What's a percolator and how do you make coffee with it?
What's a percolator?
A percolator is a coffee machine that allows you to make espressos without electricity. This is ideal for campsite, for example. All you need for this is ground coffee and water. You also need a gas stove, electric cooktop, or induction cooktop. Place the percolator on top of it. The percolator builds up pressure with the heat of the water to make an espresso. The percolator was often used to brew coffee in the past, especially in Italy. Now, the percolator is back again.
Gas and induction
Gas: aluminum percolators
Most percolators are made of aluminum. This material is lightweight and strong. Aluminum percolators work on gas. Keep in mind that your burner shouldn't be larger than the espresso pot. Want to use a gas percolator? Use a flame splitter if necessary.
Induction, ceramic, or electric: stainless steel percolators
If you cook on a ceramic, electric, or induction cooktop at home, you also need a percolator that heats up on induction. In that case, choose a stainless steel percolator. Most percolators are made of aluminum, but they don't work on induction cooktops. Stainless steel percolators work on all heat sources.
Type of coffee
With a percolator, you should use a medium coffee grind. You can buy this in the store or grind it yourself at home. At a specialty store, they'll grind the beans for you on the spot. If you have your own coffee grinder, you determine the coarseness of the coffee grind. This way, you have a big influence on the flavor of the coffee. A percolator uses low pressure, so a medium-coarse grind is suitable. This allows the water to flow through it easily.
Make coffee with a percolator
Want to know how to make coffee with a percolator? Watch this video. We'll explain step by step how brewing coffee works exactly. Or, read the steps below carefully.
Fill the bottom part of the percolator with water and place the filter on top. Put the ground coffee in the filter. Smooth out the coffee with your finger so the coffee to evenly spread the coffee in the filter. Tighten the top part and place the percolator on the heat source. The water starts to boil in the lower part and builds up pressure towards the ground coffee. This is how the water rises. First, it'll flow through the coffee and then through the pipe at the top. When the coffee stops flowing, it's ready to be served.
