Customer Reviews

Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffeemaker

5 star:		(304)
4 star:		(67)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

First of all, the reason we bought this is because, in general, percolators make great tasting coffee. They can turn even the worst quality beans into a good cup of coffee. Initially, the Presto lived up to our expectations. And after doing the following, it is once again making great cups of coffee.

Tip #1 - Grind your coffee using the appropriate setting.

After some usage, we would at times get a mouthful of grinds. We realized it was important to use the percolator setting on the coffee grinder at the supermarket. Since then, an occasional coffee grind finds its way into our cup.

Tip #2 - Clean the filter basket with a brush.

Despite cleaning the pot before each usage, the coffee was gradually getting weaker each day. We then realized that the holes in the bottom of the filter basket were clogged. We could not unclog them using a sponge so I started poking each one individually with a toothpick before deciding there was no way we would have the time or patience to do it every day. So, we tried a brush with plastic bristles and, within seconds, the basket was completely unclogged. So, we bought a small brush with a long handle and use it to clean the filter basket and the bottom of the pot.

I've used every type of coffee maker around. I look for all stainless- that means NO plastic or aluminum contacting the water----this has been a great product for me--I love perked coffee. When I'm not using this I use a Cona glass vacuum maker--- I'm a purist about materials and coffee making. Presto has been the most reliable of all my electric percs. It's all stainless.

I thought my Hamilton Beach percolator was decent for the price, I even wrote a review about it in December, 2006. One week later, this 1-year old coffee maker was barely keeping the coffee hot. Then I visited my son in Alaska at Christmas and noticed that his 6-yr old Presto percolator was still delivering great, hot coffee in record time. I returned home, ordered my Presto 12-cup percolator and am highly impressed. It's lighter, easier to load, easier to pour, easier to clean, perks ultra-fast and makes a great, hot cup of coffee. Because of its lighter stainless steel pot, it cools down faster if you want to make a second batch of coffee right away. (We make two pots and pour the first batch into a thermos for back-up when company comes) Based on its performance, I'm surprised the price is so reasonable.

I am a coffee drinker, and have been for decades. I have tried most systems out there-French Press, Filters of all kinds, stovetop espresso pots, etc. Of all of those, French Press makes pretty good coffee. But this Presto percolator extracts more flavor than any of them to my taste.

Here are some clues. The kitchen fills with the smell of coffee brewing. It's nice, and I haven't smelled that wonderful, welcoming smell in a long time. The coffee comes out rich and thick. For those of you that use cream or milk, you will still have a decent coffee flavor after the addition.

The pot itself is a fairly simple device. I am sure there is a micro-processor thermostat under the black base, but still a simple device. All parts are Stainless Steel. The pot, the basket holder, the basket and the basket top. No plastic touches the coffee. Parts, should they become damaged for any reason are easily available from the Presto site. But with reasonable treatment these are sturdy, workable pieces of coffee brewing goodness.

The brew cycle is regulated by the amount of water in the pot. I have tried making four cup, six cup, eight cup, and ten cup batches. Following the directions that come with the pot or that area available on the Presto site will yield weaker or stronger brews according to your taste. One just has to experiment a bit to get a feel for it.

The brew cycle ends with a flourish of percing. Then the light on the front goes off. Here's what they don't tell you. Wait another minute or so till the last batch of water filters through the basket, then open the top take out the basket top and then the basket and brewpipe. Pop the top back on. The coffee will stay hot for as long as you leave the pot plugged in. And at a good hot temp, too.

This holding part of the cycle is a double edged sword. Coffee definitely looses its full flavor after a while, but the coffee will stay hot for as long as the pot is plugged in. I recommend making several smaller batches over the day rather than just brewing a big one. That hassle aside, I haven't yet let the pot burn with no coffee in it.

All in all, this Presto pot brews a great cup of coffee in batches from four to twelve cups. Best purchase to my quality of life I have made in some time. Highly recommended.

First, I'll say that if you haven't had percolated coffee you need to give it a try. To me, it makes the best cup of coffee around. I've owned more than several Farberware percolators over the years. If you go through the reviews, you'll find that the Farberware percolator is notorious for eventually making cool coffee as it ages. I agree. All except one Farberware pot I have owned eventually lost its temperature control and it had to be replaced. On one the control went out immediately and would not percolate. I, like many other people who have reviewed the Farberware pot, was very unhappy about it. At the same time, it was the only pot that I could purchase locally, so when one failed I would replace it with another. So .. when the last Farberware went "kaput" I decided to do a little research and ended up purchasing the Presto 12-cup percolator based on the Amazon reviews. So far (after a few months use) it brews hot coffee and the coffee flavor is excellent. It brews quick. It is however much less substantial than the Faberware in terms of construction, and has a cheaper feel. However ... and this is a big however ... I can not make a pot of coffee without grounds floating all over the place! The last thing I need in a good cup of coffee is a mouthful of grounds. The basket lid fits poorly (terrible design compared to the Farberware) and to brew coffee without getting a lot of grounds is impossible. Had I to do it allover again, I'd go with Farberware with the understanding that it will need to be replaced in 3 to 5 years. It's too bad that here it is 2010 and no one makes a perfect, or near perfect, percolator.

Coffee is the beginning of my day, and a great way to start it is with my Presto Percolator coffee pot. I'm not kidding, it is rich without being overpowering, and strains the grounds really well. The ratio of water to grounds is perfectly balanced each time. I converted from drip coffee pot and mini espresso makers to this one.

I have used this percolator every day for 9 years. It gives me great coffee every morning!

This makes great tasting coffee. I used Auto drip for years, but nothing beats the taste of a perc. Bought this on another site.
I put the water in, then I use a standard auto drip filter, push the filter down kinda center, til it pokes a hole in the filter, then form around, then add your coffee,keeping a finger over the tube hole, to not let coffee down the tube. or use one of the flat disk filters. When its perked, you also can carefully remove the basket and tube, and put top back on, then when you pour the coffee, you should have no coffee grounds at all. Using a filter media is a must to keep from having the small holes clog up in the metal basket, and if it does, it takes forever to unclog each hole with a needle or pin or toothpick. So use the filter trick. I set this up and plug it in, and then take my shower every morning, and when i get out its ready to drink. Less than 10-12 mins for a perc is fantastic, and well worth it. Wish they made autotimers for percs, but you could set this up, and use a on off plug timer to have this auto kick on, and perc, and shut off at certain times. I only drink columbian coffee and I cant tell you the difference it makes when made in a perc and not a auto drip.
Had this product for over a year and use it every day. Still percs great hot coffee. Would buy again. If you want clean the inside, use a cascade dishwasher packet, put it in the basket without a filter, and run it with the full 12 cups like your making coffee, then after it sets a few mins. unplug it, rinse it well. And the coffee stains residue is gone.

After using drip coffee makers for many years, we decided to buy a percolator. We are wondering why we waited so long to go back to the percolator. The coffee is great and it is hot and stays hot.

I'm not an every day coffee drinker, so I didn't want to invest in a programmable coffee maker. I selected the Presto coffeemaker for three reasons: (1) it can brew small batches of coffee as well as large servings; (2) it doesn't require much counter space in my kitchen; (3) it is easy to use. I brewed two cups of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee on first use, and I was not disappointed. The coffee was rich, hot, and fast. I recommend using coffee filters to prevent grounds from settling as well as for easy clean up.