When I got married in 1975, we had a home spun wedding reception (certainly not a catered affair) so I splurged and bought a 40 cup coffee urn. I still have it. Anytime anyone in the family had a big gathering, it was always "let's use Jane's coffee urn.". Also, the water to coffee ratio had to be spot on or you got yourself some really bad tasting coffee. This was such fun to watch. Thanks Guys! 💕
Hi Jane - great story! Glad you still have your urn. Seems like any celebration is not complete without coffee. Yes, there is a trick to using the proper amount of coffee, but when it's right these urns turn out a nice cup! Thanks!
I love your collection. My Mom collected Corningware Percolators. She swore they made the best coffee! I have her collection now but no working cords for them and since there was a recall or something I guess I won't be getting replacements. Keep up the great work, all the Best from Memphis!
Hi Lilith - I think people liked those Corningware pots because they didn't give any metallac taste. They did recall some of them because the glue used to hold the handles on to the pots would sometime fail over time. Great to hear from Memphis!
My Father was a Amway Dealer in my youth. I remember the Amway Parties and that large Coffee Urn sitting on that buffet table filled with finger sandwiches and chip and dip. And a two large glass pitchers. One lemonade and one ice tea. Thank you for reviewing your collection and memories. Love Tamson from Ky. 😇💗
My grandmother had a big electric Corning Ware coffee pot she used at Christmas. The only other big coffee makers I remember are the urns we had at church. One of them lasted 30 or 40 years!
Love the repeated "radioactive" symbol in the drip coffee urn! All-purpose coffee urn for your PTA meeting, the folks at the 12 Step support group_and_your fallout shelter.
If memory serves my mom's come from the green stamp store. And that's other memories right there. The night before I could count all the green stamps and lick them and put them in the books and we'd go the next day and my mom would get whatever she had enough green stamps for. And usually she was saving up for something at the green stamp store. And hers was a really good size one but it was aluminum. I remember it sitting on the counter and every gathering our family had . Now that I want one of these I can't find them even in the local thrift stores. But I have to say that I would love to have even half of your collection of these coffee urns. Because you get so tired of making pot after pot when the family gets together nowadays and these would just be so time saving for me even if it takes a minute per cup to make I would love to find one Even just one to have.
I miss the Green Stamp Store! It was great collecting those stamps and anticipating what you would get. We still have an item or two we got from Green Stamps. A lost era!
@@robertk4332 There was another promotional outfit called "Gold Bell Gift Stamps" and that's what I remember. Not sure how widespread it was but we had them in the Detroit metropolitan area. Worked the same as Green Stamps. That was a gracious era, when you could save stamps to get treasures, send in box tops to get a decoder ring, get a whistle or a toy airplane in Cracker Jack and find little porcelain figurines in a box of tea. I miss those little surprises.
Hi Brenda - so many great memories there!! Keep checking the thrift stores - I see coffee urns regularly and they are usually under $10, that's where I got most of mine. Church rummage sales are another good source. The green stamp store! I haven't thought about that in many years! Growing up in Detroit we had S&H green stamps and also Top Value stamps. Both companies had catalogs that showed all the things they offered and how many stamps you needed to redeem. Going to the trading stamp store was fun. What I didn't like was having to lick all those stamps!! LOL Thanks so much!
@@cavalcadeoffood In New York where I grew up the A & P gave Plaid Stamps. They were pink and had a Scottish man wearing a kilt on them. I don't remember going to a Plaid Stamps store, but I remember that my grandmother used to collect them.
My Mom had one. This was in the 60's and 70's. She used it for club meetings, Stanley home parties, Tupperware parties etc. She actually had one of the blue Maxwell house ones. It was before Master blend, and just had the regular Maxwell House logo on it.. She bought it at a thrift store. I remember I was with her when she bought it. It seemed to be new and unused. It didn't have a price on it so they charged her 5 dollars for it. She used it many times and it made really good coffee. Thanks for the memories!
Hi Alice! Great memory - thanks for sharing it! I'll bet those Stanley and Tupperware parties were fun! I'd love to find a Maxwell House coffee urn. Your mom sure got a lot of good use out of hers for a $5 purchase! Thanks!
I'm also suffering from a sick fascination for coffee urns as I now have a collection accumulated over a number of years. The stainless steel models are the ones in particular I look for in thrift stores but other interesting percolators have also come home with me. That Regal model with the three wooden legs that looks like a suspended rocket ship always concerned me. If I were to use this percolator for a gathering I'd be sure to not have it anywhere near the edge of the counter. If one of those three legs were to slip off the edge, some poor soul might have a gallon of scalding hot coffee dumped on them.... Other than that, it's a great piece of dated design that works well.
Howdy and hello, I do not drink coffee and also not very much tea but I just wanted to say that I have two electric tea pots from about the first world war and they both work great and I used to make hot chocolate in one and it was a nice treat for a while and then I put the pots away for the time being until maybe Christmas. Maybe I might have a party using one of those pots. Anyway, thanks for showing those coffee urns and it was great fun watching the video.
Kevin! Wow when I saw all the urns you have I gasped lol! Amazing!! As I type this I am having a coffee and let me just say with the way I drink coffee I could prolly finish off a whole urn myself! Lol!! That is a great collection! I am certain my grandma had one at her home when I was a boy because I remember seeing one under the cabinet way in the back but I don’t recall it ever being put to use when I was around so it must have been before my time… They certainly are terrific!! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one at the local antique market for sure 🥰🥰🥰 All the best to you and Ralph! Cheers ☕️ Jeff xo
Hi Jeff! I'm sure your grandma had one! I see these frequently at thrift stores and rummage sales. LOL for you it might make a nice personal coffee maker! Hope all is well! Thanks!!
Oh my! The Cup-a-Minit Party Perk with the flowers! I want that! The floral yellow one in the front too! I love vintage. Wish we could go back in time?
My mom had two! We had a large family and all the holidays were at our house. We needed it. Not to mention women’s guild meetings and working sessions for church at our house too. They got a lot of use. I still remember that sound!! Thanks for sharing!
Too fun! I remember Arlands'... and those wonderful catalog showroom stores (Witmark, Rogers Distributing, Green Stamp store, etc...) that had one of everything on display ... you filled out an order form... and they pulled one from the back room and your boxed order came sailing into the front showroom through a hole in the wall on a conveyer belt... for everyone to see what was purchased in the line up (...that was half the fun of buying something!) I still have my mom's large, (35 cup) round and shiny Hamilton Beach Buffet "party' percolator from the 1950's or so in the original box.. with the side to side handle to pour the coffee. Love that.
Hi Red - those old catalog showrooms were great! The anticipation of your item coming out from the back room - such fun! Enjoy that HB party perc of your mom's!! Thanks!
Far more interesting than I thought it would be. Great video and presentation. Nowadays we just pop in a K-Cup. But I still love the sound and smell of coffee perking in the morning.
@@cavalcadeoffood You are 100% right. A K-Cup comes nowhere close to filling the kitchen with that wonderful coffee aroma. Then the sound of coffee pouring into the cup. The best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup.
My mom owned an avocado green coffee urn to use for parties like bridal or baby showers. My first job at a law office (over 50 years ago) the newest secretary’s job was washing out the coffee urn and getting it ready for the next morning. That was around 1970.
Loved the video. It's always a good day when Cavalcade of Food posts another video! Our church still uses a 48 cup coffee urn and an older, smaller one for making hot water for tea or cocoa. The only problem I have is that few people know (or claim to know) how to measure out the coffee and set it up. I've usually ended up being the coffee maker for each of the churches we have served. There is nothing better than having an urn of coffee brewing while you are attending church -- the smell just wafts through the building. The only problem having a large pot like this presents is you can only make regular or decaf -- and you know how people have their preferences. They can be quite partisan! Regular or decaf, whichever you choose, there is nothing like perked coffee. At home I used to have a drip coffee maker. Then I went to a Keurig. Now I use a small 6 cup Presto percolator. The smell and sounds are an experience even before you taste the coffee!
Hi Robert! Thanks so much! We had 100 cup urns at our church and I usually made the coffee. They took 90 minutes to brew. It took a while to tweak the amount of coffee to use, but once I had it down we had 100 cups of good, piping hot coffee. We had a 30 cup urn that we used for making decaf. I found with our group that, on average, between 15 and 20 percent of those who drank coffee wanted decaf. I agree with you - there's nothing like perked coffee! Thanks for sharing!
@@cyrilhudak4568 I use a rounded soup spoon (not heaping) of coffee for each cup I'm brewing. That has worked for me in every type of coffee maker I've used. I would call my coffee a medium strength -- not too weak, but not too strong. I never get any complaints, but I'm not sure if that means that it is good or if people don't want to inherit my job!!
Hi Michael! Seems like vacuum cleaners are something many people collect - I only have a couple. I do have a number of sewing machines - I often see them for sale. Thanks!
Fond memories of Sundays - families would take turns hosting "coffee hour" after the service. Had to get there early to set up the 2 great big aluminum urns! Pretty sure Mom still has on identical to the avocado green 22 cup one you showed !
Oh wow, that does bring back some memories. My parents had an aluminum West Bend model that was probably a wedding gift from when they got married in the '60s. I always thought it was funny though because 99% of the time it just sat in the box in the garage. They HATED to entertain! I think the only times it was used was on occasion for PTA meetings at school. However, I still perk my morning coffee in a Presto percolator and have a modern Mr. Coffee brand urn that I use for larger gatherings and some of our beach trips. My husband and I entertain quite often and one thing that I definitely did not inherit from my parents was their fear of large gatherings. Lol
Hi Stuart! These urns were very popular wedding/shower gifts. A few that I've found in thrift stores over the years were obviously never used, the cords were still rolled up and the instructions, etc. were in the box. Glad you like to entertain!! There's something about a good cup of perked coffee! Thanks!
Hi, Yes I have memories, and several urns. My mom had one for her Girl Scout meetings with the other Girl Scout leaders.It was in constant use for bridal showers etc., and travelled to church for suppers, or bake sales. My collection includes a silver-plate urn from circa 1916, and is electric, along with 2 others where you need to time the brew, they are not automatic. My fave is an egg shaped 50 cup midcentury one that the brand escapes me at the moment. We use it to brew mulled wine in the winter. I do have a Poly Perk, but it's not an urn, and is a travel percolator in a suitcase with jars for grounds and sugar, spoons, and plastic cups. It matches our travel bar suitcase that has a place for 3 bottles, jigger, mixing spoon, can opener, and aluminum cocktail cups. But I know of a huge urn that was built into the wall at a restaurant I worked at. It made 2 urns of regular, and 1 of decaf. I was told it took hours to brew, and coffee was served from it all day long, breakfast through dinner. We had 2 dining rooms, 2 bars, and 2 banquet rooms, and we never ran out of coffee , which everyone at the time drank after dinner. the coffee it made was the best I have ever had, before or since. Servers would refill the Bunn glass pots from it, and kept on warmers at the waitress stations. I was never around, when it was filled, and started in the mornings. I assume the bakers may have had that job when they came in to make the rolls, and breads etc. I assumed it was a giant percolator, but it may have been a pour over brew. I've researched it and can't find one like it.
Thanks for sharing those memories, Longhairbear! I've seen the egg shaped chrome urn before - not sure who made it but it is beautiful. Sounds like your mom's urn saw plenty of use! Those big institutional urns were made a couple different ways. Not sure if it was a perculation, or it may have been a "spray over" style, which was essentially a drip. Cecilware was a company that made giant urns that would brew gallons of coffee, and then it was dispensed into glass pots for serving. Thanks!
Really fun video of coffee urns, my mom had one and used it for big family get togethers. I also would love to see your collection of coffee percolators and coffee pots.
I can smell coffee now without having any on. I need to buy decaf tomorrow! Y'all made me crave coffee! I would set up for certain meetings we'd have at work and use a great big stainless one. Best smell in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Coffee has a lot of acid, so I can see how the aluminium ones would not be as preferable as the SS ones. That Danish Modern one is so cool!!! I also kind of love the giant pour over model. We do pour over at home. Our coffee pot died about 10 years ago, and I decided to try that. Works really well in a small kitchen, and makes great coffee. Also, if you want to try thee best coffee in the world, try Cafe Mam. I discovered their Italian roast at a brunch spot when I was in college. I was blown away then, and recently discovered I can buy it in large quantities now, so I order 10# at a time. LOL I... would err on the side of caution with the plastic ones. I know having kids, car seats expire after 6 years regardless of actual condition, because plastics begin to break down, rendering them less safe. Plastic is not really the most stable thing in the world, but they sure are cute. My nana had a gold and brown one when I was a kid.
Hi Kestrel! Coffee perking is one of life's best smells! I often use a Melitta pour over to make a quick cup of coffee and it works great, but I love using a percolator most of the time. I haven't tried Cafe Mam coffee - thanks for the tip!
Loved the video! I know about two urns you don't have. My grandparents had a Drip-O-Lator that operated similar to the last urn you showed, but I think it boiled the water too because it had a high-low switch on the base. It made wonderful coffee. I have a plastic Mr. Coffee 24-cup drip urn from 1990 that uses these huge basket filters and operates like a regular drip coffeemaker. Used it for years at Thanksgiving and Christmas. One level tablespoon of coffee per 6 oz. cup of water. I've made the punch and coffee for about 40 years except sadly for last year when we didn't gather. Didn't miss it one bit! It's a lot of trouble.
Hi Jonathan! I may have that Drip-O-Later that your grandparents had up on a shelf. Often there's not enough counter space to put out a complete collection of things, and these sure take up a lot of room! But the Mr. Coffee 24-cup drip is one I haven't seen! Can you still get the big filters for it? Thanks!!
@@cavalcadeoffood I still have about 50 filters for mine and have never bought any. I see a few on Amazon but they're expensive. Once when I forgot to bring them, I used a big mesh strainer and it worked fine.
Always one family member owned one per family. You saw it every family reuion. I went to friends family reuions as well growing up. Ours had a green one, but I do not remember who owned it. Just remember it sitting there.
Absolutely beautiful collection, Kevin. I'm so glad I'm not the only nut who collects this kind of stuff! I have plenty of percolators but only 2 urns as they take up so much room. I rarely get to use them but love having occasions when I'm able to! Not sure what sparked this memory (which seems fuzzy) but I'm almost certain that my grandmother had a large West Bend urn in her basement. I know she had a West Bend percolator from the 50's that was very well-worn but was shelved when the 4 cup Mr. Coffee drip came out in the 80's. She also had a Proctor-Silex with the glass carafe that lived in the basement with the urn. I remember asking her why she never used it and she claimed she didn't like the coffee it made! Needless to say, I now have one just like it and I think it makes delicious coffee! Anyways, thanks for sharing and sparking that memory. Hope you guys are well! Cheers!
Hi Adam! Thanks so much and know that you are not alone in your crazy collecting! LOL!! These urns do take up a lot of space, that's the downside. Those Proctor-Silex glass percolators are fun to watch as the coffee brews! Hope all is well with you! Thanks!!
Thanks to the two of you for a wonderful channel. My wife and I only recently discovered you; we found your channel while researching stoves. Now we're addicted :) My wife's always wanted a vintage early 60s kitchen. We're in the planning process for our retirement home and she's started locating the appliances and other objects to build the kitchen of her dreams. Growing up my bedroom was off of the kitchen and my alarm clock was the sound of my mom's percolator plop, plop, plopping. I still love that sound, and the smell of coffee brewing. I remember her having an urn, but it only came out for holiday dinners and the annual family reunion. I remember an urn at the family deer camp and feeling very grown up when I was allowed to get myself a cup of coffee in the morning before we went out (I think I just carried it around like a trophy because I know I didn't like it then). My wife and I have spent our professional lives in the world of technology, but going into retirement we plan to slow down and live as analog a lifestyle as possible. Thanks again from both of us; your videos have brought back so many happy memories.
Hi Mike - thank you so much for your note and I'm glad that you enjoy the videos! Sounds like you and your wife have a lot of good memories involving appliances. I hope you are able to create a vintage kitchen and enjoy it in a long and healthy retirement!!
LOV all my Vintage things! & Yours are FAB! So FUNN to see yours!.. sadly I found out yesterday Pyrex has lead in it, but FIREKING & ANCHOR HOCKING DON'T. Thank God.💛
Hi Ms Howell! So glad you like this one! I've heard conflicting reports about the whether there is lead in Pyrex and whether or not it should be of concern. Good to know Fire King and Anchor have no concerns! Thanks!
At the Masonic Temple in Fort Wayne, I used to work at two 250 cup coffee urns was sitting in the basement of the building. As far as I know they were original to the building in 1926. At one time they were in the kitchen. Old-timers told me the unused to have to fill those urns twice a day!
Hello! Love seeing all of the coffee urns. I have 2 avacado green mirro-matic urns and I just recently purchased a poly-perk 20 cup urn. It is the tan and brown with the big flowers. Just like the one next to the red one. I use it in my camper and yes, it still makes a great pot of coffee.
Hi Jason! Those Mirro-Matic urns are great and I love the ones in colors! Those Poly-Perks were popular sellers and they are easy to clean and don't dent. Glad you are enjoying yours. Thanks!
If I were to get an urn, I'd get one of those Manning Bowman bubbles with the maple handles. Some times you can see them with the tray and matching cream and sugar. I quit drinking coffee about 10 years ago except for holidays, but then the pandemic hit and I have changed that to just Saturdays. I look forward to it all week. I have several percolators so I switch them. I like the coffee kind of strong, and the best without ever being bitter is Chase Sanborn. Most stores don't carry it anymore so I have to get it at Amazon.
Hi Scooter! I've seen those round Manning Bowman urns and they really are beautiful! I have a couple of other "coffee sets" with fancy urns, creamer, sugar and tray. I'm going to have to do a video on those one of these days. I don't see Chase & Sanborn coffee in the stores here either. Thanks!
The white plastic Poly Perk with flowers you have was at the thrift store today. I didn't pick it up because I am already tripping over enough pots and pans.
Hi Katlyn! The natural aluminum or stainless models were the most popular, but there was a period in the late 60's and early 70's where they painted them in fun patterns. I'm sure one could be found online or at a thrift store. Thanks!
I have an avocado green Sunbeam (I think it's a Sunbeam). I've always wondered why these urns don't have the spreader that goes over the basket like a regular percolator. By the way, I still perk my coffee in a Revere Ware stovetop percolator.
Hi Don! A few makers of urns do use a spreader, but the vast majority do not. The underside of the top lid is supposed to function as the spreader - so when the hot water comes up the water tube and hits the lid, the water is disbursed evenly in all directions. I'll bet that Revere Ware stove top model makes great coffee! Thanks!
Hi Nanna Bou - I have a very small collection of Pyrex. It's probably not enough to do an episode on, but I also have some Fire King so maybe I'll combine the two. I do not collect Guardian Ware.Thanks!
Hi cigars - those are electric skillets. They are great small appliances and will do the job for anything you would normally cook in a pan on top of the stove. Thanks!
Just picked up a 25 cup Tricolator, "Party Perk" in the original box. According to the box, they claim to be the World's Largest Manufacturer of Party-Sized Coffee Makers.
Hi PK - it's always great to find things in their original package! Great find! I didn't know they were the world's largest, but I'm sure they sold lots of them in the 60's and 70's. Thanks!
the little guy next to the master blend, my grandmother had as long as i've been alive, it lost its lid handle who knows when and just had a tin foil ball stuffed into it, that thing came out every christmas though till she passeed, it was actually her sister's but it was always in her house forever
My wife and I are perc coffee devotees (Chock Full O'Nuts). Well worth the wait in the morning and the coffee is hot. BTW if you measure them, a "cup" of coffee is either 4 or 6 oz.
Hi Cyril - I share your devotion to perked coffee...and Chock Full O' Nuts! I like coffee that is hot, and only a percolator can deliver. Funny how there is such a big difference in what manufacturers and consumers consider a "cup" of coffee! Thanks!
My mother was the queen of the bouffant ❤ she taught all her friends how to do it and did my hair for school dances. I could never quite get it right. It requires lots of patience (and hair spray).
There's a special place in Heaven for you guys...just found this channel and it made my day!!!!!
Hi Sugarshack! Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoy the videos!
I love the memories of the large coffee urns. Always a special occasion when they were used.
Hi Cindy! You knew it was a celebration when the coffee urn came out! Thanks!
When I got married in 1975, we had a home spun wedding reception (certainly not a catered affair) so I splurged and bought a 40 cup coffee urn. I still have it. Anytime anyone in the family had a big gathering, it was always "let's use Jane's coffee urn.". Also, the water to coffee ratio had to be spot on or you got yourself some really bad tasting coffee. This was such fun to watch. Thanks Guys! 💕
Hi Jane - great story! Glad you still have your urn. Seems like any celebration is not complete without coffee. Yes, there is a trick to using the proper amount of coffee, but when it's right these urns turn out a nice cup! Thanks!
Mary Kay produced a lovely pink plastic coffee urn with the Mary Kay logo emblazoned on it. Of course. It sure would look nice in your collection.
Hi George - I've never seen this Mary Kay urn! It must have just been for dealers - I'll keep my eye out when I'm at the sales! Thanks!
I love your collection. My Mom collected Corningware Percolators. She swore they made the best coffee! I have her collection now but no working cords for them and since there was a recall or something I guess I won't be getting replacements. Keep up the great work, all the Best from Memphis!
Hi Lilith - I think people liked those Corningware pots because they didn't give any metallac taste. They did recall some of them because the glue used to hold the handles on to the pots would sometime fail over time. Great to hear from Memphis!
My Father was a Amway Dealer in my youth. I remember the Amway Parties and that large Coffee Urn sitting on that buffet table filled with finger sandwiches and chip and dip. And a two large glass pitchers. One lemonade and one ice tea. Thank you for reviewing your collection and memories. Love Tamson from Ky. 😇💗
Hi Tamson! Thanks for sharing that memory! I went to a couple of Amway parties back in the 80's and there was always a big spread of food. Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood I still have memories of those huge buckets of dry laundry detergent too...😊
I really like the master blend one that looks like a can of coffee. Very cool. 😊
Thanks! I've also seen one that looks like a can of Sanka coffee!
Holy crap! Cannot believe this post is even available! 😍😍😍
Here's it is, Lani! Thanks for watching!
This is beautiful. Love this coffee urns. Thanks for share this video.🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You're welcome - thanks for watching!
My grandmother had a big electric Corning Ware coffee pot she used at Christmas. The only other big coffee makers I remember are the urns we had at church. One of them lasted 30 or 40 years!
Hi nativevirginian - seems like almost every church had at least one of those giant coffee urns! Thanks!
Love the repeated "radioactive" symbol in the drip coffee urn! All-purpose coffee urn for your PTA meeting, the folks at the 12 Step support group_and_your fallout shelter.
Hi AugustMeteors! You're going to need coffee in the fallout shelter so you stay alert when it's your turn to be on watch! Thanks!
These urns made surprisingly good tasting coffee
Hi Ed - if you got the water/coffee ratio correct, the coffee was really good. Thanks!
If memory serves my mom's come from the green stamp store. And that's other memories right there. The night before I could count all the green stamps and lick them and put them in the books and we'd go the next day and my mom would get whatever she had enough green stamps for. And usually she was saving up for something at the green stamp store. And hers was a really good size one but it was aluminum. I remember it sitting on the counter and every gathering our family had . Now that I want one of these I can't find them even in the local thrift stores.
But I have to say that I would love to have even half of your collection of these coffee urns. Because you get so tired of making pot after pot when the family gets together nowadays and these would just be so time saving for me even if it takes a minute per cup to make I would love to find one Even just one to have.
I miss the Green Stamp Store! It was great collecting those stamps and anticipating what you would get. We still have an item or two we got from Green Stamps. A lost era!
@@robertk4332 There was another promotional outfit called "Gold Bell Gift Stamps" and that's what I remember. Not sure how widespread it was but we had them in the Detroit metropolitan area. Worked the same as Green Stamps. That was a gracious era, when you could save stamps to get treasures, send in box tops to get a decoder ring, get a whistle or a toy airplane in Cracker Jack and find little porcelain figurines in a box of tea. I miss those little surprises.
Hi Brenda - so many great memories there!! Keep checking the thrift stores - I see coffee urns regularly and they are usually under $10, that's where I got most of mine. Church rummage sales are another good source. The green stamp store! I haven't thought about that in many years! Growing up in Detroit we had S&H green stamps and also Top Value stamps. Both companies had catalogs that showed all the things they offered and how many stamps you needed to redeem. Going to the trading stamp store was fun. What I didn't like was having to lick all those stamps!! LOL Thanks so much!
@@cavalcadeoffood In New York where I grew up the A & P gave Plaid Stamps. They were pink and had a Scottish man wearing a kilt on them. I don't remember going to a Plaid Stamps store, but I remember that my grandmother used to collect them.
Love the gas gauge on the tricolator!
Bill - the only downside is that gauge is hard to clean. Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood they didn't come with the percolator brush like the west bend does or did to Clean the tube?
My Mom had one. This was in the 60's and 70's. She used it for club meetings, Stanley home parties, Tupperware parties etc. She actually had one of the blue Maxwell house ones. It was before Master blend, and just had the regular Maxwell House logo on it.. She bought it at a thrift store. I remember I was with her when she bought it. It seemed to be new and unused. It didn't have a price on it so they charged her 5 dollars for it. She used it many times and it made really good coffee. Thanks for the memories!
Hi Alice! Great memory - thanks for sharing it! I'll bet those Stanley and Tupperware parties were fun! I'd love to find a Maxwell House coffee urn. Your mom sure got a lot of good use out of hers for a $5 purchase! Thanks!
I'm also suffering from a sick fascination for coffee urns as I now have a collection accumulated over a number of years. The stainless steel models are the ones in particular I look for in thrift stores but other interesting percolators have also come home with me. That Regal model with the three wooden legs that looks like a suspended rocket ship always concerned me. If I were to use this percolator for a gathering I'd be sure to not have it anywhere near the edge of the counter. If one of those three legs were to slip off the edge, some poor soul might have a gallon of scalding hot coffee dumped on them.... Other than that, it's a great piece of dated design that works well.
Thank you!!! I NEEDED this video
You're welcome, Kimberlee!
Stacey here AA rooms has lots of them! I want the one on the corner!
Hi Stacey! That one on the corner is pretty cool! Thanks!
Great collection! Brought back a lot of fond memories, thank you!
You're welcome, Paul! Thanks for watching!
Thank you. I REALLY enjoyed this!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Howdy and hello,
I do not drink coffee and also not very much tea but I just wanted to say that I have two electric tea pots from about the first world war and they both work great and I used to make hot chocolate in one and it was a nice treat for a while and then I put the pots away for the time being until maybe Christmas. Maybe I might have a party using one of those pots.
Anyway, thanks for showing those coffee urns and it was great fun watching the video.
Hi Robert - those old electric tea pots are very nice and good for many uses. Bring them out for the holidays! Enjoy!
Kevin! Wow when I saw all the urns you have I gasped lol! Amazing!! As I type this I am having a coffee and let me just say with the way I drink coffee I could prolly finish off a whole urn myself! Lol!! That is a great collection! I am certain my grandma had one at her home when I was a boy because I remember seeing one under the cabinet way in the back but I don’t recall it ever being put to use when I was around so it must have been before my time…
They certainly are terrific!! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one at the local antique market for sure 🥰🥰🥰
All the best to you and Ralph!
Cheers ☕️
Jeff xo
Hi Jeff! I'm sure your grandma had one! I see these frequently at thrift stores and rummage sales. LOL for you it might make a nice personal coffee maker! Hope all is well! Thanks!!
TrrrrrrRickOlator!!!!
Now I want one.
Hi Norfolk250 - they make really good coffee! Hope you get yourself one!
Before you go to the boxes.....the last one you showed...is like a BIG French Press!
Hi Marfa! That is an interesting coffee maker!
Oh my! The Cup-a-Minit Party Perk with the flowers! I want that! The floral yellow one in the front too! I love vintage. Wish we could go back in time?
Don't you love the designs on some of these? Thanks!!
My mom had two! We had a large family and all the holidays were at our house. We needed it. Not to mention women’s guild meetings and working sessions for church at our house too. They got a lot of use. I still remember that sound!! Thanks for sharing!
Hi John - sounds like your mom's coffee urns saw a lot of service! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Very interesting!!!
Thanks, Alison!
Very fun and educational great job and perfect for when you and Ralph are trying out cavalcade alcohol videos lmao
LOL Beryl!! We're going to need some coffee after the cocktail videos! Thanks!
Too fun! I remember Arlands'... and those wonderful catalog showroom stores (Witmark, Rogers Distributing, Green Stamp store, etc...) that had one of everything on display ... you filled out an order form... and they pulled one from the back room and your boxed order came sailing into the front showroom through a hole in the wall on a conveyer belt... for everyone to see what was purchased in the line up (...that was half the fun of buying something!) I still have my mom's large, (35 cup) round and shiny Hamilton Beach Buffet "party' percolator from the 1950's or so in the original box.. with the side to side handle to pour the coffee. Love that.
Hi Red - those old catalog showrooms were great! The anticipation of your item coming out from the back room - such fun! Enjoy that HB party perc of your mom's!! Thanks!
Far more interesting than I thought it would be. Great video and presentation.
Nowadays we just pop in a K-Cup. But I still love the sound and smell of coffee perking in the morning.
Hi Johnny - Funny that they probably couldn't have imagined the K-cup back then! That aroma of coffee is the best. Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood You are 100% right. A K-Cup comes nowhere close to filling the kitchen with that wonderful coffee aroma. Then the sound of coffee pouring into the cup. The best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup.
My mom owned an avocado green coffee urn to use for parties like bridal or baby showers. My first job at a law office (over 50 years ago) the newest secretary’s job was washing out the coffee urn and getting it ready for the next morning. That was around 1970.
Hi wolchfam - I'll bet those lawyers really went through the coffee!! Great memory - thanks!
Loved the video. It's always a good day when Cavalcade of Food posts another video! Our church still uses a 48 cup coffee urn and an older, smaller one for making hot water for tea or cocoa. The only problem I have is that few people know (or claim to know) how to measure out the coffee and set it up. I've usually ended up being the coffee maker for each of the churches we have served. There is nothing better than having an urn of coffee brewing while you are attending church -- the smell just wafts through the building. The only problem having a large pot like this presents is you can only make regular or decaf -- and you know how people have their preferences. They can be quite partisan! Regular or decaf, whichever you choose, there is nothing like perked coffee. At home I used to have a drip coffee maker. Then I went to a Keurig. Now I use a small 6 cup Presto percolator. The smell and sounds are an experience even before you taste the coffee!
Verify my calculation, a 48 cup urn would use 24 scoops or 16oz of coffee. Not saying I want to take your job away from you. 😉
Hi Robert! Thanks so much! We had 100 cup urns at our church and I usually made the coffee. They took 90 minutes to brew. It took a while to tweak the amount of coffee to use, but once I had it down we had 100 cups of good, piping hot coffee. We had a 30 cup urn that we used for making decaf. I found with our group that, on average, between 15 and 20 percent of those who drank coffee wanted decaf. I agree with you - there's nothing like perked coffee! Thanks for sharing!
@@cyrilhudak4568 I use a rounded soup spoon (not heaping) of coffee for each cup I'm brewing. That has worked for me in every type of coffee maker I've used. I would call my coffee a medium strength -- not too weak, but not too strong. I never get any complaints, but I'm not sure if that means that it is good or if people don't want to inherit my job!!
Aside from collecting vintage appliances I collect vacuum cleaners and sewing machines
Hi Michael! Seems like vacuum cleaners are something many people collect - I only have a couple. I do have a number of sewing machines - I often see them for sale. Thanks!
Fond memories of Sundays - families would take turns hosting "coffee hour" after the service. Had to get there early to set up the 2 great big aluminum urns! Pretty sure Mom still has on identical to the avocado green 22 cup one you showed !
Hi Jane - sounds like coffee hour was well attended! Thanks for sharing that memory!
My mom had the red poly perk! Brings back good memories she also a mixer hint hint
Hi Jeff! Those Poly Perks are a lot of fun! The stand mixer video has been shot, will get to editing and get it in the queue. Thanks!
Oh wow, that does bring back some memories. My parents had an aluminum West Bend model that was probably a wedding gift from when they got married in the '60s. I always thought it was funny though because 99% of the time it just sat in the box in the garage. They HATED to entertain! I think the only times it was used was on occasion for PTA meetings at school. However, I still perk my morning coffee in a Presto percolator and have a modern Mr. Coffee brand urn that I use for larger gatherings and some of our beach trips. My husband and I entertain quite often and one thing that I definitely did not inherit from my parents was their fear of large gatherings. Lol
Hi Stuart! These urns were very popular wedding/shower gifts. A few that I've found in thrift stores over the years were obviously never used, the cords were still rolled up and the instructions, etc. were in the box. Glad you like to entertain!! There's something about a good cup of perked coffee! Thanks!
Hi, Yes I have memories, and several urns. My mom had one for her Girl Scout meetings with the other Girl Scout leaders.It was in constant use for bridal showers etc., and travelled to church for suppers, or bake sales. My collection includes a silver-plate urn from circa 1916, and is electric, along with 2 others where you need to time the brew, they are not automatic. My fave is an egg shaped 50 cup midcentury one that the brand escapes me at the moment. We use it to brew mulled wine in the winter. I do have a Poly Perk, but it's not an urn, and is a travel percolator in a suitcase with jars for grounds and sugar, spoons, and plastic cups. It matches our travel bar suitcase that has a place for 3 bottles, jigger, mixing spoon, can opener, and aluminum cocktail cups.
But I know of a huge urn that was built into the wall at a restaurant I worked at. It made 2 urns of regular, and 1 of decaf. I was told it took hours to brew, and coffee was served from it all day long, breakfast through dinner. We had 2 dining rooms, 2 bars, and 2 banquet rooms, and we never ran out of coffee , which everyone at the time drank after dinner. the coffee it made was the best I have ever had, before or since. Servers would refill the Bunn glass pots from it, and kept on warmers at the waitress stations. I was never around, when it was filled, and started in the mornings. I assume the bakers may have had that job when they came in to make the rolls, and breads etc. I assumed it was a giant percolator, but it may have been a pour over brew. I've researched it and can't find one like it.
Thanks for sharing those memories, Longhairbear! I've seen the egg shaped chrome urn before - not sure who made it but it is beautiful. Sounds like your mom's urn saw plenty of use! Those big institutional urns were made a couple different ways. Not sure if it was a perculation, or it may have been a "spray over" style, which was essentially a drip. Cecilware was a company that made giant urns that would brew gallons of coffee, and then it was dispensed into glass pots for serving. Thanks!
Really fun video of coffee urns, my mom had one and used it for big family get togethers. I also would love to see your collection of coffee percolators and coffee pots.
Thanks, Pink Peony! I'll do a percolator video in the future!
I can smell coffee now without having any on. I need to buy decaf tomorrow! Y'all made me crave coffee! I would set up for certain meetings we'd have at work and use a great big stainless one. Best smell in the world, as far as I'm concerned.
Coffee has a lot of acid, so I can see how the aluminium ones would not be as preferable as the SS ones. That Danish Modern one is so cool!!! I also kind of love the giant pour over model. We do pour over at home. Our coffee pot died about 10 years ago, and I decided to try that. Works really well in a small kitchen, and makes great coffee. Also, if you want to try thee best coffee in the world, try Cafe Mam. I discovered their Italian roast at a brunch spot when I was in college. I was blown away then, and recently discovered I can buy it in large quantities now, so I order 10# at a time. LOL
I... would err on the side of caution with the plastic ones. I know having kids, car seats expire after 6 years regardless of actual condition, because plastics begin to break down, rendering them less safe. Plastic is not really the most stable thing in the world, but they sure are cute. My nana had a gold and brown one when I was a kid.
Hi Kestrel! Coffee perking is one of life's best smells! I often use a Melitta pour over to make a quick cup of coffee and it works great, but I love using a percolator most of the time. I haven't tried Cafe Mam coffee - thanks for the tip!
Loved the video! I know about two urns you don't have. My grandparents had a Drip-O-Lator that operated similar to the last urn you showed, but I think it boiled the water too because it had a high-low switch on the base. It made wonderful coffee. I have a plastic Mr. Coffee 24-cup drip urn from 1990 that uses these huge basket filters and operates like a regular drip coffeemaker. Used it for years at Thanksgiving and Christmas. One level tablespoon of coffee per 6 oz. cup of water. I've made the punch and coffee for about 40 years except sadly for last year when we didn't gather. Didn't miss it one bit! It's a lot of trouble.
Hi Jonathan! I may have that Drip-O-Later that your grandparents had up on a shelf. Often there's not enough counter space to put out a complete collection of things, and these sure take up a lot of room! But the Mr. Coffee 24-cup drip is one I haven't seen! Can you still get the big filters for it? Thanks!!
@@cavalcadeoffood I still have about 50 filters for mine and have never bought any. I see a few on Amazon but they're expensive. Once when I forgot to bring them, I used a big mesh strainer and it worked fine.
Regal also made a30 and 40 cup stainless steel urns
Yes, I have a few. Thanks!
Always one family member owned one per family. You saw it every family reuion. I went to friends family reuions as well growing up.
Ours had a green one, but I do not remember who owned it. Just remember it sitting there.
Hi Dawn - a great memory of your family's coffee urn! Yes, someone in the family always had one! Thanks!
Absolutely beautiful collection, Kevin. I'm so glad I'm not the only nut who collects this kind of stuff! I have plenty of percolators but only 2 urns as they take up so much room. I rarely get to use them but love having occasions when I'm able to! Not sure what sparked this memory (which seems fuzzy) but I'm almost certain that my grandmother had a large West Bend urn in her basement. I know she had a West Bend percolator from the 50's that was very well-worn but was shelved when the 4 cup Mr. Coffee drip came out in the 80's. She also had a Proctor-Silex with the glass carafe that lived in the basement with the urn. I remember asking her why she never used it and she claimed she didn't like the coffee it made! Needless to say, I now have one just like it and I think it makes delicious coffee! Anyways, thanks for sharing and sparking that memory. Hope you guys are well! Cheers!
Hi Adam! Thanks so much and know that you are not alone in your crazy collecting! LOL!! These urns do take up a lot of space, that's the downside. Those Proctor-Silex glass percolators are fun to watch as the coffee brews! Hope all is well with you! Thanks!!
Outstanding video. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Nanci - thanks so much for watching!
Thanks to the two of you for a wonderful channel. My wife and I only recently discovered you; we found your channel while researching stoves. Now we're addicted :) My wife's always wanted a vintage early 60s kitchen. We're in the planning process for our retirement home and she's started locating the appliances and other objects to build the kitchen of her dreams. Growing up my bedroom was off of the kitchen and my alarm clock was the sound of my mom's percolator plop, plop, plopping. I still love that sound, and the smell of coffee brewing. I remember her having an urn, but it only came out for holiday dinners and the annual family reunion. I remember an urn at the family deer camp and feeling very grown up when I was allowed to get myself a cup of coffee in the morning before we went out (I think I just carried it around like a trophy because I know I didn't like it then). My wife and I have spent our professional lives in the world of technology, but going into retirement we plan to slow down and live as analog a lifestyle as possible. Thanks again from both of us; your videos have brought back so many happy memories.
Hi Mike - thank you so much for your note and I'm glad that you enjoy the videos! Sounds like you and your wife have a lot of good memories involving appliances. I hope you are able to create a vintage kitchen and enjoy it in a long and healthy retirement!!
LOV all my Vintage things! & Yours are FAB! So FUNN to see yours!.. sadly I found out yesterday Pyrex has lead in it, but FIREKING & ANCHOR HOCKING DON'T. Thank God.💛
Hi Ms Howell! So glad you like this one! I've heard conflicting reports about the whether there is lead in Pyrex and whether or not it should be of concern. Good to know Fire King and Anchor have no concerns! Thanks!
Thank you for a very interesting video. I always love coffee urns, but I only own one.
You're welcome, Thomas! One coffee urn is probably all most people need :-)
At the Masonic Temple in Fort Wayne, I used to work at two 250 cup coffee urns was sitting in the basement of the building. As far as I know they were original to the building in 1926. At one time they were in the kitchen. Old-timers told me the unused to have to fill those urns twice a day!
Hi Bill - Wow! That Masonic Temple must have been a busy place in the early days to need two giant urns of that size! Amazing! Thanks!
Happy New Year Kevin and Ralph!! I absolutely loved the article!
Happy New Year DGF 627!! Thanks so much!
Hello! Love seeing all of the coffee urns. I have 2 avacado green mirro-matic urns and I just recently purchased a poly-perk 20 cup urn. It is the tan and brown with the big flowers. Just like the one next to the red one. I use it in my camper and yes, it still makes a great pot of coffee.
Hi Jason! Those Mirro-Matic urns are great and I love the ones in colors! Those Poly-Perks were popular sellers and they are easy to clean and don't dent. Glad you are enjoying yours. Thanks!
If I were to get an urn, I'd get one of those Manning Bowman bubbles with the maple handles. Some times you can see them with the tray and matching cream and sugar. I quit drinking coffee about 10 years ago except for holidays, but then the pandemic hit and I have changed that to just Saturdays. I look forward to it all week. I have several percolators so I switch them. I like the coffee kind of strong, and the best without ever being bitter is Chase Sanborn. Most stores don't carry it anymore so I have to get it at Amazon.
Hi Scooter! I've seen those round Manning Bowman urns and they really are beautiful! I have a couple of other "coffee sets" with fancy urns, creamer, sugar and tray. I'm going to have to do a video on those one of these days. I don't see Chase & Sanborn coffee in the stores here either. Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood That would be really cool to see. OBTW. I say one of those Maxwell House urns on Ebay. I forget what the price was?
We had an Arlan’s in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Hi Tony - seems like Arlan's was in the east and midwest. Thanks !
Did anyone find out whether or not the poly percolators are safe to use? Love the variety of the collection though! Brings back lots of memories
I've heard conflicting reports on the safety of those plastic/poly coffee pots. As a precaution, I don't use them anymore. Thanks!
The white plastic Poly Perk with flowers you have was at the thrift store today. I didn't pick it up because I am already tripping over enough pots and pans.
I totally understand about having too much! LOL!
What kind of coffee did they serve on the Titanic?..........................Sanka
LOL!! Good one, wendyw!!
Who else is in the mood for cake and coffee!
I am!
Still use for big family parties
Glad to hear it - these are perfect for big gatherings! Thanks!
Now do a segment on the small percolators
Bill - I will in the future. Thanks!
We have one but it’s one of them boring silver ones down there that you got. I’d rather have one of those pretty flower one!
Hi Katlyn! The natural aluminum or stainless models were the most popular, but there was a period in the late 60's and early 70's where they painted them in fun patterns. I'm sure one could be found online or at a thrift store. Thanks!
I have an avocado green Sunbeam (I think it's a Sunbeam). I've always wondered why these urns don't have the spreader that goes over the basket like a regular percolator. By the way, I still perk my coffee in a Revere Ware stovetop percolator.
Hi Don! A few makers of urns do use a spreader, but the vast majority do not. The underside of the top lid is supposed to function as the spreader - so when the hot water comes up the water tube and hits the lid, the water is disbursed evenly in all directions. I'll bet that Revere Ware stove top model makes great coffee! Thanks!
I'd love to see if you have a collection of pyrex. Also do you collect Gaudian service Wear?
Hi Nanna Bou - I have a very small collection of Pyrex. It's probably not enough to do an episode on, but I also have some Fire King so maybe I'll combine the two. I do not collect Guardian Ware.Thanks!
Do you have a pink anodized west bend coffee urn?
Don't have that one.
@@cavalcadeoffood I just saw one on ebay
When do we get to see the many small coffee percolators?
Hi Jon - I'll do a video on them one of these days. I have so many that I'll need to think about the best way to cover them all in a video. Thanks!
Maybe episode 1 the electric ones and episode 2 the stove heated ones? Enjoying your channel.@@cavalcadeoffood
And I thought I had a lot of percolators!
LOL - I guess I have a few. Thanks!
My Cory 10cup stainless steel percolator has a blue light on it
I guess Cory preferred a blue light to a red one! Thanks!
Those stainless things in the opening... I have one, don't know what it is or how to use it!
Hi cigars - those are electric skillets. They are great small appliances and will do the job for anything you would normally cook in a pan on top of the stove. Thanks!
You have so much stuff. How old were you when you started collecting? You must have been a baby!
LOL! I was a teenager. Amazing how much stuff you accumulate over time! Thanks!
I have a gold anodized aluminum Tricolator. A genie lives inside it.
Hi Mike! That is a perfect hideout for a genie!
Just picked up a 25 cup Tricolator, "Party Perk" in the original box. According to the box, they claim to be the World's Largest Manufacturer of Party-Sized Coffee Makers.
Hi PK - it's always great to find things in their original package! Great find! I didn't know they were the world's largest, but I'm sure they sold lots of them in the 60's and 70's. Thanks!
the little guy next to the master blend, my grandmother had as long as i've been alive, it lost its lid handle who knows when and just had a tin foil ball stuffed into it, that thing came out every christmas though till she passeed, it was actually her sister's but it was always in her house forever
I also got that felix the cat reference
Hi Captain Char - sounds like your grandmother got a lot of good use out of that coffee urn! Thanks!
My wife and I are perc coffee devotees (Chock Full O'Nuts). Well worth the wait in the morning and the coffee is hot. BTW if you measure them, a "cup" of coffee is either 4 or 6 oz.
Hi Cyril - I share your devotion to perked coffee...and Chock Full O' Nuts! I like coffee that is hot, and only a percolator can deliver. Funny how there is such a big difference in what manufacturers and consumers consider a "cup" of coffee! Thanks!
*people will collect anything*
That's true!
We have three coffee urns for our genealogy society
Its funny that I was born in 1989 but a couple of those look slightly familiar.
You may have seen these still in service somewhere. Thanks!
"Bouffant for the Buffet" at 21:12
LOL! Thanks, Albert!
@@cavalcadeoffood”Look at that hairdo, Ralph. Oh, boy! She spent a couple hours in the chair, didn’t she?” 🥇
My mother was the queen of the bouffant ❤ she taught all her friends how to do it and did my hair for school dances. I could never quite get it right. It requires lots of patience (and hair spray).
@@kimberleeoneal LOL! Growing up I remember seeing all those cans of hair spray in the bathrooms!
Kevin, why do you have so many, do you ever sell stuff
Hi Dorothy - This is my collection. I don't sell anything. Thanks!
Regal polypropylene plastic
I think that was a new plastic at the time. Thanks!