DaveA wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:38 am These people who claim to have "quit caffeine." I'd sorta like to know what they've put in its place. Warm water? Carrot juice? Smoothies? Mmm...no thanks.

I realize that I'm about to answer more than the original question, but I feel some additional explanation is warranted.

I had a bit of a health scare in 2016 involving a visit to the ER while traveling in China. Long story short... I attributed my scare partially to my heavy caffeine consumption at the time. So I decided to quit caffeine.

During that time, I mainly drank chamomile or other non-caffeinated teas. I would occasionally have a decaf coffee, just to get something resembling the delicious flavor of black coffee again, but... yeah, black decaf is generally yucky and I'd have to doctor it up substantially. I usually stuck to the tea.

Anyway, this time of my life sucked. Even after the main caffeine withdrawal symptoms subsided (which lasted for about two weeks and were excruciating... way worse than any alcohol withdrawal symptoms I've ever experienced), I totally felt like I could no longer concentrate or remember anything. These symptoms never went away.

After a couple of years or so, I slowly reintroduced caffeine into my diet in *far* less quantities and that's where I'm at now... maybe 1-2 cups a day, tops. But no more chamomile tea and no more decaf.

^^^ Not hard to believe, the lows felt amid caffeine withdrawal. Must be trying.

For those who use the smaller moka pot on a gas stove - are you able to get the flame so that you get an even brew? I see videos online of people getting a steady, but not explosive, brew going through the pot - but mine always goes from tranquil to steam engine explosive in a matter of seconds, no matter how I set the flame.

DaveA wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:38 am These people who claim to have "quit caffeine." I'd sorta like to know what they've put in its place. Warm water? Carrot juice? Smoothies? Mmm...no thanks.

it's piss

bigc wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:08 pm For those who use the smaller moka pot on a gas stove - are you able to get the flame so that you get an even brew? I see videos online of people getting a steady, but not explosive, brew going through the pot - but mine always goes from tranquil to steam engine explosive in a matter of seconds, no matter how I set the flame.

Yes - I boil the water first in the kettle and then use the lowest setting on the hob. My coffee tastes noticeably better doing it this way than it did by filling the moka with cold water - less bitter, more fruity, all the good things.

Nico Adie wrote: Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:40 am

bigc wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:08 pm For those who use the smaller moka pot on a gas stove - are you able to get the flame so that you get an even brew? I see videos online of people getting a steady, but not explosive, brew going through the pot - but mine always goes from tranquil to steam engine explosive in a matter of seconds, no matter how I set the flame.

Yes - I boil the water first in the kettle and then use the lowest setting on the hob. My coffee tastes noticeably better doing it this way than it did by filling the moka with cold water - less bitter, more fruity, all the good things.

James Hoffman did a pretty good breakdown of how to get the most out of the moka pot in a youtube series. It looks like he uses a little platform between the flame and the pot which probably helps distribute a more even temperature in a smoother way as well - I haven't done this but based on those videos I have been preheating my water like Nico & then brought it up to temp w/ smallest available flame & the results have been exactly as described: less bitter, more of the good flavors/aroma.

Noted. I will give this technique a whirl. Thanks!

Nico Adie wrote: Yes - I boil the water first in the kettle

I want to try this but --- Isn't it tricky to screw down / close up the moka pot when the bottom half is boiling hot?

Yes to boiling the water in a kettle before hand, my dad explained this to me after I had griped about my struggles with the moka and it was a real "ahh, duh" moment. Also, and on this yr mileage may very, I use an Aeropress filter as well, they are the perfect size. My dad said he didn't notice much difference, I notice enough to keep doing it.

TP: use a towel to hold the bottom of the moka so you don't burn yr hand

Everyone I lived and worked with in italy would pour cold or lukewarm water into a Moka pot's bottom chamber. lol