Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker

I was really excited to get this new product and I tried it right way. The first time I used it, I put the flame on too high and not only did I get milk everywhere (which I should have known from heating up milk and cream when making bechemel sauce or yogurt, milk goes EVERYWHERE when overheated) but water leaked as well.

I can't tell how many times I've used it since (sometimes twice or three pots a day) and I haven't had a problem with it at all. My guests love it as well. If the flame is medium, it doesn't leak. As soon as I hear the milk or cream frothing, I take it off the stove and put it on the sink (just in case, but it hasn't overflowed over since that first time I used it).

It's superfast, and it's supereasy to clean. This little product is saving me lots of money because I no longer desire to buy Cappuccino from Starbucks.

My only complaint about this product is that it has a two-cup capacity. That would be a two-espresso-cup capacity. So if you buy this product don't think it will make 16oz. And keep the flame low-medium. And take it off the heat when the milk starts frothing :)

ok, let's be honest, if your looking to spend less than $400 this is probably your best bet. Anything under that price is going to have it's idiosyncrasies (read "problems") But for the money this is a great buy, and if you take some time with it in the beginning you'll be happier in the end. And in the time that I have had mine here's what I learned.

First off read the instructions!

Throw away the first 3 5 cups (read "don't drink") think of this as seasoning your Mukka

Use a coarse espresso grind, too fine and the water doesn't make it through and then it's leaking all over your stove.

Don't pack-down (tamp) the grounds in the filter basket, see problem above.

Don't fill the filter basket with grounds while it is sitting in the water reservoir, instead hold it in your hand over the sink to prevent getting grounds all over the seals. See problem above.

Clean all the grounds off the seals. See problem above.

Wet the seals with water before brewing. See problem above.

Turn the heat down, adjust your gas so that the flame doesn't go past the edge of the mukka, this will improve your foam although I don't know the physics of it, it just seems to work better if the heat isn't too high.

Use "cold" Whole milk, I have tried 2%, half and half, 1/2 2% and 1/2 half and half, and had the best foam with whole milk, but it isn't ever going to be "micro-foam" and it's not going to come out white, cause the coffee does the steaming.

Let the Mukka steam the milk and then wait a minute leaving it on the heat till it steams again, I think that second boil is important for taste,and it makes the coffee good and hot.

Pour your cappucino or latte into a cup and IMMEDIATELY clean the Mukka, or at least soak it with water so the milk doesn't dry up. Don't worry your coffee will still be hot. See suggestion above.

on the steamer there is a black button you push for cappucino and below that a gray collar you can lift up. PULL UP ON THE GRAY COLLAR and rotate the steaming mechanism counter clockwise to remove the steamer. If you don't pull up on the gray collar good luck on getting the steaming mechanism off.

Cappucino button down

Latte Button up

Espresso no Milk, button up

Cafe Americano add water instead of milk, to line, button up

So with about a month of time in on my Mukka I have started to get good latte's from it, hopefully these suggestions shorten that time for you. And I have stopped going to "fourbucks" every morning so it is also saving me money.

Buy Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker Now

...and if you do it makes a great latte or cappucino. Follow the directions explicitly, or you could have a mess on your hands, as some other reviewers have reported. Now that I've had it a couple of months, it comes out perfectly (including lots of foam, if that's what you choose)99% of the time. When there is a problem (leaking, exploding, etc., as noted by others) it's because you haven't done something right. When instructions are followed, it works just great. Some things to particularly watch out for:

-Be certain the rubber seal is properly seated.

-Check to make sure you have properly screwed the two main parts together correctly and securely.

-Observe fill line guidelines strictly if you put in either too much water or milk, it will overflow.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the design when I've had problems, it's been my error.

The instructions are clear and thorough just don't be hasty or careless and you will love this item.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker Here

I bought this little gem so that I could enjoy a quick cappuccino after dinner, and I'm 100% satisfied with it. It seems a few (several) people here have had issues using it, and 99.9% of the time, those errors are user-errors. That said, here's how I consistently get great cappuccinos with my Mukka Express...

1. Use the right grind. Most store-bought espresso grinds are too fine, as the Mukka explicitly states to use rough ground espresso. If you find that you have coffee dregs in the water tank after brewing, your grind it too fine.

2. I use a glass top stove, and the water measurement is 6 ounces. BE SURE TO GET THIS RIGHT!

3. Use medium-high heat. I set my cook top to 7.5, and my cappuccino is ready in just over 5 minutes.

4. Do NOT let any -and I mean ANY -coffee grinds remain on the basket or heater rim. The couple of times I have had seal issues, grinds were the problem. If you don't have a steady hand, just fill the coffee basket separately, then put it onto the heat tank.

5. I recommend using less milk than the directions indicate -especially as you first get used to using the Mukka. Since I also like a stronger cup, I fill the milk to around 1/4-inch below the recommended line. Experiment with this, starting with FAR LESS, so that you avoid potential froth-overs. The temp you end up using will also impact the amount of froth, so play it safe to begin with and use less milk.

6. MAKE SURE THE PRESSURE VALVE IS LOCKED! The only way the pressure stem will fire off and leave the Mukka is if it's broken or not locked in place.

7. If you aren't getting much foam, your cook top temp is too low. If it's foaming out and you haven't overfilled with milk, your cook top temp is too high.

So, if you follow the steps, you should have no problems getting a great cappuccino. After a few tries, you'll find the right settings for your stove. ENJOY!

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Sell your Starbucks stock because this product is amazing! In just 4 quick minutes a delicious frothy cuppucino is ready and it tastes better than Starbucks!! Forget the bad reviews, if you have half a brain this maker is no problem. Just add water to the line on bottom, scoop in a few teaspoons of espresso, screw on the top, add milk to the line, put it on the stove, wait for the button to pop and your done!

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IMUSA GAU-18200 Elecric Espresso / Cappuccino Maker with Milk Frother 4-Cup, Black

I ordered this to replace a Bialetti stove-top maker. I have had it a couple of months and it is great. I saw some reviews about some machines within this price category being flimsy and unreliable. The Imusa is terrific. Easy to clean (Bialetti was awful!), and makes up to a quad in under 5 minutes. It is lightweight, but sturdy; and makes thick rich foam, even with skim milk. I am a former chef and have had some fancy machines that cost thousands of dollars in my kitchens, Imusa gets it done for me at home. I even went back and ordered a second as a gift.

Adding on to this review: If you haven't been using your old espresso/cappuccino maker because it isn't easy, or a pain to clean up, then this is the machine for you.

I'm going to start out stating I am no barista.

But I love coffee and simply don't like paying $4+ a cup and inconveniencing myself in the morning making an out-of-the-way, time-consuming stop during my commute.

That said, this is my first espresso machine. As with many things I don't know if I'll ever use again, I purchase the absolute cheapest low-end model, and if I like it, I research and splurge (or ask Santa.) I feel I really lucked out with this machine since it cost half of other machines I was looking at, and it works. I followed the directions (and a youtube) and with some trial and error (actually only the first try was really bad) I am able to make espresso mocha's in the morning for my wife and I.

I've gotten so good at it that I can make two cups with ~2 shots each, a squirt of chocolate syrup each, about 10oz steamed milk, and clean it all up in under 10 minutes.

Notes and experiences about this machine:

-When you first receive the machine, fill and drain the machine numerous times with hot water (by filling and turning the entire machine upside down.) Mine had a bunch of metallic flakes inside the steam chamber left over from manufacturing. These could definately clog the machine or worse, end up in your espresso.

-Use mildly fine grounds and tamp softly. I wasn't getting any crema until I used a burr grinder on a medium-fine setting. This machine has NO control over the brew group pressure, so the only way to control extraction is with the grounds and tamping pressure. I was using too fine of grounds for the first week or two and was getting weak extraction. If tamped too hard the grounds overheat and the extraction is bitter. Ideally each shot should take 20 seconds.

-The control dial has a "dead zone" where steam continues to come out, but the boiler is off. It is between OFF and LOW STEAM settings. This allows you to safely release pressure in the boiler chamber when you're finished. Never leave the machine sit with pressure in it. The instructions don't mention anything about this 'hidden' setting, but you will find it and use it every time you use the machine for one reason or another.

-Tamping the grounds is important. At first I used my fingers. Then a spoon. Finally I got a tamper. All of them were effective but a tamper makes me feel like a pro and its definately the fastest/easiest. 50mm is a good fit. Not perfect, but good enough; in reality its probably a 51mm or 52mm.

-Don't use the rubber guard for the frothing wand. It's hard to clean. Not just hard, impossible. Also, if not removed and cleaned after every use, it will for sure trap bacteria; it obviously needs to be removed to clean your frothing wand, which you want to clean while its hot so stuff doesn't cake on it, defeating the entire purpose of protecting you from burns since you need to deal with the hot wand, anyway. Just throw this thing away.

-Clean it while its HOT. I rinse and wipe everything right after a session. The steam wand, grounds cup and locking cup, the collection cup and the waste tray all rinse clean with no soap when they're hot. The steam wand takes about 10-15 seconds of wiping to get milk residue off; everything else takes a few seconds.

Buy IMUSA GAU-18200 Elecric Espresso / Cappuccino Maker with Milk Frother 4-Cup, Black Now

For the money, this is one great little machine. It heats quickly, foams the milk easily and promptly, is easy to clean up, and looks cute on the counter. This is our fourth (and least expensive) cappuccino maker it is also the best.

Read Best Reviews of IMUSA GAU-18200 Elecric Espresso / Cappuccino Maker with Milk Frother 4-Cup, Black Here

Especially for the money, this is a great little espresso machine! I've never had an electric espresso machine before. I have several manual espresso makers but no way to easily froth hot milk so I ordered this one. I received it yesterday and made a wonderful latte last night for the first time in my life! It's easy to use, looks cool and has a small footprint so it's great in a small space. (It did not say anywhere to remove the soft black plastic 'cover' on the steaming rod but I did...I don't want ANY plastic of any kind near my food, especially steaming hot plastic. I'm assuming you remove it else there's no way to clean the rod...) It's a perfect 'treat yourself' gift to yourself when you know you deserve it!

If anything goes awry, I'll certainly update this review but I feel good about it and it works just like I've seen my daughter's much more expensive coffe/espresso/cappuccino maker. I'd NEVER consume name brand commercial coffe store, overly sweetened and overly fat and chemical ladened products, and I cringe when I see so many people putting that inside their bodies, but if I were one of those people, this would pay for itself within a week! (Can you tell I'm a cancer survivor and that I want to keep it that way!)

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The metal water basin contains lead. I recently purchased this espresso maker and at first really liked it as it does the job, and I made delicious decaf lattes with it. The plastic on the outside is number 5 which is considered generally safe, but I was unsure about the metal used on the inside. I recently bought some lead test kits and decided to test the metal on the inside of the opening where you pour the water in. I highly doubted that it would be positive, because who would put lead in a machine that makes beverages especially that part that holds the water you drink?!!! But, because I am pregnant, I decided to check it just in case. Anyhow the test turned red which means it has a dangerous level of LEAD! I am so angry that they have this product on the market. Not only did they put lead in my body and my babies body, they are poisoning everybody who uses it. I already drank 3 lattes using this machine before my lead tests arrived in the mail. Amazon, please do not sell this product.

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Capresso 490.05 ST600 Stainless Thermal Coffeemaker

UPDATE DECEMBER 2007:

final update to this review: we gave up on this capresso shortly after my last update and purchased a cuisinart (~$100-ish). the cuisinart has given us approx 8 months of flawless, carefree performance. it's not nearly as gorgeous on the counter as this capresso, but also unlike the capresso, it's thoughtfully designed, does not require finicky care, and does not have delicate, vulnerable parts. it appears amazon is clearing out the ST600 at a very compelling discount, so i hope buyers are careful.

UPDATE APR 12, 2007:

well, two flimsy plastic pieces on the filter holder have broken off in the last couple weeks. first piece was just an irritation but the second broken piece has disabled the coffeemaker. i am debating whether i should order replacement parts or just give up on the machine. another irritating thing that had been happening over the past couple months was the top lid randomly popping open in the middle of the brew, causing hot water to spit everywhere -when it first happened to my wife, i scoffed at her incompetence and clicked the lid back into place firmly -only to have it pop back up two minutes later, much to my embarrassment :)

wish i could change my star rating ...

ORIGINAL REVIEW DEC 27, 2006:

agree mostly with other reviewers here on some negative traits: coffee maker is too big, steam emissions (including out the back) requires that you give the machine wide clearance, the lid is designed in a way that it will drip condensate down the back of the machine when you open it, etc. on the positive side, the machine is very attractive, and the carafe keeps the coffee surprisingly warm for hours.

i am not a coffee aficionado so cannot opine on how much better the coffee is vs our old $80 krups -it seems marginally less bitter and clean tasting (i drink my coffee black and usually drink americanos outside the home). i suspect that most coffee drinkers would only see a minor difference in taste. but on the other hand, perhaps those willing to pay this much for a coffee maker will generally have a more discerning palate and notice a greater difference than i do.

let me address the issue of spillage, as it appears that there is great debate about this across the many capresso model lines. i initially had problems with the ST600. the design is poor. the spring-loaded, safety cutoff switch situated at the bottom of the machine is too powerful and actually pushes away the carafe when it's empty. even if it does not push away the carafe far enough to cause the spout to disengage and coffee to overflow onto the counter, it will still create enough of a gap to cause steam to shoot out and condense on the front of the machine, between the machine and the carafe. this condensation will dribble down the machine. this is the phenomenon described by lane and sean in prior reviews. this is exacerbated by a slippery countertop (e.g. a granite surface). this could have been avoided by having some sort of locking mechanism that clutches the carafe snugly to the machine, rather than relying on the friction of the footpads on the carafe to hold it against the machine despite the spring-loaded switch pushing it away.

this issue was bad enough that i considered returning the machine. this is how i've "fixed" the problem: when i insert the carafe, i insert the spout first while holding the carafe at a 45-degree down from horizontal. then i shove the bottom of the carafe up against the bottom of the machine in a way that actually ever-so-slightly lifts up the front of the machine. this changes the angle of the force from the spring-loaded switch just enough that it has to tilt the carafe to extend, not just push it away. the spring is not strong enough to push away the carafe in this position, so the carafe stays snug to the machine, and i get no steam spillage and condensation on the front of the machine. this sounds kinda idiotic, especially for a nearly $200 machine, but it's something that you get used to quickly (the angled insertion motion is not that different from most coffee machines anyway -just a bit exaggerated). i suspect another solution would be simply putting a non-slip pad under the machine.

at the end of the day, is it worth the money? ... did i mention it looks nice? :)

If you're like me, even when you don't buy from Amazon you include its reviews when buying a product, and in the process, you're often left wondering what and who to believe with a product that has mixed reviews and a big discount. I don't usually write reviews, but given the doubts I had before this purchase due the negative reviews, I thought I'd help others out and set the record straight.

Cutting to the chase, this is a great coffee maker, especially for the price. With all due respect, I cannot for the life of me figure out how people have any issue with this machine. Learning curve? Are you kidding me? Slip the carafe in, push the on button. If you can figure out how to plug it in, you can figure out how to use it. There are several aspects to its design that keep coffee from ending up on your counter. It won't fit in place unless the lid is lined up the right way and if it doesn't fit in right, coffee doesn't flow.

Does it take a moment or two to figure out the alignment, or maybe a quick read of the manual if it's not immediately obvious to you? Sure. Probably. It's not like any other coffee makers you or I have used. But some of the reviews made me think I'd be living through countless messes before getting the hang of it. I found the design to be very consumer centric (the politically correct way of saying idiot proof)

One reason I wanted to write this review is that years ago I purchased a vacuum coffee maker that originally sold for a $200 but was being given away by Starbucks for under $50. I was convinced there had to be something wrong with it given the huge discount, but they told me that it was just too "complicated" for some people and they didn't get it (makes coffee much differently than drip). Same deal. Best maker I owned but enough people returned it that it was discontinued. Never had a single issue with it until it gave out after 4 years.

I can't comment on defective units or longevity, but I can tell you the design is sound, the coffee is great (I too notice I don't need to use as much coffee for a great, strong brew, which means also a less bitter one), the unit looks great, the thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot, and I like the uniqueness of the design aesthetically and mechanically.

Snap this puppy up while you still have the chance, ESPECIALLY when its at the $60 Friday sale price.

Buy Capresso 490.05 ST600 Stainless Thermal Coffeemaker Now

The coffee maker is impressive to look at but the size of the machine, compared to the amount of coffee made, is disproportionate on a crowded counter top. It makes good coffee and keeps it warm. The coffee filter holder can be fiddly to place unless you get it just right, but the fact that the coffee dribbles down the front of the machine every time, requiring it be placed on a pad, is a real pain. The front needs cleaning every time, no matter how good you connect the jug with the machine. I'm concerned that the coffee running down the front of the machine will eventually cause damage to the seam between the stainless steel casing and the plastic bottom? I don't know if I have a lemon or they are all like that? *******4-month review***** My concerns came true. The dribbling coffee and condensation has damaged the seam at the bottom and the auto shut-off switch now gets stuck in when I remove the jug, so this makes dribbling a bigger problem. I would not but this again.

Read Best Reviews of Capresso 490.05 ST600 Stainless Thermal Coffeemaker Here

We bought this over a month ago and we absolutely love the coffee it makes. Seeing the other reviews about problems with dripping and cleaning -we really haven't experienced those problems. Yes, the coffee holder needs to be put in "just so", but the benefits of the great coffee far outweigh any minor quirks it has. I highly recommend it and think most people will be pleased.

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Before I purchased my Capresso ST600 from Amazon, I read all of the reviews so that I would be informed about the pros and cons and alert to potential problems. Also, as is often the case, a negative review was offset by a positive review providing the "solution" to the negative review's problem with the machine. Frankly, I WANTED this machine because of its unique style AND Amazon had a great deal on it the day I made the plunge.

The first thing I did after the machine arrived was to thoroughly read the brief, but informative, manual and follow the instructions. Since I have a filtered water system, I don't have to bother with the included unimpressive filter system that comes with the machine. I would only use it in an unforeseeable emergency. It's a nice thought, but totally unnecessary for serious coffee drinkers who always use filtered water and, thus, have their own system. If I had to buy water filter replacements all the time, I wouldn't bother with this machine.

Then, I made my first pot of coffee. Good first attempt. As with all new devices, I consider that there is a learning curve to get to the cup of coffee that I want from the device. Second pot, oops! I found coffee all over my counter-top. So, what did I do wrong? Well, I had the machine on a pad that was smooth and slippery and the bottom of the carafe was slightly wet because I had just rinsed it out. So, the carafe slipped away from the machine and created the mess.

Believe me, it hasn't happened a second time! I got it! The machine is sensitive and protective. I need to work with it to get the results I want. I placed the machine directly on the counter (which can also be slippery when wet) and have fared well so far. I stay with the machine briefly to make sure it's properly connected. One "rushed" day, I propped a heavier item against it as my watch-dog to keep it from slipping away.

My long-term solution is to find a good non-slip pad for my 'sensitive' machine so I don't have to babysit it as it starts up. Also, one reader provided a different approach -inserting the carafe lip into the slot at a 45 degree angle.

Is this learning curve worth it? The coffee is great! The design lightens my spirit when I see it first thing in the morning. I bought something beautiful and non-ordinary for myself, and, with patient understanding, it provides me with the aroma and taste of great, hot coffee. The carafe in its own right is terrific and once I learned its signaling clicks. The non-drip spout is a bonus and it keeps my coffee hot all morning long! Worth far more than the $80 amazon deal I paid for this beauty.

Capresso 4-Cup Glass Carafe with Lid for 303 Espresso Machine

Three of these glass carafes broke. First time chalk it up to consumer use. Two more times? Clearly a problem with quality. The glass is extremely thin! I now use a small stainless steel frothing pitcher.

We love our little Capresso 303 Espresso machine. We use it for travel, because our super automatic doesn't travel well. Needless to say, this carafe doesn't travel well either, but the replacement works great and comes with padding that we put in the box with the maker.

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I accidentally broke the carafe that came with the Espresso machine so I had to order a new one. It was the same carafe, but unfortunately the lid is loose, and I have to be real careful when I use it.

Read Best Reviews of Capresso 4-Cup Glass Carafe with Lid for 303 Espresso Machine Here

Exact replacement for the espresso machine. I broke my first carafe the second time I used it and wish I had kept the lid. The lid that comes with this one doesn't fit as tightly. I suppose the diameter of the rim on the carafe could slightly bigger, but I don't think so.

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I bought the Cappresso expresso machine at Crate & Barrel and I was surprised to find out they did not stock replacement carafe's. This is a nonstandard shape. They gave me the card of a recommended retailer. With shipping and all, it was expensive. I made due with a carafe I had from my old machine for a few months. It's nice to finally have one that fits. I need that cup in the morning.

Nespresso C121-US-TI-NE1 Citiz Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother, Titanium

I chose this rating, simply because it is a super-excellent product. It makes a perfect cup of espresso (with different color capsule coffee varieties available depending on intensity, tastes, etc.). The milk frother, just push a button an in about 30 seconds you have perfect frothed steamed milk -no manual labor required. It is practical, since it takes a couple of seconds (or a couple more for a cappuccino) to make the espresso, simple to use. GREAT!!! LOVE IT!!!

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Breville Refurbished Barista Express Scratch/Dent Prog Espresso with Grinder

After using a low-end espresso machine with pre-ground coffee for years, we were ready to upgrade. We wanted a new machine and a grinder but, with a budget of only $400, we were having trouble finding quality products we wanted that fit the price range. This refurbised scratch/dent option allowed us to get a lot more machine (and grinder) for our money! We were a little worried about the refurbished and scratch/dent designations so, before ordering, we confirmed with Amazon that it comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty (it does). We received the machine only 3 days after ordering and we were anxious to see the condition of it. There are only two small visible scratches on the bottom panel and the instruction manual is a little bent but that is all. We have tested all the major components (including the grinder) and everything is in great working order. As far as the quality of the espresso, we are extremely happy. We definitely need time to perfect our technique with this machine but even the first experimental shots were infinitely better than the best shots with our old machine! We will post updates over the next few months as we've read reviews about the grinder not working after awhile. But, for now, we are incredibly happy with it.

The espresso brewed by this machine is good. It steams milk well, though I was not blown away by either. The real problem is the built in burr grinder. It never worked correctly. I got maybe 2 shots to grind, but each time was preceded by cleaning out the unit. The grinder just seems to be poorly designed from the start. I also noticed that the few times it ground a few beans, the setting of the grind dial seemed to make no difference at all.

I'm very glad that Amazon has such an outstanding return/refund policy.

Another lesson: all the 1 and 2 star reviews noted problems with the grinder. When a good chunk of reviewers all flag the same problem, it's worth noticing.

Buy Breville Refurbished Barista Express Scratch/Dent Prog Espresso with Grinder Now

This machine is great. I work at a bike shop and we live on espresso. I've been using a Gaggia Classic with an upgraded PID unit wired in and this machine works just as well if not better. The simplicity of having everything on one machine is great. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and nice and heavy. With other machines (Gaggia Classic included) the machines were very light weight and would move or slide when locking the portafilter into the grouphead. That does not happen with this machine. The Burr grinder works well and is super easy to take care of. Others have sighted it as a weak point but I've found that cleaning it on a regular basis is super easy and it runs well when you keep it clean. The triple pre-infusion on the factory settings really does make a difference in the quality of shots pulled with this machine. While other machine simply pull the shot with no pre-infusion, the Breville does a triple pre-infusion which will create a more evenly extracted shot and better cremma. At the end of the day I Love this machine.

Read Best Reviews of Breville Refurbished Barista Express Scratch/Dent Prog Espresso with Grinder Here

Got this for over $200 less from new. The refurbished one I got looks brand new and works perfectly! Very well built and makes excellent latte's and espressos. I use the dual filter as it is much easier and works just fine. The built in burr grinder works great too. I highly recommmend this to anyone who wants a semi-professional espresso machine.

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Received a refurb that was in bad shape, did not try to use it, cause I was sending it back. Looked like it was used for sometime. The portafilter handle had was broken and the machine itself had a lot of dents in it. I knew it was going to be a refurb but not in this bad of shape. The reviews say it is a great espresso machine so I ordered another, hopefully this one will be in better shape. Good thing that Amazon has a great return program. So it may take a couple of times to get one that is not in that bad of shape or this may have been a fluke, who knows. Gets 1 star based on the shape of it when I received it, not the function of the machine. I'm sure that will be fine.

Update 2/24/12

received another machine and this one did not have a head assembly or seal so could not put on the portafilter to brew coffee. Was missing parts. Not sure how these refurbs are checked but don't seem to be doing a good job. I ordered again, we will see how the 3rd machine goes. I will keep you updated. Thanks.

European Gift Carmen Stainless Steel Stove Top Espresso Maker, 6-cup

I have taken espresso since 1979. This stove-top model will not take up space on the counter. Another asset is the fact that it is stainless steel. Aluminum is unhealthy. The carafe is thick-walled to keep espresso warm for a second cup. This "6-cup" pot holds 6 double demi-tasse (4 oz.) cups of water, or three full American 8 oz. cups of coffee. As a nice plus, the basket for the grounds has a "reducer" plate so you can use fewer grounds when you are making a half-pot. The spout doesn't drip. With time the heat will turn stainless lower half of the pot a beautiful gold that fades into polished silver. This is a well-made, well-designed unit that is safe to fall in love with because it will always be around and never let you down. When you get it plan to fall in love with it. It uses a special gasket size so get a few with your order. If you are a clean-freak I should note that the inside of the carafe that holds the espresso is a little hard to clean. The opening is narrow and the unremovable stem is in the middle. The bottom has a raised section that is awkward to clean the sides of, even with a brush. Italians do not customarily wash their espresso pots. This is the real thing.

Universal French Press Replacement 4-Cup Glass Beaker

I was in need of a replacement for my 4-cup Bodum French press coffee maker and assumed that the word "universal" meant this beaker would fit ANY 4-cup French press. However, it was too small to fit the Bodum, so I'm now using it for watering potted plants. The S&H of returning this $7 item would not have been worth the effort. It would have been nice if the product description had stated "does not work with Bodum products" or something similar.

I simply want to echo the other review. This will not fit the 4 cup Bodum Press. It is much too small. The Bodum beaker is 3.75 by 5. I've not liked the price Bodum charges, but at least it fits! I was pumped when I saw this price, but "universal" it is not.

Buy Universal French Press Replacement 4-Cup Glass Beaker Now

As has been stated, this beaker is too small for the Bodum 4 cup 17 ounce French press. Good price, doesn't fit.

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Should have read the reviews but this does not fit the a Bodum Chamboard 4 cup french pres. Universal means everything but Bodum

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This replacement 4-cup beaker was not a "universal" size and did not fit my starbucks french press. Too small in diameter.

Cuisinox Roma 4 Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffeemaker

Though advertised as a four cup coffee maker, when used as directed, the coffee is awful weak, burnt.

What I found works is to use two measures of coffee (fill the coffee holder, without using the reducer) but only use half the water (halfway to the release valve). Use low heat and pour as soon is it makes noise. The coffee then is delicious and about the amount of a double espresso.

Primula Neapolitan 4 Cup Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Maker

I own one of these, it has seen better days...but it still continues to brew wonderfully dark and rich Italian style coffee...It is so simple, very few moving parts...and if you use the size of cups you are supposed to...you will get 4 small cups...REAL...espresso sized cups...Needless to say...you need to have espresso coffee..not the weak American coffee's...The only thing I do that is not mentioned in the original instructions is to put a paper filter in the filtering portion. I tend to grind my own beans...and espresso grind is a near powder...so one more layer of protection is always good...for the last drop.

Fill the bottom with cold water, insert the espresso grounds to the top of the container, connect the items together and place on the stove on a low heat setting. When you hear the water bubbling it's time to remove the pot and gingerly turn it upside down and allow the flavor to begin. Within a minute or so you will have the most wonderfully strong and dark brew awaiting your espresso cup.....

The coffee maker made better coffee after I used my father's method instead of the enclosed instructions. The coffee came out very weak when using the directions of placing the coffee grounds in the top part of the coffee grind holder. Also it was easier to boil water in a pot instead of the coffee pot and then pour the water into the coffee groud holder and let it seep through.

Please email if you have any questions.

Buy Primula Neapolitan 4 Cup Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Maker Now

This classic Coffee Maker was originally designed in Italy in late 30's and early 40's... It's a simple concept and makes the Best Coffee, hands down!

I'm sorry for the folks who wrote the reviews prior to mine. They simply DID NOT use it correctly.

First you need to have the right ESPRESSO GRIND, meaning the grind has to be fine and powdery versus course grind, allowing the water to get the best of the beans.. DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA, This does not mean you will be drinking a strong dark espresso. This just means you will drink a full flavored tasty coffee. Even a bad coffee-brand will taste great using this.

Two, For Best Results...If you get the 4 CUP maker, then you need to make 4 cups every time, not 3 or 1...Plus after boiling and evaporation in fact you end up with 3 well proportioned Cups worth.

USING IT: The Lid is only used to keep your coffee warm after boiling, so remove the lid. Fill the Water pot (without spout) to the top, insert the Filter part into the water pot. Add your coffee grinds into the filter. (Don't be shy if you want to taste your coffee)(Putting the right amount of coffee for flavor is TRIAL and ERROR) After you've added your coffee, twist the filter lid onto the filter. Place the Coffee-Pot (with spout) upside-down on top, creating one single unit. (WITHOUT the SMALL LID) Place onto the stove top (do not burn the handle). After it comes to a boil, with oven mittens or cloth, put one hand on each handle keeping the unit connected, then flip it upside down. This will put the Coffee-Pot with spout in the correct usable position as your coffee percolates through :-) yummy! Wait 2-3 mins then serve

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I have been using the Neapolitan type coffee maker for many years and still have a 6-cup and 8-cup which I'm very satisfied with. However, when I received this pot there was a slight dent which I decided to just live with rather than return it. I have to use a filter with it to avoid having coffee grinds in my coffee because apparently the holes are just a little too large as I have been using the same brand coffee for years with no problem in my other pots. Needless to say, I am very dissatisfied with this product and would never purchase this brand again.

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This was NOT a good Buy. I was lucky to get one cup of coffee and it was a supreme hassle brewing it. The description was obviously incomplete (in hindsite) and misleading. Wasted Gift and Money. Very disappointed.

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