Stove Top Coffee

What is a Stove Top Espresso Maker?

The Stovetop Espresso Maker is a device designed to produce an espresso-like coffee at home. The beauty of the stovetop lies in its’ simplicity: it is easy to use and clean, allowing brewers to be the barista in the comfort of their own kitchen.

The concept for the Stovetop was invented by Alfonso Bialetti. He started working on building his design in the 1920’s after observing local women in Crusinallo washing their clothes in a sealed boiler with a small central pipe. This pipe was designed to distribute the soapy water evenly over the laundry and Bialetti thought the same concept could be used in brewing. In short, the Stovetop was inspired by a washing machine!

As simple as the concept seems on the surface, it wasn’t until 1933 that Bialetti was able to solve various technical difficulties to produce the very first stovetop espresso maker. This invention was known as the Moka Express, it was made of aluminium and was similar in style to the silver coffee services that were popular among wealthy Italians for home use at the time. However, it wasn’t until after WWII that Bialetti’s invention became truly successful. His son, Renato, took over the business following the war, raising production and creating exceptional marketing campaigns. He even created the Bialetti mascot, the man with the moustache, which is a caricature of his father.

Bialetti’s design for the stovetop has remained relatively unchanged over the decades and is enjoyed by coffee lovers across the globe. Coffee aficionados love the incredibly smooth and well-rounded flavours produced by the Stovetop, which retains a full body, sweet flavours and delightful aromas.

The Stovetop Espresso Maker is highly recommended for black coffee drinkers or for those who enjoy smooth espresso style coffee at home. Stovetop espresso can be enjoyed as is or with a splash of milk.

“In Casa un Espresso Come al Bar” - An Espresso in the Home just like one in the Bar

How to Use a Stove Top Espresso Maker?

Watch our instructional video to see how to brew delicious stovetop coffee!

What you will need:

• -Stove Top Espresso Maker
• -Filtered Water
• -Grinder (Optional)
• -Coffee - Ground for Stove Top or medium grind

Brew Time:

5 minutes

Step 1: Fill the lower chamber of the Stovetop with filtered water – water level should sit just below the notch inside. Use hot water to save some time.

Step 2: Insert the Stovetop basket and fill with coffee grind (make sure it has been ground for a Stovetop, which should be a medium level grind), then lightly press the coffee down with one finger until the basket is full and an even surface is made. Make sure to remove any coffee grind on the edge of the basket.

VERY IMPORTANT – Do not overfill the basket or tamp the coffee, as this could give an over extracted espresso. 

Step 3: Tightly screw the upper part of the Stovetop Espresso Maker to the base and select a burner size to fit, so that the entire bottom of the base sits on the burner. Set to a medium heat – do not set to high as this may burn the coffee.

VERY IMPORTANT - For a gas stovetop, make sure the flame is no larger than the bottom of the pot and does not come around the sides of the pot.

Step 4: Place the whole pot on the burner until the water boils and coffee begins to come out of the centre post in the top chamber. To avoid a bitter brew, remove the Stovetop from the burner before all the coffee has come to the top chamber – don’t worry, the residual heat will make sure to push the last of the coffee up after you've removed the pot.

Step 5: Add milk, water or flavouring to taste or simply enjoy black.