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Stove top machines. Are they any good?

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alyssa
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 12
Expertise: Intermediate

Posted Mon Mar 10, 2003, 1:05pm Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

Mark, In my opinion the great thing about the stove top types is the ease of use, just load it up & wait for it to boil. As apposed to the French press, put the water on, wait to boil, pore, wait, then press. This place seems to be inexpensive http://www.appliances.com/1de03050000.html but this place has the best selection; Click Here (amiganien.com) One word tho, I'd highly suggest getting a stainless steal model. The quality & feel is significantly superior. I've got a 4 cup model which is good for one cup of coffee. I'm getting the 6-Cup Class Black-Handled Espresso Maker so we can have two cups at once. The 6 cup is $45 but you can get into a different 2 cup model for $26 if you just want to try it out. alyssa

Lior
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 4
Location: israel
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: 3 sizes of...
Grinder: hearthware burr delux
Vac Pot: Bodum French Press
Roaster: Hot Air Popcorn Pumper

Posted Mon Mar 31, 2003, 11:59am Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

Hi mark, I don't know if u've already got a stovetop yet, but I just wanted to say that I've been using one (well, actualy three lol) for quite some time, and I'm really satisfied from the results. Like what was said earlier - it's NOT real espresso, but it's still a very good, strong and tasty cup of coffee... there are 3 things you need to remember when using the Moka (stovetop): NEVER clean with soap (no dishwashers either). - this way it will taste better each time u'll use it. ALWAYS fill the coffee grind basket all the way to the top NEVER use a large flame which boils (thus spoils) the coffee and might damage the base or handle About choosing between aluminum or stainless steel, I'd personally go for the aluminum which provides better taste after many uses (I think i read somewhere that italians prefer aluminum for the same reason, not sure about it though). good luck, Lior.

perk
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Melbourne
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Thu Jan 29, 2004, 3:19am Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

Hi guys, Hope I'm doing this right, first timer! We are the proud owners of an Atomic coffee machine that we managed to pick up from a friend for nothing, woohoo! We have been looking for one for ages but have decided against it because of the price. Anyway, its got all its bits and we were just going to try it out but I thought I should try and find a user manual or some info on it and the process for its use. I haven't been able to find anything yet so I was hoping someone might be able to either give me a few pointers or tell me where I might find some info. eg. web site. Look forward to hearing from someone soon so we can give it a go. Thanks, Maurice

Bman
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Posts: 239
Location: Johnstown, PA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Quickmill Anita
Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Vac Pot: Nope, Bodum Press
Drip: Not any more
Roaster: I-Roast

Posted Mon Feb 2, 2004, 7:35pm Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

Hi Mark, I have a Bialetti Moka Express 6 cup model, and I love it. It produces very good flavored coffee, very similar to espresso in my opinion, without the hassle of tamp and grind etc. they are easy to use and you can take tehm camping over and open fire or gas stove, though fire may tarnish(I have not tried this but my buddy has). I even use a bean whacker to grind beans up and still get great results. I have an extra one that has only been used about a dozen times that I would be willing to part with cheap if you are interested. regardless, they are good products that make a good brew. any question let me know. Brad

CraigT
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Atlanta, GA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Isomac Tea
Grinder: Rocky doserless
Drip: Melitta cone
Roaster: Popper, HG

Posted Mon Feb 2, 2004, 9:36pm
Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

MarkWylie Said:

Hi all!

. . . they had stove top espresso machines for sale in the NZ$100 - $200 price range.

Mark

Posted January 18, 2003 link

Mark, Considering the cost, I'm not sure your "stove top espresso machine" is what we're describing as a moka pot. If the online currency converter I used is correct, NZ$100 is equal to $67 USD. $67-$134 would be pretty steep for a stove top moka pot. Aluminum moka pots are pretty inexpensive and very nice stainless ones can be had for less than $50 USD (however, I haven't shopped in your country and am unfamiliar with prices there).

That having been said, if what you're describing is a moka pot, I'd suggest you give one try (an inexpensive one). I find they do produce some crema, but I wouldn't call the result espresso. The resultant coffee is quite strong and, in Puerto Rico, where I experienced my first taste, it is highly diluted with non-frothed milk. I found the mixture absolutely delicious and immediately bought a moka pot (I think I paid $12). The Bialetti Moka Express that Brad has offered is a long-time standard.

MyronJ
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Dec 2001
Posts: 275
Location: Kibbutz Kfar Etzion-Israel

Espresso: Gaggia Espresso
Grinder: Rocky (Zassenhaus Mill Box...
Vac Pot: Aeropress..does it count??
Drip: Bialetti Kaliffa-needs a...
Roaster: IROAST, FZ-RR 700 (Havitush)

Posted Mon Feb 2, 2004, 10:49pm Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

People, pls note that Mark posted his original post in January 2003! Hope he is enjoying his Moka Pot. Maurice, however, revived the thread with his post about the Atomic...so-those who can help him out... Best, myron (Enjoying his Bialetti Two cupper)

violet
Senior Member

Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Posts: 5
Location: los angeles
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: 1948 atomic stovetop
Drip: filter cone into stelton...

Posted Sat Feb 14, 2004, 10:15pm Subject: atomic stovetop

i've got one. it sure is beautiful. but the coffee always tastes burned to me. once again, i assume i'm crazy. and since everyone else is always overwhelmed with the excitement of using it, i just suffer in silence. while i'm incredibly vindicated to learn from misfit that the coffee IS indeed burned, i'm confused by the recommendations (reprinted below). so i save the coffee from burning by leaving the portafilter thingy off until it's boiling. BUT: how will i know it's boiling? (some steam? lots of steam?) i feel like i'm not going to want to be jamming a portafilter onto the port of a steaming steam-maker, not to mention that in order to stabilize the unit while doing this i will have to grasp the metal that holds the steam... what's the difference between boiling and "enough pressure" (the time to take it off the heat) ? sorry to be a needy newbie... ______________________________________ ______________________________________ excerpt from misfit: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good? Posted by misfit on Wed Feb 19, 2003, 5:55am a few things i found that worked with my atomic, warm and fill the basket and tamp coffee lightly but DON'T place it until the water is nearly boiled, when you place the basket to early and it spends all that time while you atomic heats up it will burn. As soon as you get enough pressure get it off the heat, again don't burn your coffee.

farber55
Senior Member

Joined: 8 Sep 2003
Posts: 50
Expertise: Aficionado

Espresso: Isomac Amica
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Drip: Chemex
Roaster: Hearthware Precision

Posted Tue Feb 17, 2004, 8:26am
Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

MarkWylie Said:

Cool!

Well two replies is not bad, but do a few more people have any thoughts?

Posted January 27, 2003 link

Moka pots are great. 'Nuff said.

Are they as good as a regular espresso maker?

*shrug*

It's a different cup of coffee.

I was without my Isomac Amica for a week while Chris fixed it. I used a Moka Pot to get my espresso fix. And it was fine. If you know how to grind and pack in your particlar Moka Pot, you'll get a strong, rich cup of coffee.

auerbach
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Oct 2002
Posts: 18
Location: Durham
Expertise: Intermediate

Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro
Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Vac Pot: Hario Nouveau
Drip: Krups Aroma Control Therma

Posted Tue Feb 17, 2004, 12:25pm Subject: Re: Stove top machines. Are they any good?

The thing about not washing them? Nonsense. I have a nice stainless steel Alessi (it's a looker) that I picked up in the early eighties. It wasn't crazy expensive then and it sure has amortized nicely. As far as avoiding burnt taste: medium flame, turn it down a bit toward the end and then fully off as the last sputters happen. The design of the pot can help: the better design is to have the bottom compartment flare toward the bottom. (Since you want to be heating the water not the coffee grounds).

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