Does anyone use a stovetop percolator?

[SiouzQ.]

I have been using my old camping perk pot on a gas stove ever since I broke my IKEA french press taking it camping one summer. It works great, but looks pretty battered and dingy. I still love it! It reminds me of when I was little and my dad would perk his coffee on those cold winter mornings. I would awake to that wonderful aroma, go downstairs in my nightgown and stand over the heat register while breakfast was being prepared and play with my cat
I think today though I'll give it a good scrubbing; it's been awhile.

[Jemima]

I recently bought one of these from Lehman's:

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Kitchen...094145#1094145

It perks just as quickly as my electric and doesn't make nearly as much noise. You can control how strong the brew gets. You can also put the entire thing in the dishwasher and it comes out sparkling. The only thing I don't like is not being able to hook it up to a timer so the morning coffee is ready when I get up. (Hmmm. Maybe an electric hotplate?)

If you'd still prefer an electric, my advice is to get the cheapest, most basic thing you can find. I bought a bottom-of-the-line Mr. Coffee about three years ago and it refuses to die. The previous one was an equally basic Sunbeam and I eventually just got exasperated with the bad lid design and threw it away while it was still working. I think it was at least four years old. Both percolators have been used four to five times a day because I drink a lot of tea and prefer not to brew it one cup at a time.

[rosarugosa]

Thanks for the input everyone; I knew I could count on you folks for some useful info! We're going to get a replacement of our current pot under warranty, but I'm definitely going to buy a stovetop model in the not too distant future (succession planning).
Jemima, I was also excited to see that the one you linked to is made in the USA. I try to buy local or domestic when it is an option.

[CathyA]

I just thought about this, since this thread was brought up. Seems like drip coffee makers waste alot of coffee. The water goes through the grounds just once. My family has gotten into the habit of, if we want more coffee the same day, we just run more water through the same grounds, and the coffee is fine.

[Jemima]

Jemima, I was also excited to see that the one you linked to is made in the USA. I try to buy local or domestic when it is an option.

Lehman's is the place to go for "Made in the USA". They do sometimes carry goods made in other countries, but I suspect it's because there are no suppliers here (SIGH). They also help local Amish craftspeople by selling their wares online. I have a handmade Amish rocker from Lehman's that's remarkably comfortable, sized just right for a small woman.

[Mrs-M]

Thinking of you this morning, Rosarugosa, as I finish up the last of the fresh percolated stove-top coffee!

[rosarugosa]

Hey Mrs M, We got a stovetop percolator from the Salvation Army, but we haven't used it yet. What would you suggest as a starting point for how much coffee to use per cup of water? I realize we'll have to play around a bit to get just the right brew for our individual tastes, so I won't hold it against you if it comes out too strong or too weak!

[Mrs-M]

LOL! We usually percolate 8-10 cups per serving, which equates to roughly 2-1/2 coffee scoops of coffee (level, not rounded). We don't like strong coffee, but 2-1/2 scoops (I think) would make for a great starting point for you. Our scoop is an oldie, so no measurement scale markings on it to tell how much each scoop equates to, but I'm guessing 3-4 teaspoons (level).

[rosarugosa]

Thanks - I will put this ony my list of things to do next weekend - no time to experiment with coffee during the week! I will report my results!

[Glo]

We went to a stove-top pot about a year ago. It makes the best coffee ever! After it starts perking, we
Let it perk for 11 minutes; perfect every time!