Jan 21 2009
Stovetop Espresso Maker
Not interested in a big, expensive or fancy espresso machine but want a simpler option? There are actually small espresso makers that just sit there silently on your stovetop, and don’t have a single feature beyond the brewing of espresso.
They are sometimes called stovetop espresso makers, or sometimes moka pots. These stovetop espresso makers all look somewhat the same because it’s their shape that makes them work. They look a bit like a metal teapot, but with a narrow spot on the middle, like an hourglass. Bialetti makes the most common models, and you would recognize the faceted design. They come in various sizes. Most are designed for single cup brewing, but there are larger models out there if you need to brew for a group.
You will be surprised at how simple they are, and how easy they are to use. Here’s the basic process:
The moka pot unscrews in the middle, leaving you with a bottom and top chamber, and a little funnel that fits in the space between the two. Fill the bottom with water, and fill the funnel filter with finely ground coffee. Give it a good tamp so the grounds are firmly in place. Drop the funnel into the neck of the water chamber, and screw the top piece back on. Now it’s ready to brew.
Place the filled pot on a stovetop, with the heat up fairly high. Within a few minutes, the water will start to boil and build up some steam pressure in that bottom chamber. Hot steam and water are forced up through the ground coffee. And presto, fresh espresso is deposited up in the top section of the moka pot. The pot has a little spout so you can pour it directly into your demitasse cup and enjoy.
The pressure is lower than with an electric machine, so there won’t be any foamy crema on top of your espresso and it won’t be quite as strong. Obviously there are some pros and cons to using a stovetop espresso maker.
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