holmwood Senior Member Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Florida Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Brikka 4-cup Grinder: cheap-o Krups blade Drip: No drip: press pot
Posted Sun Oct 24, 2004, 7:27pm Subject: Problem with Brikka, please help!
I know there is another thread on the Bialetti Brikka 4-cup, but I posted there and no one replied, perhaps because my post was buried at the end of the thread. Anyway, here's the problem I'm having:
A small amount of coffee is coming into the top chamber early, before the big blast. The amount that comes out early varies each time I brew it. And when the blast does occur it seems to last longer than I'm led to believe from the instructions and other Brikka brewers. Even if I wait 10-15 seconds there is still more coffee dripping out. Isn't it supposed to blast out all at once?
I'm using an electric stove and I think my results are best on high heat, even though Bialetti recommends medium heat.
IowaBoy Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Marshalltown Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: moka pots:GB, vev Grinder: Solis Maestro + Vac Pot: Yama Drip: Krups, KitchenAid Roaster: Z&D, FR8+
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 4:06pm Subject: Re: Problem with Brikka, please help!
2 things you might experiment with:
The grind needs to be just right--you might not get "it" with a blade grinder. Also, don't overpack your coffee--just use enough to fill the "funnel." But, if your grind is very uneven, you may be plugging things up.
Bialetti recommends medium heat on an electric stove. I'd try to stick with their recommendation.
(You will always get a little coffee seeping into the top early, no matter what. It's just the nature of the beast.)
holmwood Senior Member Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Florida Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Brikka 4-cup Grinder: cheap-o Krups blade Drip: No drip: press pot
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 7:03pm Subject: Re: Problem with Brikka, please help!
Hey thanks Iowa boy! I've actually been to Marshalltown. I lived in Grinnell for 9 months!
I have been using pre-ground Lavazza coffee, the "crema e gusto" variety, which on their website is described as appropriate for a moka pot, but you never know. I need to get a Solis Maestro Plus one of these days. I have not been overfilling.
I'll keep trying and see what happens. In any event it's still pretty good coffee and fun to watch brewing!
IowaBoy Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Marshalltown Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: moka pots:GB, vev Grinder: Solis Maestro + Vac Pot: Yama Drip: Krups, KitchenAid Roaster: Z&D, FR8+
Posted Tue Oct 26, 2004, 4:13pm Subject: Re: Problem with Brikka, please help!
Even though they say that stuff is perfect for moka pots, it is ground extremely fine. I think you'd have better luck with something closer to drip or even "perc" (if that is still a permissible term). Don't buy anything in a can, though, you'll have to get a good grinder and do your own--or find a roaster who has a good grinder in-shop. OR just go to a nice "normal" moka pot like a VEV or Berna stainless. These make fine coffee and are not as "fussy" as the Brikkas.
holmwood Senior Member Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Florida Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Brikka 4-cup Grinder: cheap-o Krups blade Drip: No drip: press pot
Posted Wed Oct 27, 2004, 4:46am Subject: Re: Problem with Brikka, please help!
Thanks again IowaBoy!
Not going to switch Moka pots b/c that would entail returning this which is a pain. Plus I like the crema feature. I'm going to do as you suggest and go to my local roaster and have them grind for me. Eventually I'm going to get the Solis grinder.
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