If you want to make a delicious cup of coffee at home, using a Pyrex glass percolator is a fantastic way to do it. Percolators can brew coffee at a variety of strengths and can be easier to use, clean and maintain than other at-home coffee devices. But there are some things you should know before purchasing and beginning to use your glass percolator. Learning the pros and cons of a glass percolator plus understanding the tips and tricks to get it working to its best ability can ensure you have the perfect cup of coffee every time.
Pyrex Percolator History
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According to the Pyrex website, this special type of glass was created to make lanterns for railroads. The glass can stand massive changes in temperature without cracking or shattering, which also makes it an ideal material for cooking implements. Pyrex glass is very strong, meaning it doesn't crack or chip even when dropped.
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Pyrex percolators work in the same way as other percolators. The bottom section is filled with water, while the upper section is filled with ground coffee. After placing the percolator on a glass top stove, the water heats up and is forced upward through a tube where it saturates the coffee grounds, becoming freshly brewed coffee.
Pyrex Percolator Pros and Cons
Pyrex percolators are transparent, so you can see what's going on inside them. This means you can better know when your coffee is brewed to your liking based on the color it takes on within. It can also prevent you from overdoing your coffee, which can be damaging to a percolator over time. People also tend to like the cool, retro look of a Pyrex glass percolator. This explains why they're still so popular despite being predominantly out of production.
Nonetheless, there are some downsides to a Pyrex percolator. Unlike the more common steel electric percolators, they must be watched during the whole brewing process. Leaving a Pyrex percolator means risking damage to the pot. It can also result in over-extraction, which gives coffee a bitter, unpleasant taste.
Pyrex Percolator Instructions
To brew coffee using a glass percolator, you must pull out the filter basket and stem and fill the bottom section with around 6 ounces of water per cup of coffee desired. You must then replace the stem and filter basket so the stem enters the water and the basket sits on the top.
Take the lid off the filter basket and add around 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup inside. You can purchase ready ground coffee or create your own at home by grinding fresh beans. Replace the lid of the basket, then place the top onto the pot.
Set your Pyrex percolator on a stove top over low to medium heat. Keep your eyes on the percolator as the coffee will soon start to brew. Once you see it reach your desired color, remove the percolator from the heat. Don't forget to remove the filter and stem from the pot before serving your coffee.