My Moka Pot - 6 cup Bialetti Aluminum
You will hate the moka pot at first. Some of the hate comes from the unseasoned condition. Some of it comes from operational errors. I can't help with seasoning. Only time and use can achieve seasoning. I have been using mine for a week and it gets better every day. I can help with operational errors.
First off you can wash it with mild detergent the first time. After that you will only use water and a soft cloth.
Next you are going to brew three pots and throw them out. This further cleans the pot and starts the seasoning process.
Now we are set to go ---
Beans: Espresso (I started with Starbucks beans) (My Cuban friends use Cafe Pilon)
Grind: Somewhere between drip and espresso, fill with slight mound but no tamping.
1. Simply fill the whole beans in funnel basket for portion.
2. Installing the top will tamp grounds slightly and rising water will make the grounds expand.
3. Clean the basket rim before installing the top.
(Currently I am using a blade grinder that has "settings" which I assume only adjusts time. My brews are great so blade grinders can work.)
Water: Preheat filtered water in microwave or kettle and fill just below the pressure valve.
Heat: Gas on smallest burner with lowest setting.
Watch: Leave cover up to watch and remove from heat
1. When coffee reaches where spout starts
or
2. When extraction first appears light - it will continue extraction with residual heat.
(Do not allow it to reach the spitting stage.
Set pot in bowl of cold water if necessary to stop brewing.)
Milk: Use whole milk
1. 1/3 glass in microwave for 1.5 minutes or till glass is uncomfortable to hold.
2. Use frothing wand until foam to top of glass.
Cleaning: Hand wash with warm water only. Dry with soft cloth.
(I only use my fingers and water to clean the upper chamber.)
Store: With pieces separate to dry completely
Why I preheat water. A video that tested the temperature of the water going through the beans during operation. On standard Moka pot the water temp is cooler than optimum if not heated first.
If you need to close the cover, something is wrong. It should never spit. It could be the seal ring needs replacing or you are doing some crazy grind setting or tamping technique. It will always spit if you leave it on too long - so don't do it.
Aluminum? Yes it freaks me out a little and I may get a stainless eventually. On the other hand, I am loving my aluminum moka pot.
2014-11-05 I bought a stainless pot from Ikea yesterday. Made one pot to throw and then drank the next two. Zero bitterness or strange taste. It may be the way to go.
Things I don't like about the Ikea:
1. Harder to seal the two sections. Crank harder together because it doesn't fit as well.
2. Edges are sharp but unlikely to cut unless you fall on it.
3. Lacks the romance of classic design.
4. Not quite as strong but I am using a different blade grinder so still experimenting.
Things I like about the Ikea:
1. The taste is outstanding.
2. Not aluminum.
3. No seasoning and care free cleaning.
4. More forgiving. Just let it brew to the end.
