Presto 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-20

Summary

This is a basic stainless-steel electric percolator (Stock No. 02811) that brews 2 to 12 cups at a stated one cup a minute [1][3]. The problem owners report most is that it has no timer and no automatic shut-off, so the element runs until the cord is pulled [6][7]. The only priced consumable is Presto’s own wrap-around filter at $6.00 for a pack of 55 [5]; under about $60 it is a clear buy for someone who wants percolated coffee and does not mind unplugging it [6].

Common problems and fixes

No automatic shut-off — the dominant complaint; the pot starts heating the moment it is plugged in and only a signal light marks the end, so you must pull the plug. There is no fix, and the budget percolators in the same roundup add a timer. [6][7]
Hot pot body — owners report the body gets hot enough to scald a hand while pouring. Pour with the heat-proof handle and keep hands off the body; this is a design trait, not a warranty-covered defect. [6][7]
Perk tube seating — the basket tube has to sit in a narrow well; a misfire gives weak coffee or plain hot water. Seat the tube so its washer sits on the perk well and moves freely. [2][6]
Disc filters let grounds escape — the manual calls 3.5-inch disc filters compatible, but one owner reports grounds bubbling out of the basket. Use the wrap-around filter instead. [2][6]
Basket holes clog — the small basket holes can plug up over about a month of daily use. Clean with a wire brush or chemical cleaner. [6]
Cord and plug wear — the long-term owner replaced the cord and plug once after heavy use; any off-the-shelf two-prong AC cable fits. Not warranty-covered as wear. [6]
Bottom screws corrode — the screws under the base are not rust-resistant; the long-term owner replaced them after about four years. Not warranty-covered as corrosion. [6]

Parts and consumables

Wrap-around coffee filter (Stock No. 41551) — $6.00 for a pack of 55 (Presto, 2026-10); a pack lasts well past a month of daily use, and the metal basket can be run filterless. [5][6]
Power cord — detachable, replaceable with any off-the-shelf two-prong AC cable; the long-term owner replaced it once. [6]
Perk tube washer — the washer under the perk tube must move freely for the machine to brew; replace it if it sticks. [2]

Yearly running cost

Filters are optional: the metal basket can be used without one, and one owner accepts a few grains in the last cup [6]. Presto’s wrap-around filters cost $6.00 for 55 (Presto, 2026-10), so a household that filters spends only a few dollars a year on them [5]. The machine draws 800 W on 120 V AC and stays on while holding coffee hot, but no electricity rate is given in the sources, so a total yearly figure cannot be computed; coffee and descaling detergent are the other costs [2][3]. Not enough data for a full total.

When it is a good buy

Under about $60: a clear buy for a percolator and a full stainless pot, given the manual unplugging [6].
About $60 to the $84.99 direct price: fair; you get the one-year warranty, detachable cord, dishwasher-safe basket and perk tube, and Presto’s own filter [1][2][5].
Above roughly $100: hard to justify, because the same roundup lists the Farberware FCP412, Hamilton Beach 40616 and 40614, and Cuisinart PRC-12, which add a timer and automatic shut-off this machine lacks [7].
Presto’s own store lists the machine at $84.99 and a third-party retailer page showed $57.46 (Above Average Coffee, 2026) [1][6].
Alternatives: the Farberware FCP412, Hamilton Beach 40616 and 40614, and Cuisinart PRC-12 are the better choice when you want a timer or automatic shut-off [7].