Bialetti - Moka Express 2 Cup Espresso Maker

I bought this Moka to replace the one I purchased 33 years ago, in 1999. That has been used extensively ever since, and I only replaced it because the inner basket got damaged. This is the best coffee-maker there is: you will see one in most Italian kitchens, as well as elsewhere on the Continent. It makes perfect coffee every time and is easy and economical to use. Do not be tempted by copycat Made in China coffee pots ( as sold in some supermarkets, for example)- they are not the same, even though visually they may look similar. It has to be Bialetti Made in Italy! Top tip: dismantle after use, use wash quickly by hand in hot water (you don't need any detergent) and allow to dry naturally.

Apparently the variant that's capable of making coffe for two persons, is not capable to make for only one. If you want to drink coffee alone, you need to buy another coffee-maker.It's because the company does not sell an adjustable-size coffee-compartment, like other brands do. The ground coffee needs to be in a properly compressed state for an optimal interaction between the steam and the coffee. The drink will taste terrible if the ground coffee is not properly compressed.Without a variable-volume coffee-compartment, optimal compression is not possible to achieve, when preparing coffee that's less than the maximum capacity.Furthermore, even after the fifth brew, the thing emits a very strong smell of burnt rubber / plastic — so strong that the kitchen / ... MoreApparently the variant that's capable of making coffe for two persons, is not capable to make for only one. If you want to drink coffee alone, you need to buy another coffee-maker.It's because the company does not sell an adjustable-size coffee-compartment, like other brands do. The ground coffee needs to be in a properly compressed state for an optimal interaction between the steam and the coffee. The drink will taste terrible if the ground coffee is not properly compressed.Without a variable-volume coffee-compartment, optimal compression is not possible to achieve, when preparing coffee that's less than the maximum capacity.Furthermore, even after the fifth brew, the thing emits a very strong smell of burnt rubber / plastic — so strong that the kitchen / room has to be ventilated immediately.Furthermore, I went into a shop in Zürich (by Münsterhof) that sells this brand and also all sorts of accessories for it, and they told me that during usage (heat-cycles) some chemical can build up on the inner walls of this thing — which is a serious health hazard — and it should be sent to Italy like yearly to have that chemical removed from it by the manufacturer (as this process is offered only by them). Imagine the CO2 emitted only to ship this piece of waste round and round in the world.

Have looked at the 3 cop Mona forever. Don’t know why I never bought one. It is incredibly affordable, creates no pod recycling problem, is a model of elegantly simple engineering and makes a fantastic cup of coffee. I fill with water boiled in my kettle and finish heating on a sealed surface electric cook top on medium heat. Takes 3 minutes to finish on the stove. Have a kitchen towel handy to protect your hand when screwing the parts together after adding the hot water. Screw together firmly to avoid leakage during heating. Some reviewers complain of the handle getting too hot. I place the unit on the edge of the burner so the handle doesn’t hang over the heat element. No problem. I use Illy Perfetto moka grind. The flavor is amazing - robust enough for a ... MoreHave looked at the 3 cop Mona forever. Don’t know why I never bought one. It is incredibly affordable, creates no pod recycling problem, is a model of elegantly simple engineering and makes a fantastic cup of coffee. I fill with water boiled in my kettle and finish heating on a sealed surface electric cook top on medium heat. Takes 3 minutes to finish on the stove. Have a kitchen towel handy to protect your hand when screwing the parts together after adding the hot water. Screw together firmly to avoid leakage during heating. Some reviewers complain of the handle getting too hot. I place the unit on the edge of the burner so the handle doesn’t hang over the heat element. No problem. I use Illy Perfetto moka grind. The flavor is amazing - robust enough for a cappuccino if that’s what you want.