Attention old school coffee brewers - vintage percolator question

[episodic]

I found a pyrex glass perculator intact for 1$ at a yard sale. These were made in the 40's through 60's. . .

Bought it made a pot of coffee. (really good)

Of course being a true geek, AFTER I do it, I go read the directions.

Seems you are supposed to have a 'wire heat spreader' between the glass percolator pot and an electric heating element (which I used). . .

My question is - does anyone know of something simple that I can use to elevate the pot directly off the heating elements as I don't have this heat spreader (looks like a wire to me).

2nd question, did I damage the pot by not using one do you think?

 

[BoomerD]

You could make one with a wire coat hanger...

My wife had a Pyrex tea pot for many years. She ruined it using it for potpourri...:roll:

She still has the wire spreader for some odd reason...

Here...took a couple of pics of it.

http://www.whodah.com/albums/BoomerD/aug.sized.jpg

http://www.whodah.com/albums/BoomerD/auh.sized.jpg

As you can see...it's nothing fancy, although probably made from a better grade of wire than just coat hanger material.
(that one is at least 20 years old and hasn't warped from the constant heating and cooling.

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
She ruined it using it for potpourri...:roll:

:laugh:

 

[MovingTarget]

Nice!

/still prefers a french press

 

[episodic]

I'll try the coathanger if you think this would not work.

Would placing a 'stainless' baking cooling rack on the stove burner with the pot on it work?

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: episodic
I'll try the coathanger if you think this would not work.

Would placing a 'stainless' baking cooling rack on the stove burner with the pot on it work?

Probably. You may ruin the baking rack though...they're not designed for that kind of direct heating.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: episodic
I'll try the coathanger if you think this would not work.

Would placing a 'stainless' baking cooling rack on the stove burner with the pot on it work?

Probably. You may ruin the baking rack though...they're not designed for that kind of direct heating.

It's something that has been in the drawer for years anyhow. . .

Hopefully, I didn't damage it when I used it on the burner. I'm off to try a second pot. . .

(Wired)

Will pyrex just crack if something happens or will it just fall apart ?

 

[lxskllr]

If you go with the coat hanger scheme, sand the hanger first. They're usually covered with a lacquer to keep them from rusting. Percolators make great coffee. I have an electric stainless maker that brews great coffee :^)

 

[BoomerD]

It'll crack. Not meant to be put directly on the heat source.

They're dammed good percolators though. We had one of those for several years, then moved up to an electric version that didn't make as good of coffee.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: episodic


Will pyrex just crack if something happens or will it just fall apart ?

They'll sometimes explode, and you'll get tiny foot catching slivers everywhere.

 

[episodic]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/m...than_design/443487297/

Here is a pic for all the people that don't know what we are talking about. This isn't my pic and has the requisite heat spreader in use. . .

I'm trying it on the baking cooling rack now. I guess the main thing is to get it off the main element.

BoomerD: If I'm inferring right, if it didn't crack, everything is probably ok. . .

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: episodic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/m...than_design/443487297/

Here is a pic for all the people that don't know what we are talking about. This isn't my pic and has the requisite heat spreader in use. . .

I'm trying it on the baking cooling rack now. I guess the main thing is to get it off the main element.

BoomerD: If I'm inferring right, if it didn't crack, everything is probably ok. . .

yes. Probably fine.

 

[lxskllr]

After heating it, be careful not to put it on a cool surface. The thermal shock will sometimes break them also. A wood cutting board would be a good thing to put it on.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
If you go with the coat hanger scheme, sand the hanger first. They're usually covered with a lacquer to keep them from rusting. Percolators make great coffee. I have an electric stainless maker that brews great coffee :^)

Only in your mind.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: lxskllr
If you go with the coat hanger scheme, sand the hanger first. They're usually covered with a lacquer to keep them from rusting. Percolators make great coffee. I have an electric stainless maker that brews great coffee :^)

Only in your mind.

Hardly... Percolators are much better than autodrip makers. Steam and French press are better, but more of a PITA to deal with.

 

[0roo0roo]

hows the spacer going to work because electric range esp the coil ones will overheat/distort if you leave too much of a gap.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
hows the spacer going to work because electric range esp the coil ones will overheat/distort if you leave too much of a gap.

I didn't know they'd do that.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Nice!

/still prefers a french press

french press is awesome, doesn't mean you can't enjoy coffee from every source of creation

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
hows the spacer going to work because electric range esp the coil ones will overheat/distort if you leave too much of a gap.

I didn't know they'd do that.

I'm guessing cause I never use above a 5. . .out of 10 on the heat setting?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Many old hardware stores will sell the type of metal trivet you need or, you could just set the pot on a skillet over the burner.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: lxskllr
If you go with the coat hanger scheme, sand the hanger first. They're usually covered with a lacquer to keep them from rusting. Percolators make great coffee. I have an electric stainless maker that brews great coffee :^)

Only in your mind.

Hardly... Percolators are much better than autodrip makers. Steam and French press are better, but more of a PITA to deal with.

Sure if you like your coffee boiled to hell.