Espresso coffee makers or moka pots are an essential kitchen item for any coffee lover. They allow you to make your favourite coffee drinks at home, without having to go to a coffee shop. Brewing fresh coffee on your stove is not only a cost-effective way to enjoy quality espresso at home but can be a very enjoyable and almost therapeutic experience for a coffee-lover.
Understaning how Stovetop Espresso Makers work
Stovetop espresso makers have a chamber at the bottom where water is heated. The chamber is connected to a tube that goes up the middle of the pot. Coffee grounds are placed in a filter basket on top of the tube. When the water boils, it creates steam pressure that forces the water up the tube and through the coffee grounds. The coffee then drips back down into the pot creating a smooth and aromatic flavour with even crema on top.
Is stovetop espresso actually espresso?
While it is common to refer to moka pot coffee as stovetop espresso, this is actually a misnomer. The coffee brewed by a stovetop coffee maker is not actually espresso but rather an espresso-like coffee as it can only be made with machine with a pressurised brewing process. The rich, concentrated coffee produced delivers an intense and robust flavour that renders it similar to espresso but with a lighter and more well-balanced taste. This strong coffee can be enjoyed as is, with milk or sugar, or even diluted to a more suitable taste.
How do you make stovetop espresso?
When it comes to coffee, there are all sorts of different ways to make it. But if you want to make a stovetop espresso, there are just a few simple steps you need to follow.
First, you'll need to preheat your water. Fill up your espresso maker with water and set it on the stove over medium heat. Once the water is hot, turn off the heat and let the pot sit for about 30 seconds. This will help ensure that your water is at the perfect temperature for making espresso.
Next, add your ground coffee to the filter basket. Make sure that you use a fine grind for the best results. tamp down the grounds so that they're evenly packed, and then screw on the top of the pot securely.
Place the pot back on the stove over medium heat and wait for it to start boiling. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 4-5 minutes. You'll know it's done when you see a thick layer of crema (the coffee's natural oils) on top of the espresso.
Carefully remove the pot from the heat and pour yourself a delicious cup of espresso! Enjoy as is, or add milk and sugar to taste.
Choosing the right size stovetop espresso
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a stovetop espresso maker in order to get the perfect size for your needs.
The cup size
The first is the number of cups you want to be able to make at once. A single cup maker is obviously going to be smaller than one that can make four or more cups. Are you making espresso for yourself regularly or for several people? As a rule of thumb, it's usually best to have a 2-cup espresso maker for the weekdays and potentially a larger 6 to 10-cup espresso maker if you serve espresso regularly with guests.
Your stovetop hob size
Another factor to consider is knowing the size of your cooktop or more specifically, the hob sizes. If you have a small cooktop, then you'll need to get a smaller espresso maker so that it fits.
Storage space
Finally, take into consideration how much counter space or cupboard space you have. If you have limited space, then you might want to get a compact espresso maker that can be stored away easily.
With all of these factors in mind you should be able to decide on the right size stovetop espresso maker to suit your needs and kitchen.
Other kitchen accessories to complement your stovetop espresso maker
To ensure you get the best out of your espresso maker, it's always wise to have fresh ground coffee so to get the best-tasting espresso but you should also consider:
Pantry Storage
Reusable Coffee Cups
Coffee Cups
Milk Frothing Jugs
Stovetop Kettles
Serving Trays
Our Favourite Espresso Maker Brands
Avanti
Alessi
Fagor
