Coffee has remained one of the most popular beverages throughout the world. Nothing beats the invigorating aroma and taste of a well-prepared espresso. Preparing authentic espresso requires some degree of skill as well as the right equipment at your disposal.
Stove top espresso makers are one of the best, at-home, types of espresso makers available in the market today.
Let us first explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a stove top espresso pot.
The advantages include:
• Durability – The fact that stove top espresso pots are made up of aluminum or stainless steel (for the most part) makes them ‘built for the kill’ (if I could take the liberty of using that expression). You will not have to worry about replacing your espresso maker anytime soon.
• Economical – They are all reasonably priced. Much cheaper than the ones you will find at your local coffee shop.
• Maintenance – Maintenance is relatively inexpensive when compared to espresso other machines. Rubber seals or gaskets will need to be replaced. How often entirely depends on which kind you decide to go with and how often you use it.
• Portability – Add a little something extra to your next camping trip by taking a stove top coffee maker. No electricity is needed. Keep in mind that you will need to grind coffee before or use a manual coffee grinder if you are using whole beans.
• Quality - There is absolutely no compromise on the quality of the espresso that you end up with. In less than five minutes, you will be able to enjoy truly spectacular espresso if you have good quality coffee beans.
Disadvantages of stove top espresso maker include:
• Fine coffee grounds can sometimes settle at the bottom of the cup.
• A standard stovetop unit will exert a pressure of around 15 psi (pound per square inch) which is way less than the 150 psi that you get out of a conventional commercial machine.
Clearly the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and for this very reason the stove based espresso maker has grown in popularity over the years as a ‘must have’ addition to your kitchen.
Popular Brands
Alessi – Headquartered in Crusinallo, Italy and founded in the year 1921, Alessi is a name to reckon with when it comes to kitchenware. The company bagged two Green Good Design Awards in 2010, the world’s most celebrated awards for new product designs. Coffee pots designed by Alessi are an excellent example of what an espresso maker should be.
Bodum – With a rich history of over six decades, Bodum has truly stamped its class as one of the leading kitchenware company with roots in Switzerland. The ambitions of its founder Peter Bodum are now being carried forward by his children Pia Bodum (daughter) and Jorgen Bodum (son). Today, products manufactured by Bordum are sold in 55 countries. Stove top units are just one of the many excellent products that undergo rigorous testing for quality and safety before being introduced in the market.
Bialetti – Founded by Alfonso Bialetti (man behind the famous Moka Express), Bialetti stove top espresso makers are one of the most popular brands available today. Quality is the hallmark of the design of all Bialetti products. The company offers a 30 days full return policy against unused products in the event a customer is not satisfied for any reasons whatsoever.
The aforementioned brands have been in business a long time now, and can be confident that you'll get a high quality and safe product. You can quite easily pick from any of one of these get a great ‘value for your money’ purchase. Buy now and bring home an affordable and excellent alternate to the expensive espresso machine.
Lastly, let us touch upon some other important points related to the stove top espresso maker that will help you get the best experience out of your purchase.
How to use the stove top espresso maker?
These are not your everyday drip machines. If you are new to a stove top espresso machine, a bit of quick explanation is all you need. There are three main that make up an stovetop coffee machine:
- the base, where water is stored,
- the middle section, which has a metal filter for the coffee grounds,
- and the top, where the final brewed coffee ends up.
You can fill the base with cold drinking water. Most units will have a line that tells you where to stop. Finely grounded coffee can then be placed inside the metal filter. A rubber gasket and filter plate should go directly below the central portion of the top chamber. Fasten the top and you are good to go. Now place the unit on the stove with medium flame for around 3 minutes and your coffee is ready.
What is the ideal size of stove top espresso maker for me?
A stove top espresso pot which is approximately six inches in height can easily produce 3 cups of espresso. An 11 inch tall unit can easily produce a dozen cups of delightful espresso coffee.
So, what are you waiting for now? Get yourself one of the great stovetop espresso makers out there and enjoy a truly special cup of coffee.
