Question 1

the plastic handle on top gets crazy hot while brewing, is there a way to fix that or do i just have to use an oven mitt every time?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Unfortunately, that's a common design flaw with many of these budget electric Moka pots. The plastic handle is directly attached to the hot aluminum top chamber, so heat travels right into it. FIX There's no true "fix," but there are workarounds. 1) Use a handle cover. A simple silicone trivet or even a folded, thick dish towel wrapped around the handle before you start brewing gives you a heat barrier. 2) Develop a two-handed technique when pouring. Use one hand with an oven mitt on the handle, and your other bare hand to support the base of the pot for control. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check that you're not overfilling the top chamber. If coffee is bubbling up and contacting the underside of the plastic knob or lid, it transfers heat even faster. The coffee should only come about halfway up the inside of the top chamber. HEADS UP Never try to cool the hot handle by running it under water. The sudden temperature shock can crack the plastic or cause it to separate from the metal. Let it cool down naturally on a heat-safe surface.

Question 2

can i use this thing on a gas stove instead of the electric base? the base cord is really short.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS You're looking at a potential safety and warranty issue. The Laoion electric Moka pots are specifically designed for use with their included electric base, not direct flame. FIX Don't use it on a gas stove. The aluminum construction and the specific design of the heat distribution plate on the bottom are meant for the controlled, even heat of the electric base. Direct flame can cause hotspots, warp the aluminum, melt the plastic handle or knob, and is a serious fire hazard. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK For a longer reach, use a heavy-duty, properly rated extension cord. Look for one that's 16-gauge or lower (a lower number means thicker, safer wires for appliances). Plug the base directly into the extension cord, then plug the cord into the wall. HEADS UP The base itself has electrical components inside. Never let the base or its cord come into contact with water, and never place the coffee pot on the base if the bottom is wet, as this can cause a short circuit or shock hazard.

Question 3

it makes a really loud gurgling sputtering noise at the end of the cycle, is that normal or is mine broken?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That loud, sputtering gurgle is normal—it's the signal that the brew cycle is finished. It means most of the water in the lower chamber has been forced up through the coffee and what's left is boiling and pushing steam. FIX To minimize the drama, you can manually end the cycle a bit early. 1) As soon as you see the coffee stream from the center spout turn from a rich, steady flow to a lighter, bubbly trickle, that's your cue. 2) Flip the power switch on the base to 'O' (off). 3) The residual heat will finish pushing the last bit of coffee through without the violent boiling and sputtering. This also helps prevent over-extraction, which makes coffee bitter. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the sputtering is exceptionally violent or starts extremely early in the cycle (like within a minute), you might have too little water in the bottom chamber. Double-check your water level is up to the safety valve. HEADS UP Don't let it sit and "cook" on the base after the sputtering starts. Unplug it and, if you're not serving immediately, pour the coffee out of the top chamber into a carafe or your cup. Leaving it sitting on the hot plate will burn the coffee.

Question 4

a bunch of brown sludge leaked out from the bottom of the pot while it was brewing, all over my counter. what happened?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That's a leak from the main seal. Coffee-ground sludge is escaping because the seal between the top and bottom chambers has failed, usually because the pot wasn't screwed together tightly enough, or the gasket is damaged. FIX 1) Immediately turn the switch to 'O' and unplug the base. Let it cool. 2) Unscrew the pot (carefully, it's hot) and check the large black silicone gasket. Clean it and inspect for any tears, nicks, or if it feels flattened and brittle. 3) Check the mating surfaces on both aluminum chambers for any coffee grounds or debris—a single ground can break the seal. 4) Reassemble, ensuring the gasket is perfectly seated in its groove, and screw the two halves together as tightly as you can by hand. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The threading on the aluminum might be crossed or damaged. Make sure you're screwing it on straight and not forcing it if it feels gritty or stuck. A damaged thread will never seal properly. HEADS UP Always wipe the rim of the lower chamber and the gasket area bone-dry before assembling. Even a few drops of water can act as a lubricant and prevent you from getting a tight, leak-proof seal.

Question 5

my coffee comes out super weak and watery no matter how much coffee i put in the basket, using the 6-cup version.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Weak coffee means the water is bypassing the coffee grounds. The most common culprit is an uneven or loose seal caused by the silicone gasket not being seated right, or the grind being too coarse. FIX 1) Check the black silicone gasket that sits between the top and bottom chambers. Make sure it's clean, pliable, and seated snugly in its groove in the top chamber. If it's cracked or stiff, it needs replacement. 2) When you fill the filter basket, use a medium-fine grind. Fill it to the brim and gently level it off with your finger or a knife, but do not tamp it down. Tamping can restrict flow too much. 3) Ensure you're screwing the top and bottom together very tightly. It should require firm hand pressure to get a good seal. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK You might be overfilling the water chamber. Remember, water only up to the bottom of the safety valve. Too much water creates excess steam that can brew too fast and weak. HEADS UP The "cup" measurement on these is based on tiny espresso cups. A "6-cup" Laoion will only yield about 10-12 oz of finished coffee, and it will be stronger than American drip coffee when made correctly.

Question 6

how do you clean the inside of this thing? coffee grounds and oily residue are stuck everywhere and it's starting to taste bitter.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Old coffee oils and mineral deposits from water are baked onto the aluminum, which absolutely ruins the flavor. A simple rinse isn't enough. FIX Do a deep clean monthly. 1) Let the pot cool completely. 2) Disassemble it fully: top chamber, filter basket, gasket, lower chamber. 3) For the aluminum chambers, use only warm water, a soft brush (an old toothbrush works), and a tiny bit of mild dish soap. Rinse thoroughly. 4) For the filter basket and the tiny holes, use a stiff-bristle brush (like a bottle brush) and hot water. Never use steel wool or abrasive pads on the aluminum. 5) Wipe everything dry before reassembling. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK For stubborn, baked-on residue or a persistent bitter taste, you need to descale. Fill the lower chamber halfway with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Assemble the pot without coffee and run it through a cycle, letting the vinegar solution steam through. Then run 2-3 cycles with just clean water to rinse. HEADS UP Never put any part of this in the dishwasher. The detergent is too harsh for the aluminum and will cause pitting and a metallic taste. Hand wash only.

Question 7

the red power light on my laoion 6-cup is on but it's not heating up at all, no noise, nothing. just got it yesterday.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The heating plate isn't making contact. This usually means the pot isn't seated correctly on its base, or there's a simple connection issue inside the base. FIX 1) Unplug the unit. 2) Pick up the coffee pot and look at the flat metal heating plate on the bottom. 3) Look at the circular metal contact ring in the center of the power base. Make sure both are clean, dry, and free of any plastic film or packaging debris. 4) Set the pot back on the base, making sure it sits flush and you feel a slight click or firm seating. You should also hear a faint internal switch click. 5) Plug it in and try again. The heating should start almost immediately with a quiet humming sound. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Try a different wall outlet. Sometimes these units have a thermal fuse that can trip if there was a brief power surge. Unplug it, let it sit for 30 minutes to fully cool and reset, then try a known-good outlet. HEADS UP Always assemble the pot (water in bottom, basket in place, top screwed on) before placing it on the power base. Running the base empty can damage the heating element.

Question 8

my new laoion moka pot won't make any coffee, it just hisses and spits steam out the top after like 10 minutes, what am i doing wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is almost always a water level issue. You're either using too much water or not enough, which prevents the pressure from building correctly to push the coffee up. FIX First, let it cool down completely. The trick is the safety valve inside the lower chamber. 1) Fill the lower chamber with cold water only up to the bottom of that little brass safety valve, never above it. 2) Fill the filter basket with ground coffee, level it off, but don't pack it down. 3) Screw the top on tightly. 4) Make sure the power switch is in the 'O' (off) position before plugging it in, then flip it to 'I'. The coffee should start flowing into the top chamber in 4-6 minutes. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check that you're using the right grind. If your coffee is ground too fine (like for espresso machines), it can clog the tiny holes in the filter basket and stop the flow. Try a medium-coarse grind, more like for a regular drip machine. HEADS UP Never, ever open the pot while it's hot and under pressure. That hissing steam can cause serious burns. Wait until it's completely silent and cool to the touch before unscrewing it to clean.

LAOION Cuban Coffee Maker, 6 or 3cup Electric Espresso Coffee Maker, Portable Cafeteras Electricas Modernas, Electric Moka Po

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