The 9Barista machine works on all domestic cookers, from electric hobs, including induction, to gas or Aga or even a gas camping stove. Below is a little additional information to help get you started, whichever type of stove you’re using.
Choosing the heat level
You can find the best heat setting by following these steps:
- Use the initial recommended cooker setting (listed below for each cooker type)
- If the machine produces espresso in under 3 minutes, turn the heat down a little for your next cycle. If it takes longer than 6 minutes, turn the heat up next time.
Warning: Whichever stove you use, it’s very important that you never leave your machine on the heat for over 8 minutes, even if it hasn’t produced any coffee, as this may cause the upper chamber to boil dry, or the safety ring to activate. If it didn’t work, try again with a higher heat setting.
Domestic Gas Cookers
- Burner: use the burner which is closest to 3 inches in diameter
- Heat transfer plate: you will need to use the heat transfer plate that came with your machine
- Heat setting: begin by using the maximum gas flow setting. If the machine produces espresso in under 3 minutes, reduce the heat as necessary so that espresso appears between 3 to 6 minutes.
- Note: the heat transfer plate is designed to be used on traditional domestic stoves. For this reason we recommend that you do not use the plate with a wok burner-style gas stove, camping stove (no plate is required on a camping gas stove) or industrial stove as these produce excess heat and can damage the plate. We recommend using a medium-sized gas ring of between 2-3 inches in diameter, or a medium-sized electric or induction ring. We mention this in our getting started guide.
Electric Ceramic (the ones that glow red)
- Ring: use the smallest hob
- Heat transfer plate: not required, unless the machine does not produce espresso within 3-6 minutes without it
- Heat setting: begin by using the maximum power setting. If the machine produces espresso in under 3 minutes, reduce the heat as necessary so that espresso appears between 3 to 6 minutes.
Induction
- Ring: use the smallest ring, usually around 12cm in diameter.
- Induction plate: you will need to use the induction plate.
- Heat setting: start with a 75% heating setting
- Additional information: some induction hobs can be a little tricky, as they turn the heat down when it reaches a certain point. This article provides some additional help if you’re having trouble with your induction hob.
Aga
- Ring: Use the high temperature side
- Heat transfer plate: not required, unless the machine won’t produce espresso in less than 6 minutes
- Heat setting: you don’t have one…
Camping gas stove
- Heat transfer plate: you shouldn’t use the heat transfer plate with a camping gas stove. Instead, be sure to put the handles and chimney over the edge of the burner, out of the direct heat. It’s important to ensure that the flame does not come up past the base
- Heat setting: start with a low to medium heat
Hot plates
- Hot plates are a potential solution if you don’t have a suitable domestic stove. However, we’ve tested a few different types and have seen variable results. We can recommend this one, which is available in ceramic and cast iron versions; we’ve seen that the ceramic one works best with the 9Barista.
Are there any types of stove which won’t work?
Yes, there are. Unfortunately low pressure alcohol stoves are unlikely to work, and the same is true of Trangia-style camping stoves. This is because they don’t produce sufficient power to get the machine working.