Expresso Coffee Makers

[redjedi]

Stove top expresso coffee makers, aluminium or stainless steel? I've been using an aluminium expresso maker for years, it almost needs replacing, I've heard stainless is better what do you think?

Surely carbon fibre is the way forward?

 

[Graham O]

I'm also thinking of a stove top espresso maker, but what is a crema? Is it worthwhile having a maker which will make a crema or is it just fashion? Excuse my ignorance, but I'm just old and behind the times.

 

[scook94]

I realise you won't get "real" expresso from a moka pot, but the Bialetti Brikka generates higher pressure than any other stove-top espresso maker, it produces a crema which other moka pots don't, cheaper than investing in a top end Gaggia.

I've nothing against moka pots, I own one (somewhere). To get the best out of it you need freshly roasted beans (i.e less than 3 weeks from roast date) supermarket beans are usually "stale" by the time they're put on the shelves, and a good quality burr grinder.

But I urge you, if you're happy then stay that way!

Otherwise you might end up spending ~£400 on a grinder and ~£900 on an espresso machine and roasting the coffee yourself!

 

[Landslide]

Otherwise you might end up spending ~£400 on a grinder and ~£900 on an espresso machine and roasting the coffee yourself!

Jayzuz! How much???

On the upside, I guess the n+1 rule doesn't apply?

(I really hope I've not just created a monster...)

 

[Bigtwin]

Al Bialetti - classic functional icon.

Have a posh stainless one I got in a sale in Italy too - works just the same.
TKMax always seem to have the Bialetti ones cheap - job done.

 

[scook94]

Al Bialetti - classic functional icon.

Have a posh stainless one I got in a sale in Italy too - works just the same.
TKMax always seem to have the Bialetti ones cheap - job done.

Indeed. I believe there's one on display at the Science Museum in London.

 

[Enso108]

I'm also thinking of a stove top espresso maker, but what is a crema? Is it worthwhile having a maker which will make a crema or is it just fashion? Excuse my ignorance, but I'm just old and behind the times.

From the net
Characteristics of properly made espresso, which distinguish it from coffee brewed by drip and most other processes, include a thicker consistency, higher concentration of dissolved solids, and crema, a reddish-brown foam that floats on the surface and is composed of vegetable oils, proteins and sugars.

 

[John Ponting]

Nespresso rocks!

+7

 

[Melvil]

From the net
Characteristics of properly made espresso, which distinguish it from coffee brewed by drip and most other processes, include a thicker consistency, higher concentration of dissolved solids, and crema, a reddish-brown foam that floats on the surface and is composed of vegetable oils, proteins and sugars.

I have a bialetti moka and it's lovely. My housemate (at the time I was living with him) was Sicilian and bought it for me in Italy. Crema is nice - but you have to turn the heat way down and leave it to slowly brew to get it right. Mmm. Strong and good.

 

[scook94]

Stove top expresso coffee makers, aluminium or stainless steel? I've been using an aluminium expresso maker for years, it almost needs replacing, I've heard stainless is better what do you think?

If you're thinking of moving to Stainless Steel this one looks decent.

 

[Enso108]

If you're thinking of moving to Stainless Steel this one looks decent.

Thanks it looks nice, would you choose that over this one ? Which do you think would make the better cup of coffee?

 

[Andy in Sig]

I switched from Aluminium to stainless steel and got one made by a firm called Cilio (which despite the name is German so the gear is high quality) and I find it loads better: easier to clean, looks better and I'm convinced the coffee tastes less metallic too, although that could be just my imagination.

 

[Llama]

im with the bialetti moka pot alu crowd, they make great coffee and a design classic, as it happens he took the idea from a washing machine in 1933

 

[Mr Pig]

Aluminium will conduct heat faster. The potential connections to Alzheimer's have now been thoroughly de-bunked.

Really? I've not heard that. I still avoid deodorants that have aluminium in them, as many do. Any more info?

 

[simonali]

I have a Nespresso too, but baulk at the postage charge levied on the capsules, so it sits unused in the corner. Flippin' rip off!