Hamilton Beach Electric Percolator Review
Our Rating: 4.4/5
FEATURES:
- Electric percolator
- Brushed stainless steel finish
- Can brew up to 12 cups
- Handle stays cool
- Stainless steel, permanent basket filter
- Automatic keep-warm function
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Our Rating: 4.4/5
FEATURES:
- Electric percolator
- Brushed stainless steel finish
- Can brew up to 12 cups
- Handle stays cool
- Stainless steel, permanent basket filter
- Automatic keep-warm function
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Hamilton Beach Percolator Review Summary
The Hamilton Beach percolator is an electric coffee maker that demonstrates the staying power of percolators. Whether you’re brewing java for yourself or your family, this coffee machine is up to the task.
With its brushed stainless steel design and glass lid, it looks great in any kitchen. It’s larger than some other models, so not for those seeking portability, but it is made from quality construction.
It’s hard to find a coffee maker that’s more user-friendly. Just pour the water and add your ground coffee into the filter basket, and it’s all set to start. Plus, an indicator light tells you when your java is ready — removing the guesswork.
When the Hamilton Beach is done percolating, just detach the power cord, and you can freely move around with your coffee maker. Its handle stays cool to the touch, so you can fill coffee cups without fear of burning your hand. What’s more, its non-drip spout design ensures no spills when pouring.
Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company was founded in the United States in 1910 and has made small kitchen appliances from the very beginning. This company employs more than 700 workers globally. While the company remains based in Virginia, its manufacturing is in China.
Pros
- Quick-brewing electric percolator
- Viewing window for water/coffee level
- Brushed stainless steel
- Keep-warm function maintains heat without scorching
- Brews two to 12 cups
- Easy to operate
- Cord detaches for serving
Cons
- Lacks an on/off switch
- No automatic shutoff feature
- Can be noisy while percolating
Hamilton Beach Percolator Features and Benefits
The Hamilton Beach electric percolator has numerous features and benefits. Let’s look a little more closely at some of them.
Sturdy Design
At just under 12 inches tall, this is no small, dainty coffee maker. Its body is crafted from stainless steel that’s meant to last, and the base and stay-cool handle are of durable plastic. While this model is likely too big to take everywhere with you — and it’s electric, so you probably wouldn’t anyway — its size can accommodate a few cups or several.
The Hamilton Beach coffee percolator has a sturdy feel, so you shouldn’t need to worry about damaging it if you accidentally bang it on a counter. The lid is glass and securely locks into place with one twist, which prevents spills and burns when pouring freshly brewed coffee.
Permanent Filter
The Hamilton Beach 12 cup percolator includes a stainless steel, reusable filter. Some percolators use paper coffee filters, which end up taking up space in a landfill. However, a permanent stainless steel filter is more eco-friendly, and you won’t have the added expense of having to purchase coffee filters.
Paper filters can also influence how your coffee tastes, whereas a stainless steel filter will keep your coffee tasting like it’s supposed to. Furthermore, this type of filter makes cleanup much easier than paper filters. Simply dump those coffee grounds, rinse off the filter basket and tube, and it’s ready to use again.
Viewing Window
Most percolators have a clear glass or plastic knob on top of the lid that allows you to see what’s happening inside. This enables you to follow the progress as water heats and comes in contact with ground coffee.
However, the Hamilton Beach electric percolator also has a transparent window under its handle. So, when you start pouring cups of joe, you can tell how much coffee is left in the percolator — avoiding the disappointment of an unexpected empty pot.
Lastly, it bears markings for water levels, so you can fill up with the exact number of cups required.
12-Cup Model
The Hamilton coffee percolator can brew two to 12 cups of coffee. Whether you need a little java for that kick-start or you need to brew enough for several people, this model can accommodate.
With a brewing time of around one minute per cup, your java will be ready quickly. If you’re percolating at full capacity, that’s only about 12 minutes before your coffee is prepared for pouring. It also only needs minimal supervision once you get the coffee going, ideal if you don’t want to constantly babysit your coffee while it’s brewing.
Keep-Warm Feature
A keep-warm feature automatically kicks in when the brewing cycle is finished in this Hamilton Beach coffee percolator. It won’t maintain that high temperature used for brewing, but it will keep your coffee warm — as long as you leave the percolator plugged in. It also won’t scorch your coffee, as would happen if you left the coffee at a higher temperature.
Farberware Yosemite Percolator Specifications
| Hamilton Beach Percolator | |
| Model | 40614R |
| Capacity | 12 cups |
| Heat Source | Electric heating element |
| Filter Type | Permanent, reusable |
| Finish | Brushed stainless steel |
| Wattage | 950 watts |
| Product Weight | 2.91 pounds |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
What Do Users Say About the Hamilton Beach Percolator?
It doesn’t take much to realize that a Hamilton Beach 12-cup percolator is designed well and can brew enough coffee for friends and family. Plus, it’s pretty to look at too!
At the same time, I understand that you want more than just my two cents on this percolator. With that in mind, I’ve researched what other consumers think about this coffee maker.
Feedback is mostly positive, with a few features standing out. Users really like the indicator light that turns from blue to green when the coffee is ready to drink. They also appreciate how quickly it brews, and welcome its detachable power cord — noting it’s much easier to pour coffee without a cord getting in the way!
However, as with most things, it’s not perfect, and there are a couple of things that users aren’t fond of. This percolator model doesn’t come with an auto-shutoff feature, which would be a useful safety element. It also lacks an on/off switch. Either it’s plugged in and on, or unplugged and off.
What’s more, some users have complained that it’s rather noisy with its percolation. Yes, percolating does make noise, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you notice.
Alternatives To The Hamilton Beach Percolator
It’s a given that there’s no single coffee maker that’s perfect for everyone. So if a Hamilton Beach 12-cup stainless steel percolator isn’t quite hitting the mark for you, I have some other suggestions.
The Cuisinart PRC-12 offers more heating power — 1400 watts — than the Hamilton Beach percolator. Yet, it will brew the same amount of coffee, up to 12 cups.
Like the Hamilton Beach model, the Cuisinart is crafted from stainless steel and arrives with a permanent filter basket. However, it doesn’t include a keep-warm feature to prevent coffee from being scorched after brewing.
Cuisinart has a slightly higher price tag
Both are electric percolators
Comes with a three-year warranty, as opposed to the one-year of Hamilton Beach 40614R
If you’d prefer a stovetop percolator, check out the Farberware Classic Yosemite. You can use this with an open flame, gas, or electric stovetops.
This model brews up to 8 cups, so it’s not as large as the Hamilton Beach percolator. Yet, like the Hamilton Beach model, the Farberware is crafted from stainless steel and includes a reusable filter basket. Just remember that stovetop percolators require more supervision than electric models.
Farberware is more wallet-friendly
Brewing 8 cups, it has a smaller capacity than the Hamilton Beach percolator
Includes a lifetime warranty, while the Hamilton Beach has a one-year guarantee
Unlike the Hamilton Beach 12-cup stainless steel percolator, a COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot is designed with the outdoors in mind and doesn’t require electricity. Hence, if you’re seeking a portable percolator, this may appeal.
Made from sturdy stainless steel, with a glass knob on the lid and a wooden handle — the COLETTI is smaller than the Hamilton Beach 40614R model — brewing up to nine cups of coffee. It does include a stainless steel reusable filter basket, but it also comes with one small pack of paper coffee filters to ensure that your cup of joe isn’t full of coffee grounds.
With its lifetime guarantee, the COLETTI percolator offers a better warranty than the one-year of the Hamilton Beach electric coffee percolator.
Brews up to nine cups of coffee, less than the Hamilton 40614R model
Doesn’t contain any plastic parts, unlike the Hamilton Beach
Can be used indoors or outdoors
Conclusion
The Hamilton Beach Percolator is a reasonably priced electric percolator that gets the job done. Its smooth curves offer a modern flair to the traditional percolator design.
One of our favorite perks about this electric percolator is that you add water and ground coffee, and let the coffee maker do the rest. Its indicator light will glow green when your brew is ready — so there’s no need to supervise. And, its speedy operation means you don’t have to hang around for your morning cuppa.
Making up to 12 cups, this percolator can satisfy both large and small demands. Once your coffee is brewed, the device automatically switches over to its keep-warm feature — ensuring you have plenty of warm java conveniently waiting for your refill.
While this coffee pot lacks some basic features — on/off switch being one, the keep-warm function and rapid preparation are worthy trade-offs. So, if you want to make your mornings a little bit easier, check out the Hamilton Beach Percolator.
Hamilton Beach Percolator FAQs
Where Are Hamilton Beach Percolators Made?
While the company is headquartered in the United States, Hamilton Beach percolators and other small appliances are manufactured in China.
How Long Do You Percolate Coffee in a Percolator?
We suggest percolating coffee for 7-9 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your java. Going beyond 10 minutes may result in over-extracted coffee that tastes bitter.
Does a Hamilton Beach Model 40614R Need a Filter?
The Hamilton Beach percolator includes a stainless steel filter basket, so you don’t need to use paper coffee filters. However, some people choose to use both, to ensure that no grinds find their way into a cup of coffee.
What Is the Ratio for Percolator Coffee?
A good starting point is one tablespoon of ground coffee for every 8 ounces of water. That said, you may find that you prefer stronger or weaker coffee.
Can I Use Regular Ground Coffee in a Percolator?
If it’s coarsely ground coffee, then yes. However, using coffee that’s too fine can lead to the percolator overflowing and/or too many coffee grinds at the bottom of your cup.
How Do You Know When a Percolator Is Done?
Your percolator likely has a clear knob at the top. When percolation starts, you’ll see coffee bubble up in that knob every couple of seconds. You can also hear the percolation process. Once it starts, let it continue for 7-9 minutes — then it’s ready to pour.
Can You Still Buy a Percolator?
You sure can! Although percolators have waned in popularity from their peak in the 1970s and 1980s, there are still many java lovers who prefer percolators. Coffee appliance makers have paid attention, and you can still buy a great percolator.