Classic Yosemite Stovetop Percolator
Inexpensive all-stainless stovetop percolator - the entire brew path (pot, stem, basket, spreader) is steel; the only plastic is the exterior handle, which never touches coffee.
Plastic-free verdict: No-contact plastic
The brew path is all stainless steel: pot, perk tube/stem, filter basket, and spreader. The handle is black plastic and the see-through perk knob on the lid is glass held by a small plastic retaining ring. None of the plastic touches the coffee - it is all on the exterior. It earns a no-contact-plastic rating rather than plastic-free only because of that plastic handle and knob ring.
Verification: Community reported · reviewed 2026-07-05
What it's made of
| Part | Material | Food contact |
|---|---|---|
| pot / body | Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) | Yes |
| perk stem / pump tube | Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) | Yes |
| filter basket | Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) | Yes |
| basket lid / spreader | Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) | Yes |
| perk knob (on lid) See-through glass knob to watch perking; sits on the lid, not in the coffee. | Soda-Lime Glass | No |
| perk knob retaining ring Small plastic ring holds the glass knob in place; exterior, no coffee contact. | Plastic (other / unspecified) | No |
| handle Black hard-plastic handle welded to the pot exterior; does not contact coffee. | Plastic (other / unspecified) | No |
A classic mirror-polished stainless steel stovetop percolator that brews 8 cups. Water in the base is drawn up the central stem and repeatedly showered over grounds in the metal basket until the coffee reaches strength, which you watch through the glass knob on the lid. Because the entire brew path is stainless steel, hot water never runs through plastic tubing or a plastic tank the way it does in an automatic drip machine. Works on gas, electric, and (per Farberware) induction cooktops.
Pros
- Entire brew path is stainless steel - no plastic touches the coffee
- Very inexpensive and widely available
- No paper filters or consumables needed
- Durable metal build; stovetop, so no electronics to fail
Cons
- Plastic handle and plastic knob-retaining ring on the exterior (not plastic-free)
- Percolators can over-extract / bitter the coffee if left too long
- Requires attention on the stove; not set-and-forget
- Knob and pump spring are not dishwasher safe
Notes
- Model 50124; 8-cup capacity
- Care: dishwasher safe except the knob and pump-tube spring
- Descriptions vary on the knob: manufacturer and most listings call it glass; it is retained by a small plastic ring
Categories: Percolators
Sources
Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.
- manufacturer https://farberwarecookware.com/products/classic-stainless-steel-yosemite-coffee-percolator Farberware page - "heavy-duty stainless steel" body, glass knob, black handle; knob and pump spring not dishwasher safe.
- manufacturer https://www.amazon.com/Farberware-Classic-Stainless-Yosemite-Percolator/dp/B00005NCWQ Amazon listing - inner components (stem, filter basket, spreader) described as stainless steel.
- review https://campingguidance.com/farberware-yosemite-percolator-review/ Hands-on review establishing the handle is hard plastic (4 welds) and the perk knob is glass held by a plastic retaining ring, with no plastic in the coffee path.