How Long to Percolate Coffee?

Vintage is back in vogue, and that’s not only true for mid-century furniture or cute outfits. Brewing coffee in a percolator has made a comeback too. While seemingly overcomplicated, the process is pretty straightforward, though it takes a bit more effort than pressing a button on an automatic espresso maker. Today we’ll walk you through the technique and answer common questions, like “How long do you let coffee percolate?” and “What’s the best temperature?”

What Is a Coffee Percolator?

It’s a clever device that’s somewhere halfway between a kettle and a Moka pot. The inside is divided into two chambers with a perforated metal filter, and the two parts are connected with a tube. Once the water is hot enough, it travels up the tube to mix with the ground beans in the top chamber. The cooled water then pours back down. The process repeats until you remove the heat source. That’s why the question of “How long should coffee percolate?” is critical when it comes to the flavor of the brew.

Types of Coffee Percolation

The stovetop percolator came first, back in the 19th century, and electricity made it even better. Even now, both stovetop and electric percolators are equally popular, as each comes with a unique set of advantages. The former are cheap, sturdy, and durable, but they require more effort on your part. The latter are more expensive, but they take the guesswork out of heating the water. Besides, you don’t have to wonder how long to perk coffee, as the electric percolator will turn off automatically after a set time.

Timer as a Regulator - The Perfect Brewing Time

How long do you let coffee percolate if you go with a stovetop model? There’s no right answer, but the ten-minute mark is considered to be the top margin. Anything above will produce bitter muddy swill. We recommend you start by setting the timer for five minutes first. If the brew is too weak for your taste, add another minute or two to the percolation time. You should be able to find your sweet spot after a few tries.

The Effects of Pre-Infusion and Percolation

Pre-infusion often makes for a better-tasting espresso, as it lets the water pass through the coffee puck evenly without over- or under-extraction. Percolator is very different from an espresso machine, as it continuously mixes hot water with the grounds, so there’s little need for pre-infusion. Instead, you have to be on the lookout for over-infusion, as the same water goes through the beans multiple times. As long as you keep water temperature under boiling (195-200 F), how long percolate coffee stays on the heat is less critical (as long as it’s still under 10 minutes).

Advantages of Using a Percolator

For one, it lets you get hands-on experience of brewing a cuppa. Once you know the answers to “How long should coffee perk?” and “How much grounds do I use?” it can become a meditative morning ritual. Besides, a stovetop percolator is among the most environmentally friendly ways to brew coffee, as there are no filters or pods. Finally, it’s a great way to treat yourself to a cuppa on a camping or hiking trip. All you need is a percolator and a fire to get a pot of java to keep you warm.