If you’re tired of your coffee tasting like burnt water, check out our guide that teaches you how to make coffee in a pot that is rich, full of flavor, and sure to wake you up in the morning.
Coffee is a delicious beverage with health benefits – not to mention its ability to pick us up in dire times when we’re tired and have to prepare for a new day’s challenges.
You can make coffee in various ways: with an espresso machine, using a coffee filter, or even in a pot. While some of us have automated machines called drip filters to prepare our perfect cup of coffee every morning, this contraption is not always available.
Not to worry, though; as long as you have coffee, a pot, and a heating source (like a stove, not a radiator), you should be good to go.
Table of Contents
- What makes pot coffee so special
- How to make coffee in a pot
- More ways to make coffee in a pot
- FAQ
- Conclusion
What Makes Pot Coffee So Special
There are a few things that you should know on how to make coffee in a pot before you attempt to brew it yourself:
- Expect it to taste different than filter or Moka pot coffee.
- You’re only constrained by the size of the pot. For instance, if you use a large pot and an appropriate amount of coffee, you can easily brew a party-size batch for 20-30 people – it’s not possible with a regular drip filter, mind you.
- Save time in the morning by not having to brew a new pot every time you want some coffee.
- A large batch will keep your pot hot for longer – perfect for those cold winter mornings when you don’t feel like re-heating your coffee every 15 minutes.
- Aroma is key. Filter coffee doesn’t let the coffee grounds spend too much time in hot water. But pot coffee lets you deeply soak the grounds to create a fuller, deeper taste.
- Don’t expect any mind-blowing surge in caffeine content. As far as this goes, pot coffee has almost the same caffeine content as filter coffee, and that’s fine with us.
- You shouldn’t expect any crema on top, either. Although pot coffee has some bubbles on top, they are just a fragment of the crema and not the thing itself, as some people believe.
- There’s the element of surprise: grit. If you prepared coffee using a drip filter or any other contraption, you might not be familiar with the sight of grit in your cup of coffee. It’s possible to clean the grit in various ways, like running it through a paper filter. However, most pot coffee drinkers agree that a bit of grit gives the coffee more personality.
- It’s significantly cheaper than other brewing methods, such as using a coffee machine.
- You can control the coffee strength by regulating the contact time between the water and grounds.
How to Make Coffee in a Pot
Brewing coffee in a random pot you have laying around in your home is an art that you need to master. But once you do, you’ll be able to make a great cup of coffee every single time, no matter the pot.
It’s not rocket science, either; you just have to emulate everything your favorite coffee machine does to obtain a nice steaming cup of joe in no time.
1. Gather Your Supplies
- Coffee grounds
- Pot (preferably with a spout)
- Filter or another method for filtering the grit (like paper filters)
- Stovetop or another similar heating appliance
- Water
- Sugar or milk (optional)
2. Heat the Water
- Remove the lid from the pot and add as much water as you want to use. It’s recommended to use twice as much water as coffee, depending on how strong you like your coffee – add more water for weak coffee or less for stronger coffee.
- Put the water-filled pot on the stove and set the heat to medium-high.
- You don’t want to wait too long for the water to start boiling; if it takes too long, your coffee will taste bad.
3. Add the Coffee
- For a mug’s worth of water, you’ll need about two teaspoons of coffee. Again, this is just a general rule since you can add more or less, depending on how you like your coffee.
- If you’re brewing for two people, for example, you’ll need about 15 grams of coffee (2-3 teaspoons per mug).
- If the water takes a minute to boil and you want a cup of coffee that’s slightly weaker than regular, we suggest using three teaspoons (about 12 grams) of grounds.
- On the other hand, if you prefer your coffee strong, try using four teaspoons (about 18 grams) of coffee.
- Once you’ve added the desired amount of coffee, give it a stir so that all the grounds are evenly distributed.
- Put the lid back on.
4. Let the Coffee Boil and Steep
- Wait for the water to start boiling.
- Turn off the heat and let the pot sit for a minute or two; this will allow the coffee to steep and develop its flavor. You can stir it once more at this step, but don’t do it again after that – just let it rest.
- After a minute or two, filter out the coffee grounds if you want. You can use a paper filter, although it’s not necessary – if you just pour the coffee into mugs carefully enough, most of the grounds will stay behind.
- Add sugar or milk if desired.
And that’s it, you’ve just made a delicious cup of coffee using a pot!
More Ways to Make Coffee in a Pot
Let’s break down two additional ways for how to make coffee in a pot: Turkish coffee and French Press coffee.
Turkish Coffee
If you ever watched online videos of coffee masters brewing Turkish coffee, you might remember that the coffee in the pot always looks like it’s about to explode.
It’s because Turkish coffee is made by boiling the coffee (grounds and all) until it reaches a very thick consistency. This results in a cup of incredibly strong and flavorful coffee.
If you want to try your hand at making Turkish coffee, simply add more grounds to the pot (about three times as much as you would for regular coffee). Then boil the water for a bit longer until the mixture gets thicker and starts to look like sludge.
Here’s how to make Turkish coffee in a pot:
- Simmer the coffee until it starts to boil and forms the crema at the top.
- Remove the pot quickly (be careful not to burn yourself) from the stovetop.
- Stir it until the crema disappears (dissolves).
- Place the pot again on the stovetop and remove it once the coffee quickly starts to rise.
- Remove the pot and stir it well.
- Repeat the operation above at least 3 times or until you notice that the crema no longer forms or is very weak.
- Turn the heat off and let the coffee rest for a few minutes before serving. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a gritty coffee that you probably won’t enjoy.
And that’s it, you learned how to make Turkish coffee from the comfort of your own home without having a qualified coffee master as a roommate. Give yourself a pat on the back and let’s move on.
French Press
There’s yet another variation of brewing coffee in a pot, which we refer to as the French Press. With this device, you pour hot water over the coffee grounds and wait for a few minutes until the coffee fills up in the French Press.
The advantage is that you can easily control how long the coffee stays in contact with the water – this way, you’ll have more or less brew time, depending on your tastes.
So, if you prefer a really strong cup of coffee, pour the hot water over the grounds and leave them for about 4 minutes. If you don’t want it too strong, only wait for 1 or 2 minutes instead. However, rushing it will end up with a watery cup of coffee, so we’re sure you can spare the 2 extra minutes.
Once you pour the boiling water over the grounds, stir the pot contents well (two or three times) – just wait for it to settle between stirs so that the grounds won’t float around.
Afterward, place the pot someplace safe, cover it, and let it stay there for about 4-5 minutes. But don’t place it back on the stove or turn the heat off if you do; you might be surprised by how little it takes coffee to boil and mess up your stovetop.
How to Make Coffee in a Pot (FAQ)
Discover more useful information about how to make coffee in a pot:
Can coffee be made in a pot?
Yes, you can make coffee without a coffee maker by using a pot. In fact, there are several different methods for brewing coffee in a pot, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Basically, you just have to replicate what the coffee maker does with a pot, a stovetop, coffee grounds, and water.
Can you make coffee in a pot on the stove?
Yes, you can make coffee in a pot on the stove. In fact, most people recommend brewing coffee over the stove as it allows you to control the temperature and brew time easier than with other methods. However, be careful not to let your pot boil too vigorously or it can burn your coffee grounds.
How do you make coffee in a traditional pot?
The most common method is boiling water over the coffee grounds and letting it steep for a few minutes. You can also use a French Press to effortlessly control the contact time between the water and grounds.
How do you make coffee in a pot without a filter?
If you don’t have a coffee filter, you can still make coffee in a pot by using a clean cloth or paper towel to strain the coffee grounds out of the water. Just be sure to sterilize the cloth before adding it to the pot by boiling it.
How can I use coffee beans without a machine?
An easy and popular technique is brewing the coffee beans using a pot or French Press. You can also use an electric kettle with a built-in grinder to make things easier. Whichever method you choose, just be sure to follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
Is stovetop coffee good?
Stovetop coffee is good for strong coffee. It’s also cheaper than other brewing methods, such as using a coffee machine. However, some people find that stovetop coffee is more bitter than other types.
Are Moka pots worth it?
Moka pots are a type of stovetop coffee maker designed to make strong, espresso-like coffee. They can be a bit more expensive than other coffee makers, but many people feel that they are worth the investment.
How do you make stovetop espresso?
Stovetop espresso is made by boiling water over coffee grounds and then forcing it through a small filter. This method produces a strong, concentrated coffee similar to espresso.
How do you percolate coffee on the stove?
Percolating coffee on the stove is similar to making stovetop espresso. The main difference is you use a percolator, which is a special pot with a built-in filter.
How do you make drip coffee on the stove?
Drip coffee can be made on the stove by using a coffee maker or a French Press. Basically, you just need to brew the coffee for a longer period of time to allow more water to drip through the grounds.
Is it bad to reheat coffee?
It’s not necessarily bad to reheat coffee, but it can affect the taste. Reheating coffee may cause it to become bitter or increase acidity. You may also get a burnt flavor if you heat it too much or leave it on the stove for too long.
Conclusion
To sum it up, there are many different ways to make coffee in a pot on the stove. Whether you prefer traditional methods, such as boiling water and steeping your grounds, or modern techniques, like using an electric kettle or Moka pot, there is something for everyone.
Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully and experiment with different brewing times and temperatures to find what works best for you. Whatever your preference, you will be able to make delicious coffee every time with a little practice.
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