How do I clean and use a vintage coffee percolator?

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Mary

I bought a 30 cup Mirrormatic coffee percolator at a thrift store. It's electric. It doesn't have the percolating bulb on top of the lid. First, how do I get it thoroughly cleaned? Second, how do I properly make the coffee? It doesn't have an automatic shut off or anything. My mom has passed away and I am sure she would have known. I've seen these percolators growing up when there are a large group of people at gatherings and I wanted one for when I have company over so I'm not running and refilling my smaller coffee maker all the time.

Answer
The best (most efficient and safest) way to clean a vintage percolator (or any coffee maker) is to use a 50%/50% combination of water and white vinegar.

The GlamourBomb vintage cooking blog below may be very helpful for you, as she discusses using, cleaning, maintaining her vintage percolator..which is similar to what you have. They all pretty much work in the same way..some are massive (30 - 40 cup capacity) and some are only 8 - 12 cup capacity. All of those are great. It's always wonderful to use something that our near and dear used on a regular basis. It's great that you have that to remember your Mum by. I'm sure she had fun using it over the years. There's no great trick to preparing coffee in a percolator but here are a few links to help you along:


GlamourBomb~how to easily clean and brew coffee in a vintage percolator~
http://glamourbomb.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-easily-clean-vintage-coffee_7645.html

eHow~how to brew coffee in a 30-cup percolator:
http://www.ehow.com/coffee-percolators/

You Tube~brewing coffee with a 40-cup vintage percolator~You Tube video tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Utv_FPx2s

You Tube~how to make coffee in a vintage percolator~You Tube video tutorial~part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlpGff_Nlkk

You Tube~how to make coffee in a vintage percolator~You Tube video tutorial~part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POZAiEjpOA4

eHow~how to remove stains from a vintage percolator:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7675918_remove-coffee-stains-percolator.html

eBay guide~how to safely clean and remove stains from vintage/antique coffeemakers & percolators:
http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-clean-old-percolators-and-coffee-pots?ugid=10000000008288771


The You Tube tutorials are great because they'll show you, step by step..how to operate as well as maintain your vintage percolator. In my experience, it is always best to keep the coffee at the lowest temperature setting possible (to avoid the coffee having that scorched taste), once it has been brewed. Some of those vintage, large capacity percolators have a tendency to really heat up. With no proper ON/OFF switch, that leaves simply unplugging if you want to lower the temp from time to time. Those are fantastic for large groups, and people can simply help themselves to another cup of coffee (which most people prefer anyway). Much simpler to use one of those vs. running back and forth (you're right). The other great thing is that those (seem to) last f-o-r-e-v-e-r and never seem to burn out, as newer coffeemakers do.

Who is your favorite Kentucky Derby contender 2012 so far?

Aaron

Many people may say Union Rags or Algorithms or Hansen, but I am really keeping a close eye on "Dullahan" who has ran pretty good since going 2 turns. I think he will handle the dirt at Churchill, & I think he is going to like the distance.

Answer
At this point, with more derby prep races coming up, it's hard to pick one favorite, however, I do agree with your choice as one of many that I'm keeping my eye on. Here the horses in my virtual stable along with some long shots not necessarily in order of preference-

I agree with Dullahan- (D.Romans K. Desormeaux) I was very intrigued by this horse, considering he came in 2nd after a 4 month layoff in the Palm Beach (Gr3) Next Start: Apr 14 - Blue Grass (G1)

Also: Tops my list is Union Rags (Michael Matz, trainer; Julien Leparoux, jockey): An amazing horse. As the Fountain of Youth (G2) winner he worked 5 furlongs in 1:04 1/5 under Leparoux at Palm Meadows on Saturday.Next start: Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream, March 31.

~ Secret Circle (Bob Baffert, Rafael Bejarano): Showed versatility by stalking leaders before Rebel (G2) win. Has won 5 of 6 races, with only loss by a half-length in the Sham (G3). Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn, April 7.

~ Howe Great (Graham Motion, John Velazquez): Palm Beach (G3) winner is turf tested, but may wait until Derby for his test on dirt. Team Valor's Barry Irwin took a similar route with 2011 Derby winner Animal Kingdom .Next start: Blue Grass (G1), Keeneland, April 14.

~ Hansen (Mike Maker, Ramon Dominguez): Gotham (G3) winner worked 4 furlongs in 50 2/5 seconds at Churchill Downs trackside training center on Sunday. Next start: Wood Memorial (G1), Aqueduct, April 7.

El Padrino (Todd Pletcher, Javier Castellano): Risen Star (G2) winner among Pletcher's many Derby hopefuls. Colt has won both starts in 2012. Next start: Florida Derby.

~ Gemologist (Pletcher, Castellano): Won long-awaited 3-year-old debut by seven lengths in an allowance race at Gulfstream on Friday. Improve to 4 of 4. Next start: Wood Memorial.

~ Creative Cause (Mike Harrington, Joel Rosario): San Felipe (G2) winner may end up as top West Coast contender for Derby. Next start: Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita, April 7.

~ Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin, Dominguez): Withers (G3) winner worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 Saturday at Palm Meadows. Final Derby prep still not definite, probable Florida Derby.

~ Bodemeister (Baffert, Bejarano): Named for Baffert's youngest son, Bode. A game second in San Felipe in third career start. Next start: Santa Anita Derby.

~ Mark Valeski (Larry Jones, Rosie Napravnik): Risen Star runner-up working toward final Derby prep at home base. Next start: Louisiana Derby (G1), Fair Grounds, April 1.


Also: Optimizer who came to a nice flying close to place in the Rebel..definate speed there. Also, looking forward to watching Take Charge Indy in next Prep...

We shall see.. :)

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