Presto 02811 Stainless Steel 12-Cup Electric Coffee Percolator

My family has owned this percolator for 6 years now, purchased right here on Amazon in 2010, and I'm about to buy another one for work. This pot has consistently delivered the best tasting coffee - better than all restaurants we frequent, better than friends and family's coffee... just awesomely, amazingly good. I've had a couple of minor maintenance issues over the years (see below) but they were super easily overcome, and in general this has been a super-reliable and very inexpensive appliance. Honestly, this has to have been one of my most favorite appliance purchases ever. And all for less than $40. Take THAT, you overpriced, overly featured drip machines that make lousy coffee!! ;-) *TIPS* With this, and any other stainless percolator, there are some basic guidelines to follow that aren't necessarily in the manual: 1. DO NOT use a paper filter. Ever. Use the metal basket ONLY. The holes are tiny enough to allow the coffee through, but to keep 99.9% of the gains in. Using the metal basket without a paper filter allows the flavor oils that naturally exist in the coffee bean to STAY in the coffee and contribute to its amazing and full flavor. If you use a paper filter, you'll lose the oils and get an "over-extracted" flavor that's more bitter than bold... so don't use a paper filter, follow the instructions, and you're GOLDEN - perfect coffee every time. Yes, you'll get a couple of grains in the last cup without a paper filter... whoop-de-do, just don't drink the very last few drops of the very last cup - problem solved. ;) 2. Cleaning the pot: Make sure it's clear of any build-up, but don't scrub the interior... allow the percolator to become seasoned. It's hot enough to prevent any bacterial issues, just like a wok or a cookie sheet. So let that puppy get seasoned, it's perfectly safe AND more delicious over time! The key place for build up is the receiving "hole" at the bottom of the pot for the metal tube. That can build up coffee debris pretty quick, and if you don't clear it, it will keep the metal tube from seating properly and you won't be able to brew properly, if at all. You only need to scrape away the excess with a fingernail, and you're good to go. The outside of the pot, however, feel free to scrub and make super shiny. It's really a nice looking piece when cleaned! 3. Cleaning the basket: The basket's tiny holes can get plugged up over a month or so of daily use. There's two ways to deal with this: chemically (cleaners) or with a wire brush. I prefer the wire brush route and just tap the bottom of the basket, which instantly clears the holes and allows you to keep the years of perfect seasoning intact. Wire brush FTW. 4. When assembling the pot in order to brew coffee, if you don't get the metal tube lined up with the receiving hole in the bottom of the pot, you'll get a misfire where you'll get a weak pot of coffee (at best), if not a mere pot of hot water. To ensure this doesn't happen, once the metal tube is aligned with the receiving hole, twist it left and right like you're trying to gently screw it in. It doesn't actually screw in... the twisting movement simply forces it to pop into the hole if it isn't in the hole already. Best. Trick. Ever. 5. Don't overfill the basket with coffee - the closer you are to the top of the tube, the more likely to get grains in the bottom of the pot. However, don't underfill or you'll get weak coffee. Follow the instructions, and you should be fine. 6. It's OK to let the coffee sit plugged in and ready to go for a long time as a FULL pot. If you're going to be leaving less than half a pot for more than an hour, UNPLUG IT, the coffee can burn if it sits long enough, just like ANY coffee pot. However, I've let a full pot sit for 4 or 5 hours, plugged in, and it's still not bad at all. Obviously, the fresher the better - just don't let it sit plugged in with very little coffee left, or your coffee will be understandably less delicious than you were expecting. 7. MAINTENANCE: I've had to replace the wire/plug once because using it thousands of times caused it to develop a minor short. Any plug/wire off the shelf that fits will do... it's just a straight up, no frills, 2 prong AC cable. Easy-peasy. I've also seen the screws holding on the bottom decay over time as they're not made of rust-resistant metal, sadly. However, a quick trip to your local hardware store will get you brand new ones; just bring the old ones with and ask the hardware guy for help. I replaced the bottom screws about 2 years ago when they got too rusty, so I got 4 years out of mine. You might be able to forestall the rusty screws issue by covering the holes with hot glue to prevent water from getting up in there when you wash the outside. That'd probably work perfectly, but I haven't actually tried it. Finally, stop reading reviews, buy this pot, and enjoy your awesome coffee!!!

We have tried several coffeemakers since starting our family (it takes a lot of coffee to fuel our two-working-parents-with-a-new-house-and-two-children-under-two household) and this, my friends, is THE BEST. To understand my rating you may need to know what we were looking for to begin with, and how this machine satisfied our criteria. What we wanted 1) First, we needed hot coffee and fast! 2) Coffee must taste good 3) NO plastic - at least where the nearly boiling hot water comes into contact with it 4) Ease of use - KISS rule applies here, as we're operating on very little sleep these days How it performed 1) This pot knocks this out of the park. It only takes about 6-8 minutes to brew 6 cups. It is HOT and it stays hot for a long time (actually, it will stay hot as long as you have the machine plugged into the outlet, which is a really nice feature when we're home on the weekends). A couple of our other machines actually took longer to brew coffee as we encountered filter problems and other issues. Side note - we keep a huge Brita filter of water in our fridge, and use it for coffee so we don't need all the extra filtering of other machines. 2) The taste of coffee will be affected by many factors, not the least of which is the quality of your selected beans, the roast, how freshly ground it is, and using COLD water to begin, however even with the best coffees our previous coffee makers left something to be desired. This machine consistently makes delicious coffee. Seriously, it is such a pleasure to drink. 3) This one is really important. As we increased the amount of coffee we drink, we realized that pretty much all other machines involve plastic parts somewhere in the brew process, despite having metal baskets and the like. That means there is a pretty good chance some unhealthful substances could be leaching into the water, and into the coffee. We use steel and glass with our other beverages and for our children's drinks - but had ignored the almost 16 oz of coffee a day we were consuming! This entire machine, with the exception of the base and handle, is steel. All that boiling hot water comes in contact with is metal. I suspect that also has something to do with how well it performs on the flavor scale. 4) Again, home run. This machine isn't any more labor intensive to use than a Mr. Coffee or a Cuisinart. In fact, it might be simpler since you don't have to pour water from a carafe into some silly little hole somewhere on the machine, risking spilling water all over the counter. Fill the carafe with cold water. Fill the basket with grounds. Insert bar, basket, and lids. Plug it in. Pour your cereal, hug your kids, pack your lunch, whatever you fancy. 8 minutes later you're pouring a delicious, hot mug of joe. We have a grinder and only buy whole bean coffee. Sometimes we grind the coffee the night before to save time, but plenty of mornings we have grind it just before making the coffee. Still a simple and quick process..even when we are exhausted. Additionally, you can make small amounts of coffee without needing a special setting. The coffee isn't any weaker as a result, unlike other machines. I think this has to do with how hot this machine gets the water prior to brewing. It isn't heating up along the way, like some other machines. So the first few cups are just as good as the rest. You can, however, make a big full pot, which is nice for us because our parents come to visit often and all drink coffee too. And the whole big pot is piping hot. That brings me to a negative aspect of this machine. If you brew a pot, and want another, you have to wait until the pot cools. I've been raving about how hot it makes coffee, and that it's made of metal. Well, it becomes a dangerously hot piece of metal. Clean up is easy with this machine too. We compost our grounds so it is as simple as dumping the basket into our compost container, and rinsing out the parts. Something to be mindful of, though, is ensuring that you UNPLUG the machine before you leave. Best case scenario, you return to hot coffee in the evening, if that's your thing, but I'm afraid of causing an electrical fire so our post-coffee routine is simply unplugging it before leaving for work. Again, it is usually too hot to clean right away so we do this in the evening. You'll notice some features we weren't looking for, and which this product does not have: 1) Brew interrupt for pouring a cup while it is still brewing. We aren't that impatient. We have plenty to do while we wait for the full pot to brew. But some folks may not like that. 2) Clock - we have that on our stove...and our phones...and our toaster oven...and our wall. We're good with clocks 3) Programmable brewing - again, not necessary for us as we find using this machine to be quick and easy. We did enjoy this feature on other products (waking up to coffee brewing for you is so nice!) but the trade off for no plastic parts was worth it to us. Plus, my husband is so sweet about getting up first and making the coffee, so not much has changed for me in this way ;-) Well, this is the longest review I have ever written, but I know how people are about their coffee...because I am one of those people. I hope this review helps. We've had this machine for 6 months, it's going strong, it looks cool on the counter, it's easy to use and it makes one darn good cup of coffee.

I’ve waited 2 months to write this review as I wanted to use it every day for that long to evaluate. I read all the reviews before purchasing and feel like a lot of people have never had percolators before. I’ve used a perc for 50 years. 1. The cord is NOT too short. It’s perfectly sized and there are zero issues with using the pot. 2. I do NOT use paper liners in the filter basket. Using very hot water and a scrubber removes the grit. Be mindful of the holes and coffee oils that can build up and make the holes smaller forcing grounds to spill over into the pot. When I see this happening, I just use hot water (no soap!) and scrub it down. 3. Time: does it take slightly longer than my old Presto? Yes but just slightly. This is not a Mr. coffee… it’s worth the extra minute. 4. There is no spill when you pour. Coffee comes out clean and no drips. 5. Do not over fill coffee. The amount of grounds you may be used to in your old maker may be too much for this one. I found I use slightly less coffee in this one. 6. I consistently make 10 cups every single morning. I do not over fill the water. 7. The coffe is hot and good. 8. I’m a coffee percolator snob. Been making coffee in a perc since I was 8 yrs old. Always had a glass knob and I do have to say I truly miss that. A LOT. I liked being able to see color change and the flow. However other percolators have the knob but it is plastic and I did not want plastic anything in a percolated. The steam escapes normally from the special little recessed vent molded into the lid. 9. The lid snaps on tightly. Zero chance of it popping off. 10. Coffee stays hot in the keep warm after-perc mode. 11. I did purchase a marble round trivet to put it on as I had no clue how hot the bottom would get on my counter tops. I like the look of it and any drips or mess is easily cleaned up. Purchased on Amazon. It’s cute! 12. Other people have commented on how good the coffee is. I do not buy fancy brands and have used a Maxwell house style for decades. I’m sure whatever brand you use would be fine. Just know a coarser grind or finer grind affects how much you fill the basket and how it will clog. Just watch oil build up and you’ll do fine. 13. The highly polished stainless steel is very pretty and easily cleaned to stay shiny. 14. Price is normal. Could you find cheaper ones out there? Yes. 15. How long this will last. I feel like every modern appliance, this will have a shorter life than the appliances of old. If you LOVE an appliance, then purchase a back up and keep it on a shelf. Switching to an all new maker every few years is tiresome. I suspect we will get a few years out of this and then something will go wrong. Things just aren’t made like the old days. 16. Overall? Yes we like it. But I do miss the glass knob…..

I purchased this item in November of 2024 and have used it almost every day since then. I want to reduce the amount of plastic I use when preparing food, and this seemed like the easiest transition to make. I like the color of the percolator, and it works reliably. I only prepare 4 cups (2 mugs of coffee) each day, so it took a little trial and error to land on the coffee-to-water ratio (for the taste that I like) when brewing a larger amount. I like that I can make 12 cups of coffee when needed for entertaining. The percolator does not take up much room on the counter, which is helpful. The percolator is about 12" tall and fits nicely under the cabinets. The cord pictured is not the original one. I had to purchase a replacement cord in May of 2026. Having to wiggle the cord out of the percolator likely stressed the sides of the cord that came with the percolator and caused it to stop working, hence the 4 stars. However, the pot works fine, brews the coffee well, and produces a nice, hot cup of coffee. I recommend using a paper filter inside the basket to reduce the likelihood of grounds in your coffee.

This is my first electric percolator...and I love it! I love the sound (I have no idea what some reviewers complained about - I find the noise kind of comforting and muffled), the short percolate time, the pour, the flavor, the clean, sharp looks...there is nothing I don't like. The price is right for this machine, too. I had a stove top percolator where you could see the coffee perking at the top, but it was too small so I bought this one. You cannot see the coffee perking with this machine, but you can hear it and see steam flow out the pour spout. Once the steam stops and the light comes on, it's ready...10 minutes is all it takes. Get this percolator. You will not regret it. BTW, I use 4-cup round coffee filters and just push a hole into the center to fit into the grounds holder. I use one scoop of coffee per two cups of water - so, to make three cups of coffee, I fill the pot to the "6" water mark and use three scoops of coffee (I'm guessing my scoop is a tablespoon). It makes perfect coffee every time.

In a nutshell: this is a FABULOUS percolator. More specifically: the body and parts are all steel, no plastics, and function flawlessly and are easy to clean. It makes the most delicious cups of coffee and I like that its size is big enough to make a lot of coffee and easy to store, though I proudly keep mine displayed on the counter so the rest of my appliances can bow down to its superiority. The coffee is hot and stays hot, never tastes burnt. The lid stays secure and there is no glass/plastic inside of the lid to worry about. The percolating process is quick and I can honestly say I'll never go back to pot/drip coffee. A good percolator will change you, and this is just the one to do it. Some tips/advice for anyone new to percolator coffee: 1. You need less coffee in the basket than the booklet says or you think you need; water continously moves over the grounds, creating a really strong brew, as opposed to passing over it once and dripping down. 2. It makes *really* strong coffee; do not take that lightly. Because it passes through the grounds so many times, the caffeine (and flavor) is amplified. You've been warned. I dilute my caffeinated coffee with decaf, a hard lesson I learned after using this a few times. 3. Once the light comes on to indicate the coffee is ready, it's not. Give the water and grounds in there time to sink all the way down to the bottom for about 5 minutes, then you can pour. That's not a fault of the percolator's, thats a little tip passed down to me from my percolator elders, and now I give it to you. 4. Unless you've used a paper filter, some grounds will sink to the very bottom of the coffee, and if you empty everything into your cup on your final pour, there will be grounds in your coffee. This is normal and to be expected with any percolator. Simply don't pour the last little bit of coffee when you're getting your final cup! And last, the people complaining about the "noise" of this percolator are absolutely crazy. It's a percolator, it's *going* to make noise, but this one in particular is much more quiet than others! And enjoy the sounds it makes-- that's the sound of your most delicious cup of coffee being made. It's homey; it's a remaining sound of the past and a timeless gadget; appreciate it.

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. 1/27/2014--The Presto 02811 still percing away! I have experimented with different coffee grinds and techniques. Now finers grinds flow through the basket holes leaving considerable sediment in the pot. More coarse grinds don't, BUT you either have to use more coffee to get full flavor or find a way to extend the brew.....Here's my solution. I grind my medium roasted beans one notch before the coarsest setting on the grocery grinder. This results in very little sediment in the coffee pot after brewing. I will put six tablespoons of ground coffee into the basket. Then I get the pot, add the brewing tube, and fill the pot with ice from my freezer to the eight cup mark. Then I get filtered chilled water from my fridge dispenser and also fill the pot with water to the eight cup mark. Now add the covered basket to the pot, snap on the pot cover, and plug it in. This tastes really good to me when it is done, though it takes a bit longer in the brewing.

This makes such great coffee whether it's pre-ground coffee or you grind your own beans, it's delicious. It has a smoothe taste. No bitter weird plastic aftertaste like the other coffee pots out there. No more coffee pods etc. I prepare the night before. Grind my coffee and turn it on in the mornings. It smells up the house and brings back memories of childhood at grandma's. I think i wait 7-10 min for the coffee to perk. The coffee is sooo much hotter than regular plastic coffee pots with a glass pot! You can enjoy your cup of coffee longer! Clean up is easy, no messy filters to run out of. You just plug it in and wait for the light to turn on and then it's ready to sit and enjoy! I also think even tho I haven't tested it yet, it seems like it's truly 12 Cups of coffee not just "12 cups" according to those glass pots that are all different shapes and sizes and it seems you run out of coffee before you know it. Nope. Get this and you won't be disappointed!

De percolator zorgt voor lekkere koffie! Echter is de machine na 6 maanden al kapot.

コーヒー豆と水を入れたら勝手に大量にコーヒーを作ってくれるマシンを探していたので購入。 特に問題なく大容量のコーヒーがすぐに作れます。 気になる点としたら機械部分が丸洗いできないことくらいかな。 あと、もうちょっと安いといいな。

it's 110volts, half-powered and will burn itself up if you simply use an adapter. very inconvenient and expensive to return to las vegas.

Excelente cafetera. Fácil de usar y fácil de servir. A diferencia de las cafeteras de "vaso" o jarra de vidrio, este tipo de cafetera sí calienta el café como se debe además de dar un mejor sabor al manejar temperaturas más altas. Así es como deberían ser todas las cafeteras, ya que además no hay riesgo de que se te rompa o quiebre tan fácilmente. Por otro lado, puedes usarla sin filtro, lo que la hace además una opción más ecológica y barata a largo plazo.

Es muy práctica y de gran capacidad pero lo mejor es la calidad con que hace el café, lo prepara con un gran sabor, consistencia y temperatura sin quemarlo. Hay que tener en cuenta que no debes sumergirla pero es muy fácil de lavar. Se puede usar aún sin los filtros de papel. La recomiendo ampliamente.