How to use a geyser coffee maker: coffee recipes

The geyser coffee maker (we'll tell you how to use it below) was named so for a reason. There is only one way to make a drink in it, similar to the eruption of a geyser. This type of device was invented in the first half of the 19th century, and only at the end of the 20th century it gained wide popularity due to the fact that brewing coffee in it turned out to be easy, simple and convenient.

Initially, it was possible to prepare coffee in a geyser coffee maker only on a gas stove. But progress made its own adjustments, and devices powered by a power outlet were born.

Operating principle

Many video recipes will be able to tell and clearly demonstrate how to make coffee, although the process remains as simple as possible and does not require user intervention (if we are talking about an electrical device). You can brew a drink by pouring ground coffee into a special compartment and pouring the liquid into the reservoir. As the water heats up, it will rise up under pressure and, passing through the grinding, absorb its taste and aromatic qualities. The finished product flows into a special compartment (located at the very top), from where it can be poured into cups.

The debate about how best to brew coffee in a geyser-type coffee maker still continues. Many fans of the invigorating drink have their own recipes, although most often the process is limited to the simple manipulations described above.

Tips and lifehacks

It's actually very simple, so even if the first try doesn't work, you'll get the flavor you want on the second or third. But there are some tips that can help you.

Do not store ready-made espresso in a metal geyser - it quickly acquires a metallic taste. Either immediately pour into cups, or pour into another container.
When you remove the geyser from the heat, the brewing and pouring process is still in progress. You can quickly stop it by cooling the lower part: place it on a wet, cold towel in a bowl of cold water.
If the drink turns out watery, open the lid and look: at the beginning of the pour it is very dark, then it becomes lighter. When the color resembles light honey, remove the device and cool it quickly.
If coffee splashes across the stove, you have connected the parts too loosely or there are particles between them that prevent a tight twist. Remove, cool, disassemble and try again.
Do not fill liquids higher than the safety valve mark. Too high pressure can lead to an explosion.

A big plus: coffee will not spill out of the top container, even if you forget the coffee maker on the stove (as often happens with Turks). It will heat up, boil away, become stronger and more concentrated, but will not leak out. If boiling over occurs, turn off the heat and allow the device to cool naturally.

Technology for preparing a drink in a geyser coffee maker

So, let's look at how to brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker in a little more detail:

First, you need to disassemble the device and pour cold water into the lower compartment.
Grinding (usually medium size) is poured into the middle part (filter), then the device is reassembled.
It is important to remember that you cannot fill water more than the level of the mark. It is also necessary to ensure that the filter is filled, but not tightly, otherwise it will be difficult for boiling water to get into the upper part of the device.
After the powder is poured in, its excess is removed, the device is plugged in or placed on the stove.
After some time, a beep will sound indicating the coffee is ready. These are the main points of how to use a geyser coffee maker, but there are also nuances.

How to brew coffee that tastes different from traditional coffee? The recipe is simple: you can add grated chocolate, a little ginger or other spices to taste.

You can use video tutorials that offer different options for brewing coffee. Unfortunately, the type of device does not involve preparing the drink according to other instructions, so you will have to limit yourself to only flavoring additives.

Cooking features

You may need to experiment until you find the best way to make coffee in a geyser-type coffee maker. There are several parameters that affect the taste and aroma characteristics and the type of the finished drink.

Ground coffee – choose a medium or coarse grind. Small or intended for Turkish coffee will not work.
Cold or hot water - the brewing speed, extraction time, and therefore the taste of espresso depend on the temperature.
Volume - they come in very different sizes, but it is advisable to choose one that is enough for you at one time. If it's too big, you won't be able to make a small cup.

You can add ground spices directly to the ground coffee.

Step-by-step instruction:

In any case, before you make coffee in a geyser coffee maker, you disassemble it.
Take out the filter mesh and pour the crushed grains into it. Do not compact it, otherwise the layer will be too dense and brewing will be complicated. Do not pour it in a heap; on the contrary, it is better to carefully level the top with your fingers or a spoon.
Pour water into the lower container, no higher than the level of the safety valve.
Assemble the structure by carefully placing the container with coffee so that it does not spill on the rubber seal. If this happens, remove the excess: with a sponge, brush, or simply blow it away.
Screw the device in tightly. This is best done by holding the top and bottom, rather than pulling on the handle. Often the handle is the most fragile part and can break.
Leave the coffee maker to warm up. The heat should be low, so the extraction will go slower, and your espresso will be more intense, aromatic, and thick. If the heat is too high, you can use the handle to hold the coffee maker above the burner, thereby controlling the temperature.
When the liquid boils away, you will hear a hissing sound. Remove the geyser from the stove and pour the coffee into cups.

At first, you may not close the lid - this will not affect the taste in any way, but you will learn to recognize the sounds of the beginning and end of brewing.

Brewing with cold water

The simplest method that many people use. In this case, cold water, preferably filtered, is poured into the lower container, but it can also be from the tap if it is not too hard or soft. There will be no scale, but this may change the taste of the finished espresso.

Low temperature makes the brewing process longer. At the same time, all parts heat up quickly, including the filter with poured coffee. The coffee burns a little, so the taste is more bitter. Steaming is long, more aromatic and flavor components are revealed, the drink is intense, strong, dense.

If you plan to add milk, we recommend brewing coffee in a geyser coffee maker with chilled water. This will give you a more “coffee” flavor.

Brewing with hot water

For those who love a pure black drink and experiment with the flavors of different varieties. First boil the water and then pour it into the bottom tank. Carefully assemble the device and turn on low heat. Be careful when assembling, the boiling water will heat the metal in a few seconds, so the bottom of the tank will become hot, use a towel or oven mitt.

Boiling will happen very quickly, so the brewing process itself will be shorter. Nothing burns, the espresso turns out soft, there will be no bitterness or “burnt” smell. If you want more intensity, reduce the heat to very low, so the process will take longer.

To brew specialty coffee, it is better to use this method so as not to burn the rather expensive grain and be able to appreciate all its features.

Sweet Neapolitan coffee

In the process of preparing coffee in a geyser coffee maker, you get a beautiful foam, although not very dense. And if you add sugar and stir it, there will be no foam at all. There is a special recipe for cream lovers.

Pour cold or hot water and put the coffee maker on fire.
Open the lid so you can see when the spill starts.
Pour as much sugar into a cup as you need.
When there is a spill, remove the device and pour some coffee into the cup with sugar.
Return the device to the fire.
Using a teaspoon, quickly stir the sugar into the espresso to create something like a viscous syrup with a lot of foam. If there is not enough liquid, add a little more. For one teaspoon of sugar - approximately 2-3 tablespoons of liquid, do not pour too much at once, otherwise you will not be able to whip up the foam.
When the drink in the geyser is ready, add it to the cup.
Enjoy the sweet taste and beautiful dense high cream.

The crema foam whips up quite quickly and does not settle, so you can easily make this sweet coffee in 2-3 cups at a time.

Peculiarities

The geyser type of coffee maker involves using only medium and coarse grinding powder. It is highly not recommended to use unfiltered water (for example, from a tap); natural purified water (bottled, etc.) is best suited. You should check whether the rotating parts of the device are tightly screwed in (tightness is very important, because pressure builds up in the system). Of course, it is necessary to grind coffee beans immediately before cooking, and not in advance, because they may lose their aromatic properties.

Well, the last, but no less important feature - under no circumstances should you open the device until it notifies you of cooking, this can lead to burns.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a geyser coffee maker:

Simple design that does not require special skills or detailed instructions
can be left on the stove while cooking, the coffee will not run away, as is the case with cezve
Easy to prepare: water is poured to a certain volume, the powder is added so that it fills the filter
The finished drink is not bitter and has a richer taste than the one prepared in a Turk. There's no thickness in it
Compact size and cooking over an open fire allow you to take the coffee maker with you on a trip or hike.
The drink does not burn due to the design features of the device
The temperature of the prepared coffee does not decrease for a long time
Takes up little space in the kitchen
The aluminum and steel from which the moka is made are durable, so it will last a long time
There are different models
You can buy a device of the required volume, from one cup to 1 liter of drink
The coffee maker is easy to care for
Low price. Geyser is the most budget coffee maker.

Device care

We figured out how to properly brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker, now let’s talk about how to properly care for it so that it lasts a long time.

Firstly, it is necessary to wash the device after each preparation of a drink, but this can only be done when the device has cooled down (the metal and ceramics from which modern coffee makers are made do not like sudden temperature changes).

Secondly, it is very important to monitor the condition of the filter and rubber products (gaskets), because they are the ones most susceptible to wear due to temperature changes. You need to rinse the filter as thoroughly as possible; for this, there are detergents or regular baking soda, which perfectly removes all deposits and plaque.

And third: you should not wash the deposits from the walls of the device, since it serves as a kind of filter that prevents oxidation and neutralizes the unpleasant taste of the drink. The fact is that the resins contained in the grinding process create a kind of protective film on the inner wall of the coffee pot during the preparation process.

How to check if your coffee maker is working properly

During use, it is important to ensure that the device is working properly. Pay attention to several points:

water should not leak from under the sealing ring or other places;
coffee flows out of the nozzle in a wide, powerful stream;
the device does not produce any extraneous sounds during operation - grinding, hissing, whistling;
The heating element of the coffee maker heats up properly when plugged into the electrical network.

Geyser coffee maker Gipfel
Some malfunctions can be eliminated by yourself by washing the filters and seals. If more serious problems are detected (the device does not turn on, does not heat or supply water), it is better to contact a service center.

Choosing a geyser coffee maker

Having learned what exactly a geyser coffee maker is and how to use it correctly, pay attention to a number of criteria that are best taken into account when purchasing a device:

Dimensions. To begin with, it is best to decide on the size. The design feature of the device is such that it can prepare only the amount of coffee that is provided: no more, no less. For example, if your coffee maker according to the instructions is designed to make four cups, but you only need two, then you won’t be able to brew a smaller amount.
The material of the coffee maker also plays an important role. For example, modern models made of steel and ceramics are easy to clean (a steel tank can generally be washed in the dishwasher), in addition, glass ceramics are transparent and allow you to monitor the cooking process, but this option is available in more expensive devices. But aluminum devices, alas, do not have such advantages; moreover, over time, due to oxidation processes, an unpleasant aftertaste may appear, which was mentioned above. This is why it is important not to wash away the characteristic coffee residue formed by oils during the preparation process.
The handle of the device should be comfortable and practical, have a comfortable grip on the hand. If for some reason you are uncomfortable picking up a coffee maker, it is better to consider other models, because you will have to do this every day and it is very important that such a routine process does not cause discomfort. Another feature of the pen is its heat resistance. Modern models mostly cover the grip of the handle with heat-resistant materials; more budget options may be deprived of such a simple, but no less important option. However, the usual rag or silicone grip, available in every kitchen, has not yet been canceled.
Device type. A traditional coffee maker can be recommended to connoisseurs of the classics, for whom making coffee is a real ritual that they are used to doing on their own. The electric type is more suitable for people for whom the process itself is not so important; the coffee will prepare itself and notify the owner about the completion of the process. Very convenient for the forgetful and those who have little time in the morning, the problem of “runaway coffee” will be solved automatically.

Design and principle of operation

The Italian coffee maker was originally made only of aluminum. Over time it was improved. Steel and ceramic ones are now in particular demand. They are divided into electric and classic. Despite many functional differences, the design of the units is almost the same.

The basis of the design are the following parts:

water tank. Located at the bottom;
a filter designed for storing crushed grains;
The upper compartment is intended for the finished coffee drink.

The coffee pot works on the principle of pressing steam onto the liquid. There is a valve on the side that needs to be used when the pressure is too high. The upper container is protected by a filter. Due to this, no cake gets into it. The parts of the device are fastened together with a hermetic gasket and thread.

The coffee pot is suitable for induction cookers, gas and electric. When heated, steam is released, which literally pushes boiling water through the filter into the part of the structure where the grains are located. This process does not stop until the water covers the filter. After this, only steam rises to the top.

This unit was called a geyser because the procedure for making coffee in it is similar to the eruption of a geyser. If the body of the coffee maker is transparent, then you can see this magic with your own eyes.

Principle of operation

A geyser coffee maker or moka is a device that works on the principle of a geyser: thanks to steam pressure, water passes through ground coffee beans and extracts beneficial substances from them, turning into a noble drink.
The device is compared to an espresso machine: in its portafilter, the liquid also passes through the particles of the beans, enriching itself with taste and aroma. However, if the coffee machine takes control of the drink preparation procedure, then the quality of coffee from a geyser coffee maker depends on the model of the device and the correctly executed recipe.

The geyser coffee maker consists of:

water tank;
filter;
coffee bowls with pipe.

The design has a metal thread connecting the parts of the coffee maker, a lid that reduces the release of steam and heat from the drink container.