Geyser coffee maker: operating principle and design

Many people have known geyser-type coffee makers since Soviet times. At that time, they were made of aluminum material, as a result of which they quickly lost their presentable appearance and ability to function normally. Such machines for making coffee were most popular in Italy. It is worth noting that the well-known Italian “mocha” coffee machines act as Soviet geyser options, only in a more interesting and creative design. This material will describe in detail the operating principle of a geyser coffee maker, examining some of the features of its design and functionality.

What is a geyser coffee maker

Tasty and truly good coffee is something that no coffee drink lover will refuse. It has long been proven that coffee is beneficial if you drink it in moderation. However, not all people can afford to buy an expensive coffee machine, which is why the best option would be to purchase a geyser coffee maker.

A geyser coffee maker is a surprisingly simple and ingenious invention. Thanks to this unit, everyone can prepare delicious and aromatic coffee, which will be practically no different from cappuccino or espresso purchased in a prestigious coffee shop. Today there is a large selection of different options for such coffee makers:

expensive;
budgetary;
domestic;
foreign.

The operating principle of a geyser coffee maker is based on pressure. A certain amount of water must be poured into the lower part of the housing. Using the mark, you need to monitor the filling level, preventing the water level from rising above normal. The beans, ground to a powder, must be poured into the coffee tank, then screw on the upper part of the unit body and put it on fire.

Since a geyser-type coffee maker is primarily used for making espresso, the whole principle of operation comes down to “squeezing out” steam. If steam performs the brewing function, the initial temperature of the finished drink will be too high.

Instructions for use

The first position, which the instructions for a geyser coffee maker from the USSR introduces, indicates the preparation of the device. Containers should be washed with standard dishwashing detergents and wiped dry with napkins or a clean towel.

The first coffee prepared is not suitable for drinking; it is recommended to pour it down the sink. To get a richer and more pleasant taste, you should use filtered water, where the iron or calcium content does not exceed the norm.

Three-quarters of the ground coffee is poured into the funnel-shaped filter.

Making coffee

To prepare an invigorating drink, you need to follow these steps:

Pour water into the lower container - the safety valve shows to what level. Standard volume is 500 ml.
Install a funnel-shaped filter.
Add ground coffee without a slide; you will need no more than six teaspoons, a little more than 35 g.
Place the upper container and place the appliance on the burner.

Preparing coffee The drink begins to flow in 5-6 minutes, after 7-8 it is completely ready, you need to turn off the gas or electricity supply, depending on the type of stove used.

Rules of care

This model cannot be loaded into the dishwasher, but it disassembles, so it can be easily cleaned right under the tap. To clean the filters, use a plastic brush; the holes can be cleaned with a toothpick.

Periodically, the walls need to be descaled, especially if the tap water contains excess calcium. To do this, boil a vinegar solution in a coffee maker. If there is only a little scale, you can wash the containers in water with ammonia and laundry soap.

The instructions for the Soviet geyser coffee maker specifically stipulate that during washing you should not use steel wool or other abrasive detergents. Among cleaning products, it is necessary to exclude those containing chlorine, otherwise the walls may be damaged.

When cleaning, pay attention to the filter, the finished drink delivery rod and the sealing ring.

Rules of care

It can be stored both assembled and disassembled.

Safety precautions

The instructions for the geyser coffee maker from the USSR also provide some safety rules:

when installing the device on the stove, the handle is positioned in such a way that it does not overheat - the plastic is easily damaged by excessive heating;
It is not recommended to disassemble the device until it has completely cooled;
The coffee maker prepares the drink under pressure, so before putting it on the fire, check that it is assembled correctly.

The Soviet device is able to please you in the morning with a pleasant drink even today; it does not require special care or replacement of filters.

Geyser coffee maker device

Before using the coffee machine, you need to study the design of the geyser coffee maker. The device consists of three main parts.

The lower part, which is used for pouring water. Provides a base for a coffee maker. It is this tank that comes into contact with the burner during heating. A safety valve is provided in the side walls through which steam escapes.
Filters. This part is made in the shape of a funnel with an extension at the bottom. Ground coffee is poured into it. There is a filter at the bottom that is designed to cut off water. The base of the funnel fits tightly into the lower part, and the spout is raised above the bottom. While the water is boiling, steam will rise through this spout, then be cut off by a filter and go into the cup with the finished coffee drink.
The upper part into which the prepared drink enters. Its appearance resembles an inverted funnel. The hole through which the steam passes into the receiver is equipped with a removable filter to retain coffee particles.

A geyser coffee machine works on the principle of applying pressure to a liquid using steam. The name of the unit comes from the fact that the entire process of preparing a coffee drink is similar to a geyser eruption. If the device body is made of transparent material, then the whole process can be seen with your own eyes.

It is worth noting that the principle of operation of a geyser-type coffee maker is that during heating, steam is released, which literally pushes boiled water through the filter into the reservoir of the unit where the coffee powder was poured. The whole process does not end until the water completely covers the filter. Then only steam will rise to the top.

Remember that if you notice the presence of sediment in the finished coffee drink, this means that you need to change the finely ground beans to a coarse grind. This will not only eliminate unpleasant aftertaste, but also improve the flavor notes of espresso and other types of coffee.

Fan

This is no longer an exotic technique. There were a lot of fans, but before they were put into production in the seventies and eighties and they became ugly, the USSR produced unusually stylish fans that looked absolutely European. In the fifties and sixties, their design reflected man's aspiration to the sky, into space, and evoked thoughts of aviation.

Fan, 1957

Fan, 50's

How the device works

Many people who have never encountered such equipment are wondering how a geyser-type coffee maker works. This unit operates on the generally accepted principle of excess steam pressure. The entire workflow consists of several stages.

Boiling water. The moment the water begins to boil, steam is released through the valve. Due to the fact that the lower reservoir is equipped with only one outlet, pressure arises due to which the liquid is pushed upward.
Passage of liquid to the top. The water rises to the spout of the funnel and goes higher through a layer of coffee powder or beans. The liquid, saturated with taste and aroma, rises upward, pouring into the upper reservoir.
Final result. All excess coffee microparticles are retained by the filter, as a result of which the final result is a strong drink with a rich taste and pleasant aroma.

If you wish, you can open the lid of the unit at any time and observe the process of preparing your coffee drink. It is worth noting that for the first time it is better to strictly monitor how the preparation occurs and the sound with which the finished coffee is poured. If you hear that the sound begins to resemble a hissing, then this indicates that the liquid has run out and now only steam comes out. It is undesirable to allow this moment to happen. It is best to leave the device a little earlier - there will be enough pressure to pour out the entire drink.

How to use

It is worth noting that the traditional strong coffee drink is prepared exclusively in a geyser-type coffee machine. This coffee has a rich taste, as a result of which it has been able to win the recognition of many people around the world. The unit operates on the principle of high steam pressure, which is why the result is real espresso. Using the device does not present any difficulties.

It is necessary to prepare the geyser apparatus for use:

The reservoir is filled with hot liquid to a certain level. First you need to remove the filter and pour hot water into the lower part of the equipment. If the tank is not equipped with a measuring scale, then it must be filled slightly below the safety valves so that it can release steam.
Once hot water has been added, the equipment must be handled very carefully as the metal part will heat up quickly.
Using hot water, you can not only save time spent brewing espresso, but also prevent the drink from overheating.

Grinding coffee beans into powder:

Pour about 20-22 grams of coffee beans into the coffee grinder and turn it on. The grind size directly depends on your taste. It is worth noting that when brewing espresso in a geyser unit, medium grind powder is often used (something between coffee for a drip coffee maker and original espresso).
Grinding coffee beans should be done exclusively before pouring them, since freshly ground beans produce the most delicious drink.
20 grams of ground coffee is enough to brew one cup of coffee.

Pouring ground coffee into the filter funnel:

Fill the funnel with coffee powder (but not tightly) and smooth it out.
Do not compact the coffee. This is due to the fact that it will be difficult for water to pass through a dense layer.

Equipment assembly. Place the funnel in the appropriate container and screw the upper casing of the coffee machine to the lower casing.

Coffee that was brewed in a geyser coffee maker does not have the thick foam that could be obtained when brewing it in other types of machines.

Rarity

The Sputnik mechanical razor is a small device that has a winding mechanism, thanks to which the blades rotate for several minutes. The head has several knives, on top of which there is a mesh. We can say that this razor is the first prototype of modern electric razors.

At first, the rarity did not have much popularity, but with the development of industry and urbanization, due to the acceleration of the pace of life, many men preferred a quick shave to a measured ritual with a sharp razor.

A mechanical razor was especially convenient for business trips and places where there was no electricity. It was in a special leather case, which made it possible to keep it clean.

This device received its name because of the year of manufacture. Just at this time in 1967, the Soviet Union conducted several dozen successful space launches. The razor was inexpensive and could be purchased by representatives of all income levels.

Features of the device

The wind-up mechanical razor had a number of features that can be considered advantages, given that it was the first attempt to create a mechanical shaving device:

the blades were thin, so shaving was effective, but the device had to be used daily, since the razor could not cope with longer stubble;
the kit included two interchangeable heads: one for shaving, the other for cutting;
the blades had a design in which they sharpened themselves, maintaining their sharpness for a long time, but the mesh often became unusable after prolonged use;
to get a clean shave you only had to make a couple of trims;
the winding mechanisms were very strong and durable;
The device was intended exclusively for dry shaving, without the use of foam and water.

Making coffee in a geyser coffee maker

Once all the tanks of the coffee maker are filled, you can start brewing and serving the drink.

First of all, install the device on the stove and leave it there for 5-7 minutes; as soon as the coffee flows into the upper part, you must immediately remove the device from the stove. The higher the initial temperature of the liquid, the faster the coffee will brew.
Thoroughly stir the coffee at the top after the coffee maker is removed from the stove. This way, you can connect each layer to each other, as a result of which the espresso will have an incredible taste and aroma.
Serve the finished drink immediately after finishing preparation. Add sugar if desired.

The last step will be to wash the device without household chemicals using running water. First, you need to pour all the coffee out of the coffee machine, let it cool, and only then you can start cleaning it. After this, you need to disassemble the coffee maker and thoroughly wash all its reservoirs under running water. Next, dry all the elements using a kitchen towel. If you suddenly notice coffee sediment, it should be removed with a paper towel.

Features of caring for a geyser coffee maker

It is very important to keep every filter and gaskets that are in the geyser coffee maker clean. Not only the enjoyment of the taste and aroma notes of the finished espresso, but also the lifespan of the machine itself depends on this.

During the process of making coffee, all parts gradually begin to become dirty. And if this deficiency is not eliminated in time, then subsequently it may impede the passage of liquid, steam, and otherwise a complete explosion of the working mechanism is possible. Also remember to keep the safety valve located in the lower reservoir clean. If the inner surface of an aluminum geyser coffee machine is covered with a thick layer of plaque, then the finished drink will have an unpleasant taste and smell.

Dishwasher

And in the fifties, dishwashers were developed in the USSR - bulky ones, such as the German company Miele produced in the thirties - but Soviet families never saw mass production. And where to put such a huge thing in small kitchens, moreover, often divided into several families?

Useful tips

In order to prepare delicious coffee using geyser-type coffee machines, you can use the following useful tips:

Grinding the beans should be done exclusively before brewing coffee.
The grind should be coarse or medium in size.
Only distilled liquid should be added. The quality of water and steam produced directly affects the taste and aroma of espresso.
The coffee machine must be washed after each use.
The more densely the powder is compacted, the richer the final drink will be (it is necessary to observe the measure).
It is recommended to pour the resulting drink into warm cups.
If the espresso has a weak taste and the consistency is too thin, then the beans should be ground to a size slightly larger than table salt.
The appearance of sediment in the resulting coffee indicates that it is advisable to use a coarser grind for preparation.

When washing equipment, do not use chemical detergents. It is enough to wash the coffee maker with warm running water and use paper or kitchen towels to dry.

Advantages and disadvantages of a geyser coffee maker

The advantages of a geyser coffee maker include the following:

no need for constant monitoring of the process;
notification of the preparation of a drink by means of a slight “murmur”;
affordable price;
incredibly pleasant aroma and taste of coffee;
absence of unpleasant coffee grounds in the drink prepared in this coffee machine.

The disadvantages of the equipment include:

limited amount of finished espresso;
spending a lot of time deciding on the optimal coffee grind size;
lack of appetizing foam;
equipment remains hot for a long time.

It is also worth noting that if you have an induction stove at home, then the geyser coffee maker cannot be used on it. In this case, you need to pay attention to other options for coffee machines.