Stovetop Espresso Pots - stovetop espresso pots, espresso maker

Click here for more information Every family in Italy owns one of these machines. Here are a few tips:

1. In Italy this is NOT called an espresso machine, but a Moka machine. An espresso is what you would drink in bar made with a steam or high pressure machine with the crema on top.

2. Smaller size Moka machine tend to make better coffee.

3. Never wash the Moka with detergents, just rinse it under tap water

4. You've gotta use it often for a good coffee.

5. If you haven't use it in a while, make a weak coffee ("lungo") and discard

6. DO NOT put the MOka in the dishwasher.

7. Use drinking water. Avoid tap water especially if very chlorinated

8. Never compress the coffee.

9. For a strong coffee fill the filter with ground coffee and make a small cupola that slightly protrudes beyond the rim. Do not press down.

10. For best coffee, heat at very low heat. It's ok if it takes 10min.

11. As soon as coffee reaches the top, remove from heat

12. Do not let the coffee boil

13. Use good quality coffee, not too strong, medium grind (try Illy for a good commercial brand)

14. Sip while still hot, enjoy!

My wife and I have been spending a pretty penny at the local coffee shop, so I began looking for inexpensive home alternatives. Most of the coffee snobs claim you have to purchase a $200+ machine and $150+ grinder to have a decent cup of espresso. I turned instead to the frugal Italians. They did invent the stuff, afterall. My Bialetti Moka Express coffee pot came this afternoon. I was a little concerned that a $20 pot might not meet the high standards of the gourmet beverages wifey and I have become accustomed to. I was wrong. The brew made by this ingenious little pot is a little weaker than "pumped" espresso and lacks the foamy cap (crema) that all the snobs rave about, but mixed with some hot, frothed milk and a bit of chocolate syrup I couldn't tell the difference between Bialetti and Seattle's Best.



This rich brew comes from a tiny little aluminum contraption with no moving parts, no electronic gizmos, no pump handle and virtually no wait time or clean-up. You just fill, brew and pour. It's that simple. Its base only covers half of the stovetop's smallest eye and I expect it will be easy to store due to its diminuitive size. I've already had three cups of homemade mocha today, and I've only had the pot since noon! *jitter jitter* The point is this: If you're a coffee lover who is bored with Folgers from a Mr. Coffee drip machine or is spending way too much at Starbucks, the Moka pot is an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative with excellent results.

***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***



There. I've done my good deed, and passed along the warning for the next person. Reading the translated-to-English directions, it's easy to miss this important cautionary note. In fact, it's not even IN the directions. It's written on the side of the box.



But fortunately, before my Moka Express ever arrived, I read another reviewer's cautionary note about avoiding HIGH heat (which can destroy the rubber gasket), so I didn't have any problem from the get-go.



And speaking of 'get-go' here's the deal. The FIRST time out (actually the second time, because the directions recommend that you dispose of the first batch), I had THE *BEST* ESPRESSO I EVER HAD. PERIOD. BAR NONE.



Using some Columbian coffee (that a friend had actually hand-carried from Columbia a few weeks ago), and setting my smallest burner (it's a ceramic-top stove) to just under "5" (10 being the hottest), the espresso that came out of this coffeemaker was INCREDIBLY smooth, and totally without the bitter taste that it can sometimes have.



If this is the result after using it ONCE, I'm looking forward to seeing how good it gets after I've had a chance to figure out the best combination of type of coffee/amount to use/fineness of grind/etc.



Also, for the price, it absolutely cannot be beat. The full pot yielded about six double-shots, so after just one use, it's almost half paid for!



I'm going to be drinking a lot more espresso. And cappuccino. And cafe-au-lait.



Oh well. Who needs sleep? It's overrated anyway! ;-)





-Jonathan Sabin



UPDATE... We put it in the dishwasher today.



DON'T make this mistake!



When we pulled it out at the end of the cycle, the shiny aluminum exterior had turned into a pretty ugly, uneven, dull finish. I'm sure it'll still work just fine, but it sure doesn't look as nice as it did before.



(ONE other review, among the 48 thusfar, mentions the dishwasher issue, but doesn't say why.)





UPDATE TO THE UPDATE... It's taken about 3 months, but a BUNCH of hand-cleaning has finally reverted our Bialetti to its former shiny state! It's STILL making the best espresso/cappucino I've ever had! - Stovetop Espresso Pots - Espresso Maker - Bialetti - Coffee - Latte - Cappuccino
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Stovetop Espresso Pots - stovetop espresso pots, espresso maker

Cappuccino - bialetti, latte

Click here for more information Makes better espresso then most of the espresso shops here in Java Town, Seattle. It also costs about ten times less then an espresso machine that probably won't make as good coffee, and eventualy will need repair. Bialetti has been making these things since the dawn of time and have it down to a science.



A few tips:

1. Grind coffee between medium and fine.

2. Don't pack coffee into basket like you do in an espresso machine.

3. Heat between medium and high heat.

4. Be careful not to have the handle be over the burner of flame.

5. NEVER WASH THE POT WITH DETERGENT. JUST RINSE AND DRY. The more you use the pot,the better the coffee becomes.

6. Before using for the first time season the pot. Make a pot of weak coffee and discard it.

When visiting my friend in Italy, she served us the most amazing espresso -- made in a Moka Bialetti (which is, she tells me, what virtually ALL Italians use at home!) So of course I had to buy one when I got back to the USA. I agree w/all the previous reviews -- it is simple, inexpensive, even fun to use! The instructions that came with it are nearly indecipherable so here's my summary (of course you'll want to rinse all the parts in plain water, no soap, before use):

1. Fill the bottom part w/water up to (not over) the steam valve

2. Put the middle section in, fill w/ground espresso (it is finer than regular American coffee). But don't overfill or pack down.

3. Carefully screw on the top, and place directly on a gas stove, use the smallest burner on medium heat - be sure there is NO flame coming up around the moka (that would melt off the handle). I'm sure you can use electric, too, I just haven't tried it.

4. You'll hear the coffee percolating in about 5 min or so -- when lots of steam comes out, you'll know it's ready. Feel free to carefully pop the lid to peek while it's percolating -- it's kind of cool, actually.

5. Enjoy! If you're going to make a second pot, be aware the pot will be VERY hot, so give it a time to cool before touching the metal.

6. Cleanup: When it cools, take it completely apart and RINSE all parts, making sure they are all DRY before putting the moka away. Do NOT use soap, and by all means, do NOT use a dishwasher!!!!!



Some other tips to keep in mind:

This is called a 3-cup pot, but: 3 Espresso "cups" = 2 tiny espresso cups full = less than ONE actual CUP of liquid. The whole pot makes MAYBE 6 ounces, really. Espresso is concentrated, meant to be savored and enjoyed in sips, not gulped out of a jumbo American mug. To me this is the symbolic difference b/t the European and the American lifestyle! For one or two people, the 3-cup pot is just right. For a crowd, or for die-hard caffiene junkies, you'll want a larger pot.

Because the espresso is so concentrated, it lends itself to many uses. Yes, lattes, as a previous reviewer mentioned. Cappuccinos as well, of course. You can even just add hot water to make a still-strong full sized American mug of coffee. I have been known to throw the hot espresso over a cup of ice for an instant iced coffee. If you like to make blended coffee drinks, this stuff will stand up to the ice cubes and not get too diluted.

The first pot you brew will NOT be good (I tossed the first one), the second slightly better, etc. The seasoning is necessary to get the best flavor. This morning, about my 7th time using it, my husband and I looked at each other and said, This is it! It finally tastes GREAT. I use the Lavazza brand, purchased from a local Italian market, but I know Illy is popular too, both in Italy and here.

Treat it with care, and this little guy will make you simple, excellent, inexpensive espresso coffee for many years to come.

I bought this espresso maker about a week ago at the suggestion of my cousin who lives in Italy. Also bought a milk frother from Ikea ($2.99), some Illy espresso (2 pack for $25) and vanilla-flavored syrup from Starbucks with pump ($7). I have been drinking the yummiest vanilla lattes every morning. Takes a couple of minutes to make and they are delicious. Why the heck was I spending so much money at Starbucks everyday for all those years?! (By the way, my Italian cousin says never to refrigerate the espresso coffee. Just keep it on the counter.)

I love this espresso maker. I use it every single day. It makes a perfect double espresso, so it's great for having a fresh macchiato in the morning with my breakfast. It's cheap, simple, easy to clean, and the only way to break it is to put it on the stove with no water in it. Don't do that. Really. :)

Visited Italy last summer and saw this pot on a few stoves, and used it every morning in the apartment I stayed at. I loved it there so immediately bought this upon my return, and it hasn't disappointed.



This little guy pays for itself within a week. That $4 latte you like having every morning? Make it at home. Some tips/thoughts/etc:



1) I only really fully clean this every other week or so. I quickly rinse it out before every use and make sure the threads are clean - if they get gunky, you'll notice some steam coming out during brewing.

2) I had used a grind from the coffee shops 'doser' (the thing they use to grind for espressos), but I like what I do at home a bit better -- it's just a hair more course than the doser. I use a Hario manual hand grinder, btw.

3) I place on medium/high heat. Works with electric or gas. Just make sure the burners aren't too wide for bottom of moka (I use the back, smaller burner).

4) It takes 4-5 minutes. When I see it bubbling, I pop my mug of milk in the microwave for a minute to heat the milk. When that's done, I whip it up into a slight foam using a small electric wand from IKEA ($2 or so).

5) After about 5 minutes, you'll hear the pot bubbling. If you've been watching it brew, you'll want to put the lid down before this point, as it will spew over your stove top.

6) add it to your milk. This makes about what is a double-shot here in the states.

7) last thing: stay away from pre-ground stuff from the grocery store. Either have your shop grind it or buy a grinder and do it at home. I have noticed a huge difference in taste.



I got this for a friend who had just received a $300 espresso machine. Guess which one he uses every morning. :) Yup, this one.



[NOTE: this is the review for the 3-cup version] - Bialetti - Latte - Stovetop Espresso Pots - Espresso - Coffee - Coffee Maker
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Cappuccino - bialetti, latte

Coffeemaker - coffee, espresso

Click here for more information The instructions do not tell you exactly when the coffee is done and when to turn off the heat. The plastic parts melted the first time I used it. I am a do-it-yourself type, so I bought a metal knob and some flat aluminum to fashion a new handle. Now it is better than new. It makes great espresso, but the instructions are little help. What the instructions should say is when the top fills with espresso and steam stops coming out of the spout, it's time to turn off the heat. It was well worth the discount price I paid. However, in hindsight, I would not buy one with plastic parts.

Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 6 cup

My sister-in-law lives in Austria and is always talking about how weak American coffee tastes to her. I tend to prefer a European-style coffee myself, so did some checking to find out what kind of coffeemaker is most commonly used there. This style seemed to be the one that came up most often.



I ordered this coffeemaker wondering how I'd feel about aluminum once I got it. I had my doubts but went ahead based on the strength of the reviews.



The first 3 pots weren't horrible, but I was glad I'd been warned (through the reviews) that the first few pots wouldn't taste the greatest. Pot #4, and following, have been delicious!



My favorite way to drink this type of espresso is Americano-style. It makes a very robust, yet smooth, cup of coffee this way. I'm able to pour the contents of the coffeemaker into a thermal carafe, add hot water to fill and serve full-flavored coffee to my husband and myself.



Sometimes I do choose to make cappuccino or a macchiato with the full-strength coffee I get from this pot. While it doesn't taste quite as "nutty" as the espresso I used to make with my electric espresso machine, it's still a good cup.



For BEST results, I would recommend that one use a good, dark, espresso-roast coffee, but I've also gotten good results with well-roasted flavored coffees if I'm making Americano-style. The flavored coffees come out with more of the flavor noticeable than when I use other methods of brewing them.



A drawback, which is true of all "mochi-style" coffeemakers is that you can't vary the amount of coffee you make... unless you have more than one of these coffeemakers in different sizes. Thanks to other reviews here at Amazon, I knew that going in so I haven't been disappointed.



I have no problem recommending this coffeemaker to anyone who simply wants a good every-day way to make full-flavored coffee with little or no bitterness. If you're looking for espresso that tastes exactly like what you get in a coffee-bar, you may be disappointed. It's good espresso, but it doesn't taste exactly like what you get from a machine. Again, I already knew that from the reviews so I wasn't disappointed.

I received this item as a gift and I am extremely pleased with it. Some other reviewers complained of poor instructions or melted handles. Perhaps the manufacturer has made some changes as my espresso maker did come with instructions that made it very simple to use. They specifically state that one should keep the handle positioned so that it is not directly over the burner. I have had many, many cups of espresso in the last week without any problems. The size is perfect for two people to enjoy some delicious espresso and cleaning is so easy. I think this product is fantastic for the price, especially if you are mindful of the plastic handle and keep it away from the direct flame.

I'm drinking a mocha I made with this expresso coffeemaker as I type. It is delicious.



I read the reviews before mine, but I wasn't worried about the handle issue since I have an electric stove. Handle has been totally fine, but just in case I do position the coffeemaker with the handle on the side of the burner, not directly over the heat. The first time I didn't screw the top on completely tight enough, so I got a few drips of water come out while boiling, but no big deal. Hasn't happened since then because I am screwing it on completely tight.



I have been going to starbucks and other local coffeeshops almost daily to get mochas, and I know that is a super expensive habit. So, I am trying to break myself but I just can't seem to enjoy the plain coffee made with my french press. I am a cheap grad student, so I don't want to fork out tons of money, and I also wasn't sure I'd keep to my plan of making coffee instead of buying it. So, I forked out $10 for this guy from amazon, and 5-mochas-in-3-days later, this thing has already paid for itself a couple of times.



I'm still perfecting it, but that is kind of nice to customize things exactly how I like them. I always hated mochas where the chocolate flavor came from a syrup instead of a powder. So, I first put some milk in a pot with some hot cocoa mix (Ghirardelli is delicious, but I've also used grocery store brand hot chocolate and it seems to suffice) and put it on the stove on low-medium heat. Now, get the coffee ready: some water a bit below the valve (I am only making for me, so the 6 cups is a little much...), put in the grounds container, and then some grounds till that's full. I even used the rest of my course ground coffee from the french press and it did fine... a little watery I guess, but it is hard to notice when you're so pleased with your first few mochas. Screw the top on tight and stick it on the stove on medium-high. Wait for the water to boil in the coffeemaker, and you can even lift the lid with the plastic topper to check if it is full. Make sure you're stirring your hot cocoa on the side. Both should be done around the same time. Espresso goes in the cup first, then the hot cocoa. I don't have a frother (yet) but it doesn't bother me much. Enjoy! - Coffee - Espresso - Espresso Maker - Coffeemaker - Stovetop Espresso Pots - Bialetti
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Coffeemaker - coffee, espresso