Reading your favorite magazine and watching your flowers bloom in the backyard of your house has got to be the ideal start of your day. A fresh homemade cuppa coffee in your hands just makes it better. However, not everyone can afford a fancy coffee maker that aesthetically drops down coffee in your mug. That doesn't take away your right to a freshly brewed cup right outta the kitchen.
Some of us believe that a coffee maker is the only way to make coffee at home; however, one can easily make a strong flavorful cup without it. Oh well, then how to make espresso without any equipment?
An easy and economical way to make coffee at home is using the stovetop espresso maker, also known as a moka pot. Moka pots are designed specifically for people like us, who are addicted to coffee but are not ready to invest hundreds of dollars in an espresso machine. A stovetop coffee maker is easy on the pocket and can brew up to 4 cups at a time.
How Do You Make Espresso Without a Machine?
Don't have an espresso machine? Worry no more! You can make espresso at home without a machine by using a French press, aero press, or a moka pot. However, the easiest way to brew yourself a cuppa coffee is with a Moka pot.
Moka pots, also called stovetop espresso makers, are the most preferred method of making espresso at home without a machine. There are a bunch of benefits of using one, which give moka pots an edge over other methods.
Doesn’t Require Electric Supply
All a stovetop coffee maker needs is a heat source, which can be a stove or a hot plate, to brew you a perfect cup. This simple assembly makes it easier to use at home as well as while traveling.
Consistently Perfect Coffee
A little bit of practice using perfect proportions, flame intensity, grind size, and the time the moka pot got to sit on the stove allows you to gain ultimate control over the richness and strength in the flavor of your coffee.
Simple Design
Anyone can use a moka pot. Made out of only three components; the bottom chamber, which is a water reservoir, the middle chamber, where the ground coffee goes, and the top chamber for brewed coffee, which is easy to use, clean, and store.
Everyone Can Afford One
One of the most obvious reasons why people do not opt for an espresso machine is the cost it comes with. Moka pots are just the perfect alternative. Stovetop coffee makers are inexpensive and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, taking care of your needs, preference, and kitchen aesthetics.
Longer Life Expectancy
Moka pots are built to last. Especially if you own a stainless steel stovetop espresso maker, it's going to be your companion for life. Use it while you travel, or toss it in the dishwasher. It will bear all the stress and stay loyal to brewing you a cuppa coffee that gives you a caffeine rush to get started with the day.
What Grind Is Best for Stovetop Espresso?
A medium-fine or fine-grind coffee that resembles the size and texture of sugar is best for stovetop espresso. Ensure that it is slightly coarser than what you use in a regular espresso machine. Or else, be prepared to compromise on flavor.
Anything finer will clog the filters in your moka pot, which is another headache to unclog. Clogged filters generate higher pressures, ending up in a bitter brew. Similarly, using coarser grounds wouldn't allow water to extract the flavor from the coffee.
However, there is no rule when it comes to the grind size you use to brew yourself a fresh cup. It varies from person to person, and the diversity in what their body and taste buds prefer. With gradual experimentation, you'll eventually figure out the grind size that works best for you.
What Kind of Coffee Do You Use for Stovetop Espresso?
The best kind of coffee to use in a stovetop espresso maker is medium - dark roast of mixed Arabica and Robusta coffee. It gives you a soft and creamy yet powerful espresso brew which is perfect for making any type of coffee.
Since moka pots have their unique way of brewing coffee, certain beans and roasts work better with them. Some kinds may make the coffee too acidic and some too bitter, which is why the majority of coffee lovers use a blend of both bean types.
However, do not bind yourself to a certain kind. Keep experimenting with different kinds of beans and roasts until you find the one that suits your taste preferences.
Making Espresso on Stovetop: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you don't have enough money to invest in an espresso machine or want to brew it the traditional Italian way, here is a step-by-step guide explaining how to make coffee on a stovetop percolator aka moka pot.
1. Disassemble the Moka Pot
Your moka pot comprises 3 essential parts; the boiler, the funnel basket, and the collector. The lower chamber is for water, the funnel basket is for the coffee grounds, and the upper chamber is where your brewed coffee will be collected. The first step will be disassembling the parts of your moka pot.
2. Fill the Water Base
Fill the water base with filtered hot water just below the safety valve. The temperature of water significantly impacts the taste of your brewed coffee. Using cold water means that your coffee grounds are also being heated along with the water. This can make your coffee taste bitter, which is why you should always use hot water.
3. Add Coffee Grounds
Add 3 tablespoons of medium-fine coffee grounds to the metal filter basket. Level the grounds gently using your fingers. Do not compress the grounds too much, or they could clog the system. The excess pressure from tamping can also cause your moka pot to explode.
4. Assemble the Pot
Place the filter basket on the lower water chamber. Secure the base on the countertop and screw the upper chamber tightly on top of it.
5. Place It on the Stove
Set your stove on medium-low heat and place your moka pot on top of it. The water will slowly push through the filter basket and collect in the upper chamber. Remove the pot from heat once you hear a hissing sound.
6. Enjoy the Fresh Cuppa Coffee
Pour the delicious coffee into a mug and add milk and sugar as per your liking. You can also refrigerate or make ice cubes out of it and save it for later use.
Frequently Asked Questions-Making Espresso on Stovetop
How Long Does It Take to Make Stovetop Espresso?
It takes about five to ten minutes to brew and serve stovetop espresso. Preparation, such as grinding and cleaning up the stovetop espresso maker, usually adds five more minutes to the process.
How Much Water Do You Put in Stovetop Espresso?
A stovetop espresso maker has a marking inside the water chamber known as the safety valve. Add water just below the safety valve. This is the maximum amount of coffee you can make in a stovetop coffee maker.
Is Stovetop Espresso Strong?
A stovetop espresso makes a strong coffee, as the coffee-to-water ratio in a moka pot is 1:7 compared to that of an espresso machine which is 1:16.
How Many Cups Does a Stovetop Espresso Maker Make?
A standard-sized stovetop espresso maker makes about 4 cups of coffee. However, different sizes of moka pots are available that make 1,2,3,4, 6, 8, and 10 cups of coffee.
The Bottom Line
You don't own a coffee maker. Is that the only thing stopping you from enjoying homebrew? You've got an espresso stovetop to the rescue.
Not only are moka pots a perfect addition to your kitchen appliances, but also a great way to learn the art of making coffee at home.
You know you're making coffee the right way when a perfect blend of finely grounded dark espresso roast brewed in your Moka pot will aromatize your kitchen. Lux Haus makes the best stovetop espresso maker that will accompany you for decades!