I purchased the 12 cup Bialetti because I make coffee for the week. I created time instructions that have been helpful to me. Adjust the following timings for your maker and your stovetop.
- Put 1/4 C of medium grind coffee in your filtered funnel. I set the funnel in a tumbler and it holds it properly.
- DO NOT pack it down.
- Add a pinch of salt, then if you are using moringa, or any other flavoring, please a pinch between two FULL and level 1/4 cup scoops.
- Add another 1/4 C on top of the additives
- Put 3 C of filtered water into the microwave for 4 minutes on high. (Next: Burner)
- Preheat your small electric burner on 4-5.
- If it exceeds 400ยบ turn it down to 2 until it is closer time to use it.
- If you are using gas, use a low to medium flame. Any higher and you will melt the handle.
- Pour the hot water into the bottom reservoir then place the filled funnel into the mouth of the bottom reservoir. It will be hot, so use a cloth – screw the top onto the bottom; snugging, but not overtightening.
- Place the pot on your stovetop burner and set to 4-5. Set timer for 8 minutes. (Next: Ice bath)
- Meanwhile, fill a flat bottomed mixing bowl with 2 inches of water and put in 8 ice cubes to lower the temperature even further. This is to place the pot in since it will be hot from the burner as soon as the water has gone. If you are too late on Step EIGHT do not use the ice bath!
- You will start smelling the coffee at about 7 minutes, then you will start to see a lot of steam come out of the spout. (Next: Listen) AT THIS POINT DO NOT LEAVE.
- Listen carefully. AS SOON AS the burbling changes to a higher pitch (3-4 more minutes) start to watch it VERY closely. As soon as the pot sounds start to diminish or the steam starts to subside, remove the entire thing from the stovetop and put it into your cold water for 3 minutes.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: If it goes completely dry, it may be too late. It will start to get very hot if you put it into the ice water, it will most likely crack the container. Let it cool naturally before unscrewing it.
- Assuming Step 8 went well; as soon as it is cool enough to unscrew, your coffee is ready to be consumed. Unscrew the top containing the coffee, and place on a paper towel.
- Let the bottom filtered section cool before emptying and cleaning.
- What I plan to do is let it cool, decant into plastic bottles, then store it in the fridge to use as Instant Coffee concentrate. With that in mind: Pour in a glass container to cool. This will make four full mug servings for me, so I like to add cream and sugar so that all I have to do is add water.
- OPTIONAL: Next, I make my coffee that I will drink that morning. Return to Step TWO (using existing wet grounds) and go all the way through to Step 9. Pour into your mug, flavor and enjoy. Store your two water bottles containing coffee concentrate in the refrigerator for up to a week.
When ready to make your “instant coffee” fill 1 coffee mug with 1/3 coffee and 2/3 water. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. Add sugar and cream as desired.
