Coffee percolator

Coffee percolator refers to a type of pot used for the brewing of coffee by continually cycling the boiling or nearly boiling brew through the grounds using gravity until the required strength is reached.

History

The coffee percolator was invented in the early 19th century by American scientist and soldier Count Rumford, also known as Sir Benjamin Thompson. The modern percolator as we know it today was developed by Hanson Goodrich in 1889.

Types of Coffee Percolators

There are two types of coffee percolators: the gravity type and the pressure type.

Gravity Percolators

Gravity percolators brew coffee by using the natural force of gravity to cycle hot water through coffee grounds. The water is heated in a bottom chamber and then forced up a tube into a top chamber containing the coffee grounds. The water then filters down through the coffee grounds and back into the bottom chamber, and this process is repeated until the coffee reaches the desired strength.

Pressure Percolators

Pressure percolators, also known as moka pots, use steam pressure to force hot water up through a tube and into a top chamber containing the coffee grounds. The water then filters down through the coffee grounds and back into the bottom chamber. This process is repeated until the coffee reaches the desired strength.

Brewing Process

The brewing process in a coffee percolator begins with water in a bottom chamber and coffee grounds in a separate chamber above. The heat source, either a stove or an electric heater, heats the water. The hot water is forced up a tube and into the chamber with the coffee grounds. The water then seeps down through the coffee grounds, extracting their oils and essences, and back into the bottom chamber. This process is repeated until the coffee reaches the desired strength.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Coffee percolators have both advantages and disadvantages. They are simple to use and can brew coffee for a large number of people at once. However, they can over-extract the coffee, leading to a bitter taste. They also do not have an automatic shut-off feature, so the coffee can become over-brewed if not monitored.

See Also

• Coffee
• Coffee brewing
• Moka pot
• French press