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The stovetop espresso maker is an easy to use and time tested espresso maker and the great thing is it's under $50.
The Stovetop espresso maker, also known as the Moka Pot or macchinetta, has been making good espresso (caffè in Italy) in the homes of Italians ever since Alfonso Bialetti came out with the first prototype in 1933.
It has kept its classic design made of aluminum ever since.
Today, even if the Italians are getting their coffee fix several times a day at coffee bars around town, they still have a stovetop espresso maker at home. Why get this type if there are lots of others out there?
Is this the best espresso maker? No. But this Moka pot is loved by most Europeans not only because it's like any other espresso maker in terms of using steam pressure to force water through a strainer that gives rich espresso but also because it is easy to use, inexpensive and is time-tested.
Not only is the Moka stovetop espresso maker easy to use but also it is easy to clean. There are no moving parts in this stove top espresso maker and all you have to do is just connect the three chambers:
(A) The bottom chamber that contains the water.
(B) The middle chamber, which is a funnel shaped metal filter that holds the coffee grounds
(C) The top chamber where the brewed coffee is collected or ends up.
What is Espresso? It is actually used to describe the preparation of the coffee. Stovetop espresso makers aren't the only one in the market, learn more about other espresso machines here. Are there any benefits of using this type of espresso maker? One great benefit of getting this espresso maker is that it's relatively inexpensive. For less than $40 (depending on size), you can have a sturdy Moka pot that will last you for years. Since it's made of aluminum, it will be in your homes for a long time just as long as you take care of it.
The only extra cost you might incur is for the changing of the rubber gasket once every year or 6-7 months if used often.
It's hard to argue with experience in almost anything and this is the same with the Moka espresso maker. It was first popularized by its first big manufacturer, Bialetti, in the early thirties and until now almost all homes in Italy have one.
It's not the best espresso maker all right and it hardly produces any crema but it does the job especially for most espresso based drinks and it has been doing its job for more than half a century.
How does the Stovetop espresso maker / Moka Pot work?
Just like any other espresso maker the concept is similar: With a mild steam pressure, it forces hot water up from the base and through the ground coffee into the top chamber.
What you get is a the rich espresso you've wanted but usually without the crema because the pressure isn't strong enough. But with its cheap price, it's hard to complain if it gives good espresso compared with $100 and up espresso machine.
Using a Moka Pot
Here are some tips and a step by step guide to making espresso using the stove top espresso maker:
Unscrew the bottom chamber or base and remove the metal coffee filter.
Fill the bottom chamber with cold drinking water up to the line or safety valve.
Put medium-fine ground coffee in the metal filter and replace it.
Level the coffee grounds in the metal coffee filter with a knife. Do not tamp the coffee hard.
Make sure the flat round filter plate and the rubber gasket are in place underneath the central column of the upper part.
Screw on the top chamber onto the lower part and set the Moka on top of your stove with a medium-low flame.
Remove from heat after three minutes or when the coffee stops hissing or splashing inside the upper chamber.
To avoid the taste of aluminum flavor in your coffee, make sure you dispose the first three batches of coffee before your first actual use.
To make better espresso, leave the top open throughout (Do not worry as the coffee won't spray) and just lower the flame midway through.
Maintenance
Let's make sure that your stovetop espresso maker lasts you for years.
Rinse with water only; do not use soap/detergents or the dishwasher.
Avoid using high heat.
Dry with a cloth.
Replace rubber seals once a year or 6-7 months if used regularly.
Check if safety release valve is not blocked.
What are the dimensions of Moka pot?
3-cup (4.5 oz.): 6-1/4" tall
6-cup (9 oz.): 8" tall
9-cup (13.5 oz.): 9-3/4" tall
12-cup (18 oz.): 11" tall
Take a look at stove top espresso makers from our friends at Cooking.com