Comments on: Percolator Love http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:51:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sandy http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41074 Sandy Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41074 Hi there, Just got my GE immersible perc on ebay. Of course there were no directions with this vintage perc. Can you tell me what the dime/nickel size metal part does and where it goes? Thanks in advance for your help! Hi there,
Just got my GE immersible perc on ebay. Of course there were no directions with this vintage perc. Can you tell me what the dime/nickel size metal part does and where it goes? Thanks in advance for your help!

]]> By: candacem http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41072 candacem Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41072 For all those percolator fans without a family home to 'burgle' or a hankering for used small appliances, I recommend the Cuisinart Classic percolator. It's expensive, but well worth the cost. It's not going to last as long as my mom's old percolator lasted both her and me, i.e., almost fifty years, but it's graceful, works great, and has replaceable parts that are still available. cmm For all those percolator fans without a family home to ‘burgle’ or a hankering for used small appliances, I recommend the Cuisinart Classic percolator. It’s expensive, but well worth the cost. It’s not going to last as long as my mom’s old percolator lasted both her and me, i.e., almost fifty years, but it’s graceful, works great, and has replaceable parts that are still available. cmm

]]> By: Ryan http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41073 Ryan Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41073 I tell ya, when do the marketing rackets stop? (It's the same as the marketing of those crappy disposable razors, and "miracle" 5 blade cartridges - if you don't know what I mean, look into double edge shaving, it'll change your life! LOL) My Braun drip maker just died (and they're even a good one, by the reviews, and the 3 years I had it, especially compared to Mr. Coffee's single year; I think Bunn makes the only really good one), and I'm definitely gonna find a good percolator, 'looking forward to it. My Grandma used to use one that worked with the heat of the stove, and that was far better coffee than those other machines. And no kiddin', the others are no easier to use, in fact they're kind of a pain, and clog up all the time - plus they need those stupid paper filters, another racket! LOL I'm all for progress, but just because something's new doesn't mean it's better... I tell ya, when do the marketing rackets stop? (It’s the same as the marketing of those crappy disposable razors, and “miracle” 5 blade cartridges – if you don’t know what I mean, look into double edge shaving, it’ll change your life! LOL) My Braun drip maker just died (and they’re even a good one, by the reviews, and the 3 years I had it, especially compared to Mr. Coffee’s single year; I think Bunn makes the only really good one), and I’m definitely gonna find a good percolator, ‘looking forward to it. My Grandma used to use one that worked with the heat of the stove, and that was far better coffee than those other machines. And no kiddin’, the others are no easier to use, in fact they’re kind of a pain, and clog up all the time – plus they need those stupid paper filters, another racket! LOL I’m all for progress, but just because something’s new doesn’t mean it’s better…

]]> By: Mark http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41070 Mark Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41070 Ahh! To meet another percolatorphile! I have been a coffee snob for a good part of my adult life. I had an espresso machine in my college dorm room! I have since reached adulthood and the luxury of a coffehouse brew daily is not in the budget. I have "lived" with the terrible taste of a drip brewer for years. Mine just kicked the bucket. I hauled out my percolator from my camping gear. Wow! the coffee from it is amazingly good. Yes I am using Folgers too. I never thought it would taste anything more than brown crap. Percolators have some magic that erases the nastiness. It makes the coffee I remember from my grandmother house(incidentally when I fell in love w/ coffee). Thank you ! Ahh! To meet another percolatorphile! I have been a coffee snob for a good part of my adult life. I had an espresso machine in my college dorm room! I have since reached adulthood and the luxury of a coffehouse brew daily is not in the budget. I have “lived” with the terrible taste of a drip brewer for years. Mine just kicked the bucket. I hauled out my percolator from my camping gear. Wow! the coffee from it is amazingly good. Yes I am using Folgers too. I never thought it would taste anything more than brown crap. Percolators have some magic that erases the nastiness. It makes the coffee I remember from my grandmother house(incidentally when I fell in love w/ coffee). Thank you !

]]> By: trevor williams http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41071 trevor williams Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41071 I bought this percolater: http://www.coffee-percolators.com/images/pictures/farberware-classic-yosemite-stainless-steel-percolator-50124.jpg while on vacation. It's makes a damn fine cup of Joe. I've had the French press, drip (Braun and Krups) and I've stopped using my Senseo. The coffee out of this percolator is smoother, tastier and hotter than other methods. And it's looks great on the stove. I bought this percolater:

http://www.coffee-percolators.com/images/pictures/farberware-classic-yosemite-stainless-steel-percolator-50124.jpg

while on vacation. It’s makes a damn fine cup of Joe. I’ve had the French press, drip (Braun and Krups) and I’ve stopped using my Senseo.

The coffee out of this percolator is smoother, tastier and hotter than other methods. And it’s looks great on the stove.

]]> By: Marlene Banks http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41069 Marlene Banks Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41069 I am looking for a Farberware electric perculator. Our old one broke and we have not been able to find the above (10 cups). Does anyone know of the address of Farberware. I would like to write them and perhaps make a direct purchase from the company. Thanks P.S. We miss our old electric perk. I am looking for a Farberware electric perculator. Our old one broke and we have not been able to find the above (10 cups). Does anyone know of the address of Farberware. I would like to write them and perhaps make a direct purchase from the company. Thanks

P.S. We miss our old electric perk.

]]> By: Leonard http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41067 Leonard Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41067 I switiched to a perculator a few years ago and like having a hot cup of coffee. My neighbor has one and told me he pours the new grounds over the old ones until the basket gets full. I tried it in now do the same thing. I switiched to a perculator a few years ago and like having a hot cup of coffee. My neighbor has one and told me he pours the new grounds over the old ones until the basket gets full. I tried it in now do the same thing.

]]> By: Ashley http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41068 Ashley Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41068 I love my coffee percolator. I am never going back to a drip maker. The drip machines make tepid coffee that tastes like burnt plastic. I love the fact that a percolator brews hot coffee and it never touches any plastic, only stainless steel. It has a very good smooth flavor and most importantly it is hot and stays hot without burning or scorching. If you haven't tried percolated coffee, trust me, you'll be surprised in how good it is. You may also become a born again percolator fan. I am using the Presto 02811 Percolator and I really like it. I love my coffee percolator. I am never going back to a drip maker. The drip machines make tepid coffee that tastes like burnt plastic. I love the fact that a percolator brews hot coffee and it never touches any plastic, only stainless steel. It has a very good smooth flavor and most importantly it is hot and stays hot without burning or scorching. If you haven’t tried percolated coffee, trust me, you’ll be surprised in how good it is. You may also become a born again percolator fan. I am using the Presto 02811 Percolator and I really like it.

]]> By: EJG http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41065 EJG Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41065 Thanks for putting this up. I just tried a stovetop percolator from a camping kit and the coffee was amazing. Thanks for putting this up. I just tried a stovetop percolator from a camping kit and the coffee was amazing.

]]> By: Becky http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41066 Becky Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41066 I was born in 1950. Oh yes, I also have fond memories of the sound and smell of coffee brewing in the mornings. My mother and grandmother made great coffee in their GE percolators (just like in your photo above). When I married I was using a drip maker. Around that time my Stepmother made the best coffee ever----in a Faberware percolator. She and my dad gave us one that year for Christmas. Sometime later I fell back into using the drip process. Four years ago a friend made us coffee in a Farberware percolator that had belonged to his mother. That put me back on the right track. Couldn't find my old percolator so I purchased new Farberware and have been loving it ever since. After brewing I always pour that fresh brew into an insulated carafe that stays hot for up to 8 hours. At Christmas I always take and make coffee at my daughter's house. Her inlaws now insist that perked coffee is much better than drip. I drink regular Maxwell House or Folgers-----which ever is on sale. I was born in 1950. Oh yes, I also have fond memories of the sound and smell of coffee brewing in the mornings. My mother and grandmother made great coffee in their GE percolators (just like in your photo above). When I married I was using a drip maker. Around that time my Stepmother made the best coffee ever—-in a Faberware percolator. She and my dad gave us one that year for Christmas. Sometime later I fell back into using the drip process. Four years ago a friend made us coffee in a Farberware percolator that had belonged to his mother. That put me back on the right track. Couldn’t find my old percolator so I purchased new Farberware and have been loving it ever since. After brewing I always pour that fresh brew into an insulated carafe that stays hot for up to 8 hours. At Christmas I always take and make coffee at my daughter’s house. Her inlaws now insist that perked coffee is much better than drip. I drink regular Maxwell House or Folgers—–which ever is on sale.

]]> By: blindhari http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41064 blindhari Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41064 As I reach the golden years (geezerhood according to our daughter)I belive that I have tried every kind of coffee brew going. I remember Army coffee, black gang coffee, fine european hotel coffee, drip, perk, fresh ground, french press, vacum, boiled in c rations, and made out of old grounds because it was the best my host could offer. I have worked in food service for off and on for over 40 years and the greatest cup of coffee was from the poor man who shared all he had. I have gotten to the point that I must restrict caffine and acid. The best I can make for my guests is fresh MJB when I can get it,and Folgers half caf when I can't, BREWED IN A FARBERWARE PERCOLATER. I just lie to coffee snobs about what they're drinking and how I made it. Works every time. blindhari As I reach the golden years (geezerhood according to our daughter)I belive that I have tried every kind of coffee brew going. I remember Army coffee, black gang coffee, fine european hotel coffee, drip, perk, fresh ground, french press, vacum, boiled in c rations, and made out of old grounds because it was the best my host could offer. I have worked in food service for off and on for over 40 years and the greatest cup of coffee was from the poor man who shared all he had.

I have gotten to the point that I must restrict caffine and acid. The best I can make for my guests is fresh MJB when I can get it,and Folgers half caf when I can’t,
BREWED IN A FARBERWARE PERCOLATER.
I just lie to coffee snobs about what they’re drinking and how I made it. Works every time.
blindhari

]]> By: Mer http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41062 Mer Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41062 I switched back to a percolator after using a drip system for several years. Drip coffee has a flat hard edge with no body whereas percolated coffee seems to come alive with flavor. I spent a fair amount on expensive coffee and Folgers while not quite up there is close enough for me - I really can’t taste that much difference. I sometimes think people buy expensive coffee for the wrong reasons and do so only to impress. The coffee drinking experience would be much better without the politics (fair trade). Buy what you like and forget the rest which is just bs anyway. I switched back to a percolator after using a drip system for several years. Drip coffee has a flat hard edge with no body whereas percolated coffee seems to come alive with flavor. I spent a fair amount on expensive coffee and Folgers while not quite up there is close enough for me – I really can’t taste that much difference. I sometimes think people buy expensive coffee for the wrong reasons and do so only to impress. The coffee drinking experience would be much better without the politics (fair trade). Buy what you like and forget the rest which is just bs anyway.

]]> By: Gerald Coates http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41063 Gerald Coates Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41063 Thanks for your comments on perolator. I did a lot of research into various coffee makers, espresso makers, etc. I did order a combination espresso and coffee (drip type) maker and when it finally came the product was a used and broken unit that got shipped by mistake. I cancelled the order. Then I went to a store and saw the GE perolator and it thought why not give it a try till i can get what I want. Well thank you (company that missed up my order) - I now remember what I have been missing in the taste of coffee - all every one has is a drip type coffee maker or if your lucky you get a espresso - However after making my first pot of coffee in the perolator I am back hooked on the orginal way of making coffee. The flavor is great - and you can make it exactly as strong as you want it. Not only that NO MORE buying filters or having to wash a used one out to make coffee as your out and its to late or early to buy more - GO PEROLATOR - pass the word. Thanks for your comments on perolator. I did a lot of research into various coffee makers, espresso makers, etc. I did order a combination espresso and coffee (drip type) maker and when it finally came the product was a used and broken unit that got shipped by mistake. I cancelled the order.

Then I went to a store and saw the GE perolator and it thought why not give it a try till i can get what I want.

Well thank you (company that missed up my order) – I now remember what I have been missing in the taste of coffee – all every one has is a drip type coffee maker or if your lucky you get a espresso -

However after making my first pot of coffee in the perolator I am back hooked on the orginal way of making coffee. The flavor is great – and you can make it exactly as strong as you want it. Not only that NO MORE buying filters or having to wash a used one out to make coffee as your out and its to late or early to buy more -

GO PEROLATOR – pass the word.

]]> By: Shawn http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41059 Shawn Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41059 I used an auto drip coffee maker for years and it produced a quick cup of ok lukewarm coffee. Recently I got my mother's old coffee pot working again after finding a new cord. Gotta admit that after forty years the old perk coffee pot works fantastic and really does brew a great cup of hot delicious coffee. If you like fancy foo foo coffee and fancy foo foo equipment I think that's great. Hey, to each his own... As for me, perk coffee and Folgers seem to work quite well. I used an auto drip coffee maker for years and it produced a quick cup of ok lukewarm coffee. Recently I got my mother’s old coffee pot working again after finding a new cord. Gotta admit that after forty years the old perk coffee pot works fantastic and really does brew a great cup of hot delicious coffee. If you like fancy foo foo coffee and fancy foo foo equipment I think that’s great. Hey, to each his own… As for me, perk coffee and Folgers seem to work quite well.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41060 Mark Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41060 Haven't had a perked cup of coffee in a long time, but was up in Northern Quebec on vacation and the person who lived there perked some coffee. I don't care what anyone says...that coffee had such flavor and it was a stovetop model. I won't buy a stovetop model, but I'm converting back to a percolator. Much superior in my opinion. Haven’t had a perked cup of coffee in a long time, but was up in Northern Quebec on vacation and the person who lived there perked some coffee. I don’t care what anyone says…that coffee had such flavor and it was a stovetop model. I won’t buy a stovetop model, but I’m converting back to a percolator. Much superior in my opinion.

]]> By: Waldo - Where am I? http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41061 Waldo - Where am I? Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41061 After reading some of the comments, I did a little experiment this morning. I dripped a pot of folgers and perced 6 cups of ronnco decaf-turned it down to med hi after it actively started to perc- and tried both. the perced coffee has a more full rich flavor....it just tastes better. and the ronoco coffee is perfect for my perculator...its ground more coarse than my folgers.. Looks like the percolator is gonna get a lot more use in the future. After reading some of the comments, I did a little experiment this morning. I dripped a pot of folgers and perced 6 cups of ronnco decaf-turned it down to med hi after it actively started to perc- and tried both. the perced coffee has a more full rich flavor….it just tastes better. and the ronoco coffee is perfect for my perculator…its ground more coarse than my folgers.. Looks like the percolator is gonna get a lot more use in the future.

]]> By: R Phillips http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41058 R Phillips Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41058 I love my percolator!!! The coffee tastes far better than drip to me... Presto still makes a 100% stainless steel model with the nice spout. It looks almost exactly like the one pictured, but the top isn't clear so you can watch the coffee perc... :( Still... I highly recommend the Presto for anyone who doesn't want to take a chance on buying vintage. Makes a great cup of coffee and even has the light that goes on to tell you when the coffee's ready. Most of the other manufacturers did away with that. I've had no problem getting perfect extraction and a very balanced cup by adjusting the grind. I'll bet the Folgers ground for drip machines packs a pretty serious caffeine punch when made in a percolator. Although... that brew strength control on the vintage GE probably makes it possible to adjust the extraction without adjusting the grind. Finer grinds in the Presto make "super" coffee that tastes over extracted, but packs a caffeine buzz you wouldn't believe!!! I love my percolator!!! The coffee tastes far better than drip to me… Presto still makes a 100% stainless steel model with the nice spout. It looks almost exactly like the one pictured, but the top isn’t clear so you can watch the coffee perc… :( Still… I highly recommend the Presto for anyone who doesn’t want to take a chance on buying vintage. Makes a great cup of coffee and even has the light that goes on to tell you when the coffee’s ready. Most of the other manufacturers did away with that.

I’ve had no problem getting perfect extraction and a very balanced cup by adjusting the grind. I’ll bet the Folgers ground for drip machines packs a pretty serious caffeine punch when made in a percolator. Although… that brew strength control on the vintage GE probably makes it possible to adjust the extraction without adjusting the grind. Finer grinds in the Presto make “super” coffee that tastes over extracted, but packs a caffeine buzz you wouldn’t believe!!!

]]> By: Mike http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41054 Mike Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41054 Is supercilious the word of the day? or is it pretentious? First of all, the properly functioning percolator does not boil or overheat the tank full of coffee, it heats a tiny amount of water which is driven up a tube and splashed out, diffused, over the grounds. When enough of it has heated, risen, showered the grounds, the tank has attained sufficient heat to tell the percolating heater element to shut off, after which the tank merely maintains temperature. Feeding groups of 20 to 200 people, I would often (for the higher $ parties) go buy fresh ground Starbucks or other highly touted, overpriced coffees, sometimes grind up some fancy shmancy beans. All well and good, but still, I never have gotten as many compliments as when I just brewed Folgers. Some years back, I'd been drinking some fancy Columbian thing for a couple weeks or so- fresh ground, etc. One day I came to work and my assistant handed me a cup of coffee which tasted so-o-o-o good! Since we had a few premium brands on hand,I asked her what she'd used and she replied "Folgers". Go figure. By the way, I just happened across this message board- lots of fun, in an off-hand, silly way, a nice escape for a few minutes. Who is Michael Ruhlman? I guess I should recognize the name, but I do miss a lot in the popular culture. What universe is he the center of? Is supercilious the word of the day? or is it pretentious? First of all, the properly functioning percolator does not boil or overheat the tank full of coffee, it heats a tiny amount of water which is driven up a tube and splashed out, diffused, over the grounds. When enough of it has heated, risen, showered the grounds, the tank has attained sufficient heat to tell the percolating heater element to shut off, after which the tank merely maintains temperature.
Feeding groups of 20 to 200 people, I would often (for the higher $ parties) go buy fresh ground Starbucks or other highly touted, overpriced coffees, sometimes grind up some fancy shmancy beans. All well and good, but still, I never have gotten as many compliments as when I just brewed Folgers. Some years back, I’d been drinking some fancy Columbian thing for a couple weeks or so- fresh ground, etc. One day I came to work and my assistant handed me a cup of coffee which tasted so-o-o-o good! Since we had a few premium brands on hand,I asked her what she’d used and she replied “Folgers”. Go figure.
By the way, I just happened across this message board- lots of fun, in an off-hand, silly way, a nice escape for a few minutes. Who is Michael Ruhlman? I guess I should recognize the name, but I do miss a lot in the popular culture. What universe is he the center of?

]]> By: luis http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41055 luis Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41055 Mike, Percolators keep Coffee fresher than drips. I have gone down from as many as three brews/day to one or two. Also no paper filters. They do not overheat and set your counter on fire like the drips have been known to do, and they don't take up a square foot of counter space. Even more advantages.... percolators seem to last longer than drip machines. Drip machines have very short life spans. Mike, Percolators keep Coffee fresher than drips. I have gone down from as many as three brews/day to one or two. Also no paper filters. They do not overheat and set your counter on fire like the drips have been known to do, and they don’t take up a square foot of counter space. Even more advantages…. percolators seem to last longer than drip machines. Drip machines have very short life spans.

]]> By: Mike http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/02/percolator-love.html/comment-page-1#comment-41056 Mike Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/02/percolator-love.html#comment-41056 If you use a gold filter, a decent drip machine (I use a Cuisinart), decent coffee (never Folgers) in espresso grind, and good water, you'll get good coffee. If you don't, you're doing it wrong. If you use a gold filter, a decent drip machine (I use a Cuisinart), decent coffee (never Folgers) in espresso grind, and good water, you’ll get good coffee. If you don’t, you’re doing it wrong.

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