Stovetop Espresso Coffee Makers

Jeff Paulitzki was looking for an espresso machine as a gift to himself.  After recently discovering the wonders of a great espresso drink, he was determined to find a coffee maker that will allow him to brew his favorite drink at home.  However, once he had reached the store and looked at all of the different types of espresso coffee makers, he was starting to get second thoughts about it.  Everywhere he looked around, he saw elaborate automatic espresso coffeemakers that had incredible features, but at a price.  A very, very, very high price.  Although Jeff could afford one of these machines and understood that it would make him very happy to be able to drink a great cappuccino or latte whenever he wanted, he couldn't justify paying for an automatic espresso machine.  That's when he stumbled on a nifty little device: the stovetop espresso maker.

While expensive automatic espresso machines may be all the rage for appliance style mavens, you can't really go wrong with the use of a simple stovetop espresso coffee maker.  A stovetop espresso maker continues to be one of the most popular methods of making espresso in Italy and is a popular alternative to the more expensive electric espresso machines.  Additionally, the stovetop espresso coffeemaker has the advantage of versatility.  While automatic espresso coffee makers are limited to one spot, the stovetop espresso coffee maker is small and easily transportable.  A great way to make coffee while you're camping or at a place that has heat but no electricity, the stovetop espresso coffee maker is always there for you as the main kind of non electric espresso makers.

The stove top espresso coffee maker or espresso pot, as it is also known as, were among the first methods in making espressos in the nineteenth century.  Common names for this handy device include Mocha and Napolitana and this coffee maker continues to be functional in this day and age.  A small device, the stovetop espresso maker contains a few simple parts: a base, a brewing basket, basket screen, and collection chamber.

Using either fire or a stovetop as its heating source, to brew an excellent espresso with a stovetop espresso coffee maker, all you have to do is follow these steps:

1.   Fill the bottom boiler (base) with cold water up to the fill line.

2.   Place the coffee into the brewing basket then place it over the base.  It is recommended that fine or very fine coffee grounds be used with a stovetop espresso machine for the best tasting drink.

3.   Place the basket screen over the brewing basket, which will press the coffee into place.

4.   Screw the collection chamber back onto the base of the espresso machine and place it over a medium heat source.

5.   Pressure will build up in the base.  As the temperature and pressure builds up, the hot water will then force through the coffee grounds up into the collection chamber.

6.   Once all of the water has been used, coffee will be poured from the collection chamber into your cup.

7.   Sit back and enjoy a freshly brewed espresso.

In addition to its convenience, the stovetop espresso maker produces excellent coffee.  While it takes between 12 and 17 minutes to brew five cups of espresso coffee with a stovetop espresso maker, the coffee that it yields is a full-bodied one with an excellent aroma.  There are a number of excellent types of stove top espresso makers such as: Bialetti Kona Stove Top Espressos, Bialettei Moka Stove Top Espressos, Kontessa Stove Top Espresso Makers, and Kontessa Stove Top Espressos.  Stovetop espresso coffee makers can also range from stainless steel espresso makers to moka stove top espresso makers.

While coffee aficionados justifiably love stovetop espresso coffeemakers, there are still some limitations to this type of coffee maker.  One common concern that individuals that use a stovetop espresso coffee maker as their coffee brewer have is that the coffee brewed with a stove top expresso coffeemaker is a little bit muddy, as a fine powder will settle to the bottom of the cup.  Additionally, another limitation that a stovetop espresso machine has is that it takes some time to perfect coffee brewing with it.  This is because the pressure built up in a stovetop espresso machine that is essential in coffee brewing depends on the water's temperature, thus making it difficult to regulate.  As a result, there are some occasions where a cup of coffee brewed with a stove top espresso maker may exceed the ideal for brewing.  However, after some practice, you'll be able to perfect the use of this practical and charming type of coffee maker.