This percolator has to be seasoned/broken-in. You will not be impressed until about the 5th or 6th pot of coffee. But it is worth the wait. It has a nice weight to it and doesn't feel flimsy at all. It makes a great cup of coffee after it has been "seasoned'. I would have given it 5 stars if the components like the basket and pipette were stainless steel but they appear to be aluminum which I don't like.