The 8 Best Coffee Percolators of 2023

What to Look for in a Coffee Percolator

Stovetop vs. Electric

A good starting point when looking for a coffee percolator is deciding whether you want a stovetop or an electric model. Stovetop percolators are more common, more affordable, and typically dishwasher safe. Electric percolators, on the other hand, offer more convenience when brewing and may make more coffee at once.

Price

One reason to buy coffee percolators is that they are quite affordable, generally even cheaper than standard drip coffee makers. The capacity of a percolator often affects its price, meaning that larger items are more expensive. Customers should also expect electric percolators to cost more than stovetop models.

Cleaning

Since coffee percolators don't use paper filters, they can be a little harder to clean. If this is a major issue for you, consider a percolator that is dishwasher safe. Luckily, dishwasher-safe options are easy to find. Otherwise, be prepared to rinse several little pieces by hand after each use.

FAQs

What grind size should I use?

Anywhere from a medium grind to a coarse grind works well for a coffee percolator. A standard coarse grind is most commonly recommended, but Logan Allender, the Head of Coffee for Atlas Coffee Club, told us that he prefers a medium grind. "A medium grind will allow you to get good body out of your brew," he said, "while not allowing any fine particles to fall through the mesh filter and create a silty cup." First-time percolator users might want to split the difference and start with a medium-coarse grind, then adjust from there.

Brewing methods where coffee stays in contact with water for a long time—like with a percolator, French press, or cold brew maker—lean toward coarser grinds so that the flavors from the beans are released gradually. Finely ground coffee would diffuse too quickly and lead to an extremely bitter taste.

How long does it take a percolator to brew?

The recommended brew time for a stovetop percolator is six to 10 minutes. This doesn’t include the time it takes for the water to start boiling, however, so the overall process can end up closer to 15 or 20 minutes. Brew time varies a little more for electric percolators, largely because these devices heat up water at different speeds. Many electric percolators follow a one-cup-per-minute rule. This means it will take 10 minutes to brew 10 cups of coffee, 12 minutes for 12 cups, and so on. Make sure you don’t leave your percolator on for too long: they are especially finicky devices and brewing for even a couple minutes too long can lead to burnt and bitter coffee. 

How do you clean a percolator? 

After each use, the carafe and filter basket should be rinsed and wiped down with a dishcloth or non-abrasive brush. Those who own an electric percolator are advised to avoid getting the base of the device wet when cleaning. For a more thorough clean, fill the percolator with water, add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the filter basket, and brew like normal. The combination of baking soda and hot water will remove limescale buildup and potentially get rid of set-in coffee stains. Before performing any of these cleaning tasks, however, check if your percolator is dishwasher-safe. Many stovetop percolators can be disassembled and placed in the dishwasher for a much simpler cleaning process.

How is a percolator different from a Moka Pot?

A Moka Pot is a brewing device designed to make rich, espresso-like coffee. It usually heats up on the stovetop, although there are electric models too. It has a similar appearance to a coffee percolator but works quite differently and produces a different coffee experience. The biggest difference between the two is pressure, according to Logan Allender of Atlas Coffee Club:

"A percolator allows steam to collect and then pass through the ground coffee (or percolate). The lower pressure and longer brew time means your brew can be strong, but it will lack any of the oils that we associate with crema in espresso. A Moka pot will heat the water until the pressure is significant enough to push through the coffee grounds. That high pressure and shorter brew time leads to a brew that is more similar to an Americano. The Moka Pot will also produce some crema, like an Americano or via an AeroPress."

Percolators usually have a larger capacity, making them a better option if you plan to brew coffee for multiple people. The coffee is also closer in taste and consistency to drip coffee than that produced by a Moka Pot.

How much coffee should I use?

The general rule when using a percolator is 1 tablespoon of coarse-ground coffee for every cup of water. This simple 1:1 ratio should consistently brew a rich and delicious cup of joe. That being said, percolator owners should feel free to experiment with their own coffee-to-water measurements to find the flavor that best suits their taste.  

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a freelance food writer who specializes in product reviews and recipes. Her work has appeared on Serious Eats, Fine Cooking, and her own recipe blog, Cookistry.com. She's also the author of "Make Ahead Bread", a cookbook meant to simplify the bread-baking process.

This piece was updated by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight.

Sources

Logan Allender, the Head of Coffee for Atlas Coffee Club, was interviewed for this piece. He joined Atlas Coffee Club in 2018 and has over a decade of experience in the coffee industry. Logan is certified by the Coffee Quality Institute as a Q Grader and Q Processor.