I Use My Mom's Old Percolator

I guess it's no secret that I'm a bit of a coffee person. Although I would not say I am a coffee snob (because really, how snobby can you be when you add both cream and sugar to your coffee every morning), I do prefer dark roast coffee brewed very strong and I do notice a difference in how my coffee tastes depending on: A. Whether it was pre-ground B. What brand it is and C. The venue for brewing the coffee.

And that is what I want to address with you. I do not own a drip coffee maker. For years I used only my French press (which I still love), because the hubs does not like coffee, so I just make it for myself. But after I had a kid, mom started coming to visit, and between the two of us, a French press just isn't enough. So she brought over her old percolator. And I feel deeply in love.

If only this were scratch 'n' sniff!

This percolator is old. The power cord has electrical tape on it, because wires were starting to be exposed. It makes a frightening bubbling noise while it perks. And it makes amazing damn coffee. And lots of it.

It's my best friend.

See that electrocution hazard?

I get it ready at night, filling it with water and coffee and sticking in a little round filter (I am still not sure I'm putting the filter in the right spot. Oh well.) and setting it on the counter. Then, in the morning I stumble into the kitchen with no contacts and plug it in (another reason why the electrical tape was necessary). By the time I'm out of the shower, hot coffee is waiting for me. And the pot keeps it piping hot as long as it's plugged in. And if you unplug it and decide you want more later, just plug it back in and it will re-bubble!

It doesn't have measurements. I just guess at my ratio of water to coffee. This usually results in very strong coffee for me. Hence the cream and sugar.

This is my life. And I love this old percolator. And when it finally does die (although I kind of think it will outlive me), I will cry and cry and cry. And probably break down and buy a regular drip coffee maker. Because no newfangled percolator will work like this one does.

How about some awkward coffee face?

Thanks for listening.