How to Make Coffee with a Percolator

Now gather ‘round, partner, ‘cause I’m fixin’ to teach ya one of the oldest tricks in the trailhand's handbook — how to make coffee with a percolator. This here ain’t no flash-in-the-pan TikTok brew method or over-frothed city slicker latte. No sir, this is cowboy coffee, refined just enough to keep the grit outta your teeth and the fire in your belly.

We’re talkin’ about the percolator, the hard-workin’, never-quit coffee pot that’s seen more sunrises over the prairie than most folks see in a lifetime. Whether you’re hunkered down at the homestead or camped out under a starlit sky, the percolator is the cowboy’s best friend (second only to a trusty horse and a loyal dog).

What in the Wide West Is a Percolator?
A coffee percolator is a pot that brews coffee the old-fashioned way — with boiling water that cycles up through a central tube and over a basket of grounds, percolatin’ again and again until the whole pot is good and strong.

Now it ain’t fancy. But what it lacks in refinement, it more than makes up for in bold flavor and rugged charm. And trust me, if you’re lookin’ for campfire coffee, western-style coffee, or a good ol’ fashioned cowboy brew, this here’s the way to do it.

What You’ll Need

• A stovetop or campfire percolator (8-cup or 12-cup usually does the job)
• Coarse to medium ground coffee (not too fine, or you’ll get mud)
• Clean, cold water
• A fire, camp stove, or kitchen burner
• A mug tough enough to ride the trail with you
• Optional but encouraged: one of our Western coffee blends, like the Quarter Horse Cowboy Blend or the Wrangler’s Costa Rican Roast, both made for boldness and brewed for the brave.

How to Make Coffee with a Percolator

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty, cowboy style:

1. Fill the Bottom Chamber: Pour cold water into the bottom chamber of your percolator. There’s usually a line inside, but if not, just fill it up to the spout level.

2. Add the Coffee Grounds: Scoop your coffee into the metal basket. As a general rule, use 1 tablespoon of grounds per cup o’ water. Like your coffee extra bold (the cowboy way)? Add a heaping spoon more. Just don’t pack it too tight — the water’s gotta flow easy, like a stream through a canyon.

3. Assemble the Pot: Stack the stem, basket, and lid together and screw or snap the percolator shut. Make sure it’s solid — you don’t want no spills when things get bubblin’.

4. Heat It Up Slow and Steady: Put the pot over medium heat (or low if you’re usin’ a campfire). Keep your eye on that little glass knob on top. When the water starts to perk up into the glass, you’re cookin’.

5. Let It Perk (But Don’t Overdo It): Let it percolate for 6 to 10 minutes. Listen for that rhythmic “blup… blup… blup…” sound. That’s the sound of a proper cowboy brew comin’ to life. Any longer, and you’ll burn it worse than a cattle brand gone wrong.

6. Remove from Heat and Let It Settle: Once it’s perked to perfection, take it off the heat and let it rest for a minute. This lets the grounds settle so you don’t end up with a mouthful of sludge. Pour it slow, sip it proud, and let the wild wind hit your face.

Tips for Better Percolator Coffee (Cowboy-Approved)

• Coffee too bitter? You’re prob’ly over-perkin’. Ease back on the heat and keep it under 10 minutes.
• Grounds in your cup? Try a coarser grind or line the basket with a small round paper filter.
• Want a smoother ride? Use filtered water and a blend like our Appaloosa Cinnamon Hazelnut to add a whisper of flavor without sacrificin’ the bite.

Why Percolator Coffee Is Cowboy Coffee
The percolator is about as rustic and Western as it gets. It don’t rely on no digital readouts, timers, or touchscreens. Just heat, patience, and the right attitude. Brewin’ coffee with a percolator is a ritual — a throwback to the days of trail dust, spurs, and sunrises on the open plain.

It’s the kind of coffee that says, “I don’t need a café — I got my fire, my pot, and my grit.”

Wrappin’ It Up, Cowboy
So there you go, buckaroo — now you know how to make coffee with a percolator like a seasoned camp cook or an old-time barista of the backcountry. Whether you’re roughin’ it by the fire or just want your kitchen to feel a little more like the frontier, a percolator brew will deliver that bold, rustic flavor every cowboy (or cowgirl) dreams of.

Now go ahead. Pour yourself a mug, tip your hat to the sky, and take a moment to remember why the simple things — like a hot cup o’ coffee — are often the best.