Thread: Coffee in a percolator

I picked up a vintage Revere Ware 6 cup percolator on the bay. Stainless with the copper bottom. So I brewed my first pot this morning. I found some instructions on the web as I hadn't done a percolator in forty years. The coffee was weak and I went back to Google and did a search for better instructions. I found these quoted below and took another shot at it. The results are stellar and I am enjoying a cup right now.

It is interesting to read opinions on making coffee with a percolator. It reminds me of threads on honing with or without tape. It seems that there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. I don't know that I am going to switch to this method on a regular basis but I am happy that I got the gizmo and will use it when the mood strikes.

Coffee Perking suggestions
The Pyrex brand percolator has beverage cup markings for easy measuring. Put water into the percolator bowl.
(Water should not touch the bottom of the coffee basket.)
To help prevent sediment in the brew, run water
through the percolator basket before adding coffee.
Measure proper amount of percolator or regular grand coffee into the basket.
Insert basket assembly into percolator. Cover.
Place over direct heat.
When perking begins, lower the heat to perk gently for 6 to 8 minutes. Rapid perking (boiling) causes bitter flavor and grounds in the brew.
Coffee may be served more easily if basket assembly is removed before pouring.
Brew proper time at correct temperature.
For percolator coffee, perk 6 to 8 minutes. A clear, rich, brown, flavorful cup of coffee is best achieved when brewed without boiling.
Coffee is at its peak of flavor immediately after brewing. It can be kept piping hot for serving later,
but after 30 minutes, coffee loses its flavor rapidly.
For strong brew, use 1 coffee measure (2 level teaspoons) of coffee to each 6 oz of water.
A coffee serving is 5-1/2 oz of finished brew. Therefore, instructions are written for servings of coffee, not measuring cups.
The measurement markings on the percolators are for 6 oz of water per serving. This allows 1/2 oz for absorption by the grounds and for evaporation.
Making a full pot of coffee is preferred, but do not make less than 3/4 capacity of the coffeemaker.
If you own an electric range, use a grid under your Pyrex flameware. These can be made out of galvenized heavy gauge wire.
They look like the grid under the percolator in the photo shown above.
If mineral deposits collect on flameware, boil a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water for about 20 minutes. Or use the newer product CLR, available at Walmart.
>From the older percolator instructions, cool before washing, to remove mineral deposits or discoloration from coffee, for other cleaning problems, use non-abrasive cleansers such as baking soda, Bon Ami, Zud, Ajax, Comet or plastic or nylon pads such as Dobie. Do not use metal or abrasive pads.
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