why don't electric perks work, why don't they make larger stovetop perks? What can we do to get perked coffee without wasting our time and money?
853630
W. Gray, re: "my granny has been using her farberware elect since 1967! " People don't have complaints about the old percolators .. it's the new ones that simply don't work. Made in China junk.
804262
I bought the 6-cup GSI percolator and it FAILED on an induction stovetop... in an interesting way. The water came to a boil just fine, but the bottom of the percolator "popped" to a concave shape at this heat, and so my induction stovetop couldn't "find" the percolator and shut off with an error message. Never had this happen with any other induction-capable cookware, even thin carbon-steel enamelware.
1966416
Get a different machine. I bought a $20 stove top unit at IKEA that makes 6 cups of espresso. It's stainless steel and wonderful. My experience with the Espressione was awful too.
2066142
I have been perking coffee for years. fill pot/water level below basket. I like to grind my own coffee... the openings in the pots basket are smaller than the aluminum ones you would buy for camping out.... so can grind a bit finer. I perk very slowly over a medium heat until I can smell the coffee! The clear knob on the top will give you a good indication as the coffee brews the perks get darker. Usually about 20 minutes total brew time. Let sit for a minute or two when done brewing so that the filter basket drains completely.
2035580
I have tried this and it works. The only problem I am having is I can't seem to get the coffee strong enoughwith this devise, you can make the pod any size you want it. Watch your fingers, the iron does get hot
235282
Just an edit to previous reply. I have a glass top flat surface stove. I'm sure results would be different if using electric burners.
86386
We use a larger Melita at our cabin. When making coffee I sure wouldn't want to make it the way you are saying, but if you do not have anything except the cone, glass carafe and a cup I guess you could try. (Perhaps try it sometime before)
378366
You can do this without a problem - other than the wait of 15+ minutes over 3 minutes to get your coffee. My solution to the same problem has been to buy an $8 3-pin mechanical timer that comes on at 5:30am and switches off at 10am. This allows coffee with a 3-minute wait during only the times that drink coffee both weekdays and weekends. I don't know if the environmental damage from the manufacturing of the plastic and metal timer are worse than that from the generation of unneeded electricity from a coal plant (I suspect that this would depend on how many years I use this machine) but it makes me feel a little less like a planetary leech (-: You can do this without a problem - other than the wait of 15+ minutes over 3 minutes to get your coffee. My solution to the same problem has been to buy an $8 3-pin mechanical timer that comes on at 5:30am and switches off at 10am. This allows coffee with a 3-minute wait during only the times that drink coffee both weekdays and weekends. I don't know if the environmental damage from the manufacturing of the plastic and metal timer are worse than that from the generation of unneeded electricity from a coal plant (I suspect that this would depend on how many years I use this machine) but it... » Read More You can do this without a problem - other than the wait of 15+ minutes over 3 minutes to get your coffee. My solution to the same problem has been to buy an $8 3-pin mechanical timer that comes on at 5:30am and switches off at 10am. This allows coffee with a 3-minute wait during only the times that drink coffee both weekdays and weekends. I don't know if the environmental damage from the manufacturing of the plastic and metal timer are worse than that from the generation of unneeded electricity from a coal plant (I suspect that this would depend on how many years I use this machine) but it makes me feel a little less like a planetary leech (-: « Show Less
1285339
back in the day we always purchased black & decker (under the cabinet) coffee makers. loved them! this was our first mr. coffee model for the countertop. we've been really pleased. we make 3-pots per day on average and clean the machine once a month. even so...we still only get roughly a year from our m.c. models. my mother gets less than a year using a braun coffee maker (3x the $$ of our m.c.) seems a waste of money? best of luck! cheers, ~ tom
239336
I was going to ask the same question. Can this be used to make regular hot coffee as well? I don't have alot of counter space.
855395
I can't! I have shopped many many coffee makers and NONE of them brews really hot except the commercial Bunns. I even check the voltages, thinking the highest will brew hotter, but they don't seem to. I do brew on "strong" flavor and leave hot plate on lowest heat so it won't boil the coffee. And pop my cup of coffee into the microwave. Nuisance but otherwise really like my coffee maker.
2066141
I agree!! I wanna buy one of these but have NO CLUE how to use the thing. I love coffee from my drip maker. I just think they look good and have heard they make better coffee. I'm also wondering if this would suit my coffee drinking habits. I get up, make 4 cups of coffee in my drip maker and drink it over a period of 2 hours. Then in the evening I make 4 more cups and drink it for 2 hours. If you make this coffee on a stove top, does it stay warm after being done for a couple of hours or no? I'm sure the electric ones would but with those you chance them going bad and not working plus I've heard they are harder to clean. Also, do I need paper filters with these? I agree!! I wanna buy one of these but have NO CLUE how to use the thing. I love coffee from my drip maker. I just think they look good and have heard they make better coffee. I'm also wondering if this would suit my coffee drinking habits. I get up, make 4 cups of coffee in my drip maker and drink it over a period of 2 hours. Then in the evening I make 4 more cups and drink it for 2 hours. If you make this coffee on a stove top, does it stay warm after being done for a couple of hours or no? I'm sure the electric ones would but with those you chance them going bad and not working plus I've... » Read More I agree!! I wanna buy one of these but have NO CLUE how to use the thing. I love coffee from my drip maker. I just think they look good and have heard they make better coffee. I'm also wondering if this would suit my coffee drinking habits. I get up, make 4 cups of coffee in my drip maker and drink it over a period of 2 hours. Then in the evening I make 4 more cups and drink it for 2 hours. If you make this coffee on a stove top, does it stay warm after being done for a couple of hours or no? I'm sure the electric ones would but with those you chance them going bad and not working plus I've heard they are harder to clean. Also, do I need paper filters with these? « Show Less
551273
I searched the internet for "CBTL Reusable Capsules" and found nothing but an article titled "How to refill and recycle our CBTL Gaggia Caffitaly capsules for other brew brands". It had instructions and pictures that seemed helpful from the comments of people who tried it. Basically, you're deconstructing the pre-loaded filter after it's been used and replacing the coffee and foil top. Make sure you don't pack too much coffee in or the water can't go thru. Maybe dump the grounds out of a pod to get an idea of how much to refill with.
717342
We have the same problem. we have also tried the eco reuseable cups and have had no luck. we use them as emergency only because the coffee doesn't taste as good or as strong.
1740692
Hey, good idea! I only use mine for parties, anyway - but then only if I make coffee. I could use this for the Halloween party! Thanks for asking the question!
914021
I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can... » Read More I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! « Show Less
796698
My stove top that I commented on previously has two wood strips attached to the steel handle attached to the pot. My hands are not that big but I can manage to pick it up with spilling or dropping the whole pot. Being careful not to drink too much caffeine I still make a pot every now and again to appease my taste of a great cup of coffee, just like my dad used to make in the mornings. If your hand is too big just get a dish towel and pick it up. Oh, if you have the time tell me if that Copco's 4 to 8 cup percolator's handle is made of, plastic or wood.