Using coffee beans: 

If your beans are fresh, they will have a shiny, oily appearance.  If the beans aren’t shiny before you grind them, it is likely that they are stale. 

If you are using fresh coffee beans, add one tablespoon of beans to your grinder for each cup of mild coffee and two tablespoons of beans for each cup of strong coffee to your grinder and grind to a coarse powder.  Then add to the filter of your coffee maker. 

Using ground coffee: 

If you are using already ground coffee, add one tablespoon of ground coffee to your filter for each cup of mild coffee and two tablespoons for each cup of strong coffee to the filter of your coffee maker. 

In a drip coffee maker: 

Pour cold water into the carafe to the desired number of cups.  The quality of the water is key. Filtered water is best. Put the carafe under the filter and push the start button. 

How to Use a Percolator: 

Pour the coffee, and enjoy!

Fill the body of the percolator up with the desired amount of water (using the measurement marks that should be located on the inside).

Place the pump tube into the water, and slide the grounds basket onto the pump tube.

Fill the grounds basket with the desired amount of coffee (coffee filter is optional).

Place the “spreader” on top of the grounds basket, and then snap the lid onto the percolator.

Heat until the water boils, then turn the heat to a low temperature and let the coffee “perk” for several minutes before removing it from the heat.