Try a little less coffee, it does require a bit of experimentation to get it how you like it.  But tbh, it  will seem kinda like bitter treacle compared to high street stuff, it's proper old school espresso.  Just top it up with hot water if needed.

Yeah, sorry about insinuating you were a coffee wuss .  Too much coffee and/or burning sounds like a good bet.  Took me a while before I was able to brew something I wanted to drink.

As far as I know they mostly follow the design of Bialetti's original moka pot's which have been used since the 30's so there shouldn't be that much difference.  

One issue could be metal type, if you have a stainless steel model instead of an aluminium one it can take an age to heat the water, cooking the grounds and spoiling the coffee in the process.  Try boiling the water before putting it in the base, could be that simple.

Hey, good advice!

I could do with one, been on the Chimay and feel a little woozy.

New study on the health effects of coffee seems to indicate that you're more at risk if you're younger.

However...

Those who consumed higher amounts of coffee (both men and women) were more likely to smoke and had lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

How do you separate out the smoking and lower levels of fitness? My feeling is that the study is slightly flawed; once you reach 55, the age that the study suggests you are no longer at risk from coffee, then it's even harder to pick out what's killing your than it was when you were younger. So, are you "immune" to coffee at 55, or is the study simply flawed? Is coffee killing younger people, or are heavy consumers just more likely to smoke and not exercise?

I think they'd struggle to predict any health difficulties for me; I drink three coffees a day, which is under the danger zone of four suggested by the study. But I don't smoke, rarely drink, and cycle or walk everywhere.

Without seeing the original paper, it's hard to say. But I think the conclusion should be "coffee drinkers are more likely to smoke" rather than "drinking coffee poses serious health risks but only for young people". (Though I do accept that there are some risks, but then there are risks with everything and COFFEE TASTES SO GOOD JUST HOOK IT TO MY VEINS.)

Getting really tempted by a Bayreuther coffee machine.

Not sure how much better it would make my life.

I'd probably still need to use the aeropress if I was making two cups so someone didn't feel second class.

Got half a kilo of Fazenda São Benedito whole bean, supplied by Monmouth.

Will report back.

Pea it might be worth checking out if you can get a reusable capsule for that maker. It would allow you use or mix your own grounds for a fraction of the cost.

beano wrote:

Pea it might be worth checking out if you can get a reusable capsule for that maker. It would allow you use or mix your own grounds for a fraction of the cost.

Have checked and there's some available. Cheers. We now have another 160 capsules though, and 200 on the way FOC. I think we're good for a while....!

Been looking to treat myself over Xmas period, took the plunge with a Bialetti Moka stovetop, 4 cup stainless steel, along with some Illy Dark Roast.

Thanks for the tip, I'm sure it will take a few attempts to get it right. Found a site that recommended using some cheap grounds for the first couple of pots to season the Bialetti before using the decent stuff.

What Mostly said about using hot water is sound advice indeed. Using cheap stuff to start with is a great idea as well, Lavazza should do just fine. Have fun

My coffee habits have well and truly solidified.

Plantation Cafe in Melbourne Central look after me. They're expensive, and I go there too often, but they show me the love. They do a combo they call the awakening: An espresso shot (they have amazeballs coffee) followed by a small latte. It's $5, but it's sooo good, and it's basically a double shot of coffee with minimal milk, makes for lots of awakening and not much bloating. 

This morning they gave me a double shot espresso, just because I'm boss.

On the home front, they have Columbian beans that agree with my grinder at home. Perfect coffee nearly every time. Has been a godsend for the missus while she's home with Ara, I can tell you. And makes my weekends awesome too. Ara + Nash + Coffee + NBA Leaguepass makes Saturday mornings awesome.

I really wanna cuppa but time.

I have a daily outlook reminder that says "STOP DRINKING CAFFEINE YOU TWAT" to avoid circs like that. I ignore it most days.