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Percolator

Percolators have been popular for brewing coffee since the early 1800s. While there is some speculation as to the exact year the percolator was invented and by whom, the best guess is somewhere between 1810 and 1814 by Benjamin Thompson. 

It wasn’t until the 1820s that Joseph Marie Laurens created what is considered the first percolator with a continuous cycle. By 1889, Hanson Goodrich made several improvements to Laurens’ designs and patented the modern percolating coffee pot.

The electric percolator was invented in 1952. In these models, a heating element is added and can be used without needing another heating source. The heating element in these percolators would keep the water at a consistent temperature and produce a higher quality of coffee. 

One of the drawbacks of stovetop percolators is that they rely on the user to remove the heat when the coffee is ready. The electric version will automatically switch off the heating element when the coffee is ready. However, many people still prefer stovetop percolators, as they give them greater control over the flavour of their coffee.

With the introduction of the drip coffee machine in the 1970s, percolators fell out of fashion. However, as people today are seeking to rekindle older methods of making coffee in their quest for the perfect cup, percolators are seeing a resurgence in many homes, and Coffee Parts is more than happy to provide. Percolators are also ideal when travelling as they are lightweight, durable, and can be operated with most heat sources.

How does a percolator work?

Percolators have two chambers: the bottom chamber holds the water, and the top chamber holds the coffee beans. When the water is heated, it travels through a set of tubes and is distributed over the coffee beans, and then it is filtered back through to the bottom chamber. The water can travel several times through the tubes and the coffee, with each pass producing more flavours and a stronger coffee.

 As the coffee will cycle several times, using a timer with your percolator is recommended to avoid over-extracting the coffee. When you first start using percolators, you’ll find it takes a few tries to get the ideal time for your tastes. For the best cup, you can let the coffee sit for a few minutes, allowing any coffee grounds that have found their way into the water chamber to settle.

What kind of coffee is produced by a percolator? 

Percolators are ideal for making strong coffees, as they run water through the coffee beans at least twice. Percolated coffee is known for being strong and will have a richer flavour than other brewing methods.

 If you compare percolated coffee to espresso coffee, you might find they are quite similar but with subtle differences. For example, an espresso coffee uses pressure and techniques to get the flavour from finely ground beans. The beans used in a percolator are coarsely ground, but the water passes through several times to extract the maximum amount of flavour.

 Using percolators to brew your morning coffee, you’ll be pleased to find a bold and strong coffee to get your day started!

Is percolated coffee better than drip?

One of the best things about coffee is that you can drink it how you prefer. Despite what some people may say, there is no single perfect way to drink coffee. Knowing the difference between percolated coffee and drip machine coffee will allow you to make an informed choice.

You get a more intense coffee with percolated coffee as it is double brewed. However, using this robust coffee means losing some of the flavours. In a drip coffee maker, the water will only pass through the coffee once, which can mean you get a less strong brew, though the subtle flavours will be more noticeable.

The amount of coffee you need to make and how your guests prefer their drinks can also help you make the correct choice. A percolator usually makes many more coffee servings than a drip coffee machine. If you or your guests prefer to flavour your coffee with milk, cream, and sugar, you’ll appreciate the higher caffeine hit from percolated coffees.

The drip coffee machine could be the better choice if you’re looking for a fast cup of coffee. If you want coffee ready at any time, a drip coffee machine will brew and keep it warm with a regulated heating element. However, this level of convenience can come at a cost, and many people opt to purchase a quality percolator instead.

A percolator and a drip coffee machine are reasonably affordable options for most coffee drinkers. A drip coffee machine could be the best option if you’re interested in trying the flavours of several coffee brands (such as in a coffee subscription). However, a percolator could be the ideal choice if you’re looking for a machine capable of making plenty of coffee or one that is easy to take with you as you travel.

At Coffee Parts, we have coffee percolators of all different sizes and colours. You can look through our available products and select one that appeals to your tastes and how many coffees you’ll need to serve. If you’ve been searching ‘coffee machines Melbourne’, ‘coffee machines Sydney’, ‘coffee machines Brisbane’, or ‘coffee machines Adelaide’, look no further – we can deliver wherever you are. 

If you’re buying coffee gifts from Coffee Parts, you can look for a percolator or perhaps a coffee press that fits in with your recipient’s kitchen decor. A coffee machine can make for an ideal gift, as they’ll have a new way to experience the coffee they love, and you’ll have a good reason to sit down, relax, and catch up with your friends