The Café Brew PK008 is the clearest specification-based pick for most buyers: it holds 8 cups (40 oz), has a borosilicate-glass body, and is described for gas and electric ranges. It is not induction-compatible, and its included trivet must be used on exposed electric coils. If you want stainless-steel components and a smaller 1 L capacity, consider the NONNA 2.0—but its maker says induction performance varies by unit. Neither model has been established as a taste-test winner; with a percolator, coffee dose and brew time are the practical controls for strength.
Which glass percolator should you choose?
Choose by batch size, cooktop, materials, care, and access to model-specific replacement parts—not an unsupported claim that one tastes best. A glass body lets you see the coffee cycle, but the basket, stem, lid, handle, and other parts may be made of different materials.
| Model | Capacity and materials | Cooktop notes | Care and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café Brew PK008 | 8 cups / 40 oz. Borosilicate-glass body; polypropylene stem, basket, and lids; phenolic handle. | Manufacturer describes gas and electric range use. Not for induction. Use the included metal trivet on exposed electric coils. | Manual says top-rack dishwasher safe. Manufacturer lists a PK008 basket set and trivet. |
| NONNA 2.0 | 1 L / 34 fl oz. Borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and silicone. | Gas, electric coil, and glass-top electric are the best-supported options. It is not natively induction-compatible; the maker says an included diffuser may work, but results vary by induction unit. | Maker recommends hand washing and lists a replacement stem and basket for 2.0. These parts do not fit the original NONNA. |
Best fit for a larger batch: Café Brew PK008
The PK008 is the more straightforward choice if its 8-cup/40-oz capacity suits your household and you use a supported gas or electric range. Its manufacturer provides a product manual with brewing, handling, and care instructions. Check your cooktop and read the current manual before buying or using it: Café Brew 8-cup glass percolator.
It is not for induction. On an exposed electric coil, the included metal trivet must sit between the coil and the glass. The manual gives additional range-use instructions; follow those for your setup rather than assuming every electric surface is equivalent. Inspect the pot before use, and do not use it if cracked, nicked, or scratched.
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#1 Best Overall
- 8-CUP GLASS COFFEE PERCOLATOR: Brews up to 8 cups of coffee using the traditional percolation method; clear glass coffee pot allows easy viewing of the brewing process
- GERMAN BOROSILICATE GLASS: Made from SCHOTT DURAN borosilicate glass sourced from Germany; heat-resistant glass construction designed for stovetop coffee brewing
- FDA-APPROVED BREWING COMPONENTS: Basket, stem, and stand made from FDA-approved, BPA-free polypropylene; food-contact-safe components designed for coffee brewing
- STOVETOP COMPATIBILITY AND EASY CLEANUP: Compatible with gas, ceramic, and electric stovetops; BPA-free coffee percolator is dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning
- USA ASSEMBLED DESIGN: Assembled in the USA with a durable phenolic handle, metal heat diffuser, and quality components; designed for everyday stovetop coffee preparation
Best fit for stainless-steel components: NONNA 2.0
The NONNA 2.0 combines a borosilicate-glass body with stainless-steel and silicone components and holds 1 L (34 fl oz). It is a materials-focused alternative, not a proven flavor upgrade. The maker describes gas, electric coil, and glass-top electric as the best-supported cooktops. For induction, it says the brewer is not natively compatible; an included diffuser may work, with results varying by induction unit. See the maker’s specifications and model-specific parts information at NONNA 2.0 glass coffee percolator.
How to choose for your kitchen
- Batch size: The PK008 is specified at 8 cups/40 oz; the NONNA 2.0 at 1 L/34 fl oz. Choose based on the amount you typically brew.
- Cooktop: Match the maker’s instructions to your exact stove. The PK008 is not for induction and requires its trivet on exposed coils. NONNA 2.0 induction use is qualified rather than assured.
- Materials: If you want to know what touches water and coffee, compare the full component list—not just the glass body. PK008 has polypropylene brewing components; NONNA 2.0 uses stainless steel and silicone as well as borosilicate glass.
- Visibility: Both let you observe brewing through glass. That makes it easier to judge color, but does not by itself establish better flavor.
- Care and parts: PK008’s manual permits top-rack dishwasher washing; NONNA recommends hand washing. Replacement components are model-specific, so confirm the exact model before ordering.
How to adjust the PK008 for stronger or milder coffee
The Café Brew/Medelco manual recommends one rounded tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per cup of water as a starting point. Use more or less to suit your preference. This ratio and timing apply to the PK008; follow another model’s own manual.
Rank #2
- Nostalgic Flavor - This retro glass coffee percolator makes coffee on your stove just like your Nonna used to! Bring back old traditions and brew coffee with this glass stovetop percolator!
- Meet The Nonna 2.0 - Welcome the Nonna 2.0, the successor to the first Nonna glass coffee percolator! This model now addresses the original design flaws of both the classic glass coffee percolator and the first version of our Nonna!
- Plastic Free - BPA and heat simply don’t mix. Say goodbye to odd compounds and chemicals in your morning cup by brewing with our traditional materials, ensuring purity in every sip.
- Made From Glass, Stainless Steel, and Silicone - Our coffee maker contains no plastic. Your Nonna 2.0 includes a glass pot, a glass lid with a silicone seal, a glass stem, a glass coffee basket with a metal bottom and lid, and a metal heat diffuser.
- Glass Percolator - Makes 4 cups of rich, flavorful coffee in 10 - 15 minutes. This coffee percolator is delicate, as it’s made mostly from borosilicate glass. Please handle with care and follow all safety warnings!
- Add water and coarse grounds according to the PK008 manual, starting with one rounded tablespoon per cup of water.
- Heat the pot as directed for your cooktop. Once bubbling begins, continue percolating for up to 6–10 minutes maximum, as the manual specifies.
- Watch the color and remove the pot from the heat when it reaches your preference. The manual says, “The longer the coffee percolates, the stronger the flavor,” and instructs users to remove it once it has reached the preferred color.
Changing dose and percolation time gives you two ways to adjust strength. If a brew tastes too intense, reduce the coffee amount or shorten the time; if it tastes too mild, adjust in the opposite direction. These are practical adjustments, not a guarantee of a particular flavor profile.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safe use and model-specific replacement parts
For the PK008, never heat the pot empty or place a hot pot on a cold or wet surface. Use the included trivet on exposed electric coils, and use only included or manufacturer-approved replacement parts. The manual’s full instructions are available at the Café Brew PK008 manual.
Rank #3
- COLOR: Black
- Made from lab-quality borosilicate glass
- Handle designed to stay cool to the touch
- Can go from stovetop to tabletop to fridge without cracking
Buy replacement parts by exact model: Café Brew lists a PK008 basket set and a PK008 trivet. NONNA lists a stem and basket for NONNA 2.0; the maker states these components do not fit the original NONNA. Do not assume parts interchange between models.
What “best” can—and cannot—mean here
Available manufacturer specifications and instructions support a comparison of capacity, materials, cooktop guidance, care, and parts. They do not establish which percolator makes the richest or best-tasting coffee in a controlled comparison. The PK008 is therefore a practical specification-based recommendation for buyers who want its larger stated capacity and can use a supported stove; the NONNA 2.0 is a materials-focused alternative for buyers whose cooktop and care preferences fit its instructions.
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