Created for Coffee Lovers.

Percolator vs Drip: Differences & Cleaning Techniques

Dave Carter

Published: September 7, 2021

Last updated: October 23, 2022

Coffee brewing is an art that many people have grown to love. From the first wonderful smell in the morning to the warm feeling of a cup of coffee before bed, it is hard not to appreciate how much we enjoy this drink. With so many different types and ways you can brew your coffee, there are plenty of options for you to explore. One of those options is a percolator, which holds the claim of being one of the oldest ways to brew coffee. The other option is a drip coffee maker, which is the more popular choice today. So, between percolator vs drip coffee maker, which one will you choose? Knowing the difference between them can help you decide if a percolator or drip coffee maker is for you!

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Percolator vs Drip Coffee Maker: What is the Difference?

Percolator vs Drip Coffee Maker Comparison

The first thing to consider when deciding between a drip coffee maker/small coffee maker and a percolator is the type of coffee drinker you are. For some, convenience is key, while others value tastes more than anything else. Others value the ability to make a larger amount of coffee at once, while others need a smaller carafe. Consider the following aspects and compare them to your own needs before making a decision. Let us look at what a percolator vs drip coffee maker is, and how each method affects these factors to help you decide which one is right for you.

What is a Percolator?

A percolator is a type of pot for brewing coffee. The word "percolate" means to cause (a liquid) to pass through a permeable substance and come out changed in some way, and that is exactly what happens with this sort of coffee maker. The basic principle behind how it works remains the same, despite there being many different types of percolators. 

The process involves boiling water and pushing the boiling water up a tube where it mixes with the ground coffee resting in a filter basket above. As this happens, the pressure forces the brewed coffee to drip back into the pot, making your morning brew! Percolators were one of the first ways to brew coffee before drip coffee makers were invented. This method can still be used today and is known for producing a full-bodied cup of coffee.

What is a Drip coffee maker?

Drip coffee makers are the most popular style of coffee makers on the market today. And that is because they are incredibly convenient and easy to use while also producing some great cups of joe. Drip coffee is made by pouring water over ground coffee beans resting in a filter basket placed above the carafe. 

The force produced by gravity then pushes the brewed coffee through the filter and back down into the carafe. The result? A cup of hot, delicious coffee that is ready to enjoy in just a few minutes! Drip coffee makers are extremely popular because they are easy to use and clean while also being more affordable than other coffee makers.

What is the Difference?

So what is the difference between drip coffee maker vs percolator coffee maker? Well, both of these types of coffee makers get the job done when it comes to brewing coffee. Drips vs percolators come in handy when you are on the go. The new generation of portable coffee makers are lightweight and easy to transport, giving you all the convenience of your favorite desktop models without requiring any bulky glassware or cords. 

This makes them perfect for use anywhere far from home. They are better than stovetop coffee makers when it comes to ease of use. Drip vs percolator vs stovetop coffee makers can all be used at home depending on your needs.However, there are a few differences you should be aware of before deciding whether to buy a drip or percolator coffee maker.

Convenience: The drip coffee machine wins this round, hands down, thanks to its simple push-button operation. On the other hand, a percolator will require you to boil your water separately and then pour it into the percolator, where it mixes with the coffee grounds.

Taste: Again, drip coffee machines win this one. This is because a drip coffee maker uses a filter basket to strain the grounds from the brewed coffee after it has been made, while a percolator doesn't have this luxury. Thus, drip coffee has more flavor than percolator coffee versus any other brewing method.

Cost: Some would consider drip coffee makers to be more expensive because the average price of drips is around $60, with some even reaching over $100. On the other hand, percolators are usually very affordable and typically cost about half as much as your typical drip coffee maker.

Ease of Cleaning: Drip coffee machines are a breeze to clean at all times because you simply remove the filter basket and throw it in your dishwasher. A percolator will require a little more elbow grease since the carafe, tube, funnel, mesh basket, and stem will all need some attention after brewing.

So, if you are a coffee lover who values taste and convenience more than anything else, a drip coffee machine is probably your best bet. But if you don't mind the extra work involved with making coffee, then maybe a percolator is right for you! Either way, choosing between drip vs percolator coffee maker, these two types of brewers will be easy when you consider their differences.

How to Use Dip it Coffee Cleaner for Percolator?

Best Percolated Coffee For Home

Cleaning a percolator can be a difficult task if you don't know what you are doing. For example, dipping it in water without any preparation could cause the coffee to become cloudy and have a bitter taste.

That is not all, though, because harsh chemicals can also damage the enamel surfaces. That is why we recommend that before you start cleaning and sanitizing your percolator, that you do the following when using dip it coffee cleaner for percolator:

  1. Fill the percolator’s carafe with cold water - do not use hot water yet.
  2. Add one tablespoon of chlorine-free bleach - something similar to Clorox Green Works Natural Bleach because it is plant-based and safe for the environment.
  3. Stir or shake for one minute to make sure the bleach is thoroughly mixed with the water. Then let it sit for another five minutes before rinsing with cold water.
  4. Fill the percolator one more time with cold water, then bring it to a boil and turn it off immediately. This will remove any sanitizer that might still be in the percolator.
  5. Finally, pour out any remaining water, and then you can begin cleaning your percolator.

Now that you have a better understanding of how to clean your percolator, let us go over some simple steps on how to use dip it coffee cleaner for percolators .

Step 1: Wash & Clean Dip it Coffee Cleaner

Before using this product on your percolator, make sure you first wash out any loose or dried coffee grounds with warm soapy water (about 10 seconds worth). This will help prevent the grime from sticking to the metal filter basket during application. This will also give you full access inside the bottom of the tube, where most of the buildup occurs around the tiny holes. To prevent the coffee grounds from falling back into the pitcher, turn off your faucet and begin filling up your percolator. 

Depending on how dirty your percolator is, you should pour about 1/8 to ¼ cup of Dip it Coffee Cleaner into the basket area first. Then gently place the basket over the bathtub drain not allowing any of this solution to fall out just yet. Turn on your faucet until you reach boiling temperature (212 degrees). You should be able to see all of those dark stains soaking around inside of the tube which is exactly what we want!

Step 2: Wipe & Scrub Dip it Cleaner

After allowing this product to sit inside of the percolator for about five minutes, take your microfiber cloth and begin wiping away any dark brown stains that you see. If the faucet is still warm, this job will be significantly easier because steam will rise too, which helps loosen up these stains even more. You may have to wipe with a little bit of force, but don't be afraid to get in there nice and deep! Although some stains might not come off easily at first, allow this product time to do its job by boiling the liquid every five minutes or so for roughly 30 minutes total.

Step 3: Drain Dip it Coffee Cleaner

Once you are finished cleaning your coffee percolator, pour out all of the liquid into your sink while holding the basket over the bathtub for excess liquid to drain. Rinse off your percolator with warm running water and then you are all done!

Pro Tips: Dip it Coffee Cleaner is an excellent product for removing mineral deposits from coffee makers, and other household appliances that need a deep clean. After allowing this solution to dry, store it in a cool, dry place away from any children or pets that might get into it. Although this product is nontoxic, you should always take precautions when using any cleaning agent, even if they are safe to use. 

If your percolator has been neglected for quite some time, you might need to repeat these steps again because it will require more time and energy to remove, especially if you use hard water. If this happens, make sure you wait for the percolator to cool down for about 15 minutes before applying another application of Dip It Coffee Cleaner.

10 Best Coffee Machines

The Best Coffee Machines that You Can Buy Online.
Extensively Reviewed by a Coffee-Enthusiastic.

The Best Coffee Machine Reviews

Conclusion​

So, which do you prefer between a percolator vs drip coffee maker? Ultimately, it depends on what type of coffee you want. If you like your coffee flavorful and caffeinated, or if you need something quick, then go for a percolator; however, if delicate flavors and low-caffeine content matter most to you, then get yourself a drip machine!

Dave Carter

As a coffee enthusiastic Dave share with you his latest and greatest coffee news and insights. He es always interested in trying out new things about the best bean of the world!

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