Bialetti Espresso Maker Directions

Bialetti stovetop espresso makers are a fast and cheap way to create authentic espresso at home. This espresso is not the same as coffee-shop espresso, however, and is less concentrated. Mixed with warm milk or on its own, the coffee from this small manual machine will provide a rich experience in your own kitchen.

Preparation

• 1

  Grind your dark roast (French or Italian roast) coffee to a fine grain. Use the "Espresso" setting on automatic grinders or run it through your smaller grinder for longer than you would grind beans for a drip machine or a French roast machine. Freshly ground beans provide a fresher, richer-tasting brew.

• 2

  Unscrew the Bialetti pieces by rotating the large top piece counterclockwise. Keep the bottom piece stable while rotating and set the large piece aside while filling the machine.

• 3

  Lift up the straining cup that sits in the bottom piece of the espresso maker and set aside.

• 4

  Fill the bottom piece with filtered water to the desired level, generally around 3/4 inch from the top. Too much water will result in a weak brew and too little water will not make sufficient espresso. There is a fill line in the machine, but as you brew more coffee the line becomes hidden by espresso remnants.

• 5

  Replace the mesh cup and fill it with 2 to 3 tbsp. freshly ground espresso. Lightly pack the grounds if you desire a richer brew, but do not pack with heavy pressure as you would pack an espresso shot in a large machine.

• 6

  Reposition the larger portion of the Bialetti by fitting it on top of the water-filled bottom piece and rotating it clockwise. Screw tightly as a loose fit will allow water to escape.

Brewing

• 1

  Place the Bialetti on your stovetop and turn the burner on. The burner flame should just encompass the bottom of the Bialetti machine---too large a flame boils the water too quickly and too small a flame muddles the clarity of the espresso.

• 2

  Remove the Bialetti from the burner as soon as you hear gurgling. You will burn the espresso if you wait for the gurgling to stop---the steam brew process will finish on its own time if removed from the heat at this moment.

• 3

  Pour the espresso into a coffee mug immediately and wait for it to cool sufficiently to drink.

• 4

  Clean the Bialetti once it has cooled by running it through water and wiping off the grounds. Do not use soap or put the machine through the dishwasher---coffee coats the aluminum interior during the brewing process and it is necessary to maintain the coating as aluminum consumption can be dangerous.