My First Experiences With Vintage Coffee Makers

My first experiences with vintage coffee makers began many years ago, when, as a young child, I would visit my grandfather’s house. Grandfather loved his coffee, and was never found without a cup nearby. He preferred to use an old electric percolator to make his brew, and insisted on using this method until he died in 1992. He used an old tin pot when he was camping, throwing eggshells in to make the grounds settle to the bottom before he poured.

I remember well the fuss Grandfather created when, after having dinner at our house, Mother attempted to serve him coffee from her new appliance. My grandfather was furious that anyone would attempt to call such a thing coffee. He stood from the table and emptied his coffee cup in the sink! It caused such a ruckus that he and Mother didn’t speak for a week!

Another type of vintage coffee maker that I remember well my first experience with were toddy coffee makers. Some friends from college invited me over for an evening. They had just purchased one of these, and decided to have a small party to experiment and evaluate the taste of the results. I was sure the coffee would be undrinkable. To my surprise, it wasn’t bitter. This machine is supposed to deliver its brew with 33 percent less caffeine and with significantly less acid than a standard drip brewer. It seemed to do exactly that.

Finding a vintage coffee maker to purchase is not difficult. Scores of electric percolators, old-fashioned espresso makers, the Farberware Coffee Robot, and the original Mr. Coffee machines are all sold on eBay and other online stores dedicated to these delightful devices. Large department stores are also selling these “retro” appliances. With the large numbers advertised for sale, it seems that many dedicated coffee drinkers must have a significant demand for this product.

Another type of vintage coffee maker that has regained some degree of popularity is the vacuum coffee maker. Like the toddy coffee maker, the vacuum style is designed to brew a cup that is less bitter than other coffees. Both stovetop and electric models exist. One caveat is that the glass breaks easily when heating on the stove, so it is necessary to use a trivet so that the machine is not sitting directly atop the surface of the stove.

One reason that vintage coffee makers may be so appealing is that many colors and versions are available. Searching the internet reveals orange, pink, yellow, and flowered electric percolators. The variety is appealing. In addition, the plethora of online auction listings indicate the current penchant for all things nostalgic, and these machines certainly serve to remind many of the ones seen in Grandma’s or Mother’s kitchens during their childhoods.

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