So you actively read the Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker reviews (if you have not click here to access the full review) and have made the great decision to buy one based on its numerous advantageous features.CONGRATULATIONS! You have made one of the wisest economic decisions ever.
Now that your new unit has arrived, and you barely have the time, energy, or patience to go through the fine print that is so typical of user-manuals today, we have opted to simplify this very important process by writing up this “how to brew” just for you.
In order to make sure that you do not encounter any brewing health risks, I will also include information relating to the unit’s general safety guidelines as part of this article’s Presto coffee maker instructions.
Presto Coffee Maker Instructions: Important Safety Guidelines
1 – Similar to all other electric kitchen appliances, the Presto coffee maker’s plugs and cords (basically all its electrical components) should NEVER be immersed in water. This may cause the unit to stop functioning completely or lead to electric shock. In my many years as a coffee brewer and avid coffee lover, this user-error happens to be the most common.
The main reason why I believe it is one of the most important safeguards relating to the unit is that once your Presto coffee percolator stops to work because its electrical components were immersed in water, you cannot request for a replacement unit from the manufacturer.
This is because the manufacturer believes that you read the instructional manual that comes along with the unit’s purchase and thus, you are aware of the risks. Naturally, this specific user-error voids its warranty and YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT YOURSELF.
So, in order to avoid this costly error, stick to this safety guideline with all you might!
2 – DO NOT let the unit’s electric power cord touch hot surfaces as its rubber covering will melt. As a result, the unit’s cord may be irreparably damaged (forcing you to buy another since it won’t work) or in worse case scenarios in which the cord is not completely ruined and functions, the exposed wiring may pose a major health risk as one single touch may result in a stinging, painful electrical shock.
This is especially true for those who have little ones in the house! You can only imagine the horror such a situation may bring into your life!
3 – Make sure that the unit’s lid is securely in place before you start brewing to prevent spills which can cause serious scalding. Of course, the same is applicable during the serving process.
4 – Avoid touching the unit’s pot during, or immediately after brewing to prevent scalds (duh!). Please use the unit’s handle to transport or serve the fresh brew. In addition, NEVER uncover the unit’s lid during the brewing process as hot water and steam will spatter from the top to make a huge mess, or worse, scald you.
5 – This unit is specifically designed for indoor use ONLY. As such (and as recommended by the unit manufacturer) never use this appliance for a purpose that goes against its intended use.
6 – Make sure that all areas near, or around, the unit’s plug receptacle area is completely dry before you start brewing. If you notice any moisture in these areas, dry them completely for the safety reasons mentioned above.
Now that you know these safety guidelines, let’s get to the Presto coffee maker instructions and brewing guide.
Presto Coffee Maker Instructions: Brewing Guide (Idiot-Proof and Easy to Follow)
Step 1 – First, remove the percolator’s cover, basket lid, basket, and perk tube. Using the level indicator markings located inside the unit’s body (approximately where the percolator’s handle is located), fill the unit’s pot with your desired amount of fresh, COLD water.
If you happen to use warm water (or use the unit when it is still hot/warm), the resulting brew will be weak. This because the machine will assume that the water heated up the way it should (that is, it got warm/hot as a result of the unit’s heating element) and its percolating action will be reduced drastically.
To avoid this from happening, use cold water. If the unit has just finished making a brew and it is still hot or warm and you wish to use it to make additional cups of java, run some cold tap water through it first to cool it off.
As a side note, it is best to measure the amount required to make two cups in order to assure best coffee flavor.
Step 2 – Replace the aforementioned removed parts in the unit’s pot (making sure that the washer is securely placed in the center well) and add the recommended amount of grinds in the basket. Ensure that you stick to the general coffee brewing rule which states that one cup of java (which is 5 ounces of water) needs a total of two tablespoons of coffee grinds.
Important Note: When placing the grinds in the unit’s basket, cover the top of the stem with your finger in order to prevent tiny bits of grinds from falling through. It is also worth noting that the unit’s purchase includes several disposable wrap-around filters.
According to the manufacturer, these filters can be placed on top of the coffee grinds (folding the excess corners inwards) in order to get the best clarity.
However, we oppose the use of these filters as they drastically alter the flavor of a brew because they prevent the essential coffee oils (that work as “seasoning”) from getting into the resulting brew.
What is the use of brewing coffee that won’t have that extra oomph of aromatic flavor!? We don’t know about you, but we like our coffee PERFECT!
Step 3- Cover the grinds basket with its lid, and place the unit’s cover securely by firmly pushing it down.
Step 4- Connect the percolator’s power cord to the unit and plug it into the power port. The brewing process should start immediately. The signal light should come on automatically to indicate that the brewing process has begun. Once it is ready, the signal light should change color as an indication that the brew is ready to drink.
Remember, to keep your coffee from going cold and stale, keep the unit plugged in so as to ensure that its keep warm feature is active for as long as you want.
Now, wasn’t that easy?! ENJOY YOUR COFFEE FOLKS!
If you have landed on this page looking for basic electric coffee percolator brewing instructions but have ended up intrigued by the information on the Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker, click here to check out its full, in-depth review.
Or… for a closer look at the Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker, then click on this Link to go straight through to Amazon.com
Where you will be able to see the product page directly, all the features and you will also be able to read the customer reviews of this product.