How to Make Vacuum Pot Coffee: Easy 9-Step Recipe

The coffee vacuum pot maker is a complicated method of brewing coffee. Also called the siphon coffee pot, the vacuum pot is a great way to experiment with your coffee. Here’s how to make vacuum pot coffee.

This guide is part of our How to Make Coffee series.

How to Make Vacuum Pot Coffee

Here’s the basic overview of making vacuum pot coffee.

• Time to first sip: About 10 minutes
• Type of Coffee: Super-pure and full of flavor
• Coffee grind: Medium coarse
• Gear required: Vacuum pot, stopwatch, flame
• Difficulty: Requires undivided attention and practice

Vacuum Pot Tips: Use pre-heated water to quicken the brewing process.

The coffee vacuum pot maker (also called the siphon coffee pot) is for coffee lovers who enjoy experimenting with different ways how to make coffee.

In fact, just one look at its elaborate system of tubes and glass globes, and you will think it’s a science lab.

Using the vacuum pot does require practice and effort, but you’ll be rewarded with pure, flavorful coffee in the end.

Vacuum pots come in stovetop or tabletop styles, but all require a heating source whether it be a butane burner, halogen burner system, cloth-wick alcohol burner, or gas or electric stovetop.

4 Elements of a Vacuum Pot Coffee Maker

Most vacuum pots consist of four elements:

1. The bottom chamber where the water begins and the coffee ends
2. The top chamber that’s attached to a siphon tube where the coffee brews
3. A rubber gasket that partially produces a vacuum in the bottom chamber during the brewing process
4. A filter (metal, paper, cloth or glass)

Vacuum Pot Coffee Recipe

1. Insert the filter into the center of the top chamber and then pull the attached chain to secure the filter. Set the top chamber in its holder.
2. Weigh out the amount of coffee you plan to use according to the number of cups you want to make and grind it to a medium coarseness. You’ll usually want about 1 to 2 tbsp of grounds for every cup of water.
3. Pour the water (according to your desired coffee/water ratio) into the bottom chamber.
4. Ignite the burner (or another heating source) and place the bottom chamber over the flame. Wait for all the water from the bottom chamber to rise to the top chamber. Using a thermometer, check the temperature of the water and adjust the heat until it settles at around 203°F (95°C).
5. Add your ground coffee to the top chamber and gently stir to saturate them.
6. Allow the coffee to brew for around 40 to 90 seconds depending on your taste (you can gently stir partway through if you like).
7. Stir the coffee for several rotations to create a deep whirlpool.
8. Remove the vacuum system from the heat source. The brew should drop down into the bottom chamber within 30 to 45 seconds. (If it’s taking longer, your grind may be too fine).
9. Remove the bottom chamber, using a potholder or towel. Pour the coffee into mugs and enjoy.

There are definite similarities between the vacuum pot and the moka pot. While the function differs, both work under pressure and with multiple chambers.

Here’s how the pros over at Stumptown make vacuum pot coffee.

How to Use a Vacuum Pot Coffee Maker (Video)

The following video will show you how to make coffee in a vacuum pot.

It doesn’t show him putting the filter into the top chamber, but that’s an important step. So you might want to do that before you get started brewing the coffee, make sure the chain is dangling below the siphon tube.

Your Turn

Have you seen a vacuum coffee pot in operation? Have a tip to share for brewing great vacuum pot coffee? Join me in the comments!