Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Dan,

Thanks. You've given me some things to think about & go look for.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Get the AeroPress TG you will love it. The filter works no matter how fine the grind is.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Thanks Dan, I really like that bean and feel I have the roast for it down.

I never thought I would get a Brikka nor would I have thought it could produce different results then a Moka pot but I got one and it does. I use the Brikka mostly for light roasts (city to city+) and for brighter coffees that I find bitter in the moka pot. IMO the difference between a Moka pot and a Brikka brew is the brew time, the Brikka is all said and done in 10 seconds or less where my best moka results are 20+ seconds. This year it will be coming on vacation instead of any of the moka pots. I don't think it is any easier to get a good cup from then the moka pot, both require dose and grind adjustment to get them just right. The Brikka will produce plenty of false crema when fresh beans are used but that is just a visual as far as I am concerned and has nothing to do with how the brew will taste. I have had many of a false crema Moka pot that I over extracted and plenty that had none that where heavenly.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

New (old) mokapot with frother from a consignment store in Raleigh - needs a little repair on the filter but it works. $11. Too cool.

http://i51.tinypic.com/24vuwr6.jpg

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Dan I am so glad to finally find this thread. I am just beginning my coffee/espresso journey. Unfortunately I have to do it on a rather limited budget. In another thread you mentioned that my Capresso grinder is the best of the cheapest burr grinders. I was afraid to even mention my new Bialetti 3 cup pot. Now things are looking up. If my order from Unclebeanz would just arrive...

Thanks.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Have at it, brother bean. No moka question to big - none too small. I love sweating mokapot details. :D

If you are not already a wizard, practice with a bag of the cheap grocerystore shine-ola before Norman's stuff shows up. Who knows - you might like it! I cop stellar moka from grocery beans once in a while. :tu

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I would love to see a video of that thing in operation. Neat design.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I'm trying to edit a (regular) mokapot "How to" for youtube right now. I might do one for this pot next year. I fooled with it the other day and managed to get a shot out and managed to froth milk about 20% of the way. It was pretty stinky coffee though, even after I cleaned it out. It needs a little, uh... conditioning.

Best as I can figure, you fill it with water to the desired line inside the lower pot (3, 6 or 9 cups) and fill the basket with the requisite amount of grinds. You then screw down the top, close the steam wand knob-valve, open the coffee knob-valve and fire the mother up.

When coffee is done flowing you must close the coffee valve and wait for a few minutes to build up steam and hear a rumble. Put a frothing pot under the wand, crack open the wand knob-valve and blow some steam. Presto-presto.

I gotta say this... When something is as rare as this pot it must have gone away for a reason, right? There is the original Atomic or the Bellman reproduction but - seriously - who uses one of those? :rolleyes:

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I've just finished reading this thread (again) in its entirety, and you have my interest. I have nearly given up on finding a 2-cup bialetti (or other), so I suppose a 3-cup will have to do. I have a feeling it's going to be more than I really want on a regular basis, though.

I currently run a Cuisinart DBM-8, which has always been serviceable for drip and press (thought chewy at the bottom), but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with fine grounds produced by this model. Will it perform for moka?

Alternately, I may have the opportunity to make a choice between some mid-range grinders, and I'm wondering if it's really necessary.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Most any burr grinder will make a very passable moka; should grind quality improve with acquisition of better or exotic mills down the road you can then make miraculous claims. Until then, expect a good moka. I think a whirley blade pretty much craps out on moka, however.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Much appreciated. The grinder upgrade is set for an, as yet, undetermined point in the presumably near future, but I didn't want to purchase a stovetop set that's going to be useless with my setup. I like to think I've gotten used to drinking darn good coffee, and I don't want to diminish the product, if you read me.

Now, Bodum offers a stovetop unit that is comparable in size to the 3-cup Moka. Has anyone tried it out? The aluminum pot runs about the same price at this size.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

That's a sporty little three cup stainless pot for $70; they are very proud of it. Seems like the Bialetti aluminum three-cup pots are more like $25 or less; Fantes show a six-cup ss pot (and the rarely-seen ultra cute aluminum 1-cup Express for $9.99) for $53.

http://fantes.com/espresso-stovetop.html

http://remodelista.com/products/bodu...stovetop-maker

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Ooh, lawdy mercy! No, I was looking at this one here for about $25 shipped. I'm getting the Bialetti...I was just curious about the Bodum, since I've enjoyed my press so much.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

So last Saturday I bought a cheapo ceramic moka pot (cups and plates included), which made so-so Italian coffee. It turned out that the upper ceramic portion was glued together with the lower aluminum portion of the pot, and after three runs on the stove it unglued, leaving me with with quite a mess to clean in my kitchen.

I went to the department store where I bought it, exchanged it for a Bialetti Moka Express and bought a set of proper espresso cups. I came back, threw away the first brew and then... wow! What a coffee! Huge thanks to Mr. Moo for his detailed procedure and indications. I still have dial in the crema, but it's far better than most espressos I've ordered in restaurants or coffee shops.

BTW, nice write-up about the Moka Pot here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennif..._b_744350.html

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Cool beans.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Is Isuma a good brand? I am at Target right now and they have one.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

No idea. I am a Bialetti Express man.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

This was half the price and stainless steel so I bought it and some cheapo Cafe Bustelo since I am new to this I didn't want to go in all the way and buy the $30 Bialetti and the really expensive coffee. This stuff is really good though! I am going to make it Cuban style tomorrow morning (I think that is what it is called with the sugar and such?) as well as look up new techniques. I just followed the one in the instructions. I know that most have said that aluminum is ideal but I am a health freak at times so I went with the stainless steel. :tu I will have to re-read this thread.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

It's a four cup so I suppose I am a ex-crack addict. I just figured that my girlfriend or one of my roomates might want some and I can make it a cafe americano right? Just add hot water?

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Dan, will an upgrade from a Maestro to a Rocky make any difference with mokapots? Need to upgrade soon
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Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

D'ohhhhh... probly not.


Espresso? Absolutely.
Longevity? For sure.
Somewhat less sludge in press and moka? Ja, shure.

Maestro, if somewhat noisey and slow compared to pro-sumer grinders, is pretty darn good.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Ok, I was hoping for a good reason to buy a rocky:D Maybe I will save a bit and buy a Gaggia Classic or Ranc. Syl.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Okay what am I doing wrong? My coffee has been coming out warm and not hot. Should I do a lower heat setting? That might sound odd but my coffee has been brewing quickly so I am thinking maybe I have it on too high of heat and it is making it brew before it is boiling? Any thoughts? To me it tastes great but I could be doing it totally wrong lol

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

After several minutes of medium heat to develop brewing pressure I try to brew a 3-cup mokapot for 45-60 seconds. With a gas burner that means low-low flame as brewing commences; with an electric range it usually means lifting & lowering (or sliding the pot away from the burner "hot spot") to control brewing temp. That brew rate isn't much more than a dribble.

The process gets the entire metal pot far too hot to touch (125*F = ouch). My pour is always hot - even it I wait minutes before filling a cup. If you have a problem with cool brew, try preheating your mug with boiling water while your coffee is brewing. MMoo

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I will try it on lower heat. Thanks. I tried it a little lower and it was better. I had it on medium I'll try low low. :tu

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Is this different than the video you posted a couple years back that is linked in this thread? I don't think the brew time was that long in it.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

vid was a 1-cupper.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Ah, that explains it. This is a 4 cup pot. I made some this morning using low low heat on my gas burner and it was much hotter and developed a tiny bit of crema on top. :tu I will keep experimenting with it until I get it right. That is only once a day thought because I don't think I can handle 8 cups in one day. The four is great for jump starting my mornings. :tu :r

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

My family had celebrated Christmas early this year due to conflicting schedules next week and I was lucky enough to get some new coffee gear.

First cup out of the Mokapot turned out pretty good thanks to all the enough in this thread!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ars/Coffee.jpg

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

That's exactly what I was looking at next. I gotta upgrade to a burr grinder first and then a moka pot. Nice Xmas presents you got right there!

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

:wo:wo:wo You got a great gift! Congrats!

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I bought a cheap 3 cup moka pot when i was out in a dept
store one day. (i.e. Ross) I never fired it up, so i don't know
if it was a good deal or a waste of money. I'll have to pull it out
take a pic, and let you guys chime in on it!

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

The cup you drink will tell all, who'ni.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Received a 3 cupper Bialetti for Christmas. I have a few questions, first is the rubber o ring needed? I brewed 2 pots with it and it did not melt so I assume it is fine, I just ask since I have not seen it mentioned. 2nd until I get a burr grinder I am using some lavazza espresso grind that was so so but had a pretty sour note to it. I also took apart a few of my K-cups and used that as well since the grind seemed right, but that was WAY sour. Based on the sour taste should I turn up or down the heat?

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

About a week ago i destroyed my french press trying to get the last bit of tea out of some wet leave in the bottom. I made breakfast, and wanted some coffee so I found my Moka Pot. (It's a Primula Espresso 3cup Aluminum Pot)

I washed it out in Hot water, and Ground up Some Beans and i'm about to give it a go. I'm going to find Mr. Moo's instructions and let 'er rip! I'm assuming that the first pot is for "seasoning purposes" because the box said not to drink it!:r

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Flat rubber gasket at base of filter? I can't imagine how the pot could pressurize without it.

I heat up the pot as fast as possible (for convenience) and, when I hear the rumble (or see the first spit of coffee or steam out the post) then drop the flame (or lift the pot away from the element on an electric stove) to slow it down and produce a slow trickle of coffee - 45-seconds worth for a 2-3 cupper, approx.

Burnt or bitter taste is usually too much heat. Slow down.

Sour taste is usually underextraction - too fast a brew and/or not enough coffee in the filter. Also, stop the brew to avoid the extraction running pale or clear. That last clear bit doesn't help.

Merry Christmas, coffee nutjobs. :cf2

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

The coffee came out alright if I say so myself Dan! I used a traditional Blade
grinder, but i took a little extra time mixing the grinds to get them as fine as
possible. I will be on the hunt for a "burr" grinder as this will now become my
primary way of making coffee until I buy another french press. (Which will have to be soon because that is how I make my tea!)

One observation though. The "yield" was only about a 3rd of a cup! So it was
definitely espresso that I was drinking. Do you let the pot cool down, and cook
another pot if you want a bigger cup of coffee? (Or should I just buy some espresso cups and saucers and call it a day?)

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

I'm thinking I get about 1.5 oz per moka cup or about 4-5 oz from a 3-cupper. While I love the taste, two 3-cup pots is all I can drink because three makes me start to vibrate and levitate. I drink one slow and still end up running the pot under cool water so I can handle it for another; they do stay hot for a long time, don't they? I use a second pot if Mrs. Moo wants in.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Has anyone weighed out how much coffee they end up putting in their Moka pot? I just got the three cupper in the mail and ran two throw away batches through it. I had weighed out 30g of beans and ran them through the grinder on the finest setting. That gave me almost enough for the two pots, the second being a bit thin compared to the first. So I'm thinking about 17g per pot would be about right. Just wanted to see if I'm on the right track.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Thanks for the input guys. I've only been measuring out my beans cause thats all I'll grind at a time. Plus it helps me with consistency. I'll give your method a try tomorrow Mark.

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

:confused:...Not tonight?;)

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

Is there any concern of toxicity from the aluminum of a moka pot?

Re: Mokapots, Moka, or Stovetop Espresso, Period.
 

About the same as smoking pipes and cigars, mebbee. ;)

Don't scour but once. Thereafter, only rinse the lower and rinse and dry-wipe out the upper.