Espresso Maker Stovetop Style

Stovetop espresso is a term that is used a lot to describe coffee made from the Bialetti stovetop Moka pot coffee maker design. I thought we’d discuss this remarkable machine today because I really like it.

Let’s clear something up first. This is not espresso. The end product from a so-called espresso maker of the stovetop variety has nothing to do with espresso. What it does make is a very good, hearty cup of coffee in the Italian style, and everyone should check it out because it’s fantastic.

It is said that these pots are in 95% of all homes in Italy and that this is the way the Italians usually make their coffee. They come in several styles, sizes and designs but all are basically the same in terms of their mechanics. They are all three chambered devices with a flat bottom. Water goes in the bottom chamber. Ground coffee goes in the middle chamber and the top chamber receives the brewed coffee.

Stovetop Espresso Diagram

Fill the bottom section with water and put the medium fine ground coffee in the metal basket. Screw the middle section onto the bottom and the top section onto the middle and place the entire thing on the heating element. As the water heats, it is forced upward through the coffee and then through a pipe where it cascades into the receiving chamber up top. This chamber also serves as the carafe. All the chambers stay connected while you pour and the lid is attached with a hinge, so the whole thing is basically self contained.

During the brewing process it gurgles, spits, puffs and lets you know that it is working. When the sound stops, your coffee is done. Very cool. The machine does its work quickly and is reliable and consistent every time. You know exactly what you are getting each time you use this coffee maker. The outcome is a dark and somewhat thick cup of coffee that is excellent with sweet desserts.

The Bialetti Moka Pot

The classic, eight sided aluminum Moka pots were first patented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. The Bialetti company continues to produce this model and now several others as well. I for one think they are very beautiful and I have at least 6 of these in different sizes. I use them often because they are fast, simple to use and make great coffee. When we aren’t using them they are on display in the kitchen.

Moka pots are almost like art to me so I have several different styles. They now come in more modern stainless steel designs which are also quite nice. These are of sturdier construction than the traditional aluminum but do take slightly longer to heat up because the metal is thicker. Here are several images to illustrate some different styles available today.

One other thing. When you buy one, check the cup size they advertise. Most of them express cups in terms of a small 2 oz. espresso cup, so a 4 cup machine isn’t going to give you 4 cups. I recommend going for the larger sizes so that you can share this wonderful coffee with someone special.