What is the best way to make espresso with this Bialetti Stovetop Espresso Maker?
1093295
It doesn't technically make espresso, because it can't build that many bars of pressure. It basically makes something sort of between espresso and coffee, so it's kinda like a strong coffee (hence the term 'moka'). I wrote a lengthy review on this product that includes instructions and tips, but here are some highlights: What I have found to be the best way, and also what Bialetti's website recommends, is to grind your coffee a step above espresso grind (so the lower end of fine drip) and then put it on the stove at LOW heat with the lid open. That takes about 11 minutes for me, so I set a timer for ten minutes so I am sure to be back in my kitchen in time (because once it starts brewing, it brews quickly and you want to remove it from the stove in time so the gasket doesn't burn). If it takes more than 13 minutes to brew on low heat, then your grind is likely too fine and it's having trouble building enough pressure to percolate (and it will probably taste a little burnt). If it takes 7-10 minutes on low heat, your grind is not fine enough. Do leave the lid open during brewing, both so you can see when the coffee brews and to avoid it burning. Don't use high heat, because you will very likely burn your coffee and the percolation spout (I call it a coffee volcano) could spew coffee outside of the pot and onto your stove. The handle should not be getting hot during brewing. I like to use an organic medium roast coffee bean. I've brewed some good coffee with dark beans as well, but mokapot coffee is so strong to start with that I find darker roasts are a little to rich for me.
1093296
Fill the base with water up to the relief valve. Fill the strainer with espresso ground coffee, do not pack the coffee grounds. Put pot together snug but do not over tighten. Place on burner on medium heat. Try to have the handle to the side of the burner so it does not get too hot. Pay attention to the pot, you will be able to hear it when it starts brewing. When you hear it blowing steam bubbles in the pot it is done, take it off the heat. Ready to serve.
1093297
I use Cafe Bustelo (just try it), preheat the water in the microwave before filling the base (to just below the gasket), and use medium/medium-low heat on the stovetop (your stove top will vary of course).I'd say preheating the water is the best trick. It lessens stovetop time and also (I think at least) lessens the heat which gets transfered to the coffee grounds. In brewing coffee we're interested in the heat of the water. Not the heat of the moka pot.
1093298
I can't tell you if it is the "best" way, as that is fairly subjective, but this is the way I make it:I fill the bottom with water. I like a strong brew, so I grind my beans very fine and fill the cup to the top with the ground coffee. I clean off the rim of the cup and place it inside the bottom pot. I clean the gasket on the top pot and screw the whole thing together. I turn on my stove to medium-hi and let it brew. I take the machine off of the stove when very little liquid comes out of the central tube and it is mostly steam.
1093299
I second Snowdrop's recommendation that you leave the top open while brewing. If more than a few drops are popping onto the stovetop, you are brewing too hot!
340135
Have you watched the video that comes with the espresso machine? That shows you exactly how to make a good espresso. It took me a few tries to get it right too.
1296312
Bialetti makes the stainless stove top espresso maker called VENUS, but not this exact model that will let you froth milk in the top compartment. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords;=biaretti+stainless&rh;=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abiaretti+stainless
123345
No, it's a frappuccino machine, not an espresso machine. You can use espresso grounds and blend it without using ice I guess, but that won't make a quality hot latte. It makes really good cold drinks.
2237463
I use espresso grind, not the finest. It depends on how strong you wish your coffee to be, you can use any kind but the finer grinds give you a stronger coffee. Also, the milk does not get hot in the top, just warm unless you start with warm milk.
1729579
Pour in 10 oz. (296 ml.) of water, which goes right below the valve tip. 8 oz. (237 ml.) of coffee will be extracted to the top bin. The remaining 2 oz. stays in the boiler in the bottom to keep it from warping the unit. The Amazon product details are wrong, as it is on many web sites. Do NOT fill the boiler with more than 10 oz. (296 ml.) as you run the risk of the unit exploding (do not cover the tip of the valve). The most Moka espresso you will get from the 6-cup stovetop pot is 8 oz.
899892
The Bialetti 6799 makes 3-2 oz. cups or 6 oz. totalThe Bialetti 6800 makes 6-2 oz. cups or 12 oz. totalThe Bialetti 6801 makes 9-2 oz. cups or 18 oz. totalThese cups are pretty strong so you can add more hot water or hot Milk after brewing and still have a great cup of coffee. I like about 6 oz. of coffee with about 4 oz. hot milk, tastes really good. If you want good coffee these Bialetti's are great but if you want a good espresso, then buy a good pump-driven espresso machine. Breville makes a great one.
200558
I use a rotary grinder for 10 seconds. The texture is very close to what you would use for an automatic drip coffee pot. I tried to grind the beans to a finer texture but it made the espresso bitter tasting. The 10 second method worked the best for me. You can make another batch right away by running cool (Not Cold) water on your espresso pot for a few seconds, until you can touch it. Since it's made of stainless steel, this won't affect the durability of the metal but always read and follow the manufactures recommendations.
1046927
HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high temperature. Good luck finding one I am English and had one sent out to me here in the US from London. HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high... » Read More HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high temperature. Good luck finding one I am English and had one sent out to me here in the US from London. « Show Less
1821933
You should be using a thermometer to steam the milk. My bet is that you need to take the milk to a higher temperature to get the hot espresso you are seeking.
1893102
Directions?! Just make it like you normally make coffee!! It's so delicious!!
832563
Hi Joel...I use a mix of regular french roast and espresso. Tamp lightly to settle into container and brew
1758061
I don't have any experience with induction cook tops, but if you can boil water in a small sauce pan this will work. I use one on a large commercial stove, the one I gave my brother he uses on a hot plate and my son uses his on a small gas range. A simple explanation would be that you need to control the heat source so that you are only heating the bottom of the espresso maker.
1824138
I'm looking for the same item because I have a small espresso machine that has a footprint much smaller than the smallest burner. Is there anything that's on the market for such an issue? Glass tops are a pain.
202297
I just use a good espresso coffee - (drip grind) - LaVazza is good but any good espresso will do.
2116338
Bialetti has been making Aluminum for many years. It is the gold standard for making Espresso. But, I have never had a cup from the Aluminum version. Coffee can have a Ph of 4.7 and will eventually corrode Aluminum. I bought the Stainless Venus for easy dishwasher cleaning and beautiful appearance. It is just perfect, eventually it will need a new gasket, and those are easily available. Recipes... add a teaspoon of Vanilla Ice Cream, or Chocolate. Sounds like Latte or Mocha. After all Ice Cream is milk, sugar and foam. This saves all the bubbling fuss of frothing. This is how my Italian Grandmother from Genoa Italy made it! Forty years before StarBucks. Treat yourself to some ILY Espresso beans, ground. That is about as good as coffee can get Ciao! ( sorry, I am only half Italian )
179139
i don't believ so. I think you need a conventional type of stove stop espresso maker like I use. There is a company called Bialetti. (see link) I use a 2 cup and its perfect. Hope this helps The Original Bialetti Moka Express Made in Italy 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker with Patented Valve