[UPDATE: After two years of daily use, it continues to flawlessly percolate incredibly delicious, hot coffee. But the little screw-in rings around the plastic top finally began to break down, so I ordered a couple glass replacement tops (they come in a two-pack):
2 pack Fitz-All Replacement Percolator Top, Small (2)
Works great. Looks a little different as the top is a little bigger and you can't use the black ring around the base (it won't fit under the glass), but I don't have to worry about plastic in the brew.]
I've had this pot for close to a year now (purchased Feb 2014), and just have to write a review. After my last drip coffee maker broke after only two years (because they're all made in China now out of cheap junk), I decided to try once again to find a better, more affordable way to brew an excellent, smooth, delicious and HOT cup of coffee. I've tried them all, drip, press, pour over (including the popular Japanese Hario), Italian stovetop Bialetti, none of them make it the way I like it, and most of them deliver lukewarm coffee by the time you get it to your lips - and I hate microwaved coffee, tastes awful. The only thing I haven't tried is a Keurig type single-serve machine, as they're expensive and will just break in time, same problem as drip.
And then I came across this little wonder on Amazon, read the astonishingly good reviews and decided to risk giving it a try. I mean, $20 isn't a lot to risk. And WOW. I remember my folks percolating coffee when I was growing up, they used an electric percolator at home and a stovetop percolator for camping, but I assumed that was an inferior way to make coffee given all the fancy gadgets on the market now. Was I ever wrong!
It not only makes good, hot, smooth coffee, the smoothest coffee any maker can make. It brings out flavor nuances I didn't even know coffee had, makes cheap grocery store coffee taste wonderful - and for the first time in my life, I'm experimenting with all kinds of coffee beans from all over the world, and finding out why everyone raves about rainforest shade-grown coffee so much, especially organic. I mean, I've tried it before, I just didn't think it tasted that much better for the price. But it turns out that percolating coffee at a low temperature (simmering, percolating is NOT boiling) for just the right amount of time (5-7 minutes, once it starts percing) keeps the water just hot enough, and saturates the grinds so thoroughly, that every bit of flavor is extracted along with the coffee sugars that shade-grown coffee produces, with not a hint of bitterness (cheap coffee is grown fast in the sun, and doesn't have time to develop the full flavors or sugars). It gives the coffee not only flavor and depth, but subtle sweetness. And talk about flavor! Depending on what you're drinking, where it was grown and how it was roasted, you'll taste earthy notes, sweet notes, smoky notes, chocolate notes, fruit notes, caramel notes, nutty notes - it's every bit as fun as tasting different wines or handcrafted beers!
But like I said, it makes even cheap coffee taste really good, and it even tastes delicious black - I've always loaded up my coffee with cream or milk, because black coffee has always tasted horrible to me. Not anymore! I enjoy it both ways now.
I've gotten into it so much, I've even started measuring grounds by the gram on a digital food scale, instead of just scooping it out - the difference in grams really affects the flavor, and you can fine-tune the amount to get it just how you like it. And I've found that different beans and roasts need different amounts to taste the best, some more, some less.
And the coffee is HOT. I make a full pot, and pour it into a good-quality Thermos carafe (I use a
Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Carafe, 51-Ounce
), keeps it hot and fresh-tasting for hours. No more lukewarm coffee, or burned coffee from sitting on the drip machine plate. And if the power goes out, I can make coffee outside on the gas grill, or take it camping with me.
The great thing about a stovetop brewer instead of electric (I considered both) is you can experiment with temperature, length of percing and amount of grounds to get the coffee to taste just how YOU want it to. I've really had fun experimenting, and find that rainforest coffee can be perced longer (because more sugars and less acids), whereas cheap coffee in a can (sun-grown, full of acids and few sugars) should be perced less, or the acids start to come out.
A few practical notes: first, read the instructions. It comes with great instructions for brewing different amounts and strengths and other helpful tips.
It takes longer to brew a pot than drip machines, about 20 minutes for a full pot, 15 to bring it to perc temperature (enough to grab a quick shower) and 5-7 percing. And you can't set it on a timer so it's ready when you wake up. It also takes a little extra washing up each day, between the pot itself and the thermos carafe, and it needs to be hand-dried on the outside to keep up the nice shine (or you get dried water spots on it). For coffee this good, it's worth it! And it's nice to know you have CLEAN parts each day (instead of mold or bacteria that can build up in drip machines).
But very busy people might not like that part of it so much, and sometimes I use a press or something else for a quick cup on super busy days when I have to get up and out really early and don't have time to wait for the pot to brew or wash it up after. Or I just get up a little earlier, I hate to miss my percolated coffee...
Experiment to find out how long it takes to reach a good steady, percolating for the amount you want to brew - and then USE A TIMER. If you forget to turn it down once it starts percing, it will overheat and boil and produce a horrible, nasty tasting brew. NEVER boil the grounds! Heat on medium-high heat, not high, to avoid boiling, and turn it down low or medium-low for percing.
It works great on gas or electric stoves. I have a ceramic top electric, set it right on the burner (no trivet needed), heat it on 8 (out of 10) and perc it on 2.8. You can perc it hotter, up to 4 or 5 maybe, it just depends on how you like it to taste. I find that the lowest temperature to keep it percolating regularly brings out the smoothest, sweetest, mellowest flavor, which is how I like it. People who like a stronger, punchier cup can use more grounds at hotter temps. Experiment!
Some have complained about the clear plastic top deforming with the heat. I keep mine a little loose as plastic expands with heat, and have had no problems. But you can also buy glass replacement tops through Amazon. You don't have to use a filter, but I do (just a regular drip basket filter, which I poke down over the stem in the basket), as I use a lot of pre-ground coffee which is made for drip machines and finer than percolator grind, hard to find and a little coarser, a little of which can get into the brew, though not much. The paper also helps filter out the oils which can contribute to heart disease. I just dump it all into my composter each day (coffee grounds are great for the garden, btw). If the spring that supports the basket on the stem ever wears out, you can buy a replacement for that, too.
Someone complained in an older review that the handle broke off because glued. Either the manufacturer changed it or the reviewer was talking about a different percolator, because this handle appears to be screwed and riveted on. In fact the whole unit appears well made and solid.
Over time, coffee oils will build up on the inside, including inside the stem and inside a couple of curled narrow lips inside the pot (one at the top and one at the bottom, due to how the pot is constructed), staining it and which can affect flavor. The way to get rid of them is to perc a pot using dishwasher powder instead of grounds - scours it clean, and leaves it looking like new. I've done this twice now in the nine months I've had it, and it works great.
In all, I'm amazed this humble little pot can produce such a fantastic brew. Turns out they really knew what they were doing in the "old days," and they did it better! No more newfangled coffee gadgets for me, filling up landfills as they break, just delicious, smooth, incredibly tasty HOT coffee from a pot that should last a lifetime.
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From the manufacturer
Durable performance cookware for a new generation
Classic Series Stainless Steel Yosemite Percolator
Brewing coffee on the stovetop extracts a fuller, richer flavor, and this Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Yosemite Stovetop Percolator is ready to brew your favorite blends. Get back to basics, and enjoy more flavorful coffee.
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|---|---|---|
Polished stainless steel exteriorHeavy-duty stainless steel is polished to a mirror finish for a classic touch. |
Multiple sizesBrew 8 or 12 cups of your favorite beverages. |
Tight-fitting lidSeals in heat and the sturdy, clear glass knob lets you know when percolating begins. |
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Honest Review of the Farberware Stainless Steel Percolator
Carrie Haren
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Customer Review: THIS is how coffee was meant to be brewed!!!
Chris
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Review & Demo - Farverware Classic Percolator
The Happy Home Collective
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This Item  Farberware 50124 Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator - 8 Cup, Silver |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $34.95 | $25.99 | $24.99 | $30.99 | $29.99 | $39.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Flavor | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Mixpresso coffee | Amazon.com | Hillbond | MSGGroup | ZOWIE KING |
| capacity | 8 cups | 8.0 cups, 5.0 cups | 828.03 milliliters | 72 fluid ounces | 8 cups | 12 cups |
| material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel, Glass | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| input interface | buttons | — | touch screen | touch screen | buttons | buttons |
| wattage | 0 watts | 0 watts | 800 watts | — | 800 watts | — |
| model name | Yosemite Percolator | Percolator | Cool-Touch Handle, Cordless Serve, 8-Cup, Stainless Steel | HB-T04 | — | — |
| weight | 2.25 pounds | 1.8 pounds | 0.96 kilograms | — | — | — |
Reviews with images
Takes time but worth it (Updated with some tips)
After having this for about a month, I have become an expert. Kidding, but I have picked up a couple of tips on using it:1. Let the water come to a boil and wait until you see the coffee getting the slightest bit of color in the top as it perks. Once you see color, turn the heat down to around medium - enough that it will continue to percolate. **Note the time that it started perking with color**2. I was tempted to remove the pot once the color got darker. I have learned to let it keep percolating from the time I saw color until at least 4 minutes goes by. I found that this made the coffee richer-tasting. When I removed the pot based only on the color, I got a decent cup but missing some richness and flavor.3. I have no science for this but thought of it for some reason: after you have put the grounds in the basket filter, wet the top of the closed filter (or top of the grounds) with a few drops of water. When I use a filter, this helps keep the grinds from leaking out. When I don't use a filter, I felt it sort of "weighted" the top grounds & I got less sediment.4. Let the pot rest for a moment after you've taken it off the heat. I saw to do this with my electric percolator & tried it with this one. It seems to let all liquid finish leaking from the basket & grounds.I am trying to decide whether to keep this, give it to someone, or return it. Here are the details.What I love:-This is sleek & stylish. The all-metal (except for the cap on top) construction is solid and seems durable.- It's very easy to use once you learn the coffee-to-water ratio for your perfect brew.-I've made with and without filters and did not get any grounds in my brew.-Makes a good cup of coffee. To me, it seems like the coffee flavor was more "pure" somehow.- Of course, the coffee is piping hot when done brewing (one of the things I dislike about my Keurig is the temperature of the brew). I can add my cream and still enjoy a hot cup of brew.- Keeps the coffee very warm for quite a while. I haven't timed it but I can finish my 3 cups without reheating.- Unlike my Keurig, I won't have to worry about this one starting to put out less water or needed to be descaled so often. And the price of pods is getting to me. With this pot, I can afford to have a few different bags and types of coffee around - and for cheaper.- Unlike my other pots, there is no carafe to worry about.- This is very lightweight out of the box. There aren't a lot of parts & all of them go inside the pot to function.- There are no worries about cord lengths or cabinet space. I can easily clean this out, stuff it with newspaper and store it away in a closet if I need to.- You can put all the parts of this machine into the dishwasher. (I don't. I prefer letting this pot absorb residue. Don't judge me!- I got more aroma from the coffee than I have with my pod machine or the basic drip/carafe machines.- I like the nostalgia. It's nice to take the time to make a cup of coffee vs plugging in a pod or using a regular drip machine.-Since there is nothing to break or give out on this (except maybe the little plastic percolator lid), I see this as a durable and long-term item.I don't camp or "rough it" any more than sitting in a yard. If I did, I think this would be handy. I'm telling my nieces about it because they do like to camp and hike and be "real" Alaskans. I suppose I could use this on a hotel hot plate. LOLThat's all great, right? But there are some drawbacks.- This takes time. I think that I have been letting my coffee perk for about 5-6 minutes for dark roasts & up to 7-8 minutes for the one breakfast roast I have. And all this is AFTER the pot heats up to even start percolating. And I have to set the timer to remind myself once it's started perking. I don't know what happens if you forget but I imagine you will have an over-cooked or burned brew.- I didn't get any grounds in my coffee without filters. However, if you do use filters, you will have to modify standard ones to fit around the hole - or buy ones made for the basket.- It's easy to get the coffee-water ratio wrong and go too strong or weak if you aren't paying attention.- You can't easily tell when the coffee is brewed to your strength preference. I watch for the color when it perks but it can be tricky to decide when the color is just right.- If you have kids around, you will need to watch that they don't touch the pot when it's hot.- You yourself have to be careful not to grab the pot when it's hot. I keep wanting to hold the lid when pouring - although it's very snug so that's not necessary. I do it from reflex.- If you want to make another pot, you should wait until the pot has cooled down.- When you dump this pot, the coffee catches and pools along the inside ridges so you have to rinse and shake. Not a big deal but it's a bit annoying that it doesn't easily empty out completely.As I said, I like so much about this little pot. I have ordered an electric one just so I don't have to stand around watching this one. I would like to have both if I can afford that. I don't know yet. I'm going to wait until I try the Presto electric one and try to judge between the two. I really might keep both. I love the ritual of making and watching the coffee perk - when I have the time.I got this to replace my Keurig when it began acting silly (granted it's been 4 years of constant use!). I need something more in the long-term or buy it for life category and I really can't afford to replace a Keurig every 4 or 5 years.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2021
1. Let the water come to a boil and wait until you see the coffee getting the slightest bit of color in the top as it perks. Once you see color, turn the heat down to around medium - enough that it will continue to percolate. **Note the time that it started perking with color**
2. I was tempted to remove the pot once the color got darker. I have learned to let it keep percolating from the time I saw color until at least 4 minutes goes by. I found that this made the coffee richer-tasting. When I removed the pot based only on the color, I got a decent cup but missing some richness and flavor.
3. I have no science for this but thought of it for some reason: after you have put the grounds in the basket filter, wet the top of the closed filter (or top of the grounds) with a few drops of water. When I use a filter, this helps keep the grinds from leaking out. When I don't use a filter, I felt it sort of "weighted" the top grounds & I got less sediment.
4. Let the pot rest for a moment after you've taken it off the heat. I saw to do this with my electric percolator & tried it with this one. It seems to let all liquid finish leaking from the basket & grounds.
I am trying to decide whether to keep this, give it to someone, or return it. Here are the details.
What I love:
-This is sleek & stylish. The all-metal (except for the cap on top) construction is solid and seems durable.
- It's very easy to use once you learn the coffee-to-water ratio for your perfect brew.
-I've made with and without filters and did not get any grounds in my brew.
-Makes a good cup of coffee. To me, it seems like the coffee flavor was more "pure" somehow.
- Of course, the coffee is piping hot when done brewing (one of the things I dislike about my Keurig is the temperature of the brew). I can add my cream and still enjoy a hot cup of brew.
- Keeps the coffee very warm for quite a while. I haven't timed it but I can finish my 3 cups without reheating.
- Unlike my Keurig, I won't have to worry about this one starting to put out less water or needed to be descaled so often. And the price of pods is getting to me. With this pot, I can afford to have a few different bags and types of coffee around - and for cheaper.
- Unlike my other pots, there is no carafe to worry about.
- This is very lightweight out of the box. There aren't a lot of parts & all of them go inside the pot to function.
- There are no worries about cord lengths or cabinet space. I can easily clean this out, stuff it with newspaper and store it away in a closet if I need to.
- You can put all the parts of this machine into the dishwasher. (I don't. I prefer letting this pot absorb residue. Don't judge me!
- I got more aroma from the coffee than I have with my pod machine or the basic drip/carafe machines.
- I like the nostalgia. It's nice to take the time to make a cup of coffee vs plugging in a pod or using a regular drip machine.
-Since there is nothing to break or give out on this (except maybe the little plastic percolator lid), I see this as a durable and long-term item.
I don't camp or "rough it" any more than sitting in a yard. If I did, I think this would be handy. I'm telling my nieces about it because they do like to camp and hike and be "real" Alaskans. I suppose I could use this on a hotel hot plate. LOL
That's all great, right? But there are some drawbacks.
- This takes time. I think that I have been letting my coffee perk for about 5-6 minutes for dark roasts & up to 7-8 minutes for the one breakfast roast I have. And all this is AFTER the pot heats up to even start percolating. And I have to set the timer to remind myself once it's started perking. I don't know what happens if you forget but I imagine you will have an over-cooked or burned brew.
- I didn't get any grounds in my coffee without filters. However, if you do use filters, you will have to modify standard ones to fit around the hole - or buy ones made for the basket.
- It's easy to get the coffee-water ratio wrong and go too strong or weak if you aren't paying attention.
- You can't easily tell when the coffee is brewed to your strength preference. I watch for the color when it perks but it can be tricky to decide when the color is just right.
- If you have kids around, you will need to watch that they don't touch the pot when it's hot.
- You yourself have to be careful not to grab the pot when it's hot. I keep wanting to hold the lid when pouring - although it's very snug so that's not necessary. I do it from reflex.
- If you want to make another pot, you should wait until the pot has cooled down.
- When you dump this pot, the coffee catches and pools along the inside ridges so you have to rinse and shake. Not a big deal but it's a bit annoying that it doesn't easily empty out completely.
As I said, I like so much about this little pot. I have ordered an electric one just so I don't have to stand around watching this one. I would like to have both if I can afford that. I don't know yet. I'm going to wait until I try the Presto electric one and try to judge between the two. I really might keep both. I love the ritual of making and watching the coffee perk - when I have the time.
I got this to replace my Keurig when it began acting silly (granted it's been 4 years of constant use!). I need something more in the long-term or buy it for life category and I really can't afford to replace a Keurig every 4 or 5 years.
Size: 8 CupVerified Purchase
Takes time but worth it (Updated with some tips)
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2021
After having this for about a month, I have become an expert. Kidding, but I have picked up a couple of tips on using it:Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2021
1. Let the water come to a boil and wait until you see the coffee getting the slightest bit of color in the top as it perks. Once you see color, turn the heat down to around medium - enough that it will continue to percolate. **Note the time that it started perking with color**
2. I was tempted to remove the pot once the color got darker. I have learned to let it keep percolating from the time I saw color until at least 4 minutes goes by. I found that this made the coffee richer-tasting. When I removed the pot based only on the color, I got a decent cup but missing some richness and flavor.
3. I have no science for this but thought of it for some reason: after you have put the grounds in the basket filter, wet the top of the closed filter (or top of the grounds) with a few drops of water. When I use a filter, this helps keep the grinds from leaking out. When I don't use a filter, I felt it sort of "weighted" the top grounds & I got less sediment.
4. Let the pot rest for a moment after you've taken it off the heat. I saw to do this with my electric percolator & tried it with this one. It seems to let all liquid finish leaking from the basket & grounds.
I am trying to decide whether to keep this, give it to someone, or return it. Here are the details.
What I love:
-This is sleek & stylish. The all-metal (except for the cap on top) construction is solid and seems durable.
- It's very easy to use once you learn the coffee-to-water ratio for your perfect brew.
-I've made with and without filters and did not get any grounds in my brew.
-Makes a good cup of coffee. To me, it seems like the coffee flavor was more "pure" somehow.
- Of course, the coffee is piping hot when done brewing (one of the things I dislike about my Keurig is the temperature of the brew). I can add my cream and still enjoy a hot cup of brew.
- Keeps the coffee very warm for quite a while. I haven't timed it but I can finish my 3 cups without reheating.
- Unlike my Keurig, I won't have to worry about this one starting to put out less water or needed to be descaled so often. And the price of pods is getting to me. With this pot, I can afford to have a few different bags and types of coffee around - and for cheaper.
- Unlike my other pots, there is no carafe to worry about.
- This is very lightweight out of the box. There aren't a lot of parts & all of them go inside the pot to function.
- There are no worries about cord lengths or cabinet space. I can easily clean this out, stuff it with newspaper and store it away in a closet if I need to.
- You can put all the parts of this machine into the dishwasher. (I don't. I prefer letting this pot absorb residue. Don't judge me!
- I got more aroma from the coffee than I have with my pod machine or the basic drip/carafe machines.
- I like the nostalgia. It's nice to take the time to make a cup of coffee vs plugging in a pod or using a regular drip machine.
-Since there is nothing to break or give out on this (except maybe the little plastic percolator lid), I see this as a durable and long-term item.
I don't camp or "rough it" any more than sitting in a yard. If I did, I think this would be handy. I'm telling my nieces about it because they do like to camp and hike and be "real" Alaskans. I suppose I could use this on a hotel hot plate. LOL
That's all great, right? But there are some drawbacks.
- This takes time. I think that I have been letting my coffee perk for about 5-6 minutes for dark roasts & up to 7-8 minutes for the one breakfast roast I have. And all this is AFTER the pot heats up to even start percolating. And I have to set the timer to remind myself once it's started perking. I don't know what happens if you forget but I imagine you will have an over-cooked or burned brew.
- I didn't get any grounds in my coffee without filters. However, if you do use filters, you will have to modify standard ones to fit around the hole - or buy ones made for the basket.
- It's easy to get the coffee-water ratio wrong and go too strong or weak if you aren't paying attention.
- You can't easily tell when the coffee is brewed to your strength preference. I watch for the color when it perks but it can be tricky to decide when the color is just right.
- If you have kids around, you will need to watch that they don't touch the pot when it's hot.
- You yourself have to be careful not to grab the pot when it's hot. I keep wanting to hold the lid when pouring - although it's very snug so that's not necessary. I do it from reflex.
- If you want to make another pot, you should wait until the pot has cooled down.
- When you dump this pot, the coffee catches and pools along the inside ridges so you have to rinse and shake. Not a big deal but it's a bit annoying that it doesn't easily empty out completely.
As I said, I like so much about this little pot. I have ordered an electric one just so I don't have to stand around watching this one. I would like to have both if I can afford that. I don't know yet. I'm going to wait until I try the Presto electric one and try to judge between the two. I really might keep both. I love the ritual of making and watching the coffee perk - when I have the time.
I got this to replace my Keurig when it began acting silly (granted it's been 4 years of constant use!). I need something more in the long-term or buy it for life category and I really can't afford to replace a Keurig every 4 or 5 years.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Carlos O.
Buen sabor y facil de preparar
Reviewed in Mexico on April 8, 2021Size: 8 CupVerified Purchase
Mat Nation
Great cuppa
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2021Size: 8 CupVerified Purchase
