What is the principle of geyser coffee maker

Geyser coffee makers are probably familiar to many from the time of the USSR, while they were made from aluminum and therefore very quickly lost their appearance and quality characteristics. The most common such devices received in Italy, the famous Italian "mocha" - this, in fact, and there are the same geyser options, only in a more interesting and diverse performance. Let's try to understand the principle of operation of the geyzernaya coffee maker, having studied some features of its functioning.

Such coffee makers can be put on the stove (gas or electric), but there are also models with built-in heaters that operate on the principle of an electric kettle.

As a rule, such devices are somewhat more expensive than traditional ones, but they are extremely convenient to use in cases where there is no “external heater”.

Coffee maker device

The device of household geyzernoy coffee makers looks like this:

1. At the base of the device is located a water tank, into the wall of which a safety (emergency) valve is embedded.
2. A filter is placed on the container, the entire perimeter of which is covered by a net - a kind of strainer for ground coffee.
3. In the upper part of the coffee maker is a compartment (vessel) for the finished drink.

Geyser coffee maker

How does it work

The principle of operation of the device is based on the use of steam under pressure. In the lower compartment of the case water is poured in a certain amount. According to the label inside the coffee maker, it is necessary to accurately monitor the occupancy, not allowing the water level to rise above the permissible. Coffee powder is poured into the coffee compartment, after which the upper part of the device is screwed on and the device is set on fire.

The water in the process of boiling turns into steam, squeezing out the remaining liquid through the tube into the upper compartment, first passing them through the coffee.

Since geyser coffee makers are used primarily for the preparation of espresso, the principle of operation is reduced exclusively to the "squeezing" steam function.If the steam will also brew, the product temperature at the outlet will be too high.

We offer you a video detailing how a geyser coffee maker works.

A special role in the apparatus is assigned emergency valve. With it, the pressure is stopped when the tube is blocked and water cannot pass through it. This can happen if used rammed coffee too finely ground, in this case, all the water through the steam in the valve and out.

Emergency valve coffee maker Bialetti. Photo: mokapot.ru

Recommendations for use

It is important to follow the rules of operation in order to make wonderful coffee and avoid premature breakdown of the device:

1. Carefully monitor the temperature of the gas or electric stove. As soon as you hear that the drink begins to flow into the upper compartment (it is easy to guess after a few days of operation), turn off the hotplate, and in the case of the electric stove, it is better to remove the device from it altogether.
2. Do not tamp too much coffee, even if you want to get a rich drink: just enough to slightly press down a lot with a teaspoon.
3. Do not allow the operating device to start “sniffing”, this may occur at the final stage of preparation. If you still hear similar sounds, immediately pour cold water on the lower part of the body. “Snort” means that too hot steam starts to take part in the work, this affects the quality and taste of the finished drink.

Care

Rinse all components thoroughly and regularly in running water. The only nuance that should be taken into account is that it is necessary to completely eliminate the use of chemicals and cleaning products when caring for the device. Otherwise, the top layer of the surface will be damaged, and the coffee will acquire a characteristic metallic taste.

Do not be afraid to leave a protective coating on the inner walls of the vessel - it will only benefit the taste and aroma of the finished drink.

Additional functions

Coffee makers of geyser type with the simplest principle of operation are intended, first of all, for making tasty and high-quality beverage. However, in some more advanced models, manufacturers offer an additional set of features that greatly facilitate the process of operation.

Among them:

1. The presence of sound alerts at the end of the process.
2. Light indication confirming or disproving the operation of the device.
3. Timer with which you can independently adjust the time of automatic switching on the device.
4. Automatic shutdown when the beverage is ready and the heating function, which allows to maintain the temperature of the coffee.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main advantages:

1. Saturation and aroma of the finished drink.
2. No need to constantly monitor the operation of the device (as, for example, in the case of the Turk).
3. In the finished coffee there is no so-called "thick", since the possibility of precipitation falling into the upper bowl is excluded.
4. Reasonable cost of the device. Even the original Bialetti Moka Express of the Italian assembly cost no more than 2-3 thousand rubles. Chinese models, of course, even cheaper.
5. The compactness allowing to place the device anywhere.
6. The geyser can be used not only for making coffee, but also for brewing teas and herbal preparations.

Minuses:

1. The limitations of a clearly defined volume - you need to prepare a strictly designated number of cups, no more and no less.
2. It is necessary to closely monitor the degree of grinding of the powder, it should not be too fine, otherwise the filter may be "clogged".
3. The structure of the device may cause certain difficulties in the care of him.
4. Unable to get an appetizing crema.
5. The metal part of the coffee maker remains hot for a long time after switching off, so care should be taken when handling the appliance.
6. If you have an induction cooker at home, then the most popular aluminum geyser coffee makers will not work on it. It will be necessary to look for steel coffee pots, for example, Bialetti Venus.

Thus, when choosing a geyser-type coffee maker, one should carefully evaluate all its advantages and disadvantages in order not to be disappointed later either in the set of possible functions, or in the principle of operation, or as a finished drink.