Coffee is the drink that runs most of the world. There are many people who start their day with a cup of coffee and feel the need to drink more throughout the day. This is mainly because of the fact that coffee is mildly stimulating and tastes so good. Every year, more and more people get introduced to this beverage and can’t go a day without having a cup.
By looking at the benefits of coffee, and the boost it gives to your day, it is probably a good idea for you to increase your coffee intake. However, not all of us can afford a good coffee maker. We also sometimes find ourselves in a situation where making coffee is not the easiest task. You may not always have electricity, or simply fancy a change from using your usual coffee maker. Learning how to make coffee on the stove can be especially useful if you enjoy camping, or spend a lot of time away from home. To make sure that nobody misses out on a good cup of coffee, we have come up with many ways that you can enjoy your daily dose of caffeine without breaking the bank on an expensive coffee maker. Compiled below is a list of the different methods you can follow to make coffee without a coffee maker on your stove, or on a fire.
Making Coffee On the Stove – Instant Coffee
Starting off with the easiest method that can substitute a coffee maker is something that is wholly abhorrent to coffee enthusiasts. Yes, we are talking about using instant coffee. For those of you who are unaware what instant coffee is, it is essentially a powdered form of coffee beans which can be dissolved in hot water to give you your coffee fix. The reason most coffee enthusiasts hate instant coffee is because they feel it doesn’t give them the punch that a good cup of coffee should. Granted, it isn’t always as strong as your regular cup of coffee, it can prove to be a good temporary fix should you have no other options. The quality of instant coffee has really increased in the last years and we do think it is worth a try.
To make instant coffee on the stove, fetch an empty cup and the instant coffee that you plan on using. Heat the coffee powder and a cup of water (you can do this using a stove, kettle, or even your microwave). Once you have hot water, start pouring it into the cup that has the heated grains of instant coffee. Keep stirring the mixture until all of the powdered instant coffee has been dissolved in the hot water, and voilà! Your cup of coffee is ready for consumption.
Making Coffee On the Stove – The Saucepan Method
Even though it may sound absurd at first, there are many reasons why this is the most popular choice among coffee lovers who don’t own a coffee maker. By using a regular saucepan, you can brew up a cup of coffee in no time at all. However, there is a high probability that if you’re not careful, you can burn your coffee which, if coffee enthusiasts are to be believed, is one of the worst things you can do. The saucepan method is one of the oldest methods of making coffee on the stove that we still use today.
The saucepan method may require your undivided attention, but it is one of the easiest methods currently employed to brew a cup of coffee without a coffee maker. Begin by pouring some water into your saucepan. Proceed by adding the coffee into it and putting the saucepan on the stove. Next, you should start heating the mixture of water and coffee on your stove (it is better to select the medium to high setting of the heat because anything higher will most likely lead to you burning your cup of coffee). Keep stirring the saucepan to ensure that the coffee dissolves in the water and that the mixture begins to boil. Once the liquid in your saucepan starts boiling, take it off the stove and put it on your kitchen counter. Make sure you wait at least 5 minutes before pouring this coffee into a cup. After five minutes have passed, slowly pour the mixture into a cup. Congratulations, your cup of coffee is ready for consumption.
Making Coffee On the Stove – Stovetop Percolator
Perhaps the best method in our post on how to make coffee on the stove in the absence of a coffee maker. However, a stovetop percolator sometimes gets a bad reputation in the coffee lovers’ community. Often we hear people suggest it is not agood way to make a cup of coffee, and those that dislike stovetop percolators say that the high water temperature could wrecks its taste. While taste preferences are entirely subjective, we believe that the people who make these claims haven’t had a good cup of coffee made by this technique. We have used this method for ages, and people are yet to complain about the coffee we serve them.
To make a cup of coffee with the stovetop percolator, the first thing you need to fetch is water (8 ounces per cup, to be exact). Now that you have the water in the percolator, it is time for you grind your coffee. Put some coffee beans in the device and hit the grind button. We recommend using the coarse grind option because anything stronger than that will result in insoluble coffee grains that will ruin the taste of the final product. After you have grounded your coffee, it is time to heat the water slowly. Once the boiling water starts perking, make sure to reduce the temperature so that you don’t overheat or burn your coffee. After the boiling coffee settles down (usually takes a couple of minutes), add sugar and other condiments that you enjoy with your cup of coffee, and pour it into a cup.
While the coffee made by this method is inferior to the one made by using a good coffee maker, it is still better than any other substitute method on this list. The cool-off period after the water boils in the stovetop percolator ensures that your brew is rich and deep in flavor, which is why we highly recommend this technique to those who find themselves in need of a quick cup of coffee but don’t have a coffee maker.
Best Stovetop Coffee Percolators
There are many great stovetop coffee percolators in the market. For the purpose of this list, we have compiled what we feel to be the top stovetop percolators that can aid you in making the greatest cups of coffee.
1. The Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 8-Cup Coffee Yosemite
Farberware is one of the most recognizable brands in the world of household appliances and kitchen products. Its products differ from those of its rivals because they are of a very high quality and economical at the same time. Farberware has tried its hand at a stovetop coffee percolator, and we’re not surprised that it has knocked it out of the park.
Its Classic Stainless Steel 8-Cup Coffee Yosemite is a product that has many notable features such as a permanent filter basket, which means you don’t have to invest in filter papers every month. Additionally, the body of the percolator is made from stainless steel so that it will stand the test of time. The coffee made by this stovetop percolator is so incredibly rich in flavor that we feel it can give even the best coffee makers a run for their money. Factor in the fact that you can serve up to 8 people with a single brewing, and you will know why this product is our favorite stovetop percolator.
2. Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
Good things don’t exclusively come out of big packages. While the Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite coffee percolator was amazing because it made 8 cups of coffee, The Bialette Stovetop Espresso Maker can make up to 6 cups at a time. Don’t let this stovetop perk fool you though, it’s good its strengths!
Not only is the coffee produced of a very high quality, but it is also very rich in flavor (which is exactly how all coffee enthusiasts love their stovetop percolator coffee). Just like the Farberware Classic Yosemite series, the Bialette 6-cup Stovetop Espresso Maker is made from stainless steel. This increases the robustness of the model and makes it more resistive to damages sustained from wear and tear. Its handle and spout make it easy for the brewer to serve the coffee in cups, which means that you won’t be leaving a big mess behind in the kitchen every time you need a cup of coffee.
3. Granite Ware 6006-1 3-Quart Coffee Boiler
Granite Ware is a brand synonymous with quality and performance in the world of household appliances. Its products deliver a surprisingly high level of performance while being significantly cheaper than its rival brands.
Granite Ware’s 6006-1 3-Quart Coffee Boiler is a stovetop coffee percolator that delivers all that you need from a percolator and then some. Its body is made from a porcelain material that has been fused with a steel core, which increases the product’s sturdiness and contributes positively to the product’s longevity. What we love about the Granite Ware 6006-1 3-Quart Coffee Boiler is that it is extremely energy efficient and very easy to clean. By looking at the features on offer, you would assume that this product a lot more expensive than it is. Granite Ware have stuck to their principles and are selling this product for an extremely affordable price. At this price, the Granite Ware 6006-1 3-Quart Coffee Boiler is an absolute bargain and should be the choice of those of who can’t afford the most expensive products on this list.
4. Medelco 8 Cup Glass Stovetop Percolator
Unlike most other models in this list, the Medelco stovetop percolator is not made of stainless steel. This glass stovetop percolator is made from laboratory-quality materials such as Borosilicate glass and heat resistant handles. It is safe to use in a dishwasher and can be used on any type of stove.
As its name suggests, the Medelco 8 Cup Glass Stovetop Percolator can produce 8 cups of rich coffee at the same time. The ultimate compliment for this machine is that even a lot of people that don’t like percolator coffee that much feel that this product makes decent coffee. This is because the Medelco makes coffee that offers a rich, deep taste (unlike any other percolator in the market) and the final product doesn’t feel or taste grainy at all. Despite its features and its unique looks, the Medelco 8 Cup Glass Stovetop Percolator is honored for its price. This cheap stovetop percolator can be picked up for next to nothing.
Honorable Mention: Rapid Brew Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator
If you’re looking for a quick fix or don’t have a lot of money to invest in a top tier coffee maker, we suggest the Rapid Brew Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator. This percolator can serve up to 12 cups at the same time and is made from stainless steel, which means it is built to last. The most impressive feature of this product is that it is a non-electric percolator. This means that the Rapid Brew Stainless Steel Stovetop Coffee Percolator is the ideal choice for extended outdoor activities like camping and road trips. Moreover, this product has a glass cover knob and handle that has been crafted from the finest Permawood, which means it can be handled with ease, even when it is incredibly hot.
