There are tons of coffee makers out there, but if you’re a coffee drinker, you’re probably picky about what you use to make it. If you’re considering a percolator, we’ve found some of the best coffee percolators on the market for your pick.
>> Also read: Best Stovetop Espresso Maker
1) Bialetti Express Moka Pot
Even its largest size is small enough to put away in your cupboard, which is a plus if you have limited counter space. While it doesn’t make an authentic espresso, the way it brews coffee, especially city roasts, helps give you that espresso taste and texture.
- Eco-friendly, avoiding single-use plastic, among other things
- Does not require soap to clean
- Comes with a safety valve to prevent over-pressurisation
2) GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker Moka Pot
Even better, you can use this as a Greek greca coffee maker, making it an incredibly versatile percolator. Like many of these Moka pots, the Milano stovetop espresso comes in three sizes, but keep in mind that “cups” means espresso cups.
- Works on gas, electric, and camp stoves
- Only requires milk from a steamer or frother to turn coffee into a cappuccino
- Can buy aluminium or stainless steel
- Rubber handle can melt if heat is too high
3) Primula Espresso Maker
It comes in several more sizes than many of its competitors, ranging from a tiny one-cup maker to 12 cups, giving you flexibility when it comes to how much coffee you want to make each time you brew.
Primula’s Moka pot even allows you to experiment a little to see what kinds of brews you can come up with.
- Works quickly, saving you time
- Includes instructions for how to make the best espresso the first time
- Suitable for ceramic, electric, gas, and camp stoves
- Anything more than low heat can damage the finish
- Cannot use soap to clean
4) COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot
>>Also read: Ninja Coffee Bar Review
The Bozeman coffee pot comes with filters, but you don’t need to use them. Some people prefer having some of the grounds wind up in their coffee cups. However, if you don’t like that, you don’t have to worry about it.
- Excellent for heating on a camp stove or over a fire
- No aluminium or plastic parts
- Dishwasher safe
- Wooden handle doesn’t withstand soap very well
5) Farberware 50124 Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
>> Also read: Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer Review
It also has a heat-resistant handle, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself or melting plastic or rubber pieces. Finally, you get something from a company that’s been making cookware for over 100 years.
- Permanent filter basket eliminates the need for disposable coffee filters
- Choose to brew anywhere from four to eight cups
- Non-reactive interior prevents coffee from taking on a metallic taste
- Glass knob is fragile
- Measurements inside are difficult to see
6) GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Percolator Coffee Pot
All of that makes it quite suitable for many different types of camping trips.
It also has a heat-resistant silicone handle that helps prevent burns when you pick it up. It comes with a basket that has a lid, which prevents grounds from getting into your coffee.
- Excellent for everyday coffee-making
- Makes enough coffee for two eight-ounce cups
- Only requires water and a little soap to clean
- Resin top and silicone handle are prone to softening over medium heat
- The holes in the basket are too large for finely-ground coffee
Things to Look for When Buying a Coffee Percolator
Before you buy a coffee percolator, consider the following:
- How much coffee do you typically make each day?
- What kinds of coffee do you want to make?
- Where do you plan to make most of your coffee?
- Do you need something you can use outdoors?
- How much are you willing to invest?
If you like espresso-like coffee, one of the Italian percolators will probably work best for you. The same is true if you want a pot that only requires a couple of little extras for cappuccino or other Italian coffees.
>> Also read: Best Budget Espresso Coffee Makers
If you want something for camping, though, then those percolators may not necessarily be for you.
The heavy-duty, stainless steel percolators have a wide variety of applications, including the ability to withstand the harsh use and conditions you find when you camp or backpack, whereas the smaller, aluminium ones are better suited for the kitchen.
What’s the Best Way to Use a Coffee Percolator?
Percolators are essentially two-chambered kettles: One chamber for the water and one for the coffee grounds. Water gets forced up through a tube and over the grounds, then back down into the lower chamber. This process repeats until you decide the coffee is finished.
>> Also read: Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers
Because of that, it’s easy to over-brew your coffee. After you add the water and the coffee grounds, make sure you heat it slowly, particularly if you’re using a non-electric percolator. If you see steam, reduce the heat. You don’t want the water simmering or boiling.
Let the coffee percolate for seven to ten minutes. The longer it percolates, the stronger the brew, so this isn’t a hard and fast rule. But you need to keep an eye on it, so you don’t make it stronger than you like. You also don’t want to end up with a batch of coffee that’s so weak it’s basically brown water.
Afterward, remove the percolator from the heat, remove the basket, and let the coffee sit for a few minutes; then serve.
Final Thoughts
After learning about percolators and reviewing the highest-quality ones on the market, we’ve decided we like Coletti Bozeman coffee pot the best because it’s easy to use and suitable for kitchens and camping trips alike. It also comes in one size with several different measurements, meaning its size doesn’t limit you.
>> Also read: Best Coffee Maker for RV
You can get rich, Italian-style coffee with the Bozeman even if you’re brewing it on a camp stove in the middle of nowhere.
All of these percolators are excellent for coffee-making, and if you don’t need something geared for outdoor use, then the smaller aluminium percolators might be better for you. Any one of these percolators will work well for your personal tastes and preferences.
