6 Types Of Coffee Percolators You Need To Know About!

Last updated on October 26th, 2023 at 15:35

Finding a great percolator is not as simple as heading over to Amazon and doing a simple search – there are different types of coffee percolators that you might not know about or consider as a method of percolation.

Keep reading as we dig in and talk about the very topic of coffee percolators and the 6 different types that you can think about before you splash the cash.

What Is Percolation?

Table Of Contents

1 What Is Percolation?
2 6 Types Of Coffee Percolators
3 Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Percolators
4 Frappé-Ing It All Up – Types Of Coffee Percolator

The definition of percolation is the moving and filtration of a fluid through a filter of substance.

With percolation, the substance is coarsely and the filter basket in which the bed of sits.

This definition of a percolator means there are different and all of them perform the same function – extracting by passing water over them.

All percolators’ basic structure is the same. It has a water chamber with a and a means of passing the water up and over the .

The water chamber is usually a made of either stainless steel or aluminum, and on occasions copper. The part holding your is almost always a .

Let’s now proceed and talk about the various .

What Is Percolation — A Modern Coffee Percolator

Read: How long do you percolate coffee?

6

When you think of coffee percolators, a coffee enthusiast will usually only be able to name two or three with the first two types named being stovetop percolators and electric percolators. Some different types of coffee makers below are what I would classify as a fancy coffee maker.

Let’s dig deeper into this topic.

#1 Stovetop Percolator

A stovetop percolator is made primarily of two materials:

1. Aluminum.
2. Stainless Steel.

It functions by , and using the pressure created by the air bubbles to move the water up through the which then deposits the water over a spreader plate that then showers the over the .

This cycle continues on a perpetual basis until you remove the percolator from the heat. Your cup of coffee will be well-brewed, often double-brewed at least and with a potent caffeine kick.

Read: Moka pot Vs Percolator

#2 Electric Percolator

Electric percolators are considered as a better type of percolator than the stovetop version due to having a more even distribution of heat. Modern versions have the ability for you to perform functions, including the ability to control the water temperature and an auto-off. There is usually an indicator light that will indicate when your percolated coffee is ready.

The brewing is exactly the same as a stovetop version, only the is electric, and you can’t take these on a camping trip. On the plus side, you can make better with an electric percolator than a stovetop percolator.

#3 Moka Pot

The moka pot dates back to 1933 and is incredibly popular in Southern Europe, particularly Italy and Spain. Often it is called a stovetop espresso maker and, like a traditional percolator, modern electric versions are available.

Technically speaking, this is not quite percolation as there is no continued brewing cycle, but it certainly mimics the process and often, people think of a moka pot as a percolator.

In a moka pot the water is heated up in the bottom chamber and then rises up under a pressure of 1.5 bar and through a bed of finely ground coffee and then to a second chamber, the coffee chamber.

The coffee produced is not quite an espresso but is espresso-like. It lacks the thick creama on top to be a true espresso. For an authentic espresso you need at least 9 bars of pressure, which this coffee brewer is not capable of achieving.

You can most certainly use the coffee made to make all your favorite milk-based espresso drinks.

#4

The Siphon brewer is a combination of percolation and infusion and a very different way to make . It looks like something fit for a science lab and certainly does not look like something that would be used in a shop.

It works through the of evaporation and steam.

Steam pushes the and vapor up the stem of the container with the , mixing with the as it infuses. The water vapor rises up from the pressure chamber and to the brewing chamber and then cools down.

Viola, your is ready.

#5 Drip Brewing

This is another version of percolation. With drip , strictly speaking, it is not obliged that your water is boiled, or reaches near point for it to get to the brewing .

Most drip brewers are designed to make and wait until the water reaches the desired before it evenly drips over the in the brewing chamber.

It then passes through a filter and into your or carafe. You can make a pretty neat this way as all you need to do is fill your carafe with ice and await it to fill with . If you do so, account for the ice melting and make a stronger using a more focused to water ratio.

The type of filter that you use will alter the flavor of your with a metal filter making a stronger and a paper filter making a cleaner crisp tasting . A cotton filter gets you something that is in between the two, a middle ground.

Drip Coffee Brewing — A Drip Coffee Brewer

#6 Turkish

Turkish is often not considered as a method of percolation and at other times it is.

Analyzing this brewing method, while no filter is used at all in the process, the constant heating and taking of the boil and reheating of the very finely ground coffee grounds does percolate the coffee.

This is not a simple immersion like where no heat and no percolation is involved at all.

Turkish Coffee — The Turkish Ibrik Percolates Coffee

Frequently Asked Questions About

What Type Of Percolator Is Best?

Which type of coffee percolator is best is subjective and opinion based. Sticking to the strictest of terms and the originality of coffee percolation, the choice of the 6 is narrowed down to just 2 options – stovetop or electric. An electric percolator will produce a better quality cup of coffee than a stovetop and this is accurate and fair to say that an electric coffee percolator is the best coffee percolator.

Stovetop can take between 5 and 8 minutes to brew your while an electric percolator can take a little longer. Generally speaking, when brewing small quantities, an can brew one or two quicker. I consider an electric percolator to be slightly better as they have a more even distribution of heat which can be difficult to obtain with a stovetop version.

What Is The Difference Between A Maker And A Percolator?

By definition a percolator is a maker as the term maker is an umbrella term that covers all . A percolator is a that brews your by using a continuous cycle of brewing using gravity and heat as the mechanisms of action. Once the desired strength has been achieved, you can end the .

What Is The Difference Between A Drip Maker And A Percolator?

The difference between a drip and a percolator is how they brew . A drip maker makes a by heating water and then spraying or dripping the over the . The then either drips through a , paper filter or cotton cloth filter.

A percolator uses a very different which uses a continuous cycle of brewing that double brews your . Percolated is known for its strong caffeine kick.

Do You Need Special For A Percolator?

No, you can use any for a percolator as long as you use coarsely . Some experts advise avoiding specialty for a percolator, but I beg to differ as if you are very good at making percolator you can use specialty and enjoy a full flavored .

What Kind Of Do You Use In A Percolator?

You can use any type of coffee in your percolator, be it a robusta coffee bean or arabica coffee beans or any roast, fully caffeinated or decaffeinated, they all work well in a percolator. Notably, medium and medium-dark roast works best and a medium or coarse grind size is better.

What Is The Difference Between Electric And Stove Percolator?

The main difference between an electric percolator and a stove percolator is their power source and a little automatic that you get with an electric percolator.

Once your coffee is ready with an electric coffee percolator, it will shut off and stop brewing.

Does Better Made In A Percolator?

Opinions vary, and what is better is subjective, but if you love a strong, bold and intense dark roast a percolator brews it better than a drip coffee maker.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Types Of Percolator

Now you know there are at least 6 different types of coffee percolator, with each one making a very different tasting cup of coffee. A regular electric or stovetop version makes the strongest cup of coffee.

A moka pot will give you the ability to make all the milk-based espresso drinks at home and a traditional Turkish Ibrik and a siphon coffee maker are both eye catching and look great in your kitchen or on display in a glass cupboard.

Join our fun and friendly coffee community where we discuss all things coffee from brewing to beans to try out and more. Find us on Facebook/Meta.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location