I can't say how the flavor compares with that of a percolator because by the time I started drinking coffee everyone I know was using drip, but our favorite coffee maker is the Toddy cold brew system. DH and I even prefer it to French press and Chemex (our other favorites), and it's a lot easier. We used to buy only premium coffees but now we can get a decent cup even from mass market brands (although in that case we generally stick to Colombian). With respect to appearance, it is a simple lightweight plastic cylinder with a well for its filter and a rubber stopper. Ours lives in the back of a cabinet for the many days between batches. Plus whatever container/pitcher you like to hold the concentrate (their system comes with one, but you don't have to use it). Extraction is a time-temperature trade-off, with different components extracting at different rates. Instead of subjecting the coffee to hot water for a few minutes, you extract it (a half to a whole pound at a time) in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This makes a concentrate that you keep in the fridge and mix as needed with hot water. Cold extraction is better at holding onto the volatile flavor components (after all, we mostly "taste" with our noses). The heated-just-before-drinking coffee actually tastes as good as good as freshly-ground beans smell. Cold extraction also seems to be a lot slower at extracting the bitter flavors. And using the shorter period supposedly reduces the acid for those that are bothered (I'm not, so I can't say from actual experience). I like my coffee rather hot, and my instant hot is hot enough to make a good cup with the refrigerated concentrate.

I used a system years ago and liked it, but if you love the smell of brewing coffee you're out of luck. I've copied a bit of info: Do try this at home For cold-process coffee, you need two ingredients, coffee beans and water. Buy quality beans, and make sure they are Arabica (not Robusta). It's easiest to grind them at the store since you'll be doing a whole pound at one time. Grind them on a "coarse" setting. Do not use a grind that would work in a drip maker or you will clog the filter and end up with a mess. Since coffee is 98 percent to 99 percent water, it pays to use good water. Use tap, filtered or bottled water. Avoid distilled water because the absence of minerals will leave the coffee tasting flat. You do need a special cold-process coffee maker. For a Toddy, order from their Web site, www.toddycafe.com. The decanter and brew container, plug and two filters cost $34.95. To recap, place the "brewing" container with the plug and filter in place over the carafe. Add a specified amount of water and coffee. Elapsed time, 6 minutes. The coffee "brews" for 12 hours. Pull the plug and coffee concentrate streams into the carafe. A good ratio is one part coffee concentrate to three parts water, milk or cream. In recipe form, add 1/4 cup concentrate to a mug and add 3/4 cup of hot water just off the boil for an 8-ounce mug. The concentrate is especially good for iced and frozen drinks and desserts. It really shines in iced coffee that is notorious for being watered down and weak. For parties, make up coffee ahead and store it in a pre-heated thermos carafe. It also can be frozen in ice cube trays and used as needed.

They have one of these units at my kids' orthodontists office. Lots of variety, even tea, but it is pretty expensive for psudo-instant coffee, around $30 per pound, IIRC. For that kind of cash, you can get some of the TOP rated coffees in the world. I use the TMM that Rhome mentions. I have used one for several years and am very satisfied, but that's just my opinion. Down and dirty cheap is a pour over cone with paper filters as mentioned by sfjeff. You can get a herkin' big one and brew directly into a thermos or carafe (try sweet maria's website). The Keurig offers convenience. Coffee is mediocre and expensive. But if you don't drink it often, maybe the expense isn't an issue if you're having to throw out stale coffee. Have you tried the coffee? Do you like it? If so, go for it. You can buy a "pod" that let's you use your own coffee when you've got the time and inclination. BTW, coffeegeek.com has a forum of consumer reviews for all types of coffee makers.

We have had one for almost two years. It is OK, but the tradeoff for a glass carafe is a bulky square of plastic. It takes up a lot of room in the dishwasher. My husband insists on using the gold tone filter, which just means another thing to clean - I prefer the ease of throwing out a paper filter. We have noticed that the coffee is drinkable right as you pour a cup. That seems like a good thing, but it means that the holding temp is kind of low. Hence this Christmas present to the husband: Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee Cup Warmer