On The Hob

Not every one’s favourite coffee is from an espresso machine in Starbucks.  In the home Cafetieres and Stovetop coffee makers are increasingly popular.  But what are they and which should you choose?

Cafetieres

A Cafetiere is a glass or plastic pot with a plunger on top.  The brand La Cafetière  is most popular but they are also known as a French Press coffee maker or just a coffee maker.

Cafetieres

To use a Cafetiere you take the lid and plunger off, spoon in your freshly ground coffee and then hot water from a kettle.  Put the lid on with the plunger up.  Then once you have allowed sufficient time push the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the coffee.

Cafetieres are simple to use and great when you have guests, they come in all sizes from one cup to 12 cups, so much quicker than making an espresso for every guest!

Click here to buy a Cafetiere coffee maker

Stovetops

Stovetop coffee makers are becoming increasingly popular.  As the name suggests these are coffee makers for use on the stove / on the hob.

Stovetop Espresso Makers

A stovetop coffee maker has three components.  The water reservoir at the bottom.  A funnel shaped filter in the middle and the jug top ontop.  To use the coffee maker fill the bottom section with water, and the filter with your ground coffee.  Then place on the hob.

As the water heats it will produce steam.  But with nowhere for the steam to go the pressure forces the water up the funnel and through to the ground coffee.  As the water combines with the ground coffee it expands the coffee effectively “self tamping” and means more pressure is required for the water to pass through the coffee.  This pressure means that the coffee produced is espresso rather than a standard coffee you would get from a Cafetiere.  As the last of the water passes through the coffee it makes a characteristic gurgling sound telling you the coffee is brewed and ready to drink.

The most popular range of Stovetops is the Moka range by Bialetti.  You can buy the stovetops in “cup sizes” from just a one cup all the way to a 18 cup.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

Still not sure about stovetops?  Take a look at this great YouTube video showing how simple it is to make the perfect espresso.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

Marco Pierre White has teamed up with leading kitchen brand Russell Hobbs to create a range of professionally inspired products,  perfect for both  the ‘at home chef’, or anyone who needs a helping hand in the kitchen.  We previously featured his Hard Anodised Saucepan Set here On the hob.

Today we are featuring the Marco Pierre White Mini Food Processor.

Marco Pierre White Mini Food Processor

This mini food processor is perfect for smaller items such as garlic, baby food and pasta sauces.  The 320W mini food processor comes with two stainless steel blades including one that is suitable for crushing ice and a cream disc that will whip up a thick cream in seconds.  The product has an easy one-touch operation button and the glass bowl base has a handy filter lid allowing you to store food in the fridge.

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