Keurig coffee machines, French presses vacuum coffee pots, espresso machines and other automatic coffee makers. They are all nice, and have their place, but after a relentless pursuit, I am still satisfied with my 20-year-old mocha maker.
Here are a few tips for the best brew.
- The beans need a coarse grind.
- The water should be heated slowly for better coffee extraction.
- As the coffee exits the top, slow down the heating process.
- Close the lid as the last of the water exits the top (the water will be very light in colour).
- Do not scrub or wash the top chamber with soap.
- The coffee oils will coat the walls of the top chamber.
- Coffee oils prevent the coffee from picking up an aluminium taste.
In my opinion, electric stove top burners are too large. Most of the heat is lost around the sides using the electric stove. I like to use my butane camping stove to heat the mocha maker. It is easier to control the heat, and the flame is small enough not to melt the handle.
The best part is portability. I brought it to my recent camping trip. A cup of coffee from this mocha maker is definitely worth the extra time.
One thing worth mentioning. That butane canister has been in use since March of 2013. At the time of this writing (2015), I still have fuel in it.