Showing posts with label stovetop espresso maker instructions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stovetop espresso maker instructions. Show all posts

Saturday, August 16, 2014

3 Liter Digital Water Heater

3 Liter Digital Water HeaterMany Asian households have this appliance but non-Asians seem to not know about it. This is a convenient way to always have boiling hot water at hand for making tea or instant ramen and instant soups. While the typical "American" electric tea kettle requires you to plug in and boil water each time it is turned on (thereby necessitating a wait of at least 3-5 minutes), this water heater boils water and keeps it boiling hot for days until you dispense all of it and have to refill/reboil it. I have found it very useful to have a personal water heater at my office desk (where it is the envy of all my colleagues yet somehow they are resistant to buying one themselves due to cultural suspicion), and also one at home. One caveat is that since it is constantly plugged in, it may use up a lot of electricity. Also you have to be careful of children accidentally dispensing it and scalding themselves (this model has a "lock" button). Lastly, you should never immerse the appliance in water and it is certainly not dishwashable. The Tiger model is not cheap but it is a high quality, well-made appliance that will last for years.

I got this one to replace a Tiger water heater I got over 16 years ago. That one has to be pumped manually. This one is much better since it pumps the water out automatically.

I like the 6-hr timer (only single setting, single push to activate) that shuts the heater down for six hours then restarts it. This save energy since my house is 50 degree at night and I don't drink in these 6-hr time period. It also heats up the water before I get up. The 3-liter capacity is more than sufficient for my consumption rate of 1.2 L each time. My previous unit was 5-liter, which is too much to heat up.

The lid takes about 2 seconds to get use to. If you use the left hand to open it, you'd need to use your thumb to push down on the front-end which pivots the back end of the retangular latch upward, then use your pointing finger and/or the middle finger to lift the lid up. The lid is removeable for cleaning which is nice.

The insulation is quite good. I set the temperature at 208 deg F and my ambient temperature is 50 deg F constant so the water reheated about 3 hours each time for about 20 seconds. This is not bad at all. Even my bottled hot water heater reheat much often than this, about 20 minutes each time based on the same constant 50 deg F ambient temp.

I bought this unit after reading others' review and they were pretty accurate. I enjoy my coffee at 208 deg F instead of either not hot enough (bottled hot water heater) or too hot using microwave oven.

This unit has a lazy susan which make it very easy to rotate. The negative this is that the power cord is held onto the unit by two rather weak magnets so if you rotate the unit too quick or to much ( greater than 60 degrees), the power cord can detach from the unit easily. Be careful when washing the unit. Read and follow the instruction and the warning label on the unit.

The bottom line: a strong recommendation to buy.

Buy 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Now

I bought my Tiger water heater in Korea in the mid 90s while working there. I keep it plugged in all day and love this. I was worried I'd not be able to replace this if mine ever quit on me so I just looked it up and so glad I will be able to get another one if mine ever dies. I have this instead of a coffee pot and really love it. Ever so often, I put a cup or so of vinegar into the hot water (fill to the line), unplug it and let it set overnight to clean all the minerals from my water. The next morning, I just wipe with dish rag inside and then I rinse well and fill up again. This keeps any build-up from inside the kettle. I'm just thrilled I was able to find this online to order when I need one. I might even order one soon as a "back-up" just in case. Yes, it's funny when my friends visit, they have never seen anything like this and act like it's an "Asian" thing. Now I can tell them they can get one, too.

Read Best Reviews of 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Here

I have always found the Tiger brand very reliable and this hot water dispenser is no different. I purchased one for my son 5 years ago It is still in good working order although his had a mechanical pump. This one is all eletronics so when it is not plugged in you cannot dispense any water.

Want 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Discount?

This hot water dispenser is just great. The price is so reasonable for the good quality. It has a good capacity and very simple to use. My parents have the same exact product and they are happy with it as well.

Save 18% Off

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Espresso Crema and Gusto (Lavazza) Ground Coffee, 8.8oz (250g)

Espresso Crema and Gusto Ground Coffee, 8.8ozShipped UPS which was unexpected so I had to end up paying extra to have them reroute it to my job so I could actually be there to sign for it instead of getting notices that nobody was home and they would be back at another hour. Outside of that, tasty tasty! I will always prefer Lavaza to Illy 10x over. Just smoother and richer on the senses without that dark acidity that I just can't stand. And I know people complain about too little foam but I don't care about foam (I think foam tastes disgusting) so this was perfect!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker

Bialetti 6990 Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker, Polished AluminumI was really excited to get this new product and I tried it right way. The first time I used it, I put the flame on too high and not only did I get milk everywhere (which I should have known from heating up milk and cream when making bechemel sauce or yogurt, milk goes EVERYWHERE when overheated) but water leaked as well.

I can't tell how many times I've used it since (sometimes twice or three pots a day) and I haven't had a problem with it at all. My guests love it as well. If the flame is medium, it doesn't leak. As soon as I hear the milk or cream frothing, I take it off the stove and put it on the sink (just in case, but it hasn't overflowed over since that first time I used it).

It's superfast, and it's supereasy to clean. This little product is saving me lots of money because I no longer desire to buy Cappuccino from Starbucks.

My only complaint about this product is that it has a two-cup capacity. That would be a two-espresso-cup capacity. So if you buy this product don't think it will make 16oz. And keep the flame low-medium. And take it off the heat when the milk starts frothing :)

ok, let's be honest, if your looking to spend less than $400 this is probably your best bet. Anything under that price is going to have it's idiosyncrasies (read "problems") But for the money this is a great buy, and if you take some time with it in the beginning you'll be happier in the end. And in the time that I have had mine here's what I learned.

First off read the instructions!

Throw away the first 3 5 cups (read "don't drink") think of this as seasoning your Mukka

Use a coarse espresso grind, too fine and the water doesn't make it through and then it's leaking all over your stove.

Don't pack-down (tamp) the grounds in the filter basket, see problem above.

Don't fill the filter basket with grounds while it is sitting in the water reservoir, instead hold it in your hand over the sink to prevent getting grounds all over the seals. See problem above.

Clean all the grounds off the seals. See problem above.

Wet the seals with water before brewing. See problem above.

Turn the heat down, adjust your gas so that the flame doesn't go past the edge of the mukka, this will improve your foam although I don't know the physics of it, it just seems to work better if the heat isn't too high.

Use "cold" Whole milk, I have tried 2%, half and half, 1/2 2% and 1/2 half and half, and had the best foam with whole milk, but it isn't ever going to be "micro-foam" and it's not going to come out white, cause the coffee does the steaming.

Let the Mukka steam the milk and then wait a minute leaving it on the heat till it steams again, I think that second boil is important for taste,and it makes the coffee good and hot.

Pour your cappucino or latte into a cup and IMMEDIATELY clean the Mukka, or at least soak it with water so the milk doesn't dry up. Don't worry your coffee will still be hot. See suggestion above.

on the steamer there is a black button you push for cappucino and below that a gray collar you can lift up. PULL UP ON THE GRAY COLLAR and rotate the steaming mechanism counter clockwise to remove the steamer. If you don't pull up on the gray collar good luck on getting the steaming mechanism off.

Cappucino button down

Latte Button up

Espresso no Milk, button up

Cafe Americano add water instead of milk, to line, button up

So with about a month of time in on my Mukka I have started to get good latte's from it, hopefully these suggestions shorten that time for you. And I have stopped going to "fourbucks" every morning so it is also saving me money.

Buy Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker Now

...and if you do it makes a great latte or cappucino. Follow the directions explicitly, or you could have a mess on your hands, as some other reviewers have reported. Now that I've had it a couple of months, it comes out perfectly (including lots of foam, if that's what you choose)99% of the time. When there is a problem (leaking, exploding, etc., as noted by others) it's because you haven't done something right. When instructions are followed, it works just great. Some things to particularly watch out for:

-Be certain the rubber seal is properly seated.

-Check to make sure you have properly screwed the two main parts together correctly and securely.

-Observe fill line guidelines strictly if you put in either too much water or milk, it will overflow.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the design when I've had problems, it's been my error.

The instructions are clear and thorough just don't be hasty or careless and you will love this item.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker Here

I bought this little gem so that I could enjoy a quick cappuccino after dinner, and I'm 100% satisfied with it. It seems a few (several) people here have had issues using it, and 99.9% of the time, those errors are user-errors. That said, here's how I consistently get great cappuccinos with my Mukka Express...

1. Use the right grind. Most store-bought espresso grinds are too fine, as the Mukka explicitly states to use rough ground espresso. If you find that you have coffee dregs in the water tank after brewing, your grind it too fine.

2. I use a glass top stove, and the water measurement is 6 ounces. BE SURE TO GET THIS RIGHT!

3. Use medium-high heat. I set my cook top to 7.5, and my cappuccino is ready in just over 5 minutes.

4. Do NOT let any -and I mean ANY -coffee grinds remain on the basket or heater rim. The couple of times I have had seal issues, grinds were the problem. If you don't have a steady hand, just fill the coffee basket separately, then put it onto the heat tank.

5. I recommend using less milk than the directions indicate -especially as you first get used to using the Mukka. Since I also like a stronger cup, I fill the milk to around 1/4-inch below the recommended line. Experiment with this, starting with FAR LESS, so that you avoid potential froth-overs. The temp you end up using will also impact the amount of froth, so play it safe to begin with and use less milk.

6. MAKE SURE THE PRESSURE VALVE IS LOCKED! The only way the pressure stem will fire off and leave the Mukka is if it's broken or not locked in place.

7. If you aren't getting much foam, your cook top temp is too low. If it's foaming out and you haven't overfilled with milk, your cook top temp is too high.

So, if you follow the steps, you should have no problems getting a great cappuccino. After a few tries, you'll find the right settings for your stove. ENJOY!

Want Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker Discount?

Sell your Starbucks stock because this product is amazing! In just 4 quick minutes a delicious frothy cuppucino is ready and it tastes better than Starbucks!! Forget the bad reviews, if you have half a brain this maker is no problem. Just add water to the line on bottom, scoop in a few teaspoons of espresso, screw on the top, add milk to the line, put it on the stove, wait for the button to pop and your done!

Save 12% Off