Help on Electric Coffee Maker - Iran
Help on Electric Coffee Maker - Iran
I inherited this coffee maker and don't know what to do with it. I don't know whether to keep it, sell it, or give to the Salvation Army. I'd love to keep it and use it but it doesn't look complete. There is nothing inside and on the lid there is a hole, which I believe would be for a perking glass. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get parts for it. It was made in Iran and I believe is silverplated. I see signs of copper on the inside bottom. It heats up quickly and stays hot for quite awhile when turned off - nice, but..........useless??? Thanks for any help.
Re: Help on Electric Coffee Maker - Iran
Dear Karolyn.
This is not a coffee maker. It is a SAMOVAR, which is Russian for "self-boiler", and it is used for heating water only, specifically for tea.
While the name is Russian, this device (and way of making tea) is popular through out East and Central Europe, as well as Central Asia, the Mid-East and Turkey.
In the old days, the traditional device would have a cylinder inside for holding hot coals. The electric version has a heating element inside instead.
You fill the samovar and add your coals (or plug it in!) to heat the water. While it is heating, you make a very strong, concentrated infusion of tea leaves, in a small round teapot.
You remove the leaves once they are steeped (not too long, so the tea doesn't get bitter or tannic), then set the little teapot on top of the samovar. The steam comes up from the water and keeps the infusion warm without it actually "cooking" which can make it bitter.
When you want a cup of tea, you put a small amount of infusion in your tea glass (yes, glass! it's the best, because you can see the strength of the tea). Then you add as much hot water to the glass, according to the strength you desire, from the little spout on the samovar tank. Samovar tea is traditionally black tea, and you drink it sweet with cube sugar. But you can make any infusion you like tea or herbal, or add cinnamon or mint or cardamom to your black or green tea.
The idea is you can keep your tea warm for a long time. And in days before central heating, especially nomadic people living in yurts and other movable homes, you would sit around the samovar for warmth, like a little portable heater and warm your hands by it (as well as your insides!).
Don't use the samovar to heat anything but water, please!
The only part you may need would be to find a nice teapot that sits stable on top. Make sure it is tinned inside if you get a copper or brass one. I use an inexpensive stainless steel one on my modern electic. My antique brass one, I found an old teapot from India that looks nice for show.
Cheers,
Batja
This is not a coffee maker. It is a SAMOVAR, which is Russian for "self-boiler", and it is used for heating water only, specifically for tea.
While the name is Russian, this device (and way of making tea) is popular through out East and Central Europe, as well as Central Asia, the Mid-East and Turkey.
In the old days, the traditional device would have a cylinder inside for holding hot coals. The electric version has a heating element inside instead.
You fill the samovar and add your coals (or plug it in!) to heat the water. While it is heating, you make a very strong, concentrated infusion of tea leaves, in a small round teapot.
You remove the leaves once they are steeped (not too long, so the tea doesn't get bitter or tannic), then set the little teapot on top of the samovar. The steam comes up from the water and keeps the infusion warm without it actually "cooking" which can make it bitter.
When you want a cup of tea, you put a small amount of infusion in your tea glass (yes, glass! it's the best, because you can see the strength of the tea). Then you add as much hot water to the glass, according to the strength you desire, from the little spout on the samovar tank. Samovar tea is traditionally black tea, and you drink it sweet with cube sugar. But you can make any infusion you like tea or herbal, or add cinnamon or mint or cardamom to your black or green tea.
The idea is you can keep your tea warm for a long time. And in days before central heating, especially nomadic people living in yurts and other movable homes, you would sit around the samovar for warmth, like a little portable heater and warm your hands by it (as well as your insides!).
Don't use the samovar to heat anything but water, please!
The only part you may need would be to find a nice teapot that sits stable on top. Make sure it is tinned inside if you get a copper or brass one. I use an inexpensive stainless steel one on my modern electic. My antique brass one, I found an old teapot from India that looks nice for show.
Cheers,
Batja
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