Talk:Coffee percolator

Where is the criticism section
There are many people that will not use it because of the poor coffee that it makes.

While I agree that a discussion the advantages and disadvantages may be useful, I disagree that that 'many people will not use it because of the poor coffee that it makes'. These comments appear to be from people who claim that many people say this. I have only ever seen a very few comments of this nature and then from people who have never tried using a percolator. I wonder if way back in time some manufacturer of drip machines made these claims and they are just being regurgitated. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.42.142.16 (talk) 10:59, 21 June 2012 (UTC)

It is NOT AN ESPRESSO mocha pot.--69.151.57.46 (talk) 00:55, 3 October 2010 (UTC)
 * If you can cite suitable references to verify what you write, feel free to add such a section. -- Codeine (talk) 11:30, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

Image - straw poll

 * Two images were created independently of a cross-section of a moka/percolator coffee pot. As we can't decide ourselves which to post, I thought it would be best to have a quick straw-poll &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  20:56, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * For the record, Image '2' was created in May 2004 by VampWillow and has been on the article since then without any complaints. Image '1' was created this weekend by Asbestos although he noted "Had I realized, I wouldn't have made another image, since your diagram is fine" after realising he had created an image that already existed. It is clear though that the comments of other editors may be useful in deciding whether the change is warranted. --Vamp:Willow 21:06, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Image 1

 * I believe the first is a cleaner, more accurate (it was precisely measured), and more professional-looking image, making the over-all article look more professional. If necessary, the spouts can easily be made hollow (if this is VampWillow's main objection), though this way is a standard style. &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  20:56, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I also think this version is more professional-looking, so it has my vote. The older image is fine, but a lot more concerns me about it.  I'd suggest two changes to the new image, though:
 * The labels blend into the image a bit; use colour to make them stand out a bit, but don't make them too gaudy.
 * The base can be flattened out; I assume you traced it from a photograph, in which case perspective would've lead to the rounded base as it is now.
 * Oh, and hollow spouts would help :) Dewet 03:49, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * Done - you may have to refresh the chache to see the new version. Older versions can be seen at commons:Image:MokaCoffeePot.jpg. &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  10:23, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I'm not going to revert theses flag could I suggest that you reinstate the image you asked people to vote on instead of making repeated edits. Thankyou. --Vamp:Willow 12:55, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Huh?? I'm utterly confused. Is our object to produce the best picture for an article, or to somehow "win" this vote? Personally, I'm up for producing the best picture for the article. If someone suggests a change, of course I'm going to change it. I'm not going to leave a sub-standard image up if a better one could be made &mdash; how does that help the article? Likewise, when I make a diagram for someone who requests it, if they have criticisms I listen to them and edit the picture. Our motivation here, in producing images and calling votes, should be for the best of the article, not to stroke our own egos. Why should you object if I improve my image? If you improve your image and people vote for your improved version, then that will merely mean that your new version is best for the article, and the article will be better off for it. Your "do not edit" flag example is disengenious: when a user puts an article up on VFD, they don't complain if the article subsequently gets improved during the vote &mdash; the purpose of any vote is to improve Wikipedia, and if someone suggests how an article or image should be improved during the vote, so much the better. &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  13:20, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Don't take this personally, VampWillow. I have to agree with Asbestos on this one;  his image is technically and aesthetically superior, no matter how you look at it.  I'm sure that he meant no offence by creating another one, so please take this in the spirit in which Wikipedia is offered:  to better human knowledge all around. Dewet 20:34, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * I think image one is nicer and more accurate. Madd4Max 12:36, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I'd go for image 1. 199 23:08, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I prefer image 1 too as it looks a lot more professional... but how about altering it so that the water/steam paths can be seen (like image2)? Would be just a quick erase of a few pixels :) Mat-C 04:44, 11 July 2005 (UTC)

Image 2

 * Basically because it is less cluttered, and it an actual cross-section. Also it clearly shows that the central spouts up and down in the middle are hollow (to let water and coffee through) whereas the image 1 hasn't any clear way through!. Vamp:Willow 21:01, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Image 2 is much clearer.

Results
Straw polls are informal and thus never officially "end", but is it agreed that there is a consensus to use image 1? &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  01:33, 16 July 2005 (UTC)
 * I've replaced the image. &mdash; Asbestos | Talk  13:24, 18 July 2005 (UTC)

Usage
Percolators are often popular among campers and other outdoorsmen due to the ability to make coffee without a heat source. You mean without electricity, not a heat source, right?
 * MSTCrow 06:55, 9 October 2005 (UTC)
 * It actually may be possible to make coffee in a percolator without a heat source if you fill it with carbonated water and drop some grains of sugar into the tube - but don't forget to close the lid, quickly. The taste of such a cold brew will be … interesting, I presume. --2.247.251.122 (talk) 18:28, 22 December 2018 (UTC)

Naming Convention
There is an empty head on naming convention which is a bit of a shame. The 'Moka stove top' is not called a percolator by everyone. If you go to a coffee shop asking for coffee for a percolator the tender will think you'll want a course ground coffee. I think this article should be split.

---(above comment unsigned)

There is a Moka pot article already. And you are quite correct that a Moka is not a percolator. Percolation is a recirculating drip-brew process: high-pressure water is never forced through the coffee. Moka brewing is a single-pass pressure process. If no one is going to be offended, I'll fix the article to be technically correct.

Sehr Gut 18:20, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

Okay, I reworked the article to conform to accepted definitions of brewing methods as defined by organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Sehr Gut 18:45, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

In the section on Moka Pots being considered percolators, there seems to be strong POV. . . Consider, "If common usage defines the word then it certainly must be accepted as a common name." Common usage does not necessarily define a name. . . Tomatoes are commonly called vegetables; however that does not change the fact that tomatoes are fruit. Nor does it change the definitions of the words "fruit" and "vegetable." Such a strong postulate about how words are defined seems inappropriate for an article that is not intended to posit how words are defined.

Additionally, if the scientific definition of "percolate" as a verb defines whether a coffee drink producing machine is a (coffee) percolator or not, then by the letter of Merriam-Webster's first definition of percolate both an espresso machine and an automatic drip coffee maker are both "percolators" as both of these "cause a solvent to pass through a permeable substance." The definition of percolate seems insufficient to define a (coffee) percolator. In fact a coffee percolator is defined by Merriam-Webster as a device that "repeatedly directs water at a basket of coffee" (paraphrased) which precludes moka pots, drip coffee makers, and espresso machines from being (coffee) percolators. While I realize that a dictionary is not necessarily a definitive resource for defining coffee jargon, my point is that to use the term "percolator" to describe all coffee drink making machines that "percolate" would limit the utility of the word. . . many coffee making machines percolate and would be percolators by this definition (espresso machines, mocha machines, Chemex devices, Automatic drip machines . . . only vacuum press and French press come to mind as non-percolators). I submit that this definition is not useful nor accurate and recommend that moka pots and other devices that are not commonly referred to as (coffee) percolators not be considered "percolators."

Additionally, the reference to Saveur that claims moka pots juxtapose percolated coffee and espresso does not posit that a moka machine is a percolator, only that it percolates (. . . . as do many other coffee making machines . . . )

I think that the naming convention section of the article is unnecessarily confusing without adding significant value and will consider deleting it. StateOfTheUnion (talk) 12:53, 30 December 2008 (UTC)

The introductory section seems confused. Two kinds of coffee percolator: not-a-percolator, a percolator, and some kind of industrial device. The third may be relevant to coffee processing, but hardly to preparation of coffee for drinking, so I propose to remove it. I will also remove the non-recirculating devices from the definition, as discussed earlier in the section, to conform with common usage and the dictionary definition of a coffee percolator. - Paul (talk) 14:55, 18 April 2013 (UTC)

where is it in widespread use?
"the moka pot is the most popular way of brewing coffee at home, and its usage has spread to the USA."

eh? in sweden you can buy a moka pot in every ikea store and in a lot of the regular convenience stores for about 15 euros... i think that comment on how people in north america (if in the us of a then probably in canada too or?) has adopted the use of the moka pot is pretty irrelevant since it is used as much elsewhere (my estimate).

regards -mats The moka pot is in widespread use in Eastern Europe, and as I remember, it was in common use in Italy in 1980 (last time I was there). When Eastern Europeans relocate to the USA, they usually hate the coffee (not strong enough), and go out of their way to find a moka pot. Or they make Turkish coffee, which is an acquired taste, even for them.

In my personal experience, I bought a gravity-type perk pot for $12 at an "Antique Mall" type of place, and learned to use it. It makes the best coffee I've ever tasted. It's not strong enough for Eastern Europeans, but nice, sweet, non-sour, non-bitter, smooth coffee. It's coffee that tastes as wonderful as it smells.

The downside is that it takes some getting used to. It comes to a full boil (and spills a little from the spout) in 7 minutes on high heat. And it perks nicely at med-low heat (3 1/2 out of 10 settings on my electric stove). If you let it perk a long time, it will get stronger, but not as strong as a moka pot. You can set the stove to "Simmer" and it will stop perking, and keep the coffee warm.

The pot itself is made of enamel, the perking tube, of cast iron maybe (something black and rough), and the coffee grounds basket is made of plastic. The perking indicator is of course heavy glass. I've added a picture to the Wikipedia entry (it's my own pot and I took the picture).

Another tricky thing is to get the coffee grounds large enough to not cause "crunchy coffee." Buzz them no more than 5 seconds in a coffee grinder, or better yet, grind the coffee in one of those adjustable machines you can find in supermakets. No pre-ground coffee will have the right texture for perk pots anymore because the plastic basket's holes are just too large.

71.161.218.115 01:25, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

Coffee machine?
Coffee machine redirects here, but they are totally different. A slot machine that pours a plastic cup of something vaguely coffee-like when you put money in is not a percolator. Any ideas for a better redirect target? Totnesmartin (talk) 22:26, 22 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Found one - Vending machine Totnesmartin (talk) 13:54, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Criticisms?
How about a section on how Percolators are viewed today? I have many coffee junkie friends who say they burn the coffee over and over and makes for a very bad cup of joe. --70.167.58.6 (talk) 05:32, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Response to Diagram Request
I have made a simple diagram of a percolator. Here it is:



I first attempted to upload it in SVG format, but it wouldn't render properly, so I uploaded it in PNG. I believe it is accurate, but I would like someone else to check. --UnknownFerret (talk) 17:57, 18 June 2008 (UTC)

Seems more accurate than the other images to me. The other images are of moka-pots which let the water come in contact with the coffee only once. Your diagram denotes the key difference between moka-pots and percolators. . . the percolator splashes the same liquid from the same source onto the coffee grinds repeatedly and then dumps this liquid back into the single liquid reservoir. Moka pots segregate the coffee drink that has come in contact with the grinds from hot water that has not contacted the coffee. A moka-pot has two separate reservoirs; a percolator has only one. StateOfTheUnion (talk) 13:11, 30 December 2008 (UTC)

Some quetions
Hot water is less dense then cold, is that effect used at all? Does the hot coffee stays in a layer on top of the colder water, or does it just get mixed?

Where is the water/coffee heated, only in the bottom chamber or the whole bottom?83.188.230.104 (talk) 19:26, 6 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Regarding your first question the answer is no. The difference in density could drive the fluid no higher than its upper level and that is definitely below the basket containing the ground coffee. The effect exploited here is that bubbles generated by heating the water are much lighter and take small amounts of water with them as they rise. --2.247.250.113 (talk) 02:20, 22 December 2018 (UTC)

You people are aware that the search for Percolator redirects here, right? And you are also aware that a percolator is mainly a device used for preparing extracts from plants in the field of pharmacy and its use in coffee making is just an application. I'd love to see this fixed and for the percolator page to not redirect here and present a proper percolator, not just the coffee making one. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.115.211.113 (talk) 08:27, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

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Using percolators for making tea
Ironically, because of its operating principle, the coffee percolator seems to be better suited for making tea instead of coffee. It even may be a perfect tea maker as the leaves are subjected only to near boiling hot water, at a constant temperature. Shouldn't that also be discussed in the article? --2.247.250.113 (talk) 01:48, 22 December 2018 (UTC)

Diagram lacks important detail
The diagram illustrating the operation principle needs some corrections. The percolator has a funnel at its lower end collecting the bubbles which drive the water up the tube. These also should be shown inside the tube. --2.247.250.113 (talk) 02:45, 22 December 2018 (UTC)

Physics
The article lacks a proper description of the physics involved in the brewing process. I tried to find a reliable source which does but couldn't.

The article makes some fuzzy claims about temperature differences which are unlikely to have any real base in physics. Even with kinematic effects included temperature difference does not provide enough force to lift the water significantly above its surface and it works in both directions, driving watee up as well as down. It just causes circulation inside the water body.

The artivle mentions bubbles and the airlift pump which is likely to be the proper effect, but what bubbles? Steam bubbles will collapse as soon as they cool down a little. To use steam power you need pressure allowing to heat the water above its standard boiling point, like the moka pot does. Also the process would not stop when the water is boiling, So it's more likely the bubbles are gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen dissolved in the water, which are driven out when the water loses its capacity to hold them at rising temperatures. But writing that into the article without a citable source would be original research. 2.247.251.122 (talk) 00:07, 23 December 2018 (UTC)

Inventor
Following the citation link for Sir Benjamin Thompson as inventor of the percolator, the Encylcopaedia Britannica article states, "His work resulted in improved fireplaces and chimneys, and among his inventions are a double boiler, a kitchen range, and a drip coffeepot." [emphasis my own]

Other articles that declare Sir Thompson as the inventor of the percolator appear to be paraphrases or direct copies of this wiki article.

also lists "drip coffee maker" as one of "The products of Rumsford's mind". Again, nothing about percolators.

Other sources that have citations themselves do not refer to an invention of the percolator (e.g. https://biography.yourdictionary.com/count-rumford)

I'm forced to conclude that a mis-reading led to his being included in this article, and based on the evidence above I'm editing that section.