How to Troubleshoot a Percolating Coffeepot
- 1). Plug your percolator into an appropriate electrical outlet if your model has a power cord. Electrical percolators generally require a 120 volt standard household outlet.
- 2). Assemble the percolator properly based on the percolator's owners manual before brewing. The stem is placed through the basket inside the percolator where it sits near the bottom of the percolator. The spreader is placed on top of the basket so that it covers the basket opening. Fill the basket with the appropriate amount of coffee grounds based on your manufacturer's instructions -- usually about 1 tbsp. per cup of water used in the percolator.
- 3). Clean accumulated oil and coffee stains from the percolator if your coffee has a bitter taste. Use a special percolator cleanser, available at home and grocery retailers, and follow the package directions for using it appropriately.
- 4). Use coffee that is more coarsely ground the next time you use the percolator if it overflows. Finely ground coffee can cause the coffee basket to overflow. Medium to coarsely ground coffee should work the best in most percolators.
- 5). Ignore small amounts of smoke and odors when the percolator is heating as well as expansion sounds. All are normal during the heating process.