6 CUP Traditional Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker

Bene Casa's 6-cup "cafetera," as they call these units in Spain, is an excellent substitute for the WAY over-priced Bialetti. Clearly some folks like the "charm" of being able to say that their "cafetera" was manufacture in Italy instead of China (wher Bene Casa's unit is made), but if the quality of the unit is equivalent, is it worth paying $20 extra for the name? I do not. This is all aluminum, just like Bialetti's, and all three disassembling parts join flawlessly. The espresso made is the same as that by Bialetti's and other "cafeteras." So, unless you have money to burn, buy the Bene Casa brand and you'll enjoy a quality unit that produces the same excellent espresso. Now, if I can only find a 12-cup unit by Bene Casa...

ONE STAR IS TOO HIGH.

We purchased the 3 and the 6 cup models for XMAS Gifts.

The 6 CUP leaks without ever even heating it. Just along the bottom edge at one of the corners, the casting is too thin!

The 3 cup does not leak until you heat the water. It then sprays out steam along the main "seal" between the pots and all AROUND the pressure valve (not through it).

I do so wish they had included in the product information that these are junk manufactured by the cheapest company in China. With this poor level of workmanship, who knows how many heavy metals are in it.

Don't risk your health, buy a product from somewhere that has health and quality standards.

Buy 6 CUP Traditional Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker Now

Got this in hopes to make my daily coffee (versus getting a typical coffeemaker).

At first opening, everything seemed ok.

Made my initial first pot and didn't know how high or low the gas stove was supposed to be to get the percolating action going.

After figuring out the right temperature, it seemed fine enough... every now and then it would seem that I would have some water leftover in the bottom reservoir not sure if that's normal or not.

And as others have reported, recently I had this unit over the gas flame a little off center while washing the dishes and smelled burning plastic. Thank God I was in the kitchen and was able to prevent a fire!

The handle melted somewhat but remained intact and I can still use the unit (now that I place the unit more off-centered so the handle is far away from the gas flames as possible). Instead of grabbing it by the handle I just have to use an over mitt and grip the unit from the top. Not ideal but still functional...

Read Best Reviews of 6 CUP Traditional Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker Here

If you can afford a better product, go for it. This is very cheaply made. I wish just about every day that I got the Bialetti I wanted instead of this.

Want 6 CUP Traditional Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker Discount?

As you can see, I rated this item with one star in #2 above. If I could have rated this item with a minus (-) sign indicating a rating lower than one star I would have. This item isn't worth the box it was shipped in. When I took it from the box and examined it, I realized something that most people say all the time; "You get what you pay for". First thing, the top lid was hinged in such a way that when it was opened the metal actually cracked at the hinge point due to poor molding. Second, when I added water to the pot, it immediately started to leak from the bottom side. After examining it I noticed pin holes where the water was leaking from, there again, poor molding. I no have a question; doesn't this product go through Quality Control, or is it because of the very low selling price the manufacture feels it is not cost effective due to man hours which reduce their overall profit?

I realize this item is inexpensive, but customers should at least be able to produce the product it was designed for.

I am very dissapointed in Amazon for selling this product, and I also realize that the order was placed through Amazon and shipped from the supplier. My overall comment is; I have purchased other items through Amazon with great results, but after purchasing this item I was "VERY DISSATISFIED". I will be cautious if and when I should make on-line purchases in the future.

Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press

As I wrote in another review, my old Bodum french press made me irate. Their stupid indestructible carafe cracks when you use hot water in it, and they don't recommend using it without an entirely new plunger made especially for it.

Instead, I bought this beauty. It's light weight, colorful, makes wonderful coffee, and has a carafe that doesn't easily fall out and break. I like that the carafe stays inside the plastic base since it helps provide cushioning when washing it.

Was fairly pleased with this press. the coffee was a little murky, but that doesn't bother me too much, could just be a few fine grounds sneaked through the filter which doesn't fit as tight as it should. Had it about a week when i was sliding the glass part out of the plastic for washing separately, (which has worked fine before) when the bottom buckled and my thumb went through...

Buy Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press Now

Needed a replacement French Press when the glass in my last one fell and broke. Picked this one for the cheap price, even though I rarely buy anything without a ton of good reviews behind them.

Luckily, it turned out to be a good purchase. The pieces are all fully and easily removable and washable. The canister is make of glass, the press is metal and the frame is some sort of plastic. This worried me, since I use boiling or near boiling water to make my coffee.

However, I poured the water in with no problems with the plastic whatsoever, even though the glass being held inside the plastic frame got quite hot.

The press itself worked well. It plunges with ease and keeps out the coffee grinds. The canister is very large and holds 6 "cups" (the French version of about 4-6 ounces, not our American 12oz version). Its easily enough for me to not have to make a repeat portion if I wanted some extra.

Read Best Reviews of Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press Here

I purchased this press nearly a year ago at a price significantly less than a Bodum of the same size. I love it and I'm never, ever going back to a coffee maker.

Want Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press Discount?

I bought this French press, when my Keurig was getting old and I was looking for a better cup of coffee without wasting a whole pot. This was small enough for 2 people and if I was alone I could just make half a pot! The selling point was the $13 price tag, which I would normally be concerned about, but it was on sail! I got the package last month and I examined for cracks. I saw on odd mark on the bottom of the beaker, but it looked like a trail of glue, like they glued the beaker to the handle. I finished up the last of my k-cups and then made a fresh pot of French press this morning. That odd mark on the bottom of the beaker, was actually a large crack. I made enough coffee to get to large mugs, but I on'y got one. Most of it leaked out before the coffee finished brewing. Perhaps I should have spent the extra money.

Save 8% Off

Amerihome CFU30 Coffee Urn, 30-Cup

THIS PRODUCT IS ABSOLUTLY BAD. BRAND NEW COFFEE POT IS LEAKING CONSTANTLY. I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYBODY.

I chose this item over a well known brand, because it has the stainless steel canister. The dispensing lever broke off in the first 10 minutes of using the product. Their customer service was not much help. Instead of replacing the product, due to their own faulty part, they are sending the part assembly that broke, and I am expected to try and fix the unit myself. I am NOT happy with this solution. I would not purchase from this company again.

Buy Amerihome CFU30 Coffee Urn, 30-Cup Now

Expobar Pulser Heat Exchange Espresso Machine

I have had this unit for 15 months and use it about 8 times per week. It has been rock solid. I rate it five stars. At the time I bought it from Whole Latte Love (a sister company to Aabree Coffee) it was about $700 on sale with free ship. I really like it because it has adjustable brew pressure and steam temperature. That puts it in the same league as the big boys costing $2,000 and up.

It has an E-61 type system, meaning it uses an automatic system to keep a small amount of boiler water recirculating through the brew head to keep it hot between use. Once it warms up, the portafilter and brewhead are hot, no need to flush hot water through them to warm them.

One side effect of the E-61 is "overheating" when left idle over a 1/2 hour or so. The brew water can get too hot for perfect espresso, then you just have to flush 2 or 3 ounces of brew water through the head to get the temps back to normal (approx 205 degrees F, depends on your taste and the coffee bewing extracted)

Performance-wise, there is more than enough steam for steaming milk. The machine came with two identical steam tips of the single hole type, this makes it easy to control the milk temperature. My nephew has a Pasquini Livia 90 machine with a 3-hole tip, it steamed much too fast. He switched to the Expobar tip and is very happy.

Never purchase from Aabree coffee company or whole latta love. they are same company and will send you a refurbished unit instead of new. If you don't like it, they will make you pay 50% restocking fee.

Buy Expobar Pulser Heat Exchange Espresso Machine Now

The other reviewer has the technical info you need. I bought this at Aabre Coffee for about $700, 5 or 6 years ago. It replaced a Francis! Francis! unit that I'd been using for about 8 years. I did my research, and chose this for the 2 boiler (steaming as you brew) feature, in my price range. I have not been disappointed; It's going strong and has more than justified the cost saved on lattes! FYI: I use a KitchenAid grinder, bought from Amazon about 2 yrs ago. The carafe broke, but I just put a small Mason jar in its place and I love it. Again, good quality in my price range. All my friends vie and hint for coffee dates at my house. I am the barista in my circle!

Read Best Reviews of Expobar Pulser Heat Exchange Espresso Machine Here

Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine

An inexpensive way to have coffeehouse-quality beverages at home. Unit is largely plastic, so it may not last forever like the $300+ models, but with proper care should last for years. Frother is easy to use, loud, and effective-just like the sound you hear at every corner coffee bar. Makes one or two cups at a time, and makes them fast and consistently good. Will accept ground espresso, or the individual 1-cup "pods". Comes with an instructional DVD that is 10 minutes well spent. Watched it once, and had my first cinnamon cappucino 10 minutes later! Really produces terrific quality, and makes this an excellent value. One warning: For some reason, this unit requires a manual shut-off to stop the brewing. So, you need to watch the output and hit a button when you think the espresso is as you like it-so no walking away during brewing!

This is the second machine I have purchased. The first one lasted about a year at which point it began leaking. Not so bad I thought because I had used the machine for a year and it worked great. It has a great price tag also. Then I purchase another and within two days it is leaking......so I get a replacement.......turn it on and it leaks also. I am going to have to find a better machine. This machine is great when it works and the price is great but I will not be buying another one.

Buy Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine Now

I was tired of paying $10+ a week for a good latte in the mornings, and decided to purchase this machine. With a little practice, it wasn't hard to create Starbucks-worthy beverages with this machine.

This machine is pretty simple to figure out, and the instructions that come with it are very straight forward. I have no experience making espresso drinks and it didn't take me very long to catch on. I have owned the machine for about 6 months, and I only spend about 5-10 minutes in the morning to make a drink and clean up the machine.

All the parts come apart easily and it is very easy to clean. One tip I would have is to remove the nozzle on the milk frother (it twists off easily) and clean it out under the sink (or dishwasher, if you want) to make sure you get all of the milk out of it.

There are very few negatives I have for this product. This frother is pretty noisy, but that's certainly manageable. Also, the brew button doesn't turn off automatically, so you have to be standing by to make sure it doesn't overflow and it brews the amount of espresso you want.

It would have been nice if this machine came with a few espresso mugs and a milk frothing cup, but for the price you can't really complain.

Overall, I would highly suggest purchasing this machine. I make hot and iced beverages quickly and easily. If you use the pricier espresso (from a starbucks/barnies/etc) it will taste just like the real thing!

Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine Here

I had on like this for a little over a year,loved it,then it stopped!I got this a few dollars cheaper,said it was improved,so far so good!Makes coffee great and steams the milk great! Makes hot-chocolate even.If it works for more than a year,great! If not,it'll be my last hamilton beach purchase.

Want Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine Discount?

We purchased this espresso maker a few months ago but wanted to use it for a while before rating it.

All in all, we are well-pleased with the product. It makes espresso quickly and produces a good

cup of espresso. We use it almost every morning. There are a couple drawbacks to this machine:

It is noisy, perhaps because it is sitting on a tile counter, and it vibrates so you need to watch

while it is running so that the carafe or cup doesn't move from beneath the spouts. It also does

not have an automatice shut off, so it will run over if you don't pay attention. All in all we

are pretty pleased with this espresso machine.