Heating Methods
There are several different heating methods by which one may brew Turkish coffee. These include:
- Sand cookers
- Natural gas-powered cookers
- Electrically automated Turkish coffee makers
- Electric stove tops
Sand Cookers
Sand cookers are square metal containers filled with fine sand and heated from underneath, usually with natrual gas. This is the most traditional way of making Turkish coffee, ensuring an even distribution of heat across the entirety of the ibrik.
Natural Gas-powered Cookers
Natural gas-powered cookers include single-burner camp stoves or gas stoves. This is the most popular way of making Turkish coffee in Greece. The flame is ideally set in the middle of the ibrik so that the convection stream begins in the center, pushes up and to the sides, and then drops back down to the center again.
Electrically Automated Turkish Coffee Makers
With electrically automated Turkish coffee makers, the bottom of the ibrik is powered by an electrically charged hot plate which is similar to electrically powered kettles. This is probably the most modern and easiest way of making Turkish coffee. It is primarily used in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. Whereas some of these machines turn off automatically, others have to be shut off manually.
Electric Stove Tops
Electric stove tops are powered by electricity. This is the least effective way of making Turkish coffee because the heat is not applied consistently or evenly. Heat is not applied consistently because the eyes of electric stove tops turn on and off of their own accord. Heat is also not applied evenly because the convection currents created by means of this method are more likely to create a rolling boil, thus destroying the foam.
