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!
1624347
Can I use my bricks or does it only grind? Also, this is my first Espresso machine, I know almost nothing about them. Does it come with a good manual? Based on some reviews I read I feel I need to hold a doctorate to operate one. Tell me it aint so.
2077985
The foil isn't removed to begin with. But yes you can make espresso. You would just have to buy the espresso pods and press the espresso button
1855317
I could not see paying that much $ for a pod maker... as I found that the filter does not need to be sealed... I make sure I do not over fill with coffee and tamp it down so it is snug in the device. I have a old Starbucks Barista and they no longer make this coffee maker... I am not sure what kind of espresso maker you have but I put it up in the mechanism carefully and turn... wait until the steam/heat has decreased and lift carefully out of its tray etc...
637539
You can by them on Amazon: the right size is Bialetti Replacement Gaskets and Filter For 6 Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffee Makers. I own this product and the gaskets were a perfect fit.
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.
1939664
Hey there. I, like maybe yourself, am a gadget type of guy... I bought this machine in hopes that it would be the best espresso machine that I every purchased. I found out, like all other intricate gadgets, that this machine is very finicky. I had the same problem when I got mine unfortunately. Be forewarned that the machine will also do this if it is left on too long. Don't worry, I will get to the point of how to solve the issue soon. To keep this from happening, make sure to turn off the machine after brewing the amount of espresso or coffee that you want. I haven't timed it, but I know that the machine can stay turned off for up to 15 minutes before needing to go through another warm-up and rinse cycle. So... To solve the issue: 1. Remove the water container from the back of the machine 2. Carefully remove all screws holding the back and top of the machine together 3. Find the boilers and press the resets found under them 4. Put everything back together and it will be good Hopefully this helps. Taking the machine apart is a little confusing, but I have a system down, if it would help. Give me a shout if you need more help. 509.439.3019 -Josh
1080389
Another option...I don't even use that bothersome setup. I just stick the steamer nozzle straight into my cup of milk, froth it and then stick the cup under the espresso spout and finish up. In the meantime, I take off the steamer nozzle and go rinse it and put it back on. It's just a lot faster and less of a hassle.
1986730
The coffee taste smoother and does not have the acrid, bitter taste of a drip coffee maker. I don't think you can make espresso in this machine, as the two brewing methods are different. But you can make a very strong cup of coffee with it. My wife and I prefer fairly strong coffee and we use 12 cups of water and only fill the basket half full. Makes wonderful coffee.
1078078
Make certain espresso machine has a blow off valve. Place blank filter in handle. Pour 1 tsp in blank. Start machine, stop after 5 seconds. Continue this sequence five times. Remove handle and dispense of any remaining powder. Dump first shot of espresso.
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.
1705596
You would pop in the basket from your dual spout and pull a shot like you normally do. The difference is you will see the whole process in action as it saturates and extracts the puck. Look on YouTube and search for bottomless portafilter o naked espresso shot. I think the coffee has a more intense flavor since it doesn't hit another piece of metal and get divided. It will go straight into your shot glass. The other thing is you can understand by how the stream flows if it's over or under extracting. It should look syrupy and smooth with a tapering effect at the bottom of the stream. It's the only way I pull shots on my machine since I got it! You would pop in the basket from your dual spout and pull a shot like you normally do. The difference is you will see the whole process in action as it saturates and extracts the puck. Look on YouTube and search for bottomless portafilter o naked espresso shot. I think the coffee has a more intense flavor since it doesn't hit another piece of metal and get divided. It will go straight into your shot glass. The other thing is you can understand by how the stream flows if it's over or under extracting. It should look syrupy and smooth with a tapering effect at the bottom of the stream. It's... » Read More You would pop in the basket from your dual spout and pull a shot like you normally do. The difference is you will see the whole process in action as it saturates and extracts the puck. Look on YouTube and search for bottomless portafilter o naked espresso shot. I think the coffee has a more intense flavor since it doesn't hit another piece of metal and get divided. It will go straight into your shot glass. The other thing is you can understand by how the stream flows if it's over or under extracting. It should look syrupy and smooth with a tapering effect at the bottom of the stream. It's the only way I pull shots on my machine since I got it! « Show Less
1933407
I noticed, using the Bialetti Expresso maker, that you have to put enough water to cover the pressure valve, almost to the neck of the reservoir. You're sure to get an American 8 ounce size cup of good expresso! I also think that a high heat builds more pressure therefore brewing more coffee. Hope this helps.
1649637
You have a different maker I believe than what you mentioned here...we have a Bialetti Mocha Express. Also, we haven't used our "rubber" rings for the longest time but it is important that you google for info for your particular espresso maker and go from there.
819171
You can use cold water, but it will take more coffee to make espresso. Water temp around 185 F tends to make the best espresso. Just ask any experienced barista working at a good coffee shop.
513006
It makes espresso. You'd have to combine the espresso coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, crushed ice, and brown sugar in a blender and blend until smooth; then the final whipped cream topping. Some people just pour the espresso coffee into an ice cube tray, freeze it overnight and use the coffee ice cubes in lieu of regular ice.
2049630
Hello,I understand how it seems confusing after you get all the pieces apart and do not know how they go back together. If you have your Bialetti in three pieces, hold the top of the Bialetti upside down so you are looking at the bottom of the top portion. Place the new metal filter disk in first so the part that comes up in the middle is facing towards you. Then place the gasket around the disk. it should fit flat across the top. If you were also sent a smaller gasket portion, this goes on the filter cup (the middle piece where the coffee goes). I hope that helps.-MK