Some people swear by Moka pots and others by the French press. Our nostalgic grandparents will stand by their stovetop percolators. It is one of the more traditional and reliable methods of brewing coffee that is often recommended by many coffee purists.
With stovetop percolators, the process is straightforward, although not ‘set and forget’ as other methods. The continuous brew cycle means you will need to be more deliberate and mindful of the percolation brewing process.
If you are looking for the best stovetop percolator, you’ve come to the right place. We have rounded up reliable models that come highly recommended by baristas, customer reviews, and other seasonal coffee connoisseurs. Let’s find you the best stovetop percolator and reinvigorate your relationship with coffee by going back to the roots of coffee brewing.
- Best Stovetop Percolator Reviews
- 1. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite – Best Stovetop Percolator
- 2. GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator Coffee – Best Outdoor Percolator
- 3. One-All Stovetop Percolator 8 Cup – Most Unique Stovetop Percolator
- 4. COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Percolator – Value Pick
- 5. Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator – Most Durable
- Things to look for in the best stovetop percolator
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Stovetop Percolator Reviews
1. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite – Best Stovetop Percolator
Features:
Capacity: 1-12 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
Compatible Heat Sources: Induction Stove (selective), Gas Stove, Electric Coil
PROS
CONS
Would you like to enjoy quality coffee all the time without having to spend a fortune on a high-end coffee maker? If you said yes, then a worthy option to look into is the Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite.
This is a highly rated stovetop percolator that is constructed of heavy duty stainless construction. Its design is timeless and will go well with any kitchen décor. At a capacity of 12 cups, this percolator can keep caffeinated the entire day without the need to go to the kitchen again.
A feature we like about this percolator coffee pot is its reusable filter basket. It reduces waste and the mess you generally get when using paper coffee filters. This percolator is also dishwasher safe, so cleaning is quick and easy.
Aside from the handle and glass knob, this percolator is fully stainless steel. The interior is non-reactive, meaning it will not retain any odors or tastes. So rest assured that your 99th pot will taste the same as your first. The glass knob is a nice design feature that lets you peek into the pot so you can watch the percolation process and adjust the brew time to your preference.
The Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite is a great choice for anyone looking for a high capacity percolator that has a classic design and comes with a lifetime warranty.
2. GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator Coffee – Best Outdoor Percolator
Features:
Capacity: 1-12 Cups
Material: Enameled steel
Warranty: Lifetime Limited (for defective material and workmanship)
Compatible Heat Sources: Campfire, Electric Coil, Grill, Glass/Ceramic Stovetops, Induction Stovetops
PROS
CONS
If you outdoor enthusiast and looking for something more rugged to bring along with you on adventures, you might want to consider the GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator. This is specifically designed for campers, cabin crews, RV owners, and backpackers.
Those with retro-styled kitchens or farmhouses will find this coffee maker to be a bubbly companion as well. The main reason why it is ideal for outdoor use is because of its heavy-gauge steel construction.
This percolator has been put through a kiln-hardened process at 1000℉ twice. Making the speckled enamel finish extremely durable to scratches, chips, and bumps. The transparent resin cap is unbreakable and is a nice feature to have to watch your coffee percolate.
The triple-ply construction distributes heat evenly and enables you to make a consistent pot of coffee every time. The GSI Enamelware Percolator is great for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking for an extremely durable coffee maker with a traditional design.
3. One-All Stovetop Percolator 8 Cup – Most Unique Stovetop Percolator
Features:
Capacity: 1-8 Cups
Material: Borosilicate Glass / Plastic
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Compatible Heat Sources: Electric Coil Stovetops, Glass/Ceramic Stovetops
PROS
CONS
The problem with traditional stainless steel percolators is you are only able to watch the percolation process through a small window. For coffee aficionados, being able to monitor color changes during brewing is important. This way if you prefer a lighter brew, you can stop the brewing process earlier at the prefer strength you like. The one percolator that gives you this flexibility is the Medelco’s One-All Stovetop Percolator 8 Cup.
Instead of stainless steel, this percolator is made of borosilicate glass that is thermal shock resistant (resistant to extreme temperature change). The handle is made of Phenolic plastic and is able to withstand high temperatures.
This percolator is stylish and budget-friendly. With a capacity of 8 cups, you can make everyone in your family a cup of coffee without brewing separate batches. There are a few things to note though. First, it consists of plastic parts that can easily melt under high heat. This means you’ll need to be mindful of your heat source.
Secondly, you’ll need to stick to coarse grind coffee. In our test review, fine grounds passed through the filter and into our coffee. If you are tight on budget and want a percolator that will do the job, Medelco’s One-All Stovetop Percolator will suffice. However, if you are after the best quality, then we suggest you pay a little more for the stainless steel varieties.
4. COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Percolator – Value Pick
Features:
Capacity: 1-9 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel (18/8) / Plastic
Warranty: 1 Year
Compatible Heat Sources: Electric Coil, Gas Stoves, Grill, Campfire (if you wrap the handle in foil)
PROS
CONS
The Coletti Bozeman 9-cup percolator is an elegant and simple stovetop percolator. If you are looking for the best percolator to take on your outdoor trips, this durable yet affordable percolator could be the one.
Named after Bozeman, a rugged city in Montana, Coletti exudes top craftsmanship. It boasts of durable stainless steel construction for many years of dependable service. Just like how your grandparents brewed coffee, this simple percolator lets you prepare a truly flavor-rich brew the traditional way.
The fill lines on its body let you prepare either 5, 7, or 9 cups of coffee without needing a measuring cup. The glass knob on the lid allows you to peek in on your brew, so you know exactly when it starts to percolate. Although not required for brewing, filters are also included if you want to brew finer grinds (prevents fine grinds from falling through).
Coletti is a veteran-owned business. So if you enjoy supporting a worthy cause as much as you do coffee. Then you will be happy to know that 100% of all profits go to a worthy charity.
5. Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator – Most Durable
Features:
Capacity: 1-12 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel (18/8)
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Compatible Heat Sources: Gas stove, Grill, Campfire, Electric Coil, Ceramic/Glass Stovetop
PROS
CONS
Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator is one of the best percolator coffee maker that is designed to last a very long time. Designed with campers in mind, this coffee maker is made from durable stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion and rust.
Boasting a capacity of 12 cups, a single batch of coffee is enough to serve a small group. Clean-up is easy as the stainless steel exterior wipes down quickly. Although marketed as an outdoor coffee maker, this percolator will operate just fine with almost all indoor stovetops (excluding induction). The sturdy construction makes it very easy to brew coffee at the campsite, the full stainless steel construction means you can use it directly on the fire without worrying.
We also love the Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator as it is a reliable coffee maker that brews a robust pot consistently. If you are looking for a simple and durable percolator that is affordable, the Coleman would be a solid choice.
Things to look for in the best stovetop percolator
In this section, we are going to highlight a few things to consider while shopping for a stovetop coffee percolator.
Compatible heat sources
While looking through the different coffee percolator options, you need to consider the heat sources you own. Make sure the stovetop percolator you pick is compatible with the stovetop you own. This is especially the case if you own an induction stovetop as not all percolators will work on it.
You can decide to go with an electric coffee percolator, too. A good number of them are reliable but will not accommodate any other alternative heating methods.
Capacity
While shopping for a coffee percolator, consider how many cups you would brew on a daily basis. Large capacity pots can brew for a big family and that saves time. But if you are brewing for one, a large capacity pot would require more coffee grounds to make a drink that still packs a good punch. If you use less coffee, your drink will be light.
Coffee aficionados and professional baristas keep both big and small capacity percolators. This allows them to switch from one to another depending on how many cups are needed.
Construction
The material used to construct the percolator matters. For instance, many coffee devotees prefer stainless steel pots because they last longer, are easy to clean, and don’t rust.
Aluminum pots are not bad but they are prone to rust and require more work to clean. There are also percolators made out of glass. They are a good deal if you want to watch the brewing process more closely. Unfortunately, glass is delicate not as durable as stainless steel and aluminum.
Handle
The best coffee percolators feature ergonomic handles with heatproof materials. Check to ensure the handles are well made and positioned higher or far away from the heat zone.
Conclusion
Out of the 5 choices we have reviewed, we recommend Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite. This stovetop coffee percolator features a stainless steel body, a see-through top knob, large capacity, and is affordable. Is there any other worthy contender we have left out? Let us know through the comment box below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when a stovetop percolator is done brewing?
It is not uncommon for people to brew lighter or bitter coffee with stovetop percolators. This is because stovetop percolators do not have a power switch. Instead, they feature a transparent glass knob where you can monitor the brewing progress.
To know when the coffee is finished percolating, watch out for the bubbling. For some enthusiasts, perking is not the end but rather, the beginning of the process. If you want a stronger batch, you may want to give the pot a few more minutes to do more extraction. Only stop the process once the coffee achieves your ideal color change.
Do you need to use a paper filter in a percolator?
You do not really need a filter when using stovetop percolators because they come with a filter basket. Nevertheless, if you use fine grounds, they can easily find their way into the final product and thus requing the use of a filter.
To avoid coffee particles from entering the brew, some people use paper filters. They just make a hole at its center then lay it on the filer basket and pour the grinds on it.
Paper filters cut sediments and oils out of coffee. So if this is what you want, then they could be essential. But if you like your java bold and flavor-rich, then don’t use a paper filter.
What makes the best coffee, drip or percolator?
The general consensus among coffee devotees is that percolators outshine drip makers. With drip coffee, water passes through coffee grounds once and can produce a a lighter brew.
Percolators, on the other hand, recycle the coffee through the grounds as many times as you want and can produce a stronger, darker, and teeth-kicking brew. This here is a matter of preference and that varies from one person to another.
