5 Best Percolators for 2022 Reviewed

Billions of people drink coffee on the regular, and if you’ve landed on this page, you probably fit into this demographic. Let’s face it- without coffee, most people would go nuts. 

Nowadays, you’ll find individuals using drip machines, French pressing, or percolating their coffee. In this post, we’ll go over coffee percolators and introduce you to the wonderful world of traditionally made cups of joe. 

In this buyer’s guide, we will cover the key points of purchasing a quality percolator. We’ll go over everything from what a coffee percolator is, what to look for, and the benefits of owning one. 

The Best Percolators

Product Review Rating Price
Farberware Yosemite 12-Cup Percolator Read Review 4.8 Check Price
Farberware 12 Cup Electric Percolator Read Review 4.8 Check Price
Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Electric Percolator Read Review 4.8 Check Price
Primula 9-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator Read Review 4.6 Check Price
Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator Read Review 4.6 Check Price
Our Favourite

1. Farberware Yosemite 12-Cup Percolator

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Durable stainless-steel construction
  • – Classic look with beautiful glass knob
  • – Permanent filter basket for easy cleanup
  • – Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • – No warming function

The Farberware Yosemite Percolator is for anyone looking for a classic, wallet-friendly stovetop percolator. We purchased the 12-cup model, but it is available with an 8-cup capacity as well.

2. Farberware 12 Cup Electric Percolator

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Detachable cord for ultimate convenience  
  • – Automatic “keep warm” function 
  • – Easy lifting and pouring (only weights 1 lb.) 
  • – Large handle with a comfortable grip 
  • – Affordably priced 

Cons

  • – No ready-to-serve light indicator
  • – Not dishwasher safe 

If there are quite a bit of adults living in your household, the Farberware 12-Cup Percolator is a good fit. Measuring 12.6 inches long and 5.3 inches wide, this percolator makes a generous 12 cups of coffee.

3. Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Electric Percolator

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Detachable cord for ultimate convenience 
  • – Dishwasher safe filter basket 
  • – Generous 12-cup capacity 
  • – Attractive stainless-steel finish
  • – Ready-to-serve light indicator

Cons

  • – Heavy build makes it less portable than similar models

The Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Electric Percolator is for those who enjoy deep, rich mugs of coffee in the mornings. The aromas produced by percolators are truly unmatched, which is why we’ll always be fans of this type of coffee.

4. Primula 9-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator

4.6/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Priced very affordably
  • – Great for indoor and outdoor use
  • – Generous size capacity for multiple cups at once

Cons

  • – Not dishwasher safe
  • – Does not work with an induction surface

With the Primula 9 Cup Percolator, you’ll have complete control over the color and strength of your brew. Easy to use, we can recommend this coffee maker for beginners or advanced baristas alike.

5. Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator

4.6/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Stylish design made from copper steel
  • – Ready to serve indicator light
  • – Automatic “keep warm” function
  • – Cool-touch handle
  • – Detachable cord

Cons

  • – Not dishwasher safe

If you’re looking for something stylish and functional, this coffee pot may very well be for you. It’s electric powered meaning it doesn’t require the use of a stovetop. This makes it fully portable and ready to use anywhere there is a power outlet.

What is a Coffee Percolator?

A percolator is a coffee maker that cycles water through coffee grounds multiple times. With these appliances, you’ll receive a very strong and robust cup of joe. You can purchase these appliances as stovetop models or electric. The type for you depends on what you’re looking for (more on this later).  

What to Look for in a Percolator 

Before going with the first percolator you come across, you need to know what to look for. Here are the elements you should consider to make an informed shopping decision. 

Stovetop or Electric? 

Traditionally, percolators used to sit on stovetops. They used the heat from the burner to spark the percolation process. Modern electric options are designed with their own heating element in the base, hence making them the more popular option among users. 

Electric coffee percolators offer more convenience. They can be used anywhere a power outlet is available, and many models come with a detachable power cord to easily carry and pour cups full of coffee.  

Stovetop models require more attention than electric ones. An electric unit will shut off once the coffee is ready to pour. Many of them also come with a “keep warm” feature that maintains coffee at the perfect temperature. However, stovetop models are inexpensive and can be used in the outdoors, like camping trips. As long as you have a flame, you’re good to go!

Capacity

Percolator capacity is measured in cups. On average, a percolator will fit anywhere between 8-12 cups. Keep in mind that one cup is about 8 ounces meaning you may not get a full cup of coffee. If you drink from large mugs, go with a model with a large capacity.  

In our experience, we’ve also found that some manufacturers use smaller cup measurements. Therefore, don’t assume that a 12-cup percolator will serve a dozen people. 

Price 

The nice part of these coffee makers is they come in a wide range of prices. Some start as low as $10, while more advanced models can cost around $80 or more. Traditional stovetop percolators are usually less expensive than electric ones.  

Features 

And then, of course, you have your features or extra “perks.” Some of our favorite added features within percolators include: 

  • Keep warm function. This feature is only found in electric percolators. When the coffee is ready to serve, the keep-warm function will turn on. This ensures your coffee is at a drinkable temperature. 
  • Cool-touch handle. Most units are designed with a plastic cool-touch handle. This is important so that you don’t risk scalding yourself when pouring a cup. 
  • Dishwasher safe. Not all percolators can be run through your dishwasher. Some are 100% immersible, while others only have dishwasher-safe parts.
  • Detachable cords. Electric units come with cords. Since you’ll have to deal with them, we recommend going with models that have removable cords. This will make it easy to carry and won’t get in the way when pouring. 
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What are the Benefits of Using a Percolator? 

Percolators make it easier than ever to brew mugs full of joe. This traditional method of making coffee is truly effortless. Here are the top 5 benefits: 

Rich and Flavorful Taste 

Many people (including us) have noticed that some drip machines tend to burn the coffee. This happens when heating coils overheat the water, which is then poured over coffee grounds. This results in our cups of joe tasting burnt or acidic. Because percolators rely on steam, coffee is much less likely to get burnt. 

Maximum Strength 

Steam extracts the maximum amount of flavor from the grounds. This results in a more caffeinated cup of coffee than you’ll get with a drip machine. Many drip machines drop the coffee into the pot before it’s had enough time to sit. 

Percolators offer flavorful aromas and maximum caffeine that are unmatched. One cup of percolated coffee will have twice the amount of strength of a normal cup. This means you’ll use fewer coffee grounds overtime – hence saving you money! 

Easy to Clean 

Many models are dishwasher safe, but if they must be washed by hand, rest assured they only consist of a few main parts to clean. Because of how easy percolators are to clean, this means the water used the next morning will be clean. This offers top-quality cups of coffee.

Simplicity

Percolators are very simple to use. All you need is water and your favorite coffee grounds. With these handy coffee makers, you can brew coffee anywhere, anytime. You can have one in your home kitchen, office spaces or pack one for your camping trips. 

Affordable 

You can purchase a quality percolator as low as $10. Of course, these won’t have the features higher-quality models do. Even then, a quality electric percolator can be bought for around $50, making these coffee appliances a budget-friendly option. 

Conclusion 

Percolators are convenient, easy to use, and wallet-friendly coffee appliances. When shopping for one, it’s important to consider type, capacity, and features. Making an informed buying decision will ensure you find a quality percolator that lasts for years.