Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker

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 have had several of the pump type, plug-in espresso machines over the last 20 years, including two $400+ Gaggias and half a dozen Krups. The last time my Gaggia Baby Millenium was down for repairs, a neighbor loaned me his Bialetti Moka 6-cup. That was two years ago and I'm still using it.

On the plus side: The Moka has no moving parts to break, heating elements or thermal switches to wear out or inaccessible nooks and crannies to keep free of mineral deposits. The brew from the Moka has the same kick from behind as espresso, without the top-end jitters and stomach upset I associate with "coffee".

Drawback: It does take a few minutes on the stovetop between putting water and fine-grind espresso in and pouring the finished product out. If I wander off and forget to come back to the kitchen in time, the rubber gasket has to be replaced, or the Moka will spit steam out the side the next time I use it. In two years, this has only cost me around $6 total, since gaskets come in multi-packs. (I've also found that I can re-use gaskets by washing them, letting them rest in a drawer for a month or two and then flipping them over to the side without the groove melted into the rubber.)

If you adore the ritual of grinding, tamping and pulling your espresso, pride yourself on being able to name the varietals used in a blend on taste alone and insist espresso must have crema, go buy a Gaggia. For those of us who can't start our day without espresso (not coffee), freak out when the espresso machine breaks and are tired of being slaves to a descaling schedule, this is a great little espresso maker!

Buy Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker Now

For years my family has used this type of coffee maker. This one the Bialetti is very nice one and yes Bialetti's can be very pricy. Here in Miami, FL you can find the same TYPE of espresso makers for close to $10 in most Cuban grocery stores, since most of us enjoy our espressos in the same fashion which Italians enjoy theirs. I personally also own an electric espresso machine (American made) but most of these, with the exception of the very expensive ones have the same problem their heat elements wear out. You won't find this problem with the stove tops they make great espresso coffee. For you espresso maker nubies you can not use regular coffee for these makers, you have to buy fine ground coffee beans. Yes you can find some in our local Publix Supermarkets or order online. Localy (in MIami) you can find brands like, Pilon, Bustelo, and my favorite Illy (Italian and not cheap).

So if you enjoy your coffee black and strong just add sugar to your liking and enjoy a nice hot espresso.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker Here

I decided to pay for the more expensive unit of all availiable, in hopes that it would be a better quality. I use filtered water, and after just a few weeks of use, have noticed the aluminum pitting in the lower half or base of unit. In addition to the pitting, when I use a towel to wipe it dry, a grey gel substance comes off on my towel. I'm actually planning on returning the unit. So disappointing.

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The Bialetti 6800 moka express 6 cup is what I received for $30 which could have been purchased from and shipped from Amazon for $22 at the date of this review. So, buyer beware! But that's not the reason for my review. The pot I received leaked and blew steam from the center where it screws together. Of the six cups of filtered water I used one cup made it into the upper chamber, with most of the rest on my kitchen range or pack stove. The pot screwed together quite roughly, threads were either not cut or molded to allow smooth tightening inside was not finished well nor was the lid. I wonder if I received a counterfeit Bialetti?

I have been using my 3 cup moka daily for over three years and have learned some of the quirks it has but that the fun part; learning new coffee brewing equipment.

As an afterthought; Today I purchased a Bialetti 6800 moka express 6 cup in town and it screwed together smoothly and flawlessly. The inside is finished as I am accustomed to with Bialetti and no grey dust on my drying cloth. So I wonder if I did get a counterfeit moka?