Espresso maker instructions

How do you make really good coffee with the espresso maker?

The espresso maker - no other brewing method reminds you so efficiently of a vacation in Italy and a student dorm at the same time. However, Bialetti and Co. are not as easy to handle as many people often think. The result is often a little too intense, too bitter. Before you put the souvenir from your last vacation back in the cupboard in disappointment, wait a moment. The espresso maker can produce pretty tasty coffee. You just have to follow a few tips and the Bialetti becomes a versatile brewing method. Depending on your taste, you can prepare espresso or light roasted coffee in it. So here are our espresso maker instructions for better coffee from the Bialetti.

1. Heat up water.

Probably the most important tip in these espresso maker instructions – heat up your water. If you use cold water, your espresso maker will be on the stove for longer. The metal of your pot, including the coffee powder in it, heats up unnecessarily. The result – an unnecessarily bitter coffee. Therefore, boil your water and only then fill it into the lower chamber of your Bialetti. The water should reach just below the pressure valve.

2. Freshly grind beans.

Grind your coffee now. You can find the right beans for this a little further down! You should grind your coffee a little coarser than for a portafilter machine. Then distribute the powder evenly. If your coffee ends up being a little bitter even though you have followed the espresso maker instructions, then try grinding it a little coarser.

3. Insert the filter.

Insert the filter into your espresso maker. Do not press the coffee powder and under no circumstances use an espresso tamper. Since the Bialetti builds up significantly less pressure, your coffee would take far too long to brew. The result will then be correspondingly bitter.

4. Screw it tight and put it on the stove.

Now attach the upper part of your espresso maker. It is best to hold the lower part with a cloth. This is correspondingly hot due to the boiling water. If both parts of your Bialetti fit tightly together, you can put them on the stove. We recommend medium to high heat here. Pro tip: if you have a gas stove, you can buy a small metal plate that you place between the flame and your espresso maker. This means your Bialetti will remain brand-free even after many coffees.

5. Don't lose sight of the stove.

One of the most important steps in these espresso maker instructions. The brewing process. To take a closer look at your coffee, leave the lid of your Bialetti open. Don't worry, if you don't let your espresso maker get too hot, nothing will happen here! Don't leave your Bialetti alone during the brewing process. As soon as the first coffee appears, wait a moment until the chamber fills up a little. As soon as the first small bubbles appear, remove the pot from the heat. Avoid aggressive bubbling and hissing. The residual heat easily pushes the last bit of water through the coffee powder.

6. Enjoy!

Time to enjoy! A little tip before pouring: stir the coffee in the pot carefully if you have brewed several cups. Like espresso from the portafilter, the top layer of your coffee tastes different than the coffee at the bottom of the chamber.

The perfect coffee for the espresso maker

To the collection →

As already discussed, you can not only prepare wonderful espresso roasts in the Bialetti. Some light coffees are also perfect for preparing with the espresso maker. Here you will find some of our favorites, from classic sprout flavors to slightly lighter roasts.

FAQ Preparation with the espresso maker

frequently asked Questions

Why does my coffee from the espresso maker often taste too bitter?

A common reason for bitter coffee from the espresso maker is the use of cold water. To avoid this, the water should be boiled before being poured into the lower chamber of the espresso maker. This prevents the metal of the pot and the coffee powder from heating up unnecessarily and making the coffee bitter.

How should I grind the coffee for the espresso maker?

The coffee for the espresso maker should be ground a little coarser than for a portafilter machine. Distribute the coffee powder evenly in the pot. If the coffee tastes bitter despite following the instructions, try grinding the coffee a little coarser.

Should I press the coffee in the espresso maker?

No, do not press the coffee powder or use an espresso tamper. Since the espresso maker builds up less pressure than a portafilter machine, the coffee would otherwise take too long to brew and the result would be correspondingly bitter.

How long should the coffee brew in the espresso maker?

During the brewing process, the lid of the espresso maker should be open to keep an eye on the coffee. As soon as the first coffee appears and the chamber has filled up a little, wait until the first small bubbles appear. Then pull the pot from the stove. Avoid strong bubbling and hissing, as the residual heat easily pushes the last bit of water through the coffee powder.

Which coffee beans are best for the espresso maker?

In addition to espresso roasts, some light coffee types are also suitable for preparation with the espresso maker. The instructions recommend some favorites, from classic espresso flavors to slightly lighter roasts. Feel free to experiment with different types of coffee and roasts to find your favorite.

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