Coffee lovers: try a stovetop espresso maker

[Majcric]

I rarely ever use my stove as I'm afraid I will burn the house down. If I do use the stove I will check the burner/oven a good 5 times to reassure myself that it is turned off. Oh and there is nothing like going to work with "did I turn that stove off" on the mind.

That pot does look nice though. As for myself I'll just stick to the Keurig.

 

[Fern]

-snip-

instead, try to find one of these

(also by bialetti, but we call the model above by the brand name, not this one)

in the top "cup", they have a longer, thinner stem. more pressure, much better coffee.



pressure.

Is that the 'Venus" model?
http://shop.illy.com/online/store/p...-moka-pot_us?gclid=CJi79cDemMoCFYU-aQod84gPkQ

Fern

 

[JM Aggie08]

While not true espresso, moka pots definitely have their place. My only gripe is that it makes the coffee entirely too hot, far exceeding the ideal brewing temperature. To each their own!

 

[MarkXIX]

I bought an Aeropress and gave it a try. I watched YouTube videos and suddenly realized that I purchased a douche magnet device. The coffee is good, but I don't use Himalayan gnu filtered water and cheetah feces beans hand ground by Northern Irish leprechauns.

 

[DigDog]

Is that the 'Venus" model?
http://shop.illy.com/online/store/p...-moka-pot_us?gclid=CJi79cDemMoCFYU-aQod84gPkQ

Fern

slight difference in looks, but yes, they work the same. what you want is the longer internal stem.
on the classic machine, it's stubby and wide. coffee passes through it too easily, while the thinner, longer stem forces the coffee to stay inside until a higher pressure is achieved, thus making better coffee.

btw..

when you use it, keep the lid open, until the coffee starts to spout out. then close it.
otherwise vapour condensation will drip back into your coffee, you don't want that.

 

[KeithTalent]

instead, try to find one of these

(also by bialetti, but we call the model above by the brand name, not this one)

in the top "cup", they have a longer, thinner stem. more pressure, much better coffee.

This is what I have. :thumbsup:

KT

 

[Eug]

We must define "hassle" differently - a flick of the wrist to dump old grounds, refill water and grounds..> Not much of a hassle to me! I suppose k-cups are easier, but I find them wasteful and the coffee subpar.

Exploding? Not a concern for me, I suppose if I had a huge one, but the 3 cup is so small (about 6 ounces? it's not 3 8 ounce cups for sure) that I don't worry. Never have I felt that it could be dangerous, the whole process is so quick (unlike a pressure cooker)

Stovetop espresso explosion

http://hattie.typepad.com/hatties_web/2008/05/stovetop-espres.html

This is just like what happened to our family member's stovetop espresso maker.


Explosion art: bialetti espresso maker explosion

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraserra/8644415361

 

[MongGrel]

The Ikea one looks interesting, do not have one myself at any rate.

I bought an Aeropress and gave it a try. I watched YouTube videos and suddenly realized that I purchased a douche magnet device. The coffee is good, but I don't use Himalayan gnu filtered water and cheetah feces beans hand ground by Northern Irish leprechauns.

Not sure what an Aeropress has to do with being a coffee snob, I use 8 O'Clock beans in mine all the time and enjoy it.

 

[Crusty]

FWIW those things are called Moka Pots and they do not make espresso, just a really strong cup of coffee. Definitely unique per the brewing technique, but its not espresso.

Espresso requires pressures that you can't reach via a simple boiling. A typical espresso is made in under 30s using high-pressure, that's just not happening on the stovetop via boiling.

If you're really set on faux espresso, I really prefer the Aeropress over a Moka Pot, the ease of cleaning is probably why.(I've never had mine explode on my ceiling at least...)

 

[MongGrel]

They are the Ultimate Tactical Coffee Makers.

Heh, sorry, always loved this video. Even if I do not do it all his way of course.

🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKgKX2aZCmE

 

[WelshBloke]

Stovetop espresso explosion

http://hattie.typepad.com/hatties_web/2008/05/stovetop-espres.html

This is just like what happened to our family member's stovetop espresso maker.


Explosion art: bialetti espresso maker explosion

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraserra/8644415361

I have no idea how that happens if you keep the pot clean and free from scale.

The pressure release valve would have to be scaled shut and the tube to the coffee holder or the holes in the holder would have to be blocked. I cant see how it would generate that much pressure otherwise.

 

[zinfamous]

They are the best but I became tired of using them--you need to replace the O-Ring somewhat frequently. Cleaning isn't all that difficult, but it does get tedious.

I used stove top for a while, then I moved to a decent electric one, but cleaning that was even more of a bitch because of the plastic reservoir instead of aluminum.

I've been using an aeorpress for a few years now, and it's awesome. somewhere between a percolator and a French press. Mine is crapping out though and needs a replacement: the rubber stopper seems to have worn down and now I get beverage leaking up past the seams when I push it down. But, after 3 years use for ~$30 device, that's impressive.

 

[WelshBloke]

If you're really set on faux espresso, I really prefer the Aeropress over a Moka Pot, the ease of cleaning is probably why.(I've never had mine explode on my ceiling at least...)

Moka pot is really easy to clean. Theres an Aeropress in the cupboard at work and I've always found it a right faff to use (and thats if theres any filters left for it).

 

[CraKaJaX]

I've been using an aeorpress for a few years now, and it's awesome. somewhere between a percolator and a French press. Mine is crapping out though and needs a replacement: the rubber stopper seems to have worn down and now I get beverage leaking up past the seams when I push it down. But, after 3 years use for ~$30 device, that's impressive.

Every time I use mine I always wonder how long the rubber is going to hold up for. Using the upside-down method, I'm just waiting for the day for all of the boiling hot water and grinds to come running down all over the counter. Now I know!

 

[zinfamous]

Moka pot is really easy to clean. Theres an Aeropress in the cupboard at work and I've always found it a right faff to use (and thats if theres any filters left for it).

I've used the same individual aluminum filter for 3 years instead of the disposable paper ones. Though, in an office setting, I bet that thing would be lost (via trash c--excuse me: rubbish bin) within a day.

 

[zinfamous]

Every time I use mine I always wonder how long the rubber is going to hold up for. Using the upside-down method, I'm just waiting for the day for all of the boiling hot water and grinds to come running down all over the counter. Now I know!

it may not actually be the rubber on the plunger, but the polyprop or polysilawhatever plastic they use for the main reservoir. It has very obvious striations along the sides--so some type of compromise via heat and/or horrible chemicals infused into the cheap coffee that I buy.

 

[MongGrel]

Moka pot is really easy to clean. Theres an Aeropress in the cupboard at work and I've always found it a right faff to use (and thats if theres any filters left for it).

Filters are pretty much dirt cheap though.

Once you get the hang of the upside-down thing easy to use also.

And very easy to clean. *foop*

When mine fails in the future I'd buy another myself, but mine is still in pretty good shape.

 

[zinfamous]

what is this upside down method you guys are mentioning?

I've never considered this.

 

[CraKaJaX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ACh1o5EgaA

 

[zinfamous]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ACh1o5EgaA

sorcery!

 

[uhohs]

I've been using an aeorpress for a few years now, and it's awesome. somewhere between a percolator and a French press. Mine is crapping out though and needs a replacement: the rubber stopper seems to have worn down and now I get beverage leaking up past the seams when I push it down. But, after 3 years use for ~$30 device, that's impressive.

You can get replacement parts from Aerobie, Inc. at 1-650-493-3050

They use to have a page where you could order the parts, but that appears to be down/gone.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ry/aeropress-parts/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Edit: Ah, https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/com...do_you_replace_your_aeropress_plunger/co23ec6

 

[WelshBloke]

I've used the same individual aluminum filter for 3 years instead of the disposable paper ones.

Cool. I didn't know they had those. How is it about filtering the really fine espresso grounds? I know that the one in my cafetiere can't handle them when I run out of medium ground.

Also I'm sure you meant to type "aluminium" there. 😉

Though, in an office setting, I bet that thing would be lost (via trash c--excuse me: rubbish bin) within a day.

This is true. That said a stove top is no go at work anyway. I might have to see if surgical swabs work next time! 🙂

 

[MongGrel]

Cool. I didn't know they had those. How is it about filtering the really fine espresso grounds? I know that the one in my cafetiere can't handle them when I run out of medium ground.

Also I'm sure you meant to type "aluminium" there. 😉



This is true. That said a stove top is no go at work anyway. I might have to see if surgical swabs work next time! 🙂

You actually get better results with the micro filter papers and they are cheap.

 

[WelshBloke]

You actually get better results with the micro filter papers and they are cheap.

That involves me being organised and buying some in advance though. 🙂

Edit: and some other ah heck not using them all up when I'm not there.

 

[MongGrel]

sorcery!

Stop at the hiss 🙂

😉