nostink Senior Member Joined: 8 Oct 2011 Posts: 3 Location: No CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Oct 8, 2011, 2:45pm Subject: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
I have come across a ABC Crusinallo 6 cup jr stove top express coffee pot which I have read is an early Bialetti Moka pot. I am finding that when I make a pot of coffee that at least half of the water in the bottom chamber does not extract through to the top of the coffee leaving me with a very small bitter finished coffee product.
I am looking to find out why only half the water extracts. I am not tamping down the coffee in the funnel, I just gently press the spoon on the top of the grounds. The coffee is ground to a cross between medium to espresso grind.
I have a Bialetti 3 cup that I have made a dozen pots with without any problems so I am familiar with the process. Anyone have any suggestions on why I am having these results?
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,018 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Sat Oct 8, 2011, 2:58pm Subject: Re: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
Welcome to CG.
I stick with Bialetti pots, I have used many others over the years but when the gasket needs replacing I can never get one that fits proper and it becomes a source for leaks. Tamping can create to much resistance especially if the grind is fine, try a wee bit coarser a grind for this pot or just tap the filter once or twice downwards to compress the grind. Some say don't compress the grinds at all. If half the water is remaining in the bottom then the puck is expanding to much blocking the flow.
nostink Senior Member Joined: 8 Oct 2011 Posts: 3 Location: No CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Oct 8, 2011, 8:00pm Subject: Re: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
Thank you for the welcome!
Although this is an ABC Crusinallo Jr Express, my research shows that the ABC stands for Alfonso Bialetti, the creator of the Bialetti Crusinallo is where his original workshop was. You say that you stick with the Bialetti pots, so would you not consider this to be a Bialetti?
It is a vintage pot so perhaps the gasket needs replacing, I also notice that the valve does not have the little metal "pin" extending out of it like the newer ones, I need to do some research and see if it is defective.
What has me befuddled is that I use the same technique for the 3 cup and it works perfectly. I will once again try another pot and not lightly press the grounds down when leveling.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,018 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Sun Oct 9, 2011, 1:49pm Subject: Re: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
Since it is a Bialetti i would shoot them an email to see about a gasket replacement. The valve on the side is for pressure release in case water can't escape, could be a design change that makes it different from modern versions or is broken and possible could be replaced with a newer one. If the valve is not working proper it may be letting pressure out and that is why so much water is left behind but a worn out gasket will also let pressure out. Do you see or hear any evidence from the gasket or the valve leaking?
CraigJS Senior Member Joined: 8 May 2011 Posts: 66 Location: Minnesota, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Baratza M plus Drip: filter cone, FP, Moka
Posted Sun Oct 9, 2011, 6:38pm Subject: Re: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
Every leaky gasket that I've ever had let me know by leaking/spraying coffee all over while heating (after preasure has built up inside). Check out that relief valve, sounds more like the problem.. Luck to you.
nostink Senior Member Joined: 8 Oct 2011 Posts: 3 Location: No CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Oct 10, 2011, 4:42am Subject: Re: Bialetti 6 cup Moka pot
Thanks to all that have responded.
I really don't think that it is the gasket because when inspecting it the gasket did not appear dry or crumbling; there is also no steam or sputtering taking place at the gasket area. I did send off an note to Bialetti regarding the brass pressure valve but I also don't think that is the issue but look forward to their response. I have seen other photos of vintage Bialetti's and it seems like the ones with the brass valve do not have the little movable steam piece in the middle of the valve. Then again perhaps they are also broken.
So, I will experiment further with how much coffee I am using and how I am filling the funnel but unfortunately it will have to wait a couple of weeks until I get back to my motorhome because I forgot it and left it there.
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