However, if you landed here in search of a coffee percolator and did not find what your looking for, then you may want to read this review on Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker which is currently our top choice for a coffee percolator and see whether this is a good fit.
If you are just looking to buy the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker you can click here and go straight through to Amazon.com
Click here to check out the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
I’m now going to offer my experiential advice according to each common problem, one may encounter when using their Bialetti Moka express hob espresso maker.
Having Issues with your Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker? Fret Not ! Problems Solved !
Contents
- 1 Having Issues with your Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker? Fret Not ! Problems Solved !
- 1.1 Problem #2- Your Coffee Tastes Weird
- 1.2 Problem #3- You’ve noted that a jet of steam is shooting out of the unit’s safety valve (around the unit’s lower chamber/ reservoir)
- 1.3 Problem #4- Coffee is leaking/ spattering out (from the top) as the unit brews
- 1.4 Final Thoughts/ Words of Advice Relating to Troubleshooting Your Bialetti Moka Pot’s Nuisances
Watch this short video, then read the – Troubleshooting Coffee Quality Issues below…
Troubleshooting Coffee Quality Issues
Problem #1- Black Particulates in Fresh Brew
This is probably the most common coffee quality issue associated with the Bialetti Moka Pot. If the “black bits” are tiny, what you are seeing is probably a few coffee grinds. Sometimes, a few coffee grinds rise up with the hot water and steam to end up in the top chamber where the fresh brew is stored. The best solution to this problem is simply using a sieve when serving just to make sure that these bits don’t end up in your mug.
However, if these bits appear to be in clumps or as larger, flat pieces of solidified coffee (flake-like), the problem may be a result of a build-up of coffee within the unit’s pot. Most times, this issue arises from a lack of proper maintenance and cleaning. To deal with this specific issue, use a dish sponge to wipe out the inside of the pot. Please, please, do not scrub the living daylight out of it as you will eliminate all of the accumulated natural coffee oils that tend to add an extra oomph of flavor to your brew. If this doesn’t work, you may want to consider changing the unit’s filter basket as it may be old and worn-out.
Problem #2- Your Coffee Tastes Weird
Issue I -Your Brew is too weak/ too strong
This problem typically arises from using disproportionate amounts of water or coffee grinds. Too much water or too little coffee grind results in a weak brew whereas less water and too much coffee grind results in a very strong brew. To take care of this problem you can either a) stick to the measurement indicator markings or b) use the general brewing measurements which state that 8 ounces of water require a tablespoon of coffee grinds.
Issue II -Your Brew has a Metallic Taste
This issue is typically a result of over-enthusiastic cleaning or the fact that the unit is brand new and needs to be “cured”. In the first instance, what you’ve done is scrubbed off all of the natural coffee oils that work as brew seasoning and left the unit’s metallic part bare whereas in the second, the pot’s inside is all too fresh because it has never been used before. Naturally, the resulting brew will have a metallic taste to it.
To take care of this problem, I recommend that you purchase a pack of cheap coffee grinds (trust me, you don’t want to waste your favorite, high-quality coffee grinds to perform my home-made remedy for this). Use these grinds to brew several pots of java.
You can opt to pour all the resulting brew down the drain since it obviously won’t taste great considering the quality of grinds and the already existing problem of having an “over clean” pot. Making several brews magically restores/ re-seasons the inside of the unit’s pot and eliminates the problem quite well. PROBLEM SOLVED!
Issue III – Only water is collecting in the unit’s top storage chamber
You would be amazed at the number of people who have experienced this problem (and even more amused to find out the problem !). The problem here is that you have basically forgotten to put coffee grinds in the unit’s basket! If not, you are trying to recycle grinds that were used in during a previous brewing session (I’m all for “reuse, reduce, recycle” but when it comes to brewing a great cup of espresso, recycling used grounds is a big no-no).
Troubleshooting Brewing Issues (Your unit is seriously misbehaving during the brewing process)
Problem #3- You’ve noted that a jet of steam is shooting out of the unit’s safety valve (around the unit’s lower chamber/ reservoir)
If you notice this happening, there can only be two reasons. The first is that either the unit’s safety valve or filter funnel is blocked whereas the second is a common user-error, namely, you have filled the unit’s reservoir/ lower chamber with way too much water.
With regard to the first cause (clogged filter funnel/ safety valve), the heated water/ steam cannot rise up into the unit’s upper storage chamber as it is supposed to. The only solution to this issue is taking the entire unit apart (including gasket and filter) and rinsing it out thoroughly using a sponge and clean, hot water. Be sure to wipe off any stuck coffee grounds using a sponge. In addition, check the unit’s safety valve to see whether it has a small bulge (that looks like a metal stick) that can be pushed from the inside. Older Bialetti Moka pots tend to have this whereas newer models do not. Push this protuberance in a couple of times (don’t worry, it will spring back) in order to dislodge any blockage within the valve.
Problem #4- Coffee is leaking/ spattering out (from the top) as the unit brews
User-Error Alert !
This merely means that your coffee (collecting at the top storage chamber) is boiling. The solution to this issue is simply turning down the hob’s heat setting to reduce the boiling action. Hey, Presto ! Problem solved !
Final Thoughts/ Words of Advice Relating to Troubleshooting Your Bialetti Moka Pot’s Nuisances
If any of the above-mentioned problems persist after performing their corresponding troubleshooting measures, you might want to consider sending the pot back in order to seek for a replacement (if it is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty). If the time stipulated in the unit’s warranty has elapsed, you might want to consider buying another unit.
I hope this answers all your questions about the Bialetti Moka and for a closer look at the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker