Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Percolator

For those who love coffee. Just a little note. An Italian coffee maker is an espresso maker, thats all they drink. Do not purchase this if you are expecting a tall cup of American coffee. one pack of sugar for every shot and enjoy!!!

I am buying a second coffee maker today. My first ws purchased for me about 16 years ago and it now lives in Dominican Republic and is used everyday that I'm there. Now I am buying one for my USA abode so I can share my Dominican coffee with family here the way it is supposed to be made.
This pot is the easiest and most inexpensive way to make a cup of good tasting, strong coffee.

my italian mother has always used this to make "black coffee" as she calls it and I wouldn't dream of using anything else.

a note to the reviewer from new orleans: are you using coffee specifically roasted and ground for a stovetop espresso? also, you do have to make a few pots and throw it out when you first start using it. thirdly, if you are tasting burnt rubber, set your stove's burner way lower. and lastly, re: injuring yourself while taking it apart--my above-mentioned mother is in her 70's with arthritic hands and she's had no problem.

A monkey could easily make coffee taste great with this pot but obviously the reviewer that hurt her hand and arm is not as intelligent as the average chimp. Her review is the most moronic I ever read on Amazon and believe me I have read some air headed reviews.
With that said, I love this pot. It was my first device for making espresso and even though I now have a small electric espresso machine I still use this from time to time. It is especially good for making Cuban coffee or Vietnamese coffee.

The reason why I was on Amazon today is to order one of these for a friend that borrowed mine and is now hooked. I wonder if the sub-chimp woman wants to sell her used one? :-)


This percolator is outstanding, producing a fine espresso with a nice crema with little fuss. just be careful not to melt the rubber seal by cooking it too long or at too high a temperature. Somtimes spares are hard to come by.


The Bialetti needs to be primed with 2 or 3 batches of coffee before first use to prevent any aluminum flavor. Perhaps the author's taste buds have been spoiled by Sanka and too many trips to Starbucks to appreciate the fine compromise between drip coffee and espresso that the Bialetti offers the educated user.

I'm a New Orleanian, and I love good coffee. This coffeemaker isn't where you'll find any, though.

With ordinary coffee, it produces a brew of almost stunning awfulness. With great coffee, you can get all the way up to merely bad. Or--if you like extremely bitter coffee with a bouquet of hot aluminum and scorched rubber--you may like it. Who knows? Chacun a son gout.

However, there's one other problem. Unscrewing the top section to clean the pot can be nearly impossible, even with a jar wrench. My efforts at taking the thing apart actually injured my wrist and elbow.

If Amazon had a zero-stars category, I'd have used that. This thing is beyond awful.

This is the original Italian product why compromise when it is so cheap

I like coffee, though I can't claim to be a coffee snob. So for what it's worth, this more than meets my standards. Same price as a crappy small electric drop coffeemaker, but makes much nicer coffee. You have to use fine-ground coffee (not espresso-fine, though). On my electric stove, set to 2 or 3, it takes me a couple minutes longer than the 4-5 minutes mentioned in this listing. I read online that you have to put it on low heat so that the pot doesn't discolor and the coffee doesn't get burned, so that's what I've been doing. FYI, the directions on the box say to wash the pot in HOT WATER ONLY (not soapy water, as this listing mentions), and never to scrub it -- something to do with the aluminum alloy it's made from. Also, you should know that the Italian espresso "6 cups" equals about one American coffee cup. Of course, it comes out much stronger than an ordinary cup of drip coffee, so you may not need that whole cup of Bialetti Moka coffee all for yourself. For good instructions on how to use the Moka pot, see http://ineedcoffee.com/06/moka/.

I've had this coffee pot for about a month and so far I'm very happy. I primed the coffee maker as suggested here by making and throwing away 3-4 pots of coffee. The coffee (espresso coffee ground for a moka pot) tastes excellent. However, unlike what one reviewer mentioned, I've not yet been able to procure any of that elusive crema.

One note: I've read random reviews online regarding this pot where some people experienced coffee leaks from the bottom part of the pot. One of the suggestions for fixing this was to tighten (or over tighten) the bottom part of the pot. Anyway, I experienced this leak a couple times last week and reading the reviews I thought I had to return the pot. However, I quickly realised my mistake. I had inserted the filter (that fits between the lower and the upper chamber) backwards. The filter is secured in place by the rubber seal and the wide portion of the filter ring should be facing up. I reversed the direction of the filter on the pot (I obviously had replaced it wrongly after washing this unit) and this stopped the leak. Now we're back to enjoying leak and mess free coffee.

I have enjoyed coffee very much for 20 years now and say this little coffee maker is great. For the price, it's quite a bargain.

Overall construction shows it to be mass produced, for sure; there are a few edges that aren't perfect. I really could care less. All the pieces are solid and fit snuggly.

Function is just as I would hope it would be. There's not much that can go wrong with something so simple, though.

Bottome line, if you want an espresso maker and nothing else, this is your chance...

I bought the Bialetti six cup stovetop espresso maker and the tuttocrema frother about six months ago and use them frequently to make cappuccinos. When I was living in Germany, my hostess would make me a cappuccino with such a stovetop maker every morning and so I bought one when I returned to the states. The six cup is enough to make two very large cappuccinos for my boyfriend and I, or if just for me, I fill up the water and grounds only half way. So far it has worked wonderfully. The frother takes some practice, but I have the hang of it now and can make great microfoam...

I was having to decide between this apparatus and a much more expensive machine. I wondered if I could get a great cup of coffee from a $20 device. So, curious as I was, I bought it. Now, some of the reviews have complained of foul taste but if you read the instructions like I do, you will note that Bialetti strongly recommends that you brew a pot or two to get those flavors out and get practice on how to use the Moka Express. Well, several cups later I am very pleased with the results. I do suggest that you use freshly ground coffees (that is grind it immediately before use). You can also use it for tea! How's that for versital! I found out that this pot has been around since 1933. If people are still buying them, they must be pretty darn good!

If you want to make expressos quickly and without fuss, then the Bialetti line is the way to go. They are much cheaper than modern expresso machines which can set you back several hundred or even thousands of dollars, and yet make the perfect expresso shot as it has been made since the thirties in Italy.

It works by letting water boil in the lower half, forcing it up into the upper half through the coffee grain container in the middle. The simplicity explains the robustness of the device, made almost entirely of highly durable aluminium.

The result is a strong, dark shot of expresso which you can drink straight or with milk froth for a perfect capuccino.

I have had mine for over ten years, and it is still as good as new, with daily morning use.

have had my 6-cup bialetti for about 2 years and it is a gem. Incredibly easy to use. Friends and family voluntarily compliment the espresso and cappucinos I serve them and then stare in amazement at the little pot it came from.
Have learned it gets a bit musty if you let it sit unused for while; it's easily cooked out with one pot of just water. I'm getting another one to have on hand in case something happens to this one.

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.

I was looking for a replacement espresso maker and have been absolutely thrilled with this purchase. Very simple to use and no more scorched espresso! The only issue I've had is that my if my neighbor is outside while I'm drinking my morning coffee she'll steal it and I have to make more. Guess I know what I'm getting her for Christmas.

If you want the stainless steel alternative, search Amazon for "Bialetti Class." Just ordered mine, and I'm very excited.

I got my Bialetti 6-cup about a week and a half ago. It took me a while to learn all the tricks of the trade, so I thought I'd piece it together here.

1. Rinse out the pot, preferably with warm water and not with any abrasive cloth.

2. Fill the bottom of the pot with water to the line. If you go over it, the pot might explode. Seriously.

3. Fill the middle filter with ground espresso roast (dark) beans. Grind them a little bit finer then auto drip grind, to about the grain of fine sand. Level off the filter, and put it in the pot.

4. Screw on the top hard. Don't use the handle to screw it, because it could snap off.

5. My stove goes LO, 1, 2, ... 8, 9, HI; I usually set it between 3 and 5. It takes 5-ish minutes to finish. Take it off the stove when you hear it gurgling and sputtering.

Things I've learned:
*If it's going to be mainly you drinking the espresso, consider a 3-cup. I usually make a double cappuccino in the morning, and the rest of my family uses no more than 3 shots total. I stick the left-over in a Tupperware container and refrigerate it (a practice sure to make Italians shudder) to mix with milk and sugar when I come home from work.
*You can open the top to watch the espresso come out, because it is really cool. Just be sure to close it before it starts sputtering, because it goes all over.
*Read an article in a magazine or something while you wait--just don't wander off, because the time between when it first comes out and when it's finished is brief.

Moka pots make great 'espresso,' plus they're cheap and quick. From what I've gathered, Bialetti's the best maker. So I definitely recommend this.

Having used one of these charming little gadgets for making my morning espresso every day during a recent stay in Umbria, I was determined to purchase one on my return. This simple machine, which has been around for over half a century, is ubiquitous in Italy. The Bialetti model is embarrassingly easy to use, easy to clean and, if the coffee is ground not-too-fine, makes wonderful espresso. While one might purchase any one of many available automatic espresso makers-- with models costing considerably more in fancier styles having additional capabilities-- there is very real pleasure to be found in making your coffee this way, the good old way...

I like it well enough. Simple, effective. Elegant design. Produces coffee much better than my French Press. Has a "smoother" taste. About the same cleanup. Really good price on Amazon. I got the "six" cup version, and it produces a nice big mug of coffee every morning. About two cups worth.. (Those Italians must have really small cups) No mystery about it as far as I can see. Water is heated in the bottom in a sealed chamber, forced from the bottom of the chamber through a pipe through the coffee grounds, through a metal filter which must be cleaned every so often, and goes into the top holding pot. You have to stand there and watch the thing, however. Remove from stovetop. Pour. Clean by rinsing after it cools off. Do not forget to check the pressure valve regularly, since the lower chamber, sealed, could explode in a blast of boiling water if by any chance the coffee filter chamber becomes blocked and the relief valve does not relieve. (Maybe you should get two just in case somebody sues over coffee being too hot...Oh. Wait. That would NEVER happen.)

This Moka Express is perfect for a great cup of coffee to start your day right.

Great price and service from the vendor.
I highly recommend Bialetti to all coffee lovers.

I use a Francis Francis X5 (pricey!!) at home and a Saeco Classico at work and let me tell you, the Bialetti Moka Express rivals both of those. Although you don't quite get the same crema, it doesn't seem to matter much in the end. What you get is strong espresso that isn't bitter like what you get when you use a french press. As the coffee brews, it percolates into the upper chamber which is great because it doesn't burn. I bought two of these as gifts for Christmas and both recipients were very impressed by the end result. It's a must have for any espresso aficianados, or those who want a strong cup of coffee on vacation. No wonder 9 out of 10 Italian families own at least one!

This espresso maker produces the best coffee around. Between this and the coffee press we put away the expensive cappuccino maker and the $200 grind and brew Cuisinart. We now only make coffee and espresso the right way. You can't beat the full flavor, rich tasting and smoothness of pressed coffee.

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!

simple, straight forward to use. very easy to clean. and durable. can't beat it for the price. better than any drip.

Adds a touch of eclectic character! The Bialetti Moka Express . . . the Italian coffee maker which revolutionized the preparation of espresso coffee!! There is an elegant simplicity and a lasting durability to these innovative, classic stove top coffee makers which makes them a perfect addition to any kitchen. (We keep one in our fifth wheel and one in our sticks-and-bricks house!)

This coffee maker with its unique octagonal shape was first designed in Italy in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. By the 1950s Bialetti was one of the most important companies in Italy and today more than 9 out of every 10 families in Italy have a Bialetti in their homes. Bialetti now makes over 16,000 coffee makers per day, 4 million per year. That over 250 million units have been sold is testimony to a product which does an extraordinary job of doing what it was designed to do.

The lasting appeal of the Moka Express is due at least in part to its being extremely simple to use. The model suggested here makes six 2-ounce espresso cups of coffee in just a few minutes. Fill the lower chamber with water to the line marked on the inside, fill the "funnel" with ground coffee, and place the pot on stove over medium to medium-low heat. A pressurizing process will drive the water through the coffee grounds and into the upper chamber - espresso ready to serve in about 4 or 5 minutes!

Cleanup? Just wash in warm soapy water and rinse clean.


Perfect size for myself. No one else drinks espresso in my house. Just make sure to use a good coffee with it. I tried several and the taste ranged from gross to awesome. In the future, I will buy a larger one for guests.

I love this espresso maker!! It is easy to use and makes wonderful authentic espresso. Add a bit of steamed milk and you're in heaven! This is the easiest espresso maker I've ever had. I've retired my large espresso machine and even banished my automatic coffee maker and just use my Bialetti. It takes up very little space and clean up is a breeze. The best part is how quickly it brews! In minutes, you have a steaming pot of espresso. I would recommend investing in a hand frother if you'd like to make cappuccino.

When I first searched Amazon for home espresso makers, I braced myself for a list of monstrous machines requiring a bank loan to afford. I certainly wasn't expecting to find a tiny stove-top pot for under 30 dollars. And look at all the five-star reviews! "The best", "The standard", "easy to use", "delicious", "affordable". I must have been missing something. Could this dinky Italian pot really brew an espresso comparable to the overpriced work of the baristas at Starbucks et al.?

The answer is yes. The espresso that the Moka makes obviously isn't quite the same product that a professional high-pressure machine puts out, but the taste and extraction process are very similar. I've had my 6-cup Moka pot for a few months now and I use it daily. My drip coffee maker worked fine but the results were mostly uninspiring, my French press was a pain to clean, and I needed a bigger caffeine jolt in the morning anyway. The Moka fits the bill. I'm consistently amazed at the amount of flavor this machine extracts from even the lousiest coffee grinds - I had only a can of pre-ground store brand coffee when my Moka arrived, so I figured I'd test it with that before buying some better beans. To my shock, it made a great cup of coffee. I ended up finishing off the can that week! And with fresh beans ground just before you brew, the results are superlative. It's also true that the pot makes better coffee the more you use it.

The fact that Bialetti has been producing this very model of espresso maker since the '30s, and that nearly every Italian household owns one, says something about its quality. If you're looking to make your own good home espresso, check out the Moka before plunking down cash for one of the all-in-one machines. It really does live up to the praise.

The espresso it makes is really great tasting. I am used to south indian filter coffee, which is basically boiled milk foamed with strong espresso (often a good percentage of chicory gives it a distinctive flavor). This unit can recreate provide a strong and fragrant espresso in 7 minutes (as the milk comes to boil!). Good mornings begin with great coffee!

I would give it 3.5 stars - the penalty is for how easily its insides got discolored. No care instructions to prevent this - I have used vineagar every once in a while to successfully to remove most of the discoloration.

This is a very simple and easy to use product with very good directions. I use it regularly to brew an evening cup of espresso.

No need for any ridiculously expensive espresso maker...$20 bought me the best one out there. If so many people in Italy use it, wouldn't that be enough to justify purchasing it? Doesn't take up counter space and makes a great cup of espresso.

Probably the best cup of coffee/espresso, minus the coffeeshop. Bialetti's Moka Express makes a sludgy cup of goodness for those that prefer it strong. For those that don't, add some hot water and you have yourself an Americano. Bialetti takes your bean farther!!

The result is not like you're using the high-tech, expensive machine. However this little espresso maker is definitely affordable and make a pretty good espresso. It's a good investment for espresso beginner and afficionado as well. Good buy!!!

Received above product in the time span and in great shape

This is simple, fast and most of all extracts all the flavor from the coffee. I would take a pass on much more expensive and fancy equipment (even free) when it comes to this simple classic. Simple, age-old techniques are usually the best.

Bought it on the Mother's Day sale ($17) Wednesday, received it Thursday, followed instructions and had a perfect cup of JOE. This is amazing! Honestly tastes like espresso! I also stopped by IKEA to pick up the $1.99 milk frother... OK, does it well, but no real foam. Still, what can you say to a great espresso/cappucino for $19???? Buy this! You will not regret it!

The $2 frother at Ikea works great... I just needed to get the procedure down. I make foam in non-fat, 1%, 2%, & whole milk. Very fine bubbles.

Fresh, fast espressos, cappucinos and lattes. No coffee filters. Easy cleanup. All I can say is BUY ONE. And if you read about the gasket wearing out in some of the reviews -- you can buy them for pennies at the hardware store. Great gift for a college-bound kid or your friend in law/med school; a welcome companion for those late-night study sessions.

Fresh, fast espressos, cappucinos and lattes. No coffee filters. Easy cleanup. All I can say is BUY ONE. And if you read about the gasket wearing out in some of the reviews -- you can buy them for pennies at the hardware store. Great gift for a college-bound kid or your friend in law/med school; a welcome companion for those late-night study sessions.

The result is not like you're using the high-tech, expensive machine. However this little espresso maker is definitely affordable and make a pretty good espresso. It's a good investment for espresso beginner and afficionado as well. Good buy!!!

Received above product in the time span and in great shape

This is simple, fast and most of all extracts all the flavor from the coffee. I would take a pass on much more expensive and fancy equipment (even free) when it comes to this simple classic. Simple, age-old techniques are usually the best.

Bought it on the Mother's Day sale ($17) Wednesday, received it Thursday, followed instructions and had a perfect cup of JOE. This is amazing! Honestly tastes like espresso! I also stopped by IKEA to pick up the $1.99 milk frother... OK, does it well, but no real foam. Still, what can you say to a great espresso/cappucino for $19???? Buy this! You will not regret it!

The $2 frother at Ikea works great... I just needed to get the procedure down. I make foam in non-fat, 1%, 2%, & whole milk. Very fine bubbles.

The espresso it makes is really great tasting. I am used to south indian filter coffee, which is basically boiled milk foamed with strong espresso (often a good percentage of chicory gives it a distinctive flavor). This unit can recreate provide a strong and fragrant espresso in 7 minutes (as the milk comes to boil!). Good mornings begin with great coffee!

I would give it 3.5 stars - the penalty is for how easily its insides got discolored. No care instructions to prevent this - I have used vineagar every once in a while to successfully to remove most of the discoloration.

This is a very simple and easy to use product with very good directions. I use it regularly to brew an evening cup of espresso.

No need for any ridiculously expensive espresso maker...$20 bought me the best one out there. If so many people in Italy use it, wouldn't that be enough to justify purchasing it? Doesn't take up counter space and makes a great cup of espresso.

Probably the best cup of coffee/espresso, minus the coffeeshop. Bialetti's Moka Express makes a sludgy cup of goodness for those that prefer it strong. For those that don't, add some hot water and you have yourself an Americano. Bialetti takes your bean farther!!

When I first searched Amazon for home espresso makers, I braced myself for a list of monstrous machines requiring a bank loan to afford. I certainly wasn't expecting to find a tiny stove-top pot for under 30 dollars. And look at all the five-star reviews! "The best", "The standard", "easy to use", "delicious", "affordable". I must have been missing something. Could this dinky Italian pot really brew an espresso comparable to the overpriced work of the baristas at Starbucks et al.?

The answer is yes. The espresso that the Moka makes obviously isn't quite the same product that a professional high-pressure machine puts out, but the taste and extraction process are very similar. I've had my 6-cup Moka pot for a few months now and I use it daily. My drip coffee maker worked fine but the results were mostly uninspiring, my French press was a pain to clean, and I needed a bigger caffeine jolt in the morning anyway. The Moka fits the bill. I'm consistently amazed at the amount of flavor this machine extracts from even the lousiest coffee grinds - I had only a can of pre-ground store brand coffee when my Moka arrived, so I figured I'd test it with that before buying some better beans. To my shock, it made a great cup of coffee. I ended up finishing off the can that week! And with fresh beans ground just before you brew, the results are superlative. It's also true that the pot makes better coffee the more you use it.

The fact that Bialetti has been producing this very model of espresso maker since the '30s, and that nearly every Italian household owns one, says something about its quality. If you're looking to make your own good home espresso, check out the Moka before plunking down cash for one of the all-in-one machines. It really does live up to the praise.

Perfect size for myself. No one else drinks espresso in my house. Just make sure to use a good coffee with it. I tried several and the taste ranged from gross to awesome. In the future, I will buy a larger one for guests.

I love this espresso maker!! It is easy to use and makes wonderful authentic espresso. Add a bit of steamed milk and you're in heaven! This is the easiest espresso maker I've ever had. I've retired my large espresso machine and even banished my automatic coffee maker and just use my Bialetti. It takes up very little space and clean up is a breeze. The best part is how quickly it brews! In minutes, you have a steaming pot of espresso. I would recommend investing in a hand frother if you'd like to make cappuccino.

simple, straight forward to use. very easy to clean. and durable. can't beat it for the price. better than any drip.

Adds a touch of eclectic character! The Bialetti Moka Express . . . the Italian coffee maker which revolutionized the preparation of espresso coffee!! There is an elegant simplicity and a lasting durability to these innovative, classic stove top coffee makers which makes them a perfect addition to any kitchen. (We keep one in our fifth wheel and one in our sticks-and-bricks house!)

This coffee maker with its unique octagonal shape was first designed in Italy in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. By the 1950s Bialetti was one of the most important companies in Italy and today more than 9 out of every 10 families in Italy have a Bialetti in their homes. Bialetti now makes over 16,000 coffee makers per day, 4 million per year. That over 250 million units have been sold is testimony to a product which does an extraordinary job of doing what it was designed to do.

The lasting appeal of the Moka Express is due at least in part to its being extremely simple to use. The model suggested here makes six 2-ounce espresso cups of coffee in just a few minutes. Fill the lower chamber with water to the line marked on the inside, fill the "funnel" with ground coffee, and place the pot on stove over medium to medium-low heat. A pressurizing process will drive the water through the coffee grounds and into the upper chamber - espresso ready to serve in about 4 or 5 minutes!

Cleanup? Just wash in warm soapy water and rinse clean.


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!

This espresso maker produces the best coffee around. Between this and the coffee press we put away the expensive cappuccino maker and the $200 grind and brew Cuisinart. We now only make coffee and espresso the right way. You can't beat the full flavor, rich tasting and smoothness of pressed coffee.

This Moka Express is perfect for a great cup of coffee to start your day right.

Great price and service from the vendor.
I highly recommend Bialetti to all coffee lovers.

I use a Francis Francis X5 (pricey!!) at home and a Saeco Classico at work and let me tell you, the Bialetti Moka Express rivals both of those. Although you don't quite get the same crema, it doesn't seem to matter much in the end. What you get is strong espresso that isn't bitter like what you get when you use a french press. As the coffee brews, it percolates into the upper chamber which is great because it doesn't burn. I bought two of these as gifts for Christmas and both recipients were very impressed by the end result. It's a must have for any espresso aficianados, or those who want a strong cup of coffee on vacation. No wonder 9 out of 10 Italian families own at least one!

Having used one of these charming little gadgets for making my morning espresso every day during a recent stay in Umbria, I was determined to purchase one on my return. This simple machine, which has been around for over half a century, is ubiquitous in Italy. The Bialetti model is embarrassingly easy to use, easy to clean and, if the coffee is ground not-too-fine, makes wonderful espresso. While one might purchase any one of many available automatic espresso makers-- with models costing considerably more in fancier styles having additional capabilities-- there is very real pleasure to be found in making your coffee this way, the good old way...

I like it well enough. Simple, effective. Elegant design. Produces coffee much better than my French Press. Has a "smoother" taste. About the same cleanup. Really good price on Amazon. I got the "six" cup version, and it produces a nice big mug of coffee every morning. About two cups worth.. (Those Italians must have really small cups) No mystery about it as far as I can see. Water is heated in the bottom in a sealed chamber, forced from the bottom of the chamber through a pipe through the coffee grounds, through a metal filter which must be cleaned every so often, and goes into the top holding pot. You have to stand there and watch the thing, however. Remove from stovetop. Pour. Clean by rinsing after it cools off. Do not forget to check the pressure valve regularly, since the lower chamber, sealed, could explode in a blast of boiling water if by any chance the coffee filter chamber becomes blocked and the relief valve does not relieve. (Maybe you should get two just in case somebody sues over coffee being too hot...Oh. Wait. That would NEVER happen.)

I was looking for a replacement espresso maker and have been absolutely thrilled with this purchase. Very simple to use and no more scorched espresso! The only issue I've had is that my if my neighbor is outside while I'm drinking my morning coffee she'll steal it and I have to make more. Guess I know what I'm getting her for Christmas.

If you want the stainless steel alternative, search Amazon for "Bialetti Class." Just ordered mine, and I'm very excited.

I got my Bialetti 6-cup about a week and a half ago. It took me a while to learn all the tricks of the trade, so I thought I'd piece it together here.

1. Rinse out the pot, preferably with warm water and not with any abrasive cloth.

2. Fill the bottom of the pot with water to the line. If you go over it, the pot might explode. Seriously.

3. Fill the middle filter with ground espresso roast (dark) beans. Grind them a little bit finer then auto drip grind, to about the grain of fine sand. Level off the filter, and put it in the pot.

4. Screw on the top hard. Don't use the handle to screw it, because it could snap off.

5. My stove goes LO, 1, 2, ... 8, 9, HI; I usually set it between 3 and 5. It takes 5-ish minutes to finish. Take it off the stove when you hear it gurgling and sputtering.

Things I've learned:
*If it's going to be mainly you drinking the espresso, consider a 3-cup. I usually make a double cappuccino in the morning, and the rest of my family uses no more than 3 shots total. I stick the left-over in a Tupperware container and refrigerate it (a practice sure to make Italians shudder) to mix with milk and sugar when I come home from work.
*You can open the top to watch the espresso come out, because it is really cool. Just be sure to close it before it starts sputtering, because it goes all over.
*Read an article in a magazine or something while you wait--just don't wander off, because the time between when it first comes out and when it's finished is brief.

Moka pots make great 'espresso,' plus they're cheap and quick. From what I've gathered, Bialetti's the best maker. So I definitely recommend this.

I like coffee, though I can't claim to be a coffee snob. So for what it's worth, this more than meets my standards. Same price as a crappy small electric drop coffeemaker, but makes much nicer coffee. You have to use fine-ground coffee (not espresso-fine, though). On my electric stove, set to 2 or 3, it takes me a couple minutes longer than the 4-5 minutes mentioned in this listing. I read online that you have to put it on low heat so that the pot doesn't discolor and the coffee doesn't get burned, so that's what I've been doing. FYI, the directions on the box say to wash the pot in HOT WATER ONLY (not soapy water, as this listing mentions), and never to scrub it -- something to do with the aluminum alloy it's made from. Also, you should know that the Italian espresso "6 cups" equals about one American coffee cup. Of course, it comes out much stronger than an ordinary cup of drip coffee, so you may not need that whole cup of Bialetti Moka coffee all for yourself. For good instructions on how to use the Moka pot, see http://ineedcoffee.com/06/moka/.

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.

have had my 6-cup bialetti for about 2 years and it is a gem. Incredibly easy to use. Friends and family voluntarily compliment the espresso and cappucinos I serve them and then stare in amazement at the little pot it came from.
Have learned it gets a bit musty if you let it sit unused for while; it's easily cooked out with one pot of just water. I'm getting another one to have on hand in case something happens to this one.

If you want to make expressos quickly and without fuss, then the Bialetti line is the way to go. They are much cheaper than modern expresso machines which can set you back several hundred or even thousands of dollars, and yet make the perfect expresso shot as it has been made since the thirties in Italy.

It works by letting water boil in the lower half, forcing it up into the upper half through the coffee grain container in the middle. The simplicity explains the robustness of the device, made almost entirely of highly durable aluminium.

The result is a strong, dark shot of expresso which you can drink straight or with milk froth for a perfect capuccino.

I have had mine for over ten years, and it is still as good as new, with daily morning use.

I was having to decide between this apparatus and a much more expensive machine. I wondered if I could get a great cup of coffee from a $20 device. So, curious as I was, I bought it. Now, some of the reviews have complained of foul taste but if you read the instructions like I do, you will note that Bialetti strongly recommends that you brew a pot or two to get those flavors out and get practice on how to use the Moka Express. Well, several cups later I am very pleased with the results. I do suggest that you use freshly ground coffees (that is grind it immediately before use). You can also use it for tea! How's that for versital! I found out that this pot has been around since 1933. If people are still buying them, they must be pretty darn good!

I bought the Bialetti six cup stovetop espresso maker and the tuttocrema frother about six months ago and use them frequently to make cappuccinos. When I was living in Germany, my hostess would make me a cappuccino with such a stovetop maker every morning and so I bought one when I returned to the states. The six cup is enough to make two very large cappuccinos for my boyfriend and I, or if just for me, I fill up the water and grounds only half way. So far it has worked wonderfully. The frother takes some practice, but I have the hang of it now and can make great microfoam...

I have enjoyed coffee very much for 20 years now and say this little coffee maker is great. For the price, it's quite a bargain.

Overall construction shows it to be mass produced, for sure; there are a few edges that aren't perfect. I really could care less. All the pieces are solid and fit snuggly.

Function is just as I would hope it would be. There's not much that can go wrong with something so simple, though.

Bottome line, if you want an espresso maker and nothing else, this is your chance...

I've had this coffee pot for about a month and so far I'm very happy. I primed the coffee maker as suggested here by making and throwing away 3-4 pots of coffee. The coffee (espresso coffee ground for a moka pot) tastes excellent. However, unlike what one reviewer mentioned, I've not yet been able to procure any of that elusive crema.

One note: I've read random reviews online regarding this pot where some people experienced coffee leaks from the bottom part of the pot. One of the suggestions for fixing this was to tighten (or over tighten) the bottom part of the pot. Anyway, I experienced this leak a couple times last week and reading the reviews I thought I had to return the pot. However, I quickly realised my mistake. I had inserted the filter (that fits between the lower and the upper chamber) backwards. The filter is secured in place by the rubber seal and the wide portion of the filter ring should be facing up. I reversed the direction of the filter on the pot (I obviously had replaced it wrongly after washing this unit) and this stopped the leak. Now we're back to enjoying leak and mess free coffee.

For those who love coffee. Just a little note. An Italian coffee maker is an espresso maker, thats all they drink. Do not purchase this if you are expecting a tall cup of American coffee. one pack of sugar for every shot and enjoy!!!

I am buying a second coffee maker today. My first ws purchased for me about 16 years ago and it now lives in Dominican Republic and is used everyday that I'm there. Now I am buying one for my USA abode so I can share my Dominican coffee with family here the way it is supposed to be made.
This pot is the easiest and most inexpensive way to make a cup of good tasting, strong coffee.

my italian mother has always used this to make "black coffee" as she calls it and I wouldn't dream of using anything else.

a note to the reviewer from new orleans: are you using coffee specifically roasted and ground for a stovetop espresso? also, you do have to make a few pots and throw it out when you first start using it. thirdly, if you are tasting burnt rubber, set your stove's burner way lower. and lastly, re: injuring yourself while taking it apart--my above-mentioned mother is in her 70's with arthritic hands and she's had no problem.

A monkey could easily make coffee taste great with this pot but obviously the reviewer that hurt her hand and arm is not as intelligent as the average chimp. Her review is the most moronic I ever read on Amazon and believe me I have read some air headed reviews.
With that said, I love this pot. It was my first device for making espresso and even though I now have a small electric espresso machine I still use this from time to time. It is especially good for making Cuban coffee or Vietnamese coffee.

The reason why I was on Amazon today is to order one of these for a friend that borrowed mine and is now hooked. I wonder if the sub-chimp woman wants to sell her used one? :-)


This percolator is outstanding, producing a fine espresso with a nice crema with little fuss. just be careful not to melt the rubber seal by cooking it too long or at too high a temperature. Somtimes spares are hard to come by.


The Bialetti needs to be primed with 2 or 3 batches of coffee before first use to prevent any aluminum flavor. Perhaps the author's taste buds have been spoiled by Sanka and too many trips to Starbucks to appreciate the fine compromise between drip coffee and espresso that the Bialetti offers the educated user.

I'm a New Orleanian, and I love good coffee. This coffeemaker isn't where you'll find any, though.

With ordinary coffee, it produces a brew of almost stunning awfulness. With great coffee, you can get all the way up to merely bad. Or--if you like extremely bitter coffee with a bouquet of hot aluminum and scorched rubber--you may like it. Who knows? Chacun a son gout.

However, there's one other problem. Unscrewing the top section to clean the pot can be nearly impossible, even with a jar wrench. My efforts at taking the thing apart actually injured my wrist and elbow.

If Amazon had a zero-stars category, I'd have used that. This thing is beyond awful.

This is the original Italian product why compromise when it is so cheap