Percolator coffee has a character all its own. It is especially at home at a cabin, campsite or kitchen where the familiar bubbling sound is part of the morning ritual.
If you want better percolator coffee, one of the easiest improvements is choosing the right grind.
What Grind Is Best for a Percolator?
For most percolators, start with a coarse grind.
A percolator repeatedly circulates hot water through the coffee grounds. Because the coffee is exposed to water multiple times, finely ground coffee can extract too quickly and may produce a harsher cup. Fine grounds can also be more likely to slip through the basket.
What Does a Coarse Grind Look Like?
Coarse coffee should look noticeably larger than standard drip coffee grounds. Think of rough, chunky particles rather than a fine or powdery texture.
Mitten Mornings offers a dedicated Coarse Perc Grind option across our core coffee lineup for this brewing style.
Why Not Use Regular Drip Grind?
You can sometimes brew with a standard drip grind, but it is usually not the best starting point for a traditional percolator.
A finer grind exposes more surface area to water, which can speed extraction. Since percolators recirculate water, this can increase the chance of an overly strong or bitter cup.
How to Keep Grounds Out of Percolator Coffee
- Use a coarse grind.
- Make sure the percolator basket and lid are seated correctly.
- Avoid overfilling the coffee basket.
- Let the grounds settle briefly before pouring when practical.
- Clean the basket and stem regularly so water flows as intended.
How Much Coffee Should You Use?
Start with a consistent coffee-to-water ratio and adjust to taste. Our How Much Coffee Should You Use Per Cup? guide provides a simple starting point.
A Coffee Made for the Percolator
For a cabin, camp or Up North morning, Up North Bold Coffee is a natural pairing. Its medium-bodied, robust profile fits the kind of substantial cup many percolator drinkers enjoy.
You can order it in Coarse Perc Grind so it is ready for your brewer.
Percolator Coffee Does Not Have to Be Complicated
Use a coarse grind, start with a reasonable coffee-to-water ratio and avoid letting the coffee recirculate longer than necessary.
For more brewing help, read our Coffee Grind Guide or browse the Michigan-Roasted Coffee collection.