Bellemain Stovetop Moka Pot Espresso Maker
Last updated date: March 21, 2020
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We looked at the top Stove Top Espresso Makers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Stove Top Espresso Maker you should buy.
Overall Take
The design on the Bellemain Stovetop Moka Pot Espresso Maker allows for even heating. There's a safety valve to prevent overheating, and both the lid and handles stay cool throughout the process. This model is equally good at making french press, mocha or espresso. In our analysis of 31 expert reviews, the Bellemain Bellemain Stovetop Moka Pot Espresso Maker placed 5th when we looked at the top 11 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note March 23, 2020:
Checkout The Best Stove Top Espresso Maker for a detailed review of all the top stove top espresso makers.
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From The Manufacturer
“YOUR ROUTINE, REJUVINATED” For the classy way to make a cuppa, it’s always Bellemain. Being from New York, we know your cuppa makes your day, whether it’s a cuppa french press, drip, cold-brew, fancy espresso. That’s why we designed a moka pot that puts some pep in your step, safely and easily. Easy to clean and safe to use for almost everyone, the Bellemain stovetop espresso and mocha maker uses its unique construction and design to unlock the most succulent smells and tastes from any ground coffee beans. Bellemain’s unique aluminum construction prevents the metallic flavor that often comes with stainless steel pots. Coupled with its sturdy octagonal shape, you can produces a delicious, evenly heated brew, fast! Want to make something delicious when you’re still only half-awake? Stay-cool handles and lid knobs protect your every move. Our safety valve also prevents over-heating should you get distracted and forget to take it off the stove during the brewing process. Make aromatic espressos, mochas, and lattes effortlessly with Bellemain’s no-nonsense instructions. You don’t need an engineering degree to make a moka pot, but it helps. Bellemain’s precision pieces are constructed with supreme sturdiness in mind, and can be cleaned easily. Based in metropolitan New York area, Bellemain has grown from a stylish small company to a worldwide provider of amazing kitchen moments. Our espresso maker is an extension of the Bellemain purpose: to make everything you do in the kitchen fun, easy, and beautiful.
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An Overview On Stove Top Espresso Makers
Coffee can seem like a pretty demanding habit. Java lovers who’ve spent years drinking from a standard drip coffee machine might think they’re ready to level up and get an espresso maker — until they see the price of one. Can the extra jolt of caffeine you get from a cup of espresso really be worth spending thousands of dollars on gear?
If that’s your first reaction to full-size espresso makers, a stovetop espresso maker might be just the happy medium for you. Not only do they make a quick cup of java that’s nearly as strong, they make it for far less than the price of a barista-grade espresso rig — and in many cases, less than an automatic drip coffee maker.
Stovetop espresso makers are more commonly known among coffee aficionados as Moka pots. The name is actually more accurate, since Moka pots do not technically brew espresso. Espresso is characterized by the telltale crema that tops off a well-made cup. That crema is a byproduct of the intense pressure generated by shooting hot water through coffee grounds. Moka pots don’t generate anywhere near that mount of pressure, though the process does result in a coffee that’s much stronger than your typical drip method.
That process involves a bit more attention than automatic coffee makers require, which is half the charm of a stovetop espresso maker. Moka pots typically have a bottom chamber, which must be filled with water. A filter sits on top of that, which is filled with coffee grounds. The largest chamber contains a pipe leading up from those lower receptacles, with a valve at the top. Screw them all together, and set them to boil on a stove. The heat forces the water through the coffee grounds, up through the pipe. There’s a telltale gurgling sound that will signal the end of the brewing process, so be ready to remove the pot at just the right time. Leave it on the heat, and you risk a bitter taste from over-extraction.
Done correctly, though, you’ll have an eye-opening and flavorful cup of coffee — all without using undue electricity or water. It’s a charming and personal method that is definitely a step up from plain-jane drip coffeemakers, and is still a favorite with traditional Italian coffee lovers.
DYWM Fun Fact
The octagonal shape of the original Bialetti Moka Express was synonymous with the “coffee pot” in the minds of java junkies throughout Italy in the postwar era. Today, the basic design remains the same, and why would they change it? It’s still the most popular coffee maker of any type worldwide, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Stove Top Espresso Maker Buying Guide
- Stovetop espresso makers (or Moka pots) are traditionally made out of aluminum, though you can find slightly more expensive stainless steel versions on the market. Which is better? It really depends on how much time and care you put into them. Aluminum Moka pots will require more cleaning (with water and baking soda, not soap) to prevent a metallic taste from leaching into over-brewed cups of coffee. However, they’re better conductors of heat. Stainless steel pots will be easier to clean, but the brew time may take a bit longer.
- Stovetop espresso makers should work with just about any kind of pre-ground coffee, but (as with any coffee-making method) you’ll want to grind your own beans to get the most out of their flavor. Experiment with what taste suits you best, but your ideal size should be just a bit coarser than a standard espresso grind.