We've always used Farberware electric percolators, but lately, they aren't even lasting a year for us. We should be able to get a replacement for our current pot under the one-year warranty since we bought it in April, but I feel like I don't want to buy another one when the replacement dies sometime in 2012. Not only is this not frugal, but I don't want to continue rewarding this company with my repeat business for such poor quality products. Browsing Amazon reviews indicate that people have the same type of complaint about all electric percolators (or if there's a good one, I haven't run across it yet). So I'm wondering about a stovetop model: how tricky is it to use, how much attention does it need while brewing, and how long does it take to make a pot of coffee? I am not particularly capable in the kitchen