The Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
The Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker originated in Italy when Alfonso Bialetti created his stovetop coffee maker in 1933. Ever since, the espresso coffee makers have been a staple part of the Italian household with the majority of homes containing one. As far as most people are concerned when you talk about Italian espresso you will find that they have come out of a Bialetti stovetop espresso maker.
It probably should be pointed out that if you were in Italy this would be known as a Moka machine which is what we know as an espresso.
The Bialetti espresso maker is made out of aluminum and is octagonal in shape, a distinctive design that is quite well known in the espresso making world. Also very distinctive is the “Little Man” logo on the side of the pot which is also a very recognisable symbol throughout Europe.
Features of the Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
This espresso maker comes in a range of sizes so it is possible to buy the one that best suits your lifestyle. If you live alone or only one person in the household drinks coffee then you will only need to buy the 1 espresso cup model. For larger gatherings you can get the larger capacity makers right up to the 12 cup model.
Coffee Maker sizes available
| No of Cups | Capacity | Height | Base Width |
| 1 cup | 2.0 fl oz / 60ml | 5 ¼” | 2 ½” |
| 3 cups | 6.5 fl oz / 200ml | 6 ¼” | 3 ¼” |
| 6 cups | 10.0 fl oz / 300ml | 8 ½” | 4” |
| 9 cups | 18.5 fl oz / 550ml | 10” | 4 1/8” |
| 12 cups | 25.0 fl oz / 775ml | 11 ½” | 5” |
Each of these coffee makers are available for sale from various online and bricks and mortar stores. More details on how you can buy one are available below.
Cautionary Notes About the Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
This coffee maker does not make espresso coffee, at least, not what espresso drinkers would call espresso. Instead it makes a dark concentrated coffee that is similar in style but certainly not the same.
Do not wash the machine with detergent, instead just rinse it under the tap.
The more often the machine is used the better the coffee will taste. If you haven’t made coffee with the machine for a while you should make a weak coffee and throw it out.
How To Use the Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
Open the coffee maker by unscrewing the top and bottom chambers. Take out the coffee basket and then fill the lower chamber with cool water. You should then fill the coffee basket with your coffee, any type of coffee will do but make sure it is medium to coarse grind or else the pot will not operate as expected.
Make sure the coffee maker has been put back together again properly with both halves joined together securely. No you can place the coffee maker on the stove over a medium flame. If the flame is too high the handle on the coffee maker will be in danger of melting.
When the upper chamber of the coffee maker is filled, usually after around 4 – 5 minutes, the coffee maker should be taken off the flame immediately. You should never boil the coffee inside the coffee maker because it will not only adversely affect the taste of the coffee but it will also damage the coffee maker.
Tags: Bialetti coffee maker, Bialetti Moka coffee maker, stovetop coffee maker