Coffee is one the world’s most famous beverages. It is so famous that people have come up with a lot of coffee concoctions over the years. Still, nothing beats a regular cup of joe to perk you up. There are many ways to make a cup of coffee. You can use an electric coffee machine, a french press, or a stovetop espresso maker.
The stovetop espresso maker has a lot of names: moka pot, macchinetta, and Italian coffee pot. Invented and patented by Luigi De Ponti for Alfonso Bialetti, the stovetop espresso maker is a kind of coffee maker that produces coffee by passing hot water pressurized by steam through coffee grounds. This type of coffee maker is widely used in Europe and in Latin American countries.
The stovetop espresso maker comes in different sizes that range from one to eighteen cups. The traditional stovetop espresso maker is made from aluminum and used over an electric range or a flame; however there are also stainless steel variants and electric self-heating variants.
Maintenance can be a little bit tricky. This espresso machine needs periodic replacement of the filters and rubber seal. Make sure that the safety release valve is not blocked. After the machine is used, an oily residue is usually left in the lining of the interior of the upper chamber and filter.
This residue should be kept because it helps prevent the coffee from having a metallic taste. It should be cleaned by hot water only, and all parts of the machine should be dried with a soft cloth. Make sure that it is stored properly and that there is no moisture left because this moisture can cause the aluminum to corrode.
Using a stovetop espresso maker is easy. Put water inside the boiler almost up to the safety release valve and insert the metal filter. Add coffee grounds into the filter and tightly screw the upper part of the espresso maker onto the base.
Place the whole pot in the stove over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil so it will create steam. The steam will eventually give enough pressure to force the boiling water up and through the coffee grounds and into an upper chamber where the brewed coffee is collected.
You can buy a stovetop espresso machine from kitchen appliance stores and gourmet shops. You can also look for a stovetop espresso maker in online retailers like Amazon that sells famous brands like Bialetti, Primula, and Cuisinox Roma.