The Santos Vacuum Coffee Maker: Still a Favorite After 60 Years

If you’ve ever wondered why some vintage coffee makers still show up in kitchens decades later, the answer might be simpler than you think: great design, reliable function, and pure coffee flavor. One such brewer has stayed in production and in homes since the late 1950s—not because of nostalgia, but because it works exceptionally well.

The BODUM Santos—now called the PEBO—remains one of the most popular vacuum coffee makers in the world. Designed in 1958 by Klaas Klaesson, it uses a transparent glass design and vacuum brewing to fully preserve coffee aroma, and can brew 4 to 8 cups in just 5 to 11 minutes depending on water volume.

What Is the Santos Coffee Maker?

The Santos coffee maker—now known as the PEBO after rebranding—is a vacuum-style brewer originally designed by Danish designer Klaas Klaesson in 1958. Its standout features include a sleek, minimalist form, full transparency, and a vacuum brewing mechanism that extracts coffee without direct heat on the grounds, preserving aroma and clarity of flavor.

The original design aimed to deliver a clean, bright cup while allowing users to watch the entire brewing process. The two-chamber system uses vapor pressure to push hot water through coffee grounds, then draws it back down as it cools, completing the extraction.

How Vacuum Brewing Works in the Santos

Vacuum brewing, also called siphon brewing, relies on a two-chamber system where water is heated in the lower globe, creating vapor pressure that forces it up into the upper chamber where it mixes with ground coffee. Once removed from heat, the vapor condenses, creating a partial vacuum that gently pulls the brewed coffee back down through a filter.

This method extracts coffee evenly and avoids over-extraction or scorching, resulting in a clean, aromatic cup. The Santos implements this with a glass construction, allowing you to observe the full process from heating to brewing to siphoning.

Why the Santos Has Stayed Popular for Decades

Since its launch in 1958, the Santos/PEBO has maintained popularity due to its functional design and brewing quality. Its transparent body lets users see the coffee bloom and extraction in real time—an engaging experience for coffee enthusiasts.

BODUM has periodically updated materials and refined the design for greater durability and elegance, but the core vacuum brewing technology remains unchanged. The ability to brew between 4 to 8 cups in 5 to 11 minutes, depending on water level, also adds to its practicality for both solo drinkers and small households.

How to Brew With the Santos/PEBO Today

To use the Santos or PEBO today:

• Fill the lower chamber with fresh, filtered water (measure based on desired cups: 4–8 cups in 5–11 mins).
• Add medium-fine ground coffee (similar to pour-over grind) to the upper chamber.
• Assemble the brewer and place it on heat. Water will rise into the upper chamber as it heats.
• Once the water has fully transferred and the coffee begins brewing, turn off the heat once you see bubbling slow.
• Allow the coffee to siphon back down into the lower chamber. This usually takes 5–11 minutes total.
• Serve and enjoy a clean, aromatic cup with full retention of coffee’s volatile compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the original name of the BODUM PEBO?

The BODUM PEBO was originally launched in 1958 as the Santos coffee maker, designed by Klaas Klaesson. It has kept the same core vacuum brewing technology but was later rebranded as PEBO by BODUM while retaining its iconic design and functionality.

How does the Santos coffee maker brew coffee?

The Santos uses a vacuum brewing method with two glass chambers. Water is heated in the lower globe, rises into the upper chamber to mix with coffee grounds, and then is pulled back down by vacuum pressure as it cools, extracting coffee cleanly and efficiently.

How long does it take to brew coffee with a Santos?

Brewing time with a Santos coffee maker ranges from 5 to 11 minutes, depending on the amount of water used. The brewer can make between 4 to 8 cups in that time frame.

Is the Santos coffee maker still in production?

Yes, the Santos coffee maker is still in production today under the name PEBO by BODUM. While the original 1958 design has been updated with more durable materials and refined aesthetics, the vacuum brewing method remains unchanged.

Can you use any coffee grind with the Santos?

The Santos works best with a medium-fine grind, similar to what you’d use for pour-over brewing. Too fine a grind can clog the filter, while too coarse may result in under-extraction.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Vacuum Brewing

For your Santos or PEBO vacuum coffee maker, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nuttiness. Both single origins highlight the clean extraction that vacuum brewing is known for. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.