Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I consider myself knowledgeable about percolators because I have been using vintage models for the past six years. Percolators from the 1950s and 60s were a highly polished chrome and sleek in design. I've gone through three of them prior to finally buying a new one. I settled on this model and definitely made the right choice. Here is why I love percolators and how this model ranks: 1) Great-tasting coffee. I've always preferred the taste of percolated coffee. The model doesn't have settings for brew strength like some of the vintage models but the manufacturer's setting is perfect for my taste. 2) Good-looking compared to auto-drip. This model is OK but not as shiny and "mod" in design as the originals, but it's attractive. 3) No need to spend money on filters. No worries about dioxin from paper filters or paper affecting taste. Less waste. Applies here! 4) Pleasant sounding WHOOSH!...WHOOSH! as the coffee heats up and can be seen in the clear bubble top. Applies here except that West Bend has a plastic bubble top instead of glass. That's better in one way because you don't have to worry about breaking it, but I prefer to not have my hot coffee come in contact with plastic. Not a big deal. 5) You can place the percolator filled with hot coffee on a table unlike a glass pot from a auto-drip maker so that if you are entertaining or want to bring the "pot" of coffee with you, simply unplug then remove the plug from the percolator. This model does just that! 6) No splashing or spilling when you pour coffee! The spout on this percolator is precision-perfect. Whenever I poured from an auto-drip carafe it almost always spilled a little no matter how carefully I poured. Keep in mind that you can't submerge a percolator in water. I recommend using filtered water for better tasting coffee and to prolong the life of your percolator. I wash mine by rinsing it out with hot water and I Windex the outside as needed. I've not had a problem with build-up. The inside is stainless so it rinses very well. I'm very happy with my purchase.