Bulbs & Fittings Ideas

First, I have to say these units really do make the very best tasting coffee. But, I think Farberware's manufacturing quality has taken a nose-dive at some point over the last twenty years.
Both my mom and my mother-in-law used these Farberware percolators for years and years without breakdowns. In fact, my mother-in-law's 8 cupper is still going strong and she's been using it since before I met my wife in 1980. Then, about 21 years ago, we got a 12-cup Farberware percolator for a wedding present and used it for over 15 years without any problem. It ceased operation one morning and I assigned it to old age. 15+ years is all I could ask of a product that's used almost every day even though it has no moving parts.
However, since then, probably around 1996-1997, we've owned three other Farberware percolators, all 12-cup models. Each one has had one or more problem including broken top, broken base, broken handle, bad cord and electrical shorting. Now, I wouldn't say we pamper our appliances, but neither do we abuse them. None of our units were ever dropped and we never, ever submerged them in water. Some of the problems are dangerous, like the handle that chose to break (the top part of the handle simply came off) with a full pot of hot coffee in it. Fortunately, the bottom of the handle, which slides on, held on just long enough so the coffee didn't spill. But our most recent pot, purchased around the holidays in 2001, almost electrocuted me last week. Just after I plugged it in to make coffee one morning, I was checking to make sure the top was secure by pressing on the metal top. My other hand was resting on our metal range top. I got a very severe shock. That unit is on its way to a land-fill.
My advice is to steer clear of these units. I am looking for an alternative because we truly enjoy the great taste of coffee that comes from this percolator. I know that an Italian company, DeLonghi, makes an electric percolator in both 2-8 and 2-12 cup sizes. There may be others. If you know of other companies that make electric percolators, please post a review. I'm also considering trying to find an older Farberware model to buy if I can find one that's still boxed. The older units were of much better workmanship.

I've happilly enjoyed Farberware's larger 20-cup electric percolator that is still brewing some wonderful coffee after 10 years. All I had to replace was the electric cord, which petered out after 3 years.
I've had this model for a few months and think that it will also last a long, long time (don't know about the cord, though). This machine looks terrifically retro, is easy to clean and keeps the coffee consistenly hot for hours. After tasting coffee here, you won't go back to your old drip machine.
My advice to you is:
1. Don't overfill the basket with grinds, because it's very easy to make a STRONG cup of coffee with this. We like strong coffee, so this is a good thing.
2. Clean it w/soap & water as soon as you are finished with it to protect the pot. I also clean it out with Dip-It every 6 weeks or so to remove the coffee stains from the inside and make it shiny and new-looking.
3. At most supermarkts you can buy little paper disc filters that sit in the bottom of the jar and keep the smaller grinds from falling into the water. It also filters out alleged carcinogens that are not removed by traditional percolators or coffee presses.
I would actually give this 4.5 stars, because sadly, these newer models are now made in China rather than the Farberware factory in the Bronx.

I have purchased 2 of these pots in the last 16 months. The last one in Feb. They both worked great for 6 months or so then the heating units seem to fail. Only got warm tan water this morning! Same thing my last one did after about 8 months! Great pot if you only need one for 6 months. Am on Amazon looking for something that will last a little longer!