Bialetti Moka Express Caffettiera in Alluminio, 6 Cups, Acciaio Inossidabile, Argento,270 milliliters, Silver

I am moved to write a review of the Bialetti Moka Express 6 cup expresso maker as I don't recognise the comments from some of the poor reviews it has received. Overall the 210 5* ratings out of a total to date of 258 should speak for themselves and be enough of a recommendation. Follow the instructions that come with the Moka or that are available online and you should fine.I purchased this item new from Amazon in Feb 2009 and have used it multiple times a day since. I also have a second one which I keep at work. Both perform perfectly every time without fail and also spare parts are easily available. In all the time I have used the Mokas I have only needed to replace the rubber seal twice. I have never had a handle break but when assembling the two chambers together ensure that you do not use the handle as a lever because then it probably will fail.An important point to note is that the Moka is made from aluminium which may oxidise rather than rust if not taken care of properly. Wash it only using hot water and never use detergent. Dry it with a paper towel and ensure it is completely dry before putting it away unassembled. The Moka does not need to be on a red hot stove to boil with a low to medium heay should be sufficient. The Moka will improve over the years with age and use. Prove it prior to first use by brewing at least 3 times and throwing the coffee away. If your one has oxidised it may be rescued with water and vinegar but will need to be proved again before use.It is an expresso maker first and foremost so when cup size is stated it is refering to the little single expresso cups. The 6 cup size is suitable for one single average sized mug of americano style for which I use one heaped tablespoon of coffee. Again it is an expresso maker so use coffee ground for expresso use only however please note that it does not produce a crema.It is very important not to overfill with water or leave on the stove for too long. If the coffee boils then it will taste burnt and bitter. Also ensure no coffee grounds are caught between the rubber seal and the lower chamber. You will get to know when the coffee is ready by sound and smell. As soon as the Moka starts to burble and spit it is ready to come off of the stove. Wait for a few seconds to let it settle down and then pour for the perfect coffe.I am a big, big fan of this little coffee maker for its simple design, ease of use, longevity, availability of spare parts and for the fantastic coffee it produces.

First time using one, it's makes an excellent cup of coffee. I have started to add double cream to make an indulgent beverage. I do feel it's a bit overpriced, but I wanted the original one and not a generic knock off. It's very easy to use and clean, just make sure you use it with plain water 3 times before making coffee for the first time.

Fantastic product. I use this every day, it looks great and makes a lovely coffee.

Q) How to make a perfect coffee to start the morning? A) Get a Bialetti Moka Express pot and properly ground coffee! This is how most Italians start their day or finish their lunch at home (and I've spent a lot of time in Italy). And almost every one there I've shared coffee with in their homes use a Bialetti too, simple to prepare and just a few minutes to produce a great tasting coffee (as long as you have quality proper grind coffee to start with).This is of better construction and functionality than any of the half dozen clones I have previously used and there are readily available spare gasket seals (which do require replacement every 1-2 years with daily use) and filters/funnels (which only require replacing every few years). With care and replacements this pot will last a lifetime.Do not use the coffee sold in UK supermarkets as "suitable for all coffee makers" even if it states it's espresso (that generally alludes to the roast and not the grind) as the grind is not fine enough (and is more suited to drip coffee) and you will get coffee with the consistency of dishwater! Get a burr grinder (you can get a Hario Skerton plus if you don't mind grinding by hand as it does the job perfectly) and grind your own beans, a very slightly less fine grind than for expresso is required. Only wash with a little dish soap the first time to remove manufacturing residues and only use a j-cloth, nothing abrasive. Before making a coffee the first time make 2 or 3 pots with cheaper coffee and throw away do not drink, then you will be ready to make a proper brew to enjoy.How to make perfect coffee with a Moka pot:1) Fill the water to just below the pressure release valve in the water chamber2) Fill the funnel with freshly ground coffee and just press very lightly to make sure it fills it, but do not tamp it else the coffee will burn and be bitter, and drop onto the water chamber.3) Screw the top on and put on the gas ring and do not have the flame licking up the sides else it will heat the water too quickly and you will only get a half pot, keep the lid up and keep an eye on the pot.4) After a couple of minutes the coffee will start to trickle out and will start to fill the pot, once the coffee coming through starts to lose it's rich colour and starts to bubble/froth as it is coming out turn off the heat and flip the lid down.5) Wait a minute for it to finish, pour and enjoy a perfect coffee every time.Tip, when washing up don't use anything other than a j-cloth and hot water and do not let it air dry, dry it with a cloth straight away and it will keep it's finish and look shiny new for ever.