Not too long ago, a coffee urn was an essential kitchen appliance. While it may not be as common these days, coffee urns are still a necessity for caterers and a convenient solution when you need to serve coffee at events or large parties at home.
Types of Coffee Urns
Coffee urns come in various sizes, typically labeled based on their cup capacity. Home coffee urns are smaller, brewing around 30 cups at a time. However, if you plan on using one regularly, keep in mind that most coffee urns have a minimum number of cups you must brew for the appliance to function properly. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guide to check the specifications for your machine.
On the other hand, larger coffee urns designed for caterers can hold as many as 100 cups of coffee. When preparing coffee for a party or event, choose an urn with enough capacity to brew at least 1.5 cups per person. While some guests may have more than one cup, others might not have any at all, so 1.5 cups per person is a reasonable reference to keep in mind. For larger parties, you can consider having two urns—one for coffee and one with hot water for those who prefer tea or other hot beverages.
Brewing Coffee in a Coffee Urn
To achieve a great-tasting coffee, follow these instructions. However, it’s important to note that the perfect way to brew coffee in each coffee urn may vary, so always consult the instructions provided with your specific machine.
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Start by opening the lid of the coffee urn and remove the filter basket and center pole (if necessary).
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Most coffee urns have level markings inside to indicate the amount of water needed for each number of cups of coffee. For a better-tasting coffee, use spring water or filtered water, and fill the coffee urn accordingly.
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Place the center pole back into the urn, ensuring it is locked into place. Then, insert a paper coffee filter into the filter basket and slide it onto the post.
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Measure the appropriate amount of ground coffee and add it to the filter basket. For best results, use freshly ground coffee with a coarse grind size suitable for filter brewing. If you prefer pre-ground coffee, ensure you choose the correct grind size for a coffee urn or percolator.
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The ratio is simple: you’ll need one-third of a cup of ground coffee to brew five cups of coffee. For a small coffee urn with a minimum of 25 cups, try using two cups of ground coffee. If your coffee urn has a filter basket cover, place it back on top to ensure the water filters evenly through the coffee grounds.
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Close and lock the lid of the coffee urn. The standard brewing time for coffee in a percolator is approximately 40 seconds for each cup of coffee. Therefore, brewing 30 cups of coffee would take approximately 20 minutes. Most coffee urns have an indicator light that signals when the brewing is complete. Once the coffee is ready, unplug the urn and start serving right away.
Important: If you plan on leaving the coffee urn on a table for self-service, ensure you remove the filter basket when it’s safe to handle the machine. Allow it to cool down for at least 30 minutes before removing the basket and used coffee. This step helps prevent the burnt taste that coffee develops when left sitting in a machine for an extended period.
For more coffee-related tips and tricks, visit the Marmalade Cafe website.
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