Geyser coffee maker: what is it, principle of operation, how to use on gas and electric stove, pros and cons, photos, videos

Geyser coffee makers appeared in the 19th century and became widely known among Europeans.

Nowadays, you can find this kitchen appliance in almost every Italian family, however, Russian consumers also have the opportunity to enjoy an invigorating drink.

Ease of use and the unique taste of the prepared coffee are far from the only advantages of a geyser machine, which has captivated many connoisseurs of the aromatic drink.

Page navigation:

What is a geyser coffee maker?

A geyser coffee maker is a device designed for preparing rich coffee under the influence of hot steam .

The device is a stable, compact vessel in the shape of an octagon with a small handle, a lid, an emergency valve and in appearance resembles a teapot.

The base of the coffee maker is made of aluminum, steel or ceramic , however, the upper part of the device can be made of plastic or glass.

Geyser-type coffee makers are divided into
gas and electric .
Gas models are convenient to use both at home and on the go, as they can be placed on fire. Electric devices, in turn, are ideal for making coffee at home or in the office, where it is possible to connect the device to an outlet.

Owners of induction cookers can also brew delicious coffee using a geyser coffee maker made of stainless steel.

For your information! A geyser coffee maker is the most popular budget analogue of modern coffee machines.

How does it work

The operating principle of the device is based on the use of steam under pressure. A certain amount of water is poured into the lower compartment of the housing. Using the mark inside the coffee maker, it is necessary to clearly monitor the filling level, preventing the water level from rising above the permissible level. Coffee powder is poured into the coffee compartment, after which the upper part of the device is screwed on and the device is put on fire.

During the boiling process, water turns into steam, squeezing out the remaining liquid through the tube into the upper compartment, after passing it through the coffee.

Since geyser coffee makers are used primarily for making espresso, the principle of operation comes down solely to the “squeezing out” function of steam. If the steam is also brewed, the temperature of the product at the outlet will be too high.

We bring to your attention a video demonstrating in detail how a geyser coffee maker works.

A special role in the device is given to the emergency valve. With its help, the pressure stops when the tube becomes clogged and water cannot pass through it. This can happen if you use compacted coffee that is too finely ground, in which case all the water will escape through the steam into this valve.

Emergency valve for Bialetti coffee maker. Photo: mokapot.ru

Principle of operation

The basis of the coffee maker is:

water tank located at the bottom of the device;
upper section in the form of a small container necessary for storing the finished drink;
removable filter for adding crushed coffee beans.

a rubber gasket at the top of the device - it is located at the point of contact between the two sections of the coffee maker.
Inside the water reservoir there is a metal tube through which the drink passes during the preparation process .

The safety valve, which serves for emergency steam release , is located in the side wall of the base of the device. The design is complemented by a spout for convenient pouring of freshly brewed coffee into cups and a handle made of heat-resistant material.

The operating principle of a geyser coffee maker is based on the use of steam under pressure . Having filled the lower compartment of the device with water and installed the coffee maker on the stove (or connected to the network), the water begins to heat up and turns into steam during the boiling process.

Under the influence of high temperature and increased pressure, water vapor passing through the funnel with ground coffee rises to the upper part of the device, becoming saturated with aromatic and taste properties. After the coffee solution passes through the hollow tube, the drink is ready to drink .

By the way! The procedure for making coffee in this machine is similar to the eruption of a geyser, which is why the machine is called “geyser”.

Step-by-step instruction

Before you start cooking, study the design of the model, which consists of 3 containers intended for cold water, for ground grains, for the finished liquid.
Take it apart according to the instructions to get started. Fill the bottom compartment with cold water. Do not exceed the maximum fill level mark. Pour the ground beans into the coffee filter. It is better to use coarse or medium grind grains. Press the contents tightly to create a strong drink. You can use a spoon or tamper to compact it. If you don't like strong coffee, use a small separating disc.

The coffee maker consists of a lower part (where water is poured), a middle strainer and a half-portion separator (where coffee is poured), and an upper part (where brewed coffee is poured)

Reassemble the coffee maker to its original state. If you have any difficulties during the assembly process, use the attached instructions. Place the assembled unit on the stove. It takes 5-10 minutes to prepare.

Cooking time depends on the type of stove, the type of grains and the desired strength. Practice to determine the appropriate time to brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker.

When water boils, the pressure inside the container increases. Under pressure, water rises to the top and passes through the ground grains. The finished drink flows into the last container. It is not recommended to use maximum heat or cook the drink for more than 10 minutes.

Pour the required amount of water into the bottom of the coffee maker

Advantages and disadvantages

With the help of a geyser-type coffee maker, anyone can prepare delicious and aromatic coffee at home, because the device is easy to use and does not require special handling skills .
In addition, this coffee maker has many other advantages that encourage buyers to choose it.

main advantages of the device:

a richer taste of the finished drink, in contrast to coffee prepared in a Turk;
no need to control the cooking process;
capacity - some models can hold up to one liter of liquid;
The device can be used not only for making coffee, but also for brewing tea or medicinal herbs;
no need to calculate the proportions of ground coffee and water , you just need to fill certain containers to the marked level;
the ability to brew coffee on both a gas and electric stove;
absence of coffee grounds in the finished drink;
the drink does not burn due to the design features of the device;
maintaining the temperature of brewed coffee;
compactness – the device does not take up much space, so it is convenient to store and can be taken with you on trips;
a large number of models differing from each other in their design;
practicality and durability of the device;
easy maintenance of the device;
low cost of the device.

Modern geyser coffee makers are equipped with a timer, display, sound indicator and other additional functions, which simplifies the process of preparing a drink and is a significant advantage of the device.

Among the disadvantages of the coffee maker, users identify:

lack of delicate creamy foam in freshly brewed coffee;
the device is designed for a certain volume of liquid ;
the need to grind coffee beans yourself or choose the degree of grinding, since only coarsely ground coffee is suitable for a geyser device;
to wash the device, it needs to be disassembled;
the insulating gasket located between the compartments wears out, as a result of which the quality of the drink decreases;
metal parts of the coffee maker may oxidize;
after cooking, the device remains hot for a long time, so there is a risk of getting burned;
there is no way to adjust the strength;
the drink is brewed more slowly than in a coffee machine;
if you leave the structure on fire, the coffee will taste bitter;
lack of built-in coffee grinder.

Preparation

Heat water to boiling. It is recommended to pour hot water into the moka: yes, it is inconvenient, you have to take a towel and you can get burned, but this will certainly affect the taste of the coffee for the better. The hotter the water initially, the faster the extraction process will take place, which means that the coffee will not overbrew, become too bitter, or acquire an unpleasant aftertaste from contact with the metal for too long.
Pour water into the lower reservoir so that it reaches the valve, but does not close it. The valve is designed to relieve pressure - you will need it if you have ground the coffee too finely and the water cannot pass through the coffee layer.
Grind coffee. The grind should be coarser than for espresso, but finer than for a drip coffee maker; it feels tactilely like sand. Grinding for espresso and especially for Turkish coffee is not suitable: the water will not be able to rise through the layer of coffee.
Pour coffee into a mesh filter. There should be exactly as much as fits in the container. There is no need to tamp or compact, just shake a little to distribute the coffee evenly.
Place the filter in the bottom part, wrap it in a towel and screw it tightly to the top part.
Place the moka on the stove over medium heat. I have an induction cooker and I use a little trick: I put moka in the pan and heat it up. You can, of course, buy a special model for induction cookers. I set the temperature to 160°C.
Wait until the moka starts to snort - such sounds mean that steam, not water, is starting to pass through the coffee. If you make coffee with the lid open, you will see the streams turn light at some point: this is a signal that it is time to remove the moka from the stove.
Pour the finished drink into cups. This must be done immediately in order to interrupt the contact of water with the coffee and avoid over-brewing.

Kinds

There are three types of geyser coffee makers:

Stovetops are a budget option that is preferred by most lovers of aromatic drinks. A geyser coffee maker for a gas stove is simple and easy to use , since to prepare a drink you just need to fill the device with water and ground coffee, then place the device on the stove and remove from the heat after the liquid begins to make a hissing sound.
Electrical - like other electrical devices, they operate from the mains. Such coffee makers are equipped with a power switch that allows you to turn the device on or off without disconnecting it from the network, an indicator light, a thermostat and a noise filter. The cost of electric geyser coffee makers is higher than stovetop models , since the device has a large number of additional functions and makes the preparation process quick and easy.
For induction hobs - coffee makers made of cast iron or stainless steel. The device is no different from the classic geyser coffee maker for gas stoves and is considered a universal model, capable of preparing coffee both over fire and using induction current. The induction device is practical, safe and has a beautiful appearance .

Important! To determine whether a coffee maker is suitable for use on an induction hob, you should attach a magnet to the bottom of the device - if it holds, you can safely prepare a drink.

Additional functions

When creating new models of geyser-type devices, manufacturers add certain functions to the devices that greatly simplify the process of preparing the drink.
Today, various brands produce advanced devices equipped with functions such as :

Timer , counting down the preparation time of the drink.
Indicator light – informs the user that the device is on or off.
Sound indicator notifying that the drink is ready for consumption.
Automatic device shutdown.
Overvoltage and short circuit protection.
Strength regulator , necessary for independently adjusting the dosage of ground coffee and making espresso.
Digital timer – allows you to program how long the coffee will be prepared and then automatically turn off.
Heating of brewed coffee – maintains the temperature of the finished drink after disconnecting the device from the network.
Cappuccino maker for making creamy foam - this function is available in the BialettiMukka Express model. All other devices do not have a cappuccino maker.

Attention! Often, additional functions are present only in electric devices, because it is impossible to add many functions to devices for making coffee on gas stoves.

How to use the device?

Before using a geyser, it is important to study the detailed instructions for using the device, which will help you correctly prepare a tasty and aromatic coffee drink.
The process takes no more than five minutes and is carried out in several stages :

Separate the upper part of the device from the lower one and remove the filter .
Pour cold water into the lower compartment without exceeding the filling level.
Pour ground coffee into the filter and clean the edges of the filter from the powder. If desired, you can add spices.
Carefully connect the upper part of the structure to the lower.
Place the device on the stove or connect it to the power supply (depending on the purchased model).
When preparing a drink on the stove, cook the coffee over low heat until water stops flowing into the upper compartment .
Pour the finished drink into cups. To prepare a new portion, wait for the device to cool completely, rinse it and repeat the procedure.

Important! You should be especially careful with a hot coffee maker, as you may get severe burns.

In order to pour coffee into cups, you need to take the device by the handle - it does not heat up during the coffee preparation process. It is prohibited to touch the metal parts of the device with bare hands.

How to make coffee in a geyser coffee maker

Before first use, we recommend brewing coffee in the coffee maker 2-3 times and pouring it out - this will wash away factory dust particles and lubricant residues, and in their place a noble coffee film will form, enhancing the taste of the drink.

Step 1

To begin, unscrew the top part and remove the filter funnel.
Important
: hold on to the body, not the handle.

Step 2

Fill the lower reservoir with water up to the level of the safety valve. Some people pour it cold, others advise pouring boiling water right away, arguing that this way you can save cooking time and avoid bitterness. We advise you to be creative and experiment yourself. But be careful when working with boiling water: aluminum heats up quickly - use an oven mitt when tightening the coffee maker to avoid getting burned.

Advice

: use filtered or bottled water (soft is best) - this will make your coffee much tastier.
Important
: the valve must remain above the water - this is necessary so that if the coffee maker overheats, the pressure in the lower reservoir does not exceed a critical level.
Note
: if you don't want to brew the full volume of the coffee maker, you can try reducing the amount of water (to about half - it's not worth less
)
. But, alas, you won’t be able to pour more – because of the valve.

Step 3

Fill the funnel generously with ground coffee.
There is no need to compact the coffee, otherwise the water simply will not be able to move into the upper reservoir. Note
: if you do not like strong coffee (and geyser coffee makers are designed to make espresso), then you can reduce the amount of coffee (also by about half).

Step 4

Insert the funnel into the bottom reservoir, remove excess coffee from the sides to prevent it from sticking to the seal, and screw the top firmly into place. Again, hold on to your body.

Step 5

Place the coffee maker on the stove.

A little secret: brew your coffee over low heat - it's better to wait a couple of minutes longer, but you'll still get perfect coffee.

In any case, it is important to remember

: The heating surface must match the size of the bottom of the coffee maker. If you cook on a gas stove, make sure that the fire does not go beyond the bottom.

Step 6

How to tell when your coffee is ready

: when you hear gurgling (or snorting - as you like) and see that the coffee has completely flowed into the upper reservoir, and it is no longer coffee that is coming out of the column, but liquid foam, remove the coffee maker from the heat.

Step 7
And now the most important moment

: In order to fully enjoy the aroma of coffee, we strongly recommend drinking it as soon as you pour it into the cup. Enjoy your coffee!

For clarity, you can also watch the video:

Let’s immediately answer a few popular questions:

Care

Proper care of your coffee maker can extend its service life and preserve the taste of the drink .
To ensure that the device lasts as long as possible, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Before turning on the device, check the presence of all parts, tightness and correct assembly.
After making coffee, allow the device to cool and then rinse it with warm water.
Clean the safety valve regularly - if clogged, the device may explode.
Clean the filter with baking soda or dishwashing detergent.
Check the condition of the filter and gasket after each use.
Do not wash device parts in the dishwasher . The coffee maker should only be cleaned manually.
After washing, wipe all elements of the device dry with a clean soft cloth.
If the coffee maker is intended for making coffee on a gas stove, do not turn on the gas at full power .

Note! The deposits formed on the walls of the device due to the sedimentation of coffee oils do not need to be cleaned off, since it prevents the appearance of an unpleasant aftertaste in the brewed drink. Simply rinse the container.

How to use a geyser coffee maker

The process of making coffee in a geyser is quite simple. However, to get a really good drink, you need to take into account all the nuances of how to use a geyser coffee maker.

At the very end of the preparation, there is no need to bring it to the point where the geyser begins to “snort”.

Important! It is not recommended to prepare flavored types of coffee in a geyser coffee maker, as their taste is not revealed and the drink turns out simply bitter. This is due to the coating of such grains with a small film, which gives the aroma. The same applies to grains that are roasted too dark, although natural oils appear on the surface.

Tamping coffee is usually not recommended, but you can actually do it if you want a richer flavor.
You can use the following scheme:

Grinding setting. The ideal option is to grind coffee immediately before brewing, using freshly roasted beans. This will allow you to maximize the taste of the variety. The grind should be slightly coarser than that used for an espresso machine, but less than that used for drip coffee makers. The larger the geyser volume, the coarser the grind should be, because this will help avoid overextraction. Fine grinding is not used due to the fact that coffee particles clog the filter.
Filling the lower reservoir. It is advisable to use clean cold water for preparation. It should not be filled to the brim, however, it is also better not to pour too little. The emergency valve can be used as a guide.
Filling the funnel filter. The entire funnel must be filled with ground coffee. If you want to get a richer taste, you can lightly crush it, but do not compact it.
Cooking. It is better to brew coffee over moderate heat; when using gas, on the smallest burner. If urgency is necessary, you can first turn on high heat, and after heating, reduce it. Ideally, you need to remove the geyser from the burner before the gurgling starts, because this means that instead of water, fiery steam begins to pass through the coffee tablet, which greatly affects the taste of the drink. After removal, you need to stop the extraction, for which the lower part of the coffee maker can be placed under cold water or placed on a wet towel. This will leave a small amount of water in the lower reservoir, which is normal.

Note! Since most geyser coffee makers are made of aluminum, it is impossible to use them on induction cookers. In this case, you can either purchase a steel model or use the frying pan as a stand for the geyser.

Those who are upset by the too long process of preparing coffee in the morning can be advised to pack the coffee pot in the evening.

Useful video

From this video you will learn more about the operating principle of a geyser coffee maker:

A geyser coffee maker is a real find for lovers of freshly brewed strong black coffee. The main criterion for choosing such a device is its volume, so before purchasing a coffee maker, it is advisable to decide in advance how much ready-made coffee you need to get .

The material from which the product is made also plays an important role. Experts recommend using devices made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel - they are reliable, absolutely safe and, with proper care, will last more than 10 years.