Strange Coffee Percolator!
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adalbertus — 19 years ago(November 16, 2006 03:47 PM)
From the looks of it, I suspect the coffee maker was a vacuum pot. The carafe is the lower half of a two-part apparatus, into which one pours the appropriate amount of water; the upper part is a bowl with a pipe on the bottom, into which one fits a filter and places the ground coffee. The pipe fits into the mouth of the carafe, and then the water in the carafe is brought to a boil (usually on a spirit stove, so that coffee can be made tableside). The water then rises into the bowl of the upper half, where the coffee steeps in the hot water. When the apparatus is taken off the heat, the process reverses, and the brewed coffee returns to the carafe. It's actually a rather fascinating process, and is fun to put on for dinner guests. The old coffee makers often turn up in vintage shops and thrift stores. Bodum still produces a line of vacuum coffee makers under the name "Santos."
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christopher_sargeant — 19 years ago(March 19, 2007 09:21 AM)
Thanks 'Adelbertus' - I also remember a similar coffee percolator machine by 'Cona' in the 1960's where the water went back and forth but, at least it was recognisable as such.
The reason for my original post was slightly 'tongue-in-cheek' since, it was the shape of the coffee machine that was so odd and unconventional. This led to my thinking it was made from war-surplus electronic parts such as the cathode ray tube from a Radar Set! I realise of course, this was very unlikely. -
Hazekiah — 13 years ago(March 22, 2013 07:33 AM)
Very interesting, thanks! Just saw this movie for the first time and that thing jumped RIGHT out at medefinitely gotta get one someday, it sounds really cool from your description and of course looks amazing. Much appreciated!
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BillyFisher — 16 years ago(July 26, 2009 03:53 PM)
Yes, it was a bizarre little contraption. Belonged in Dr Jekyll's laboratory rather than Laura Jesson's living room!
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robfwoods — 12 years ago(December 08, 2013 06:53 AM)
Where is everyone? That is a simple Silex vacuum system - as common as percolators in the good old days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_coffee_maker