How to Use a Percolator (and Make It Taste Good)

Here is how to use a percolator: fill the pot with water up to the line, put coarsely ground coffee in the basket (about 1 tablespoon per 6 fl oz cup), assemble it, heat until it starts to perk, then turn the heat down so it perks gently every few seconds for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the basket right away and serve. The key to percolator coffee that tastes good, not bitter, is a coarse grind, gentle heat and never letting it boil hard or run too long.

Percolators have a reputation for harsh coffee, but that is mostly a technique problem. The stovetop design most of us know traces back to a U.S. patent granted to Illinois farmer Hanson Goodrich in 1889, and it is still a favorite at campsites, cabins and big family breakfasts. Here is how to get the best from both stovetop and electric models.

How a Percolator Works

A percolator has a pot, a vertical tube (the stem) and a perforated basket that sits at the top of the stem, with a spreader lid over it. As the water at the bottom heats, bubbles force hot water up the stem. It splashes onto the spreader, rains over the grounds in the basket and drips back down into the pot. Then the cycle repeats. That is the “perking” sound and the bubbling you see in the glass knob on top.

Here is the catch: the water passing through the grounds is not fresh water but coffee that has already been brewed, and it keeps cycling at high temperature. That is why percolators can over-extract so easily. Every technique tip below is about controlling that.

Grind, Ratio and Water

Grind: coarse

Use a coarse grind, similar to French press or a little coarser. Fine coffee slips through the basket holes, over-extracts and leaves grit in the pot. If you are buying pre-ground, check the bag: standard drip grind is usually too fine for a percolator.

Ratio

Start with 1 level tablespoon of coarse coffee per 6 fl oz (180 ml) of water, then adjust. Because percolators extract strongly, many people find they need a little less coffee than for drip. For a deeper dive, see our coffee to water ratio guide.

Gram weights assume roughly 6 g per level tablespoon of coarse grounds; actual weight varies by bean and roast.

Water

Use fresh, cold, filtered water and never fill above the maximum line, or the water can reach the basket and turn into an overflowing, muddy mess. Good water makes a real difference; read our guide to the best water for coffee.

How to Use a Stovetop Percolator

1. Fill the pot with cold water to the desired level, below the bottom of the basket.
2. Assemble the stem and basket. Insert the stem into the pot and set the basket on it.
3. Add the coffee. Put coarse grounds in the basket. For less sediment, place a percolator paper filter in the basket first, or wet the basket so fines stick less.
4. Add the spreader and lid, making sure everything is seated.
5. Heat on medium. Watch the glass knob. Once you see the first bubble of coffee, you are perking.
6. Turn the heat down right away. Lower it until you see a gentle perk every 2 to 3 seconds. A constant, furious gurgle means it is boiling too hard.
7. Perk for 6 to 8 minutes. Go shorter for a lighter cup and longer, up to about 10 minutes, for a stronger one. Watch the color in the knob deepen.
8. Remove from heat and take out the basket immediately, carefully, with an oven mitt. Leaving wet grounds over the coffee lets them drip bitter liquid back into the pot.
9. Serve right away. Do not keep a stovetop percolator on the burner to stay warm; transfer to a thermal carafe instead.

Using a percolator over a campfire? Set it on a grate or the edge of the coals rather than directly in flames, so you can control the heat. Our guide to coffee for hiking and camping has more outdoor tips.

How to Use an Electric Percolator

Electric percolators are easier because they control the heat and time automatically. Most switch to a lower keep-warm setting when brewing is done.

1. Fill with cold water to the marked cup line.
2. Insert the stem and basket, add coarse coffee and put the spreader and lid in place.
3. Plug it in and switch it on. Brewing often takes several minutes, depending on the size and model.
4. When the ready light comes on, unplug if you will not serve soon, and remove the basket and grounds as soon as possible.
5. Serve within about 30 minutes for the best taste; coffee held hot for a long time turns flat and bitter.

How to Make Percolator Coffee Taste Good

• Keep the heat low once it starts perking. Hard boiling is the number one cause of bitter, harsh percolator coffee.
• Do not over-perk. Ten minutes is plenty for even a strong pot.
• Go coarse. A coarse, even grind keeps extraction under control.
• Try a medium roast. Very dark roasts can taste smoky and ashy after percolating. Medium and medium-dark roasts stay sweeter.
• Clean the stem and basket after every use. Old coffee oils turn rancid and add off-flavors. Make sure the stem and its base are clear of grounds and residue.
• Use fresh beans. Freshness matters just as much here as in any brewer.

If your coffee still tastes harsh, our article on why coffee tastes bitter walks through every possible cause.

Percolator FAQ

How long should I let a percolator perk?

On the stovetop, 6 to 8 minutes of gentle perking is a good target, up to about 10 minutes for a very strong pot. Electric models time themselves and stop automatically.

What grind is best for a percolator?

Coarse, like French press. Finer grinds fall through the basket holes, over-extract and leave grounds in your cup.

Why is my percolator coffee bitter?

Usually the heat is too high, the coffee perked too long, or the grind is too fine. Lower the heat to a gentle perk, shorten the time and grind coarser.

Can I use regular coffee filters in a percolator?

Standard cone or basket filters do not fit, but percolator filters are made for the job, and you can also trim a basket filter to fit and cut a hole for the stem. Either way, a filter helps cut down on sediment.

Percolator Coffee, Done Right

Now you know how to use a percolator the smart way: coarse grind, gentle perking, 6 to 8 minutes and out with the basket. Feel Espresso roasts every coffee order 1–5 days before delivery, so even a classic campfire pot tastes fresh. Try the Cowboy Blend, built on cocoa, caramel and vanilla notes, the smooth Breakfast Blend, or the diner-style Gourmet Donut Shop for your next percolator pot.