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ZenoofElia t1_ix42yvs wrote

I've had my Bialetti since 2007. I'm an espresso achiever.

Replaced the handle with a tent stake in the first year and been using daily since then.

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SelfDERPecating t1_ix4m77f wrote

I could never get my moka pot coffee to taste like a true espresso. Tried so many different roasts, grinds, measurements, tamping and heating methods, you name it. I sadly can't do the caffeine anymore anyway, but would love to know any tips! (PS: love the DIY tent stake handle!)

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ZenoofElia t1_ix4nq6e wrote

I prefer lighter/medium roasts (because stronger caffeine, although I've heard not true correlation) and I call it espresso because of the extraction method, which checks out.

I grind it extremely fine (the grinder in pic does not grind fine enough) fill my holder till it's spilling over (using my left hand as a seal) and I then tamp it down. Clean the edges and put it all together. I heat it on high until I hear it crescendo and let run another 30 sec or so.

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HCHeer t1_ix593da wrote

I do the same except I let it on the stove a long time. Setting 4 out of 10 of my vitroceramic stove. The Moka brikka takes about 3 min to fill from when it starts coming out. A 2 person normal moka takes maybe 2 min. Low and slow.

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ZenoofElia t1_ix5iffe wrote

Too long and it destroys the seal. And I go on high because I'm impatient. When I had a gas stove or when I'm camping it's over medium heat.

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix5syk2 wrote

The seal as in the gasket? They are easily replaceable luckily. They seem quite durable.

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ZenoofElia t1_ix64yz2 wrote

Yes the gasket. And yeah easy to replace. Cheers!

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SelfDERPecating t1_ix4pvbu wrote

Thank you! Saving this comment if I can ever get back to having coffee again.

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cherlin t1_ix750hr wrote

Light/medium isn't really a higher caffeine content. It is true that caffeine cooks away (to an extent) in the roasting process and because of that on a per bean basis, light roasts will have more caffeine.

That being said, we typically measure coffee by weight and the more you roast coffee the lighter it becomes (moisture loss). This means that you have more physical beans for the same given weight which offsets the loss of caffeine. I.e. 20 beans and light roast coffee has more caffeine then 20 beans of dark roast, but 20g of light roast coffee has about the same caffeine as 20g of dark roast

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TivTivyMagvaEsEtke t1_ixaf19c wrote

Everything in this post is wrong, but I liked the handler

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ZenoofElia t1_ixagekd wrote

Oh okay, thank you.

The original handle broke at Burning Man and I used what I had at the time. It's been on there the last 15 years doing it's job.

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[deleted] t1_ix85lt9 wrote

[removed]

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ZenoofElia t1_ix8g87k wrote

I don't tamp hard like traditional espresso.

Until this post and peoples replies I've never heard of or called them moka pots. I bought it as an espresso maker, just fyi.

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bellbivdevo t1_ix5go3g wrote

It won’t taste like the coffee that comes out of a professional machine but it does have its own taste that I fondly associate with growing up in an Italian family. The closest you’re going to get, provided you like sugar with your coffee, is if you follow these instructions:

Put the water and espresso coffee in your moka and put it on the stove. Turn the heat on to low so the coffee comes out slowly. Leave the lid up so you can see when the coffee comes out. Have a coffee cup/glass with about 5-6 tablespoons of sugar ready. Leave the spoon in the cup.

When the coffee starts to come out of the moka, pour enough to cover the sugar but not enough to drown it. Beat the sugar until it starts to lighten in colour. It should go from the dark brown colour to almost a light brown and it should be thick but still able to flow off the spoon.

When you use it in your freshly made espresso, you should get some nice crema just like when you use a professional machine. You can save the sugar coffee by put some cling film over the cup and then beating it again when you’re about to reuse it. You could put in a drop of coffee to loosen it up too as it can get quite crusty when it dries. I hope you try it. People always love using this in their espresso because it makes it really special. Let me know if you try it out and if you like it.

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invaderzim257 t1_ix5qdrh wrote

I mean it’s not espresso; is it supposed to taste like real espresso?

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smellylettuce t1_ix6kdgt wrote

Not really, it is quite concentrated though. I like to add a bit of water for a makeshift americano. Gives me the caffeine jitters.

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix5s4l5 wrote

My method is using two aeropress filters above the basket (creates resistance) and ultra low heat (highest extraction) making a super slow flow rate. You could also try using more filters for more residence, I haven't experimented with that. Any more would feel like wasting. Also boiling water into the tank before setting into the stove.

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mileg925 t1_ix8gimg wrote

It’s not like espresso. Moka coffee is it’s own thing.

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ThroatWise4590 t1_ix4zhc6 wrote

I doubt you were doing anything wrong, some people just like that awful burnt smell and taste of a moka pot

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Kuranes_ov_Celephais t1_ix6smn8 wrote

Moka pots can't make espresso. They can make nice tasting coffee, however.

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ZenoofElia t1_ix71xtp wrote

I don’t have a “Moka pot”.

I have a Bialietti espresso maker.

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_Stamos t1_ix4cu7l wrote

Love my moka pot. Wish the handle was a little longer or something. Tricky to pour without blasting your hand with steam. This is made of stainless whereas some of them are made of cheap aluminum and do wear out quick!

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aegidipoes t1_ix5knab wrote

Well... I've been using my 'cheap aluminium' Bialetti for almost ten years now, and it's still going strong without any problems.

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ZenoofElia t1_ix72db8 wrote

Fuck everything aluminum. Is killing you.

Always pay more for stainless,

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pressed_coffee t1_ix4cn2t wrote

Stainless steel is the wise choice! It just takes one “oops I put my aluminum in the dishwasher” to realize paying for SS is worth every penny.

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rex8499 t1_ix5ztsj wrote

What happens to aluminum in a dishwasher?

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Appropriate_Meal_842 t1_ix41gvh wrote

Is that just like a coffee boiler? Or a percolator?

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Flussschlauch OP t1_ix43cr7 wrote

I'm not firm with the technical terms 😃

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot

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Appropriate_Meal_842 t1_ix43g9d wrote

Tyvm. I wanna try the whole cowboy coffee thing

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bob_smithey t1_ix4byya wrote

I mean, if you like the taste of burnt coffee that is a great way of getting it. Moka pots boil water and force it through a layer of coffee at the bottom. Shoots it into the cup part at top. Percolator boils water, shoots it on to the coffee at the top... and cycles that for a few mins. Adding a rich, smokey, acquired taste. Generally speaking, I don't think anyone prefers that style of coffee.

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MeetTheFlintstonks t1_ix4pdtb wrote

Surely this is the preferred flavor of old church ladies. I only ever see percolators at churches.

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bob_smithey t1_ix4qx3g wrote

Drip coffee was a thing in the late 70's/early 80's. I guess maybe for someone who is 60/70 it would be considered normal. It is "cheaper", no filters to buy... but the same could be said about the Moca pot. Only thing that "could" wear out is the silicone ring, which is easily replaceable.

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einsq84 t1_ix4x5a9 wrote

Congratulations. I had to replace my venus this year after 14 years of daily uses (over 15.000 uses). Bought it in 2008. I replaced the gaskets every 6 months and the sieve every 12 months.

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BornAgainSpecial t1_ix4bbwj wrote

Gaskets wear out even just sitting there. Not sure how you only replaced it once.

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CircusHoffman t1_ix4hwdq wrote

Maybe because of daily use? Things just sitting there can dry out faster then when in use.

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NESWizard t1_ix5jo3g wrote

I had an aluminum Express when living with my EX. It had a white gasket that seemed to wear out all the time. We both used it daily and we would replace it 2 or 3 times a year. When I moved out I bought a stainless steel Venus, it came with a semi-transparent gasket. I have not had to replace it the entire time I have owned it. Daily use for almost six years. Don't know what the difference is in materials is, I believe both state silicone gaskets.

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The_Revisioner t1_ix6inwm wrote

The white gaskets are rubber and will wear out pretty quick.

The clear ones are silicone and last ages.

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strawberryblu t1_ix4l2bs wrote

I once melted the handle of a Bialetti on a gas stove...

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frarrousih t1_ix8epuo wrote

We all did king, dont worry I also made one explode cause i forgot the water

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Bitter-Juggernaut282 t1_ix6tyiv wrote

During my R&R in Afghanistan, I met some Italians in the middle of nowhere. My compatriots and myself struggled finding good coffee, and the Italians I inevitably befriended served me espresso in a Bialetti. They eventually all signed it and gave it to me at the end of the expedition. It was a very insightful journey and the gesture was very meaningful. Haven’t had the heart to use it since, but damn did it make a good espresso!

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Valek1001 t1_ix4flqi wrote

I think my folks have had theirs for over 30 years

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LoginReddit404 t1_ix538sk wrote

We have this one Venus isn't it??

Ours recently broke, the safety valve is stuck. I can not find any spare parts for it. I was very disappointed. Maybe you could point me in the right direction for spare parts????

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Flussschlauch OP t1_ix55kr4 wrote

i just buy the gaskets from ebay. unfortunately I can't help you with the valves. I'd say easiest way would be writing an email to bialetti

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ringomanzana t1_ix5oobe wrote

Love this pot. Been using it for a year.

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imakesawdust t1_ix6pl5i wrote

I've had a Bialetti granite-style frying pan for 3-4 years that's easily the best frying pan I've ever used. Couldn't have cost more than $30 at BedBathBeyond but it has far outperformed my more expensive Calphalon pans. Wish I'd bought a second one because I realize that non-cast iron frying pans are not BIFL and this one works so dang good...

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activecontributor t1_ix465g1 wrote

I got a bialetti moka pot from target and didn’t last 6 months before it could barely brew a full pot, so much water just stuck in the bottom chamber :(

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix4bc2b wrote

Bottom chamber as in the boiler? That's where the water goes... How would it get stuck?

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activecontributor t1_ix4bhgi wrote

It just didn’t percolate up and out of the boiler.

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CreaminFreeman t1_ix4c5w8 wrote

Distinct possibility your temps were too high. Needs to be nearly at a boil but not a boil to push water through. I would recommend James Hoffmann’s videos on how to moka pot. I’ve gotten so much better results after watching, I use mine every single day.

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activecontributor t1_ix4ck71 wrote

Ended up getting a new one off Amazon, Bellemain, and it’s been going strong with almost daily use for 4 years now lol

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix4fg34 wrote

How would the water being too hot cause it not to brew?

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CreaminFreeman t1_ix4g5mj wrote

It’s air pressure which pushes the water through. When it boils you have water and air getting through the spout and pushing up. What you’re aiming for is nice, even, non-turbulent pressure.

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix4jn5o wrote

Regardless, super high heat will not cause it to not brew at all.

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CreaminFreeman t1_ix4jukl wrote

You’re correct, but over boiling can result in half of the water staying in the bottom. Downvoting me for it doesn’t change facts. This isn’t a disagree button, you guys.

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Strong_Addendum_890 t1_ix5dfh0 wrote

In my experience most of times it's just the filter in the upper part, the one kept in place by the gasket. It may get obstructed and sometimes i clean it with a needle. Out of curiosity, did you check for it?

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Minimalcarpenter t1_ix4f957 wrote

I'm guessing either the basket or the center tube needed cleaning. Build up can accumulate and cause congestion.

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onion_tacothecat t1_ix6f7kc wrote

Had this same issue. Each time I replaced the basket and problem was resolved. Same moka pot going on a decade now

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Dramatic_Lawyer_6932 t1_ix7cact wrote

Ah. It looks like your lit also broke off. Impossible to replace.

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Comfortable_Solid308 t1_ixaa39g wrote

How does the bottom part (where u put the water) look like from the inside? Mine got some minor rust-like spots after a couple of years of use

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grinapo t1_ixcqte8 wrote

Sidenote: in Hungary you can meet the construction („kotyogós”) made from aluminium aged 40 years or more. (Only the security valve needs replacement from time to time unless they don't care about explosions. Most people don't.)

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lazyant t1_ix57on6 wrote

And IKEA utensil thing. I start seeing them in movies, they are everywhere!

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