

The main difference between a coffee percolator and a French press is the brewing style. A percolator continuously cycles boiling water through grounds for a bold, robust flavor, while a French press steeps coarse grounds in hot water for a smoother, fuller-bodied brew without over-extraction.

What is the Difference between Percolator Coffee and Moka Pot?

Coffee percolators and Moka pots differ in brewing method and flavor. Percolators cycle boiling water through coarse grounds for a bold, smooth brew, while moka pots use steam pressure on fine grounds to create strong, espresso-like coffee.

How to Clean a Coffee Percolator?

To clean a coffee percolator, start by disassembling it, washing all parts with warm soapy water, and rinsing thoroughly. For deep cleaning, run a cycle with equal parts water and white vinegar, then rinse with two full water cycles. Dry all components completely before reassembling.

The main difference between cleaning an aluminum coffee percolator and an electric coffee percolator is the method. Clean aluminum percolators by hand using mild soap and water—avoid dishwashers. Clean electric percolators by removing the basket and rinsing the inside with vinegar and water, then wiping down the base without submerging.