Brewing Guide to Stove-top Espresso Makers
Stove-top espresso makers (also referred to as espresso or moka pots) are a simple and affordable way to brew espresso style coffee at home or on your travels.
A stove-top uses steam pressure to brew a strong coffee with some of the characteristics of espresso: added texture, thickness and flavour. Therefore they make a great alternative if you don't want the expense of, or don't have the space for, a genuine espresso machine.
1. Preheat the Cups: Preheat the cups by filling them with hot water.
Small amounts of liquid lose heat quickly. So to keep your espresso hot you should always serve it in preheated cups.
2. Fill Water Tank with Water: Fill the water tank with water to just below the level of the pressure safety valve.
Please note that on some models, like the Brikka and Mukka Express, there is a line marked inside the water tank for the correct level of water. If unsure how much water to add, refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you don't like the taste of your tap water it is worth investing in a water filter, such as a Britta jug. This is particularly important if you live in a hard water area, as hard water contains alkalines which can neutralize the acids in coffee that lend it its bright and subtle flavours.
3. Add Coffee to Filter Basket: Replace the filter basket on top of the water tank and fill with ground coffee until it is level with the top of the filter basket. The coffee should be ground quite finely, but coarser than for an espresso machine.
A useful guide to the correct coarseness is the holes found in either the filter basket or filter plate. You should use grounds that are slightly larger in diameter than these holes, to prevent any grounds passing through into your brew.
Be careful when filling to ensuring that no coffee grounds get on the rim or screw thread of the water tank. Do not tamp (pack) the coffee as it needs room to expand during the brewing process.
4. Tighly Screw on Upper Part: Fasten the upper part to the water tank as tightly as you can without using the handle for extra leverage.
5. Place on Medium Heat: Put the stove-top espresso maker on a medium heat source. If using gas, make sure the flames do not extend beyond the base of the water tank.
The brewing time should be approximately 4 minutes. If the coffee comes through quicker, try lowering the heat next time. If the coffee comes through slower, try raising the heat.
Small stove-top espresso makers can be unstable on gas rings, as they are too small for the pan supports. This can easily be resolved by using a gas ring reducer, as in this picture (right).
6. Remove from the Heat: As soon as the coffee starts pouring through, remove from the heat source. Once it has stopped, serve immediately.
As the final drop of coffee that pours through will be thinner and weaker than the first drop, you may wish to give the brew a quick stir before serving.
Do not leave the coffee in the pot as it will continue to get hotter, releasing bitter and sour compounds into the brew.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Solutions |
|---|---|
| Stove-top takes more than 4 minutes to brew coffee |
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| Stove-top takes less than 4 minutes to brew coffee |
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| Liquid or steam leaks from join between the water tank and upper part |
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