Nespressos are all the rage now. They’re also outrageously expensive. The cheapest ones are $150, and then the pods are about $0.70 each. I briefly considered one since my regular percolating coffeemaker is ready to retire. But then I discovered stove top espresso makers, and I’m never going back. Thanks, but no thanks, George Clooney. I’ve got something better.
I am a little geeky when it comes to my stove top espresso maker. The engineer in me likes to know how it works.
It’s not complicated at all! Just fill the base with filtered water. Then drop the perforated funnel into the base with the funnel pointing down. Fill the top of the funnel with coffee grounds. You can use regular or espresso grounds. (You can also use a food processor or blender to grind your beans if you don’t have a grinder!)
Twist the upper kettle on to the base and place it on the stove on medium high heat. The water in the base will evaporate and the steam will rise through the funnel of coffee grounds. The coffee-infused steam will continue to rise through the skinny tube in the middle of the kettle where it will condense and become delicious espresso.