Stovetop Espresso Maker

By: AP. Asuti

Stovetop espresso makers are known by various names for instance some call them Moka pots, while those from Italy, Spain or Portugal will refer to them with their Italian name, macchinetta which in Italian means little machine. Some Italians use the term caffettiera.

Interestingly enough the extraction ratio of a stovetop espresso maker is extremely similar to that found in the conventional espresso machines. They work through the creation of pressure via the heat that then forces the water up through the very finely ground coffee finally ending in a serving chamber. Thus, the bottom chamber of a stovetop espresso maker will contain the water. In the middle chamber, you will find a metal filter basket that actually sits into the bottom chamber where the water is kept. The top chamber will then easily screw onto the bottom chamber

The entire pot is then set on the stove. The pressure made from the steam within the bottom chamber will then force the water through a tube that runs into the filter basket, thus taking the water through the coffee grounds and the metal filter. Finally it takes the coffee to the top chamber where it now ready to serve. The macchinetta also has an emergency steam valve so that if for some reason the water cannot run through the grounds, because the grounds are too firmly packed for example, then the steam will escape through that valve.

You may have heard that the Italians refer to the caramel colored coffee as crema, because it becomes a different consistency than just colored water, for instance. A macchinetta or Moka pot can produce that style of espresso if finely ground coffee beans are used, and not coarsely ground as American coffee is. When not referred to as crema, coffee purists sometimes call it a foam emulsion.

Because the newer macchinettas are made of stainless steel, often there is a bit of bluing on the stovetop espresso maker. This can be cleaned with a bit of silver polish. Cleaning the rest of the machine is as simple as could be. You simply wash all of the parts in hot sudsy water, rinse and dry. Around the round flat filter plate will be found a small rubber gasket. Every once in a while remove the gasket using a pointed knife or a fork tine to pry it up, clean it and replace. You will know that the gasket needs replacing when the steam begins to escape around the screwed together portions of your stovetop espresso maker.

ou may also wish to soak the entire stovetop espresso maker in a vinegar and water solution occasionally to remove any hard water deposits from the inside of the coffeemaker once in a while. Be sure to rinse well and dry afterward.

Other post you may be interested in reading: coffee cup software and cuisinart coffee makers

Stovetop Espresso Maker

stovetop espresso makers

Stovetop Espresso Maker

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