Howdy, it is not a perculator. I use mine every day. Put water in pot up to bottom of spout. Then the "basket" that attatches to the bottom of the top half is where grounds go. I use a filter because these were used when coffee was ground coarse and with store bought coffe you will get grounds in your coffer without a filter.fold filter over edge of basket i use 3 scoops of grounds then attatch back to the top. Boil water in lower "pot" DO NOT put top portion with basket and grounds on top of pot.you dont want steam or water touching the coffee grounds at this time. Once water is hot, then you hold top half in one hand then pour water into top half from the pot. Then put it back on the empty pot and wait 5 minutes and you have very good coffee. Water will NOT immediatley start running out the bottom when you pour water in top half but its important to keep the grounds and filter dry because this gives you a little longer before water starts to drip out. Pour over your sink first couple times until you get used to how much time it takes water to start dripping. It is actually very simple once you figure it out and is fast. You have all the parts it came with knew in or around the 1930's hope you get to enjoy yours, mine is used everday and i love the ease of it while campin too.

On Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 11:51:12 AM UTC-5, wrote:
>
> Howdy, it is not a perculator.
>
SNIP, SNIP, SNIP.
>
Love the FIFTEEN YEAR OLD posts.
That coffee pot has probably been in a land
fill for years. And the correct spelling is
percolator.