Coffee Purcolator

[humpty2]

Picked up one of those aluminium Purcolators today from an Op shop.......how do I use it Belinda!!!!

[belinda]

A lot of people get percolators and moccas mixed up, and they are quite different. For one thing, you use a different grind of coffee.

If you post a photo I can tell you for sure.

With either of them, they work much faster (and use less gas or metho) if you fill them with hot water rather than cold. The coffee also tastes better if the beans are freshly ground, so Rob always grinds a jar full the day before we leave.

[humpty2]

Its exactly like the one you were using at Coledale........love that retro look!!

[belinda]

OK Humpty, it's not a percolator.

If it's like ours what you have is a mocca which makes espresso coffee. You put water in the bottom, coffee in the basket and the water is pushed through the grounds under pressure into the top section.

Step one is to find out if it's complete and in good order. Unscrew the top half from the bottom half.
- Is there a flat filter across the base of the top half?
- Does the rubber seal holding it in place look in good order?
- Is there a coffee basket in the bottom half?
If any of these bits are missing or damaged it's easy and cheap to get spare parts. In Newcastle I'd drop into one of the Italian delis on Beaumont Street. In Sydney I get parts from Cafe Biachi in Leichardt.

Step two is to try making coffee. Get some fine-ground coffee - one of those vacuum-packed blocks of coffee at the supermarket, or grind your own beans very fine. Fill the bottom section with water up to the level of the little brass steam valve. Put in the coffee basket. Put coffee in the basket (start with about 2/3 full). Screw the two halves firmly together (make sure there are no coffee grounds clogging up the seal). Put on stove.

If it doesn't sit firmly on your gas ring you'll need one of those trivet thingys that lets you put small items on the burner.

The thing heats up, then coffee slowly and silently comes out into the top section. When it starts to make sputtering noises you know all the water has gone through and the coffee is ready. Just take the mocca off the stove and pour it out.

Espresso coffee is pretty strong and not all machines are alike. Experiment with different brands of coffee and different amounts in the basket until it is making something you like to drink.

Let me know if you have any problems or further questions.

[humpty2]

Thanks Belinda...........all the bits are there and it seems in good condition.
I've printed the rest of your instructions as I can't remember all that!!!!
It is branded "Moka Express" made in Italy..........I think there is a pressure relief valve on the bottom bit.
$1.oo well spent ;D

[Deleted]

From Belinda:

"could you post this photo for me on the coffee percolator thread within "memorabilia"? It should give Humpty some idea of the different shapes and styles there are of moccas and percolators."

Having a fetish for collecting coffee machines is probably better than having a fetish for collecting caravans. We might have about 35 of them (I've lost count at present) but at least they fit on one shelf in the kitchen (plus a couple in the loungeroom, and one on the stove, and one in the van, and one we leave at Dad's place ......).

[earlee]

what a great photo - made me laugh.

Mark - you are a real collectormaniac!

[caraparker]

Belinda
I Notice you have the jug for an Atomic! do you have the whole machine or are you just hoping to find the rest later!
cheers
fellow coffee machine nut

[Roehm3108]

Wow Belinda!!!! Now I have ANOTHER reason to visit Sydney ;D ;D ;D
Ray

[humpty2]

Thats it!!!............the one with the man with his finger stuck up
I think I will stick with just the one

[belinda]

Dear Caraparker

that Atomic jug is our spare. The Atomic itself (with the other jug) lives on the stove. The Cona coffee siphon (a truly awsome gaget) lives in the loungeroom china cabinet.

The Atomic is a bit late and a bit classy to go vintage vanning with us, but if you want to see one on the road check out "Priscilla Queen of the Desert". If you look very, ber carefully you'll see one on thes tove in the bus.

cheers

Belinda

[ditzygypsy]

could you please post this pic under mamorabilia/purcolator(sic)
its the ultimate coffee machine lovers machine!
cheers Caraparker.

[caraparker]

Ive just got to stop trying to touch type! that heading is terrrible.
Thanks for posting the pic ditzy,
my coffee machine came from the local tip shops scrap bin and is a 1956 BO-EMA made in australia.cost $25 plus $280 to restore.
To heavy for the Carapark, especially as we now tow it with a 1600cc vw Kombi.
cheers

[ditzygypsy]

FROM BELINDA:

Dear Caraparker,

I trump your one-group machine with a two-group Bezzerra.

We have this in our primary school's canteen and make a killing at school concerts. It's also great fun for the coffee-phile parents (like me and Rob) to play with.

It would be a bit of over-kill in the van though and the 12v wouldn't quite cope.

(we think your machine is pretty gorgeous too - how old is it? and what brand?)

cheers

Belinda

[will and Lyn]

Hi Belinda
you are going to think im a dumb shit because I wrote your adress on a magazine and one of my boys borrowed it
please give it to me again
so I can send the annexe

Will
chief dumb shit of the vintage caravan group ;D ;D ;D
ps apologies again

Will

[caraparker]

ditzy
my machine is a 1956 BO-Ema
as previous message
I know of a chap who runs a coffee roasting place in hobart and also repairs old Italian machines!
he has some wonderful machines and has a four group "gaggia" thatsd about four foot sox long and has four of those wonderful levers.I don't think my wife would be very happy if I bought that one home though.and I would have to have a separate trailer for that one.
In the Vans we have to rely on a Bialetti til I find something really interesting .My brother inlaw found an atomic in a Hornsby jumble sale for $5,the b@#%er!!!
cheers

[caraparker]