GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot I Glacier Stainless Steel with Silicone Handle for Camping, Backpacking, Travel, RV & Hunting - Stove Safe

If you're living single, you don't want to make a huge pot of coffee for just one person, and this pot is just the right size. This unit is advertised as camping gear, but I happily use it at home on the range top. Percolating is old tech; it works, but it won't taste like Starbucks. That's okay, though, because it won't cost like Starbucks, either. The stainless steel coffee pot itself is rugged, well-built, shiny and attractive, and is easy to care for. The silicon handle works great to prevent burning my hand, but I'll usually use a towel to grab it, too, since it's a little small. Another reviewer recommended buying paper filters and the GSI glass perc knob, which I'm glad I did. A filter captures almost all of the grounds, making drinking a better experience. Filters also make cleanup a breeze--with just one gentle bump in the trash can, 95% of the grounds pop right out, and you can rinse the rest out easily. Brewing without the paper filter makes cleanup a harder job, but after experimentation, my opinion is that the coffee does taste better without the filters. It's your choice. I'm also trying to get away from microplastics in my food, so a stainless steel pot with a glass knob makes sense. The glass knob's a few millimeters bigger than the opening on the pot, so it took some wrangling with pliers to convince it to go in, but it now fits. This unit is advertised rather deceptively as a 3-cup pot, but it brews only 12 oz. of coffee, which makes 1.5 cups for one person or two 6-oz. cups if you're sharing. This is, perhaps, my only true regret about buying this model. It's enough for one, maybe, but if you have company over or you want a second cup, you're going to need a larger unit. If you're a one-and done guy, then this will suit you fine. On my electric range it takes 6 minutes on high to get to boiling, and then I let it perk on low for another 3 minutes, which isn't too bad. If you're used to how speedy a Keurig is, then the perking method seems to take forever, especially on mornings when you have to rush out the door. This pot has no heating element, so there's no automatic shut off. Worried that I may forget about it when I'm in a rush and risk burning the house down, I feel compelled to babysit the pot as it works its magic. At first this was an annoying inconvenience to me, but it forced me to slow down, and I've come to appreciate the morning ritual of watching it perk. It's like a quiet meditation. You do have to experiment with your coffee brand, the amount, the grind, and perk times to get it where you like it. My coffee pot arrived without instructions, so I was left to my own devices to figure things out. The criticisms of this older brewing method, from what I can tell, are correct: because it recycles already brewed coffee up the siphon, it makes a slightly bitter brew that is both weak-tasting but strong with caffeine. It's not unpleasant. And there's a satisfaction I get from using this method that I don't get from pour-over methods or a Keurig. I think this is a good product, overall, size not withstanding, and you may enjoy using one yourself at home or over the campfire. This is the brewing method that got our ancestors through the Great Depression and two world wars, and it still works great.

I did a lot of research before this purchase. Accordingly, I am happy I ordered this superior product.This is a high quality, heavy-duty product. It is solid as a rock, and weighs a full two pounds. The fit and finish is near perfect, including the [very tight fit] of the glass Perc-View top. It is a good size and allows a three or four cup batch or up to a twelve-cup brewing for larger groups.I had missed the taste of 'real' coffee over the many years. My first pot, brought back those missed memories of the aroma in the kitchen and that great hot cup of black coffee! There is no bitterness or acid taste whatsoever. BTW, I prefer a lighter roast coffee and use (Panera Light Roast), also available here at Amazon.Note: The little brewing instruction sheet looped over the brew basket, is not very clear and somewhat contradictory, as it was obviously written by a person whose primary language is other than English.I use 1 tablespoon of coffee per 8 oz. of Sparkletts or Nestles bottled drinking water. You need at least (minimum) of three to four cups of water to get the system to perform/percolate efficiently. I heat the water on high and once it starts perking I lower the gas to just below medium level to maintain a steady rate of percolation.I think, “no more than 3 minutes” (as indicated on instructions) is somewhat erroneous, and not enough percolation time; it seems, that a full 5 to 8 minutes of perking is about right, depending on how strong you like your coffee.Of course, one can adjust amount of coffee and percolation time to suit personal taste.In summary, I knew I did not want a cheap lightweight aluminum pot, not did I want a lower quality stainless-steel pot. This rock-solid stainless-steel product, is one that I perceive, will last many years. Moreover, when the power goes out for a dozen hours, as it frequently does, I can always have my coffee. : )Whenever I order a product on Amazon, I carefully read the customer reviews, and I look at the combined percentage of 5 and 4 level reviews in comparison to those at the lower levels, then formulate my purchase decision. I think there are some personality types out there, who are just contrarian by nature, and always look for something negative to say. I know quality and value when I see it, and this coffee pot is all that I had hoped for.Last, while most of us in the US think of a ‘cup’ as an 8-oz. measurement, it seems that with respect to coffee pot manufacturers, their cup size is in a range of 5 to 6 oz. Specific to this percolator, the graduated (cup) scale on the side of the pot is in 6 oz. increments. As stated above, for this pot, use at least 18 to 24 oz. of water for use. If you only want one cup, stick to the various drip system machines. It seems that any less amount (water level) affects the hydraulic action of the percolation. I am the only coffee drinker in our family, and I get two nice big 12 oz. cups, filling the pot to near the first increment on the scale.Having used this pot daily for over a week now, it is a real change and a throw-back to the way coffee used to taste. The percolation brew, not only fills the kitchen with that coffee aroma, missing with other brew systems, the cup of coffee produced is full flavored, consistently silky-smooth, mellow, and never bitter. Note, I drink my coffee black, no sugar and no creamers. Yes, it is more [work] than a K-machine, and you must wait longer for the first cup—but it is worth it, IMO.With respect to coffee grind. First, it has been [years] since brand-name ‘coarse’ grind coffee was readily available in the can or a bag. Therefore, to get that grind, you must go to a store which sells bulk coffee and has a commercial grinder on site--or grind your own beans at home. Having said that, I use the now common drip grind (the only type available in my coffee of choice, Panera Light Roast). There is absolutely no issue with using the drip grind in this pot. Any ‘direction’ that you “must” use coarse grind, in not an issue for me. The drain holes in the coffee basket are quite small. I get no large granules of coffee in my cup whatsoever; there is, only a very small/fine powdery residue at the very bottom of the pot/cup, and no large particles floating in the cup. I have looked at some of the coffee forums on line and many others strongly agree with my observation and experience, with respect to using the regular or drip grind, in a percolator pot.I gave my K-machine to another family member--I will never go back. I love the coffee [experience] found in returning to this quality GSI, stainless-steel percolator pot.

I am rewriting this review. I don't know what exactly happened my first use but the thing was mediocre at best. That was my first impression, janky and clumsy. Now I'm no stranger to perkulators, french presses or just cowboy coffee. I'll do about anything but a coffee maker. My coffee was everywhere it was a mess. Again, not sure what happened the first use. My 2nd and 3rd use was a different experience. The thing made great coffee since. No problems, seems pretty well built but the pin holding lid on still seems a bit cheap and for the price I'm not crazy about a plastic sight glass. But yeah I think the reviews on this are pretty accurate. I am gonna try to find a proper glass sight for the top however. I think weight was there concern with it. But plastic won't do for me.

Lid loose

It’s very small it said 3 cups I honestly think it’s probably 2 cups , it was a gift that my sister wanted , we both loved it even do it’s small just perfect for a one person

I'm not returning it because of any defect. I'm sure it works fine outside. But, I'm leery about using it on the stove. I will be looking for one I can use indoors.Sorry for the inconvenience to the seller.L.P.

I ordered this 3 cup percolator previously and it arrived broken and appeared to be used. Returned it. Decided to try again because I liked the compact size. It took 3 weeks and arrived in a very thin brown padded envelope with no box or extra padding. Brewed a pot of coffee and the handle was so hot I had to use an oven mitt to pour it. The coffee tasted good but returned it due to safety concerns. Disappointed in the shipping, quality of packaging, and quality of the product.

Great