Presto 02811 Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Percolator
- Percolator
- 12 cups
- 800 watts
- ground coffee
A well-built update on the classic electric percolator for people who already know they like percolated coffee, not a general-purpose replacement for a drip machine.
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Overview
The Presto 02811 is a stainless steel electric percolator that brews 2 to 12 cups, with an easy-pour spout, a stay-cool handle, and a signal light that shows when the pot is ready.
Percolators fell out of fashion when drip machines took over, but this model has stayed on Amazon's bestseller shelf largely on repeat buyers replacing a unit that finally wore out after years of daily use. Several long-time owners in the reviews describe switching from stovetop percolators for the automatic shutoff and signal light, while newcomers to the format are often surprised there's no visible brew chamber like older glass-top percolators had. It brews automatically once filled, with no manual timing required.
- Brews 2 to 12 cups automatically
- Stay-cool handle and easy-pour spout
- Signal light indicates when coffee is ready
- 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
Who it's for
Suits households that already like percolated coffee's stronger, less bitter profile, or anyone replacing an aging stovetop percolator with an automatic one. Drip-coffee loyalists or anyone wanting a see-through brew chamber will find this a different experience than expected.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Long-term owners, some reporting six or more years of daily use, consistently call this one of their most reliable small appliances and cite the lack of plastic taste as a specific reason they prefer it over drip coffee makers. A few buyers noted the 5-ounce cup measurement is smaller than the 8-ounce cups they expected, so a full pot yields less coffee than the 12-cup label implies. One reviewer mentioned an unusual popping noise developing after extended use, though this appears to be uncommon.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- No plastic in the water path, no plastic taste
- Signal light removes guesswork on brew timing
- Stainless construction cleans up quickly
- 12-cup rating uses 5-ounce cups, not 8-ounce
- No visible brew chamber like glass-top percolators
- Audible perking sound while brewing
Performance notes
The percolator recirculates near-boiling water up through the grounds repeatedly until the signal light indicates the brew is done, a process several reviewers timed at close to a cup a minute. Because there's no plastic in the water path, multiple owners specifically noted the absence of any hot-plastic smell or taste that some drip machines produce. Cleanup is limited to the metal basket and stem, both dishwasher-friendly given the stainless construction.
Specifications
| Brand | Presto |
|---|---|
| Model | 02811 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 2.9 pounds |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 9.7 × 13.1 × 6.2 inches |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Capacity | 12 cups |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 800 watts |
| Voltage | 120 volts |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Color | Silver |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Filter Basket And Perk Tube, Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Coffee Input Type | ground coffee |
| Coffee Maker Type | Percolator |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Is the item dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Other Special Features of the Product | Not Dishwasher Safe |
| Specific Uses For Product | Percolator Coffe |
| Style | Coffee Percolator |
| Part Number | FBA_2811 |
| Item Type Name | Electric Coffee Percolator |
| Operation Mode | Fully Automatic |
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in percolators.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presto 02811 Stainless Steel Electric Coffee PercolatorThis product | 4.5 / 5 | 19,420 | - |
| Farberware FCP412 1000 Watt 12-Cup PercolatorFarberware | 4.4 / 5 | 300 | 4.1 / 5 |
| One-All Stovetop Percolator 8 Cup 7 in. Dia. X 5.6 in. H Black HandleMedelco | 4.5 / 5 | 242 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Texsport 9 Cup Stainless Steel Percolator Coffee Maker for Outdoor CampingTexsport | 4.3 / 5 | 331 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Elite Gourmet EC922 Electric Coffee PercolatorElite Gourmet | 4.0 / 5 | 1,300 | 4.0 / 5 |
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Questions about the Presto 02811
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
How many actual cups of coffee does the Presto 02811 make?
The 12-cup rating is based on 5-ounce cups per the manual, so a full pot yields roughly 8.5 standard 8-ounce cups worth of coffee, according to reviewer measurements.
Does the Presto 02811 have a plastic taste like some drip machines?
No, reviewers specifically note the absence of a hot-plastic smell or taste since the water path is stainless steel.
Can you see the coffee brewing through the lid?
No, the lid isn't transparent; the signal light and steam from the spout indicate brewing progress instead.