Bialetti Moka Express 3-Cup Stovetop Percolator

The Bialetti Moka Express is simply an outstanding product that produces very strong coffee every time. Why spend $100s or $1000s for a machine when you can get the same very strong coffee for so much less!

There is no denying that this pot makes some darn good coffee. I like it better than most drip and french press. However having tried the Brikka prior to this, it is the winner hands down. I was under the impression that the Moka Express would taste the same as Brikka just with less crema. I was wrong, the Brikka simply produces a better brew. I'm convinced it has something to do with the patented valve system, exclusive to the Brikka, which pressurizes the brew as it bubbles up into the main chamber.

great item. i owned the first one for 8 years and the handle finally gave away so i bought another. love it. best coffee out there.

Bought this on a whim and I'm so glad I did! I boil a pot of water at the same time I brew the espresso and add about 1/3 espresso to 2/3 boiling water and we end up getting four nice Americano's out of one 6-cup pot. They must be referring to 6 cups of espresso, because it makes about 7 oz of really rich espresso coffee. I do use the Illy espresso coffee and love it. This is a must-have for any coffee lover. Adds a really nice touch of class to any dinner party, being able to offer deliciously rich espresso coffee....and it looks darn sexy on the stovetop, too. :)

Since I can't stand regular coffee-makers, I like to use this Bialetti or a coffee press. I ordered the Bialetti 12-cup and absolutely love it. It makes about 3 regular mug-sized cups of coffee. Really easy to use and clean up. After each use, all you have to do is empty out the used coffee and rinse it out with water (don't scrub it or use detergents since this will affect the taste of the coffee). The more you use the Bialetti, the better the coffee will taste. Also, its very durable since its made of aluminum (except for the two plastic handles).

I use any blend of beans whether its french roast or a medium breakfast blend and the coffee tastes great every time. The smaller sizes of the Bialetti tend to make stronger coffee; I used to have the 9-cup but it didn't make enough coffee. Keep in mind that this is NOT an espresso maker (it doesn't produce enough pressure to make an espresso and the coffee is definitely not as thick and concentrated) it is a stovetop coffee-maker.

I'm still using the same 3 cup machina since 1988. I have another 6 cup I've used since about 1997. I haven't had any problems. The rubber gasket has needed replacement every 5 years or so, they are easy to buy and cheap. Yes, the inside of the bottom turns a dull grey - that's a natural oxide coating that forms on all aluminum cookware (as all professional cooks know). True, it doesn't make true sub-boiling water, under pressure, espresso; but it makes darn good coffee. Much better than American drip, and I think better than French press. It does require cleaning after use. Disassemble and clean the parts with warm water under the tap - no soap! Cleaning takes no more than 2-3 minutes, then towel dry. If I need to replace one - say in the next 10-20 years, I will certainly buy another.

This makes an excellent cup of caffè. I call it "caffè" so as not to offend any purists that say this machine does not produce the requisite amount of pressure to be called espresso... but it's certainly closer to espresso than what most people would call coffee. In my opinion it produces a better tasting liquid than what you can pick up a the counter of a [insert large coffeehouse chain]. In addition, I frequently prefer it to the coffee I get at [insert local coffeehouse]; this is because I am able to have control over the cup. My local shop pulls an amazing cup of espresso, but they rotate their espresso beans and often times it is a roast that I find to be rubbish.

I would spend the money on a Bialetti model as I purchased a cheapo model at TJ Max and it took a lot of fiddling to get a good cup. Then I needed to replace the rubber gasket, when I did everything went fubar. I realized that the problem was in the build quality and that the pieces fit together so poorly that steam was passing around the filter rather than pushing water through the grinds. This machine is far more well built and I know I can buy replacement parts that will fit it perfectly. I took off the plastic parts and now my old machine is now dedicated to campfires.

I said it before and I'll say it again:
-Don't wash it, but it's not the end of the world if you do... like some people say. It will ruin the finish (but make it look rustic, if you are into that) and you will have to 're-season' it with few batches of caffe.
-It's not that you necessarily have to use it often for good coffee, it's just that the oils on the wall of the pot (that collect from not washing it) will start to not taste so good.
-If you've been around a bit you know of the differences in tap water. Most tap water in the US is perfectly fine. I'd avoid most well water but a filter would probably make it fine to use. The water may make some difference, but not nearly as much as the bean. Especially in this application where the coffee is boiling up and going through the grounds like passing through a filter.
-I have a 3-cup and it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes, so 10 might be a little long for a 6-cup but not by much. Nothing useful is going on while the water heats up so there is no reason to start at a low heat. It's all about how long it takes the water to pass through the grounds... that doesn't start happening till the water is almost boiling. Therefore I start mine on hot for a minute and then dial it back to medium. The final temperature all depends on your taste, your stovetop, and the size of your pot. If it takes too long, the caffe will be bitter (keep in mind strong and bitter are not the same). If you brew it too fast, you'll end up with something burnt tasting. The easiest way to find the perfect temperature is to watch it brew with the lid up. If the coffee is coming out nice and slow with maximum crema, you are in good shape. If it bursts out of there and shoots all over your kitchen, you might need to check your relief valve, your grind might be too fine, or your temperature might be too hot. Do take it off as soon as it starts to bubble out of the spout and the liquid coming out is lighter in color. Once you are able to hear it, it's almost too late, so hurry. Pour and enjoy.
-If you wanted to speed up the process you could boil water in a kettle, let it cool a bit, pour it in, assemble the pot with pot holders, and get it back on the heat to brew. This is way too much work and clean up for me.
-Keep in mind you can't screw the pot together too tight... unless you can't get it apart.
-I use locally roasted beans within a month after they have been roasted. That makes more of a difference than anything. Buy a cheap blade grinder (you don't need a burr grinder for this application) and grind it to somewhere between drip and espresso, possibly closer to espresso (again depending on taste, machine, and temperature). My cheap grinder doesn't produce a homogeneous grind, so some grinds are more like drip, others more like espresso, but as long as your median grind is about right it really doesn't matter (not like a true espresso machine that relies a lot more on an exact pressure being created against the grind). Grind the beans right before you put them in, not the day before, not at the store... along the same lines, use the beans soon after they are roasted, not next year. I don't recommend any commercial brands as they are difficult to get fresh and the darker roasts are frequently over-roasted. If you find a commercial brand that has a roasted on date, has been roasted in the last couple weeks, and sounds delicious, give it a shot. Buy beans that you like the taste of, not because they sound appropriate. The world will continue turning even if you use lighter roast in something people frequently refer to as espresso.
-I use a coarser than espresso grind, with very slight packing of the grinds, no 'cupola' just an even pack (as I find a cupola of grinds to sometimes get in the way of the seal as the grounds spread out when you screw the pot together) to make sure the 'puck' is uniformly dense, starting on high heat, then turn down to medium (low heat would never get close to boiling water on my stove), I watch it and move it on and off the heat as needed for optimum crema. If you change any of the variables, and you will (intentionally or not), you will get a different cup of coffee. Some days will always be better than others, but after a little practice it will always be better than what you can get at 95% of the retail coffee outlets.
-For those wondering if you can buy a large size pot for versatility, you can not unless you make a large pot and throw out everything you don't drink (wasting a lot of coffee). If you don't fill the filter basket all the way the water will not have enough resistance to pass through and it would come out weak and probably bitter. If you fill the filter basket all the way but put in less water, you would not get a full extraction and your coffee would not have time to release the flavors and caffeine (also, you would be wasting a lot of coffee).

I purchased this moka pot as a cheaper alternative to an espresso machine for Illy espresso. I'm VERY happy with this purchase. I bought a can of the Illy Moka to use with this pot. So far it works great but I've only just made my first cup. My only regret is not buying a larger one. This moka pot makes only one cup of espresso and after I had the first cup I really wanted another.

I purchased a Mr. Coffee Espresso machine last winter, paid $30+. I can't say the espresso ever tasted "great" because it didn't, I just put up with it as a simpler means than going to Starbucks everyday. So a year later it broke, wouldn't heat up the water and the on/off knob broke off. I revisited Amazon and reviewed all the espresso machines and comments from the consumers who have purchased them. Bialetti consistently got rave reviews. I was nervous about a "stovetop" espresso maker because you always see the electric ones at the coffee shops. After I oredered and received this little Bialetti pot, I visited [...] to watch how to make the perfect espresso -- so EASY. I should have purchased this the first time, sturdy construction - it will last forever, I will never have to purchase another one. This is a NO brainer....don't waste your time or money on anything else. Enjoy :)

So far, this little puppy really works well. It is simple to set up, makes a great pot of coffee in about 5 minutes, and is easy to clean and maintain. Hard to beat for the price. After trying it out a couple of times, we purchased a second one, so that we can simultaneously make a pot of regular espresso and a pot of decaf when the whole family is here.
One precautionary note, make sure that top and bottom are screwed together very tightly to prevent steam from escaping through the O-ring at the junction of the two parts. Also, I suggest not leaving it unattended, as it would probably overheat after the water has percolated out of the reservoir. And finally, be careful when handling, in that the exterior does get hot and requires some time to disassemble before reloading or cleaning.
It is also suggested to buy the appropriate size for the number of cups you would typically expect to make. It may be difficult to set it up for a partial pot. So if you typically would want 6 cups, then don't be tempted to buy the 9 or 12 cup percolator. Also, it makes sense to invest in some spare seals (O-rings), though the shipping cost of these exceeds their price.

The Moka Express makes great tasting coffee quickly and easily. I was very pleased with how easy it is to load, use, and clean. I have no complaints and the money I have saved by making my own coffee in the past month has easily covered the cost of the Moka Express.

I have only one regret, I wish I had purchased a larger version. The 6-cup version does not produce 6 cups of coffee. I have the 6-cup version which is usually enough for me, but if you have friends over I doubt it will be enough. Although it only takes ~12 minutes to make the coffee, it also takes time for the machine to cool down before you can refill it and make more. However, I assume larger versions will take longer to produce coffee as you must always make a full batch (you can't use just 25% water & 25% ground coffee, you must always use 100% of both). If you are purchasing this for just one person, the 6-cup should be plenty.

In conclusion, this machine is great, but make sure you purchase the right-sized one for your needs.

It makes a fairly good cup of coffee in about 4 minutes. But not 6 cups and not even 2 cups. Because you have to use fairly coarse grounds the coffee is not espresso strength so you can only dilute it so much. If you use finer grounds you will get more sediment in your coffee as there is no paper filter. Even with a very coarse grounds you get a fair amount of sediment both in the percolator and in your cup.

This product is very simple to use and makes great coffee/espresso. After little effort we have a hot drink that tastes just like that we had when traveling in Italy last month. I only wish I'd bought the bigger size as it would have been enough for one large, steaming, strong, cup of coffee for two.

Having read all the reviews out there, I chose this one from the start, so don't really have anything to compare with besides what I would get at "stirbucks" or "MacDonalds" but, this coffee pot is pretty easy to use. The instructions were a little iffy, but the pictures lead you well. I went w/some of the reviews on here and got espresso roast coffee, warmed up my milk and syrup and put this baby to the test. It actually tastes really well, I am still working on the syrup ratios, but that has nothing to do with the pot. I think the vanilla latte tastes just as good as from the expensive shops...very pleased. Now if I could only find the pumpkin spice mixture at my grocery store :)

This is a great purchase! No electrical parts so no worry about it eventually breaks down. Makes VERY GOOD coffee!!! Couldn't be happier!

I use this thing every day to make pseudo-Americanos (pseudo because this isn't really espresso, but it's close enough) and I love it. As a coffee snob, avowed caffeine addict and law student, I don't know whether I would be able to survive without this little guy.

For the 6 cup, I do 5 tbs unground (grind your coffee right before you use it) ground as fine as I have patience for. Filtered water, blasted on high right up to the instant the coffee in the top starts to boil. The upside? The pot goes fast (less than 4 minutes and I have a junk stove) and the coffee is amazing. The downside? You really need to watch it to make sure you've cooked off all of the water in the bottom but haven't burned the coffee in the top. It's a fine line. I dump all 6 cups into a jumbo coffee mug and fill the rest of the way with cold-ish filtered water and it's ready to drink - not too hot, still amazingly tasty - immediately.

I personally like to use medium-light to medium roasts so as to make sure I get the proper caffeine hit. But what really sets the coffee this thing makes apart from drip or press gizmos is the richness of the coffee, even in an Americano. There's enough coffee oil left in the finished product (filters filter them out, and presses need too much water) that the flavor fills your mouth and the coffee actually feels pleasant to drink. This thing makes wonderful stuff.

I've used these for over ten years. The earlier handles were less secure and broke more easily. The newer ones are much stronger and more secure. That's all I can say in their favor. The fabric of the metal seems different, and much flimsier. The water levels they call for with their internal markings are totally different from the old ones. We use this maker to make regular coffee, using 4 level coffee scoops to a full container of water. This change throws the resultant coffee brew way off, and makes me have to try to attempt to adjust at every use. I just like the older version much better.

This stovetop percolator make great tasting coffee or espresso. The 3-cups are 3 espresso cups, about a shot glass full, not a coffee cup. It is easy to clean and takes up no room which is great for me, I didn't have room for a coffee maker.

I guess I will be brief with this....

1. Has a plastic handle. Mine broke off in less than a year.

2. It is made of aluminum. Aluminum has been shown to cause alzheimers disease.

[...]

Made great coffee, but rusted very quickly!! Don't make the same mistake I did and leave it in the sink with water; clean and dry it shortly after use.

I always loved dark, strong coffee and I've always been a lazy dish washer. After a trip to Italy in 2005 I started making coffee in a Napoletana coffee maker. I liked it, but it's a pain in the ass to clean, so I bought a Bialetti. WOW !

The coffee from the Napoletana was very strong and every morning I was drinking the equivalent of 5+ espressos. While I was accustomed to strong coffee, for the first time in my life I would feel a caffeine buzz. I switched to the Bialetti and found it easier to clean and faster to brew. I use what I consider high grade coffee, usually French roast from Trader Joe here in LA.

While the word is to never use detergent to clean the thing, I just have to use some occasionally. The thing is bullet proof except for the gasket. If you can buy a couple extra gaskets when you buy the Bialetti, do so. The gaskets are not widely available and last week when my gasket went, I ended up buying a new maker. Problem is that it's another brand and I don't like it as much as the real deal.

Some words of advice:
1. Be sure that you screw the top on correctly so that the thing doesn't leak. It makes an awful scream on the stove when it does.
2. If you are not used to lots of caffeine, be very careful. These things make coffee at least twice as potent as any other breweing method. I acutally overdosed on caffeine and now drink almost exclusively decaf.

The 6-cup Moka pot is the perfect size for two people - 3 shots of expresso each. As others have already stated, keep the heat on low-med, take it off the heat right before the liquid starts to boil, don't twist the top off using the handle when taking apart and just rinse it out with water to clean.

The Bialetti makes great tasting coffee on top of the stove and is a fraction of the cost of other machines. It is simple and easy to use.

I have been using the Bialetti product for many years and I must say that this product continuous to be the one to buy. The product quality is second to none.

I've been wanting to try one of these Bialetti Moka pots for a while now. My house is solar powered so I am always looking for appliances that don't need to be plugged in. Percolated coffee tastes so bad that I have been drinking instant for way too long. This pot makes great tasting coffee right on my gas stove.

It may take a little trial and error to figure out how much ground coffee to use, everyone's taste is a little different but once you have it dialed in, you can't beat it.

If you have been researching, or using this kind of pot you probably already know that the 6 cup rating actually means 1 or 2 "American" size cups, perfect for my needs. If you really fill the funnel all the way with grounds, then, yes you could get six small very strong espresso cups of coffee out of it but I personally cut back on the amount of coffee to make it more of a -better than drip but not as strong as espresso- flavor. Be warned- if, like me, you are looking for a flavorful way to move away from instant or drip and you make a strong pot in this Bialetti, you will get a caffeine jolt. Other reviewers have said they don't get that jolt but they must be used to espresso already.

Bottom line - I like this little pot, it's perfect for one or two people, easy to clean, makes very flavorful coffee and uses no electricity.

Great way to make coffee...you really can't make better espresso much better than this. Only problem is if you are use to larger cups...these 6 cups are really referring to "shots" of espresso...so "6" cups = about one and a half mugs of coffee!

y'know, stovetop espresso makers DONT make real espresso...but they DO make great, strong coffee, maybe 1.5 or twice as strong as drip. and it's HOT, stands up to cold milk. i'm a little paranoid about aluminum, but there's no real evidence linking aluminum with alzheimer's or any disease. otherwise, italy, where these machines are ubiquitous, would be overflowing with senile and other dementia (don't say it). only this machine and french presses make a substantial, HOT cup.
btw, when these machines say "cups" ie, 3 cups, 6 cups, whatever, those are 2 (TWO) ounce cups, so this machine makes --tada--about 12 ounces, which is really only about 2 average american "cups".

All I want is one nice latte for the morning drive to work. I paid $400 for a Starbucks expresso maker and after a year of struggling with it, I am still not happy with the results. I bought this 3-cup coffee maker on a whim while ordering Illy coffee online. The first cup of coffee I made with this little pot was better than any coffee I have made with my expresso maker and a lot less trouble. I fill the pot the night before. It perks in less than 5 minutes on a medium-low gas flame. I pour the coffee into my traveling coffee mug with a cup of skim milk heated in the microwave, and it's perfect. Wish I had known about this before I bought the Starbucks machine!!

There are a few reviews here spreading the word that Aluminum, the element this coffee maker is made of, is harmful. Having just read about this (in a science book, not some random web page), I feel the need to step in...

Aluminum is considered safe in cookware. The Al does not bind to the food unless it's acid (like rhubarb). The stigma comes from a problem there once was with dialysis machines, where the aluminum did bind to the blood and cause harm to patients. Also, the dementia claim came about because Al was found in patients with Alzheimers, but it was later determined that it was put there by the imaging process, not the cookware. In fact, if you're afraid of Al in your food, you should probably avoid spinach and processed cheese (ie. all cheese sold in the US). Source: Nature's Building Blocks

I have to say this though: if you put this pot into the dishwasher, it comes out like you could donate it to the Museum of Natural History: not only several shades darker, but also with nasty streaks. However, once I got over the original shock of suddenly owning an 'antique' coffee maker, I keep on putting it in the washer, because I've found the coffee to taste better. I still wish there was a steel (or copper, if thermal conductivity is so important?) knock- off, but at least I know it's not harmful, only ugly.

I would also like to point out that the produced drink is not espresso, which the Italians have perfected to be made under pressure and slightly cooler temperature (this pot just steams up the water, so it's 100C / 212F). It can't match my Gaggia coffee maker's real espresso, but it's "pretty good", above drip coffe in my opinion. Of course, this makes it the nonplusultra camping coffee "machine".

This is a terrific coffee percolator. Since we do not use it to make espresso it has a smaller capacity than we would prefer, but it makes excellent coffee!

i waited for at least a year of daily use to write a review of this product, rather than a "after using it twice" review. why am i annoyed? because our expensive drip coffee maker that i searched high and low to find, and our expensive electric fancy-schmancy espresso maker, have literally been sitting and collecting dust once we got this inexpensive uber-basic moka pot. my wife is argentinian, and used to a life of daily well-made cafe con leches, and only this pot will do.

Its MUCH less maintenance than regular coffee/espresso machines.

- just rinse with water. DO NOT use soaps. the oils from the coffee protect the metal, and give the coffee a better taste. same concept as cast-iron skillets. use drinking water if possible, not tap, and rinse clean as soon as possible after using so you dont stain it.

- we use espresso roast, ground to medium or semi-fine...do not grind to espresso/turkish or you risk clogging the filter, which if double-walled, will be a $@#$* to unclog.

- pack coffee loose, do not tamp down. i did once. just once. lesson learned.

- keep fire as low as possible. if it feels like its taking a bit of time, thats fine. 10 min is ok. relax. too high will possibly damage the gasket and worse, rush the brewing/strength.

- oh, adding cardamom is delicious for a turkish coffee flavor.

Like all Bialetti this one makes a nice, homely, perculated cup of coffee. With fresh ground beans and a bit of experience it is possible to create brew that is almost as good as an espresso machine, if not a little milder in flavour and at a fraction of the cost.

As expected '6 cups' is about perfect for 2 mugs of coffee with milk.

Bialetti get very grubby, very quickly. The pressure in the lower compartment causes a lot of limescale and mineral deposits to weld themselves to the inside. This is difficult to remove, even with a dishwasher or a vinegar solution.

Also, because they need to cool before you can use them again you can't really use them for large parties of friends.

That said, I often choose my stove top over my espresso machine. The maintenance and 'faff' are just that little bit lower.

The coffee maker was exactly what I was looking for. The process of buying it couldn't have been better.

I decided to try out a Moka Pot (3-cup) just for the hell of it. Pretty easy. Filtered water into the water reservoir, ground coffee into the coffee filter, screw on top, place on stop with medium heat, wait for 10 minutes. Pretty simple. I haven't had problems with melting handles or melted o-rings, so... it works. Just make sure you do medium heat.

Like most agree, it's just plain awesome!!
I am just sad that I discovered it so late... but better late than never, right?! :)
It takes good 15 minutes to brew and the 6-cup is barely enough for my travel mug but other than that, it makes some of the best coffee I've ever had! Two thumbs up for sure.

After searching for a good espresso machine for months I was finally willing to spend up to $500. I told a coworker about this and he brought me into his office for a cup of espresso out of his bialetti moka. I chuckled but said "OK" I'll try anything. After that cup of coffee, I threw out everything I knew about good coffee. I was amazed how this little device could make such a perfect espresso. The very next day I bought one from amazon and haven't had any other coffee since it was delivered. Our $100 Mr. Coffee is just collecting dust.

The only con to this device is that it doesn't come with real instructions. I just found out a couple weeks ago that you aren't supposed to boil the water.... Also, don't get an espresso grind, get a grind of coffee larger than espresso but smaller than a drip grind. Otherwise, this thing is flawless!

My coworker told me that every family in Italy has one of these and use it religiously. I understand why and you will too after having a cup from this little wonder.

I love this little Italian delight! I use it everyday and can't believe I went so long without one. Quality is great and they are wonderful for camping. I would highly recommend this product to people who love coffee.

The product was good, and the seller is great. The product shipped on time . Awesome!!!!!!!

Before buying, I knew this machine did not make espresso or cappuccino. However, I bought it because, if you grew up on the Adriatic coast like I did, it is mandatory to own one. Why I don't reccommend this machine to those who know a thing or two about good coffee:


1. The coffee made with this machine will be a better version of drip-brewed american coffee, but will not come close in taste and aroma to espresso. If you are thinking of getting this instead of the expensive superautomatic espresso machines (in the $900+ range), you will be dissappointed. You get what you pay for. Given this, I do not understand why it is being marketed as "espresso maker" - it is not!

2. The metallic taste is very offputting - I usually don't have the time or patience to make coffee twice, once for the sink, the next time for myself.

3. If you have a gas stove, you must watch this machine CLOSELY, because if it boils over, it will kill the flames and will fill the kitchen with gas. Using low heat will reduce the risk of boiling over.

4. There is very little if any crema on top, and when there is, it is mostly a loose foam that dissapears once you pour the coffee in a cup.

5. I recommend this only for students, or people in extended vacations who are limited in coffee choices, budget, and space.

6. It's also handy if you need to make coffee for recipes (tiramisu, etc.).

Timeless classic. Simple, elegant and functional. Works to perfection. There is a little learning curve in experimenting with the correct grind, temperature and brew time. Its not a Chevy--- its an Alfa Romeo!
David

First of all, I want to thank the reviewers before me that helped me in my decision. Your hints,tips and recommendations were pretty much spot on.

This maker produces fantastic espresso (or moka if you like). Like the reviewers before me said, don't use high heat, don't put into dishwasher (only wash with warm water, no abrasives), don't grab the handle to tighten top tank to bottom tank. You don't need to tamp the grounds either. Stay with it while on the stove, and in 10 minutes you'll have fantastic espresso.

I just got this maker recently so I don't know how long the gasket and basket last, but I bought a spare at the same time I bought this maker. I got the 6 cup model and I think it is the perfect size for 1.

Enjoy!

Not much to say, it works as advertised and looks great sitting on the stove.

Makes strong, awesome tasting coffee in 5 minutes.
For a vietnamese-style coffee, mix with condensed milk, pour over ice, you're good to go.
For regular ice coffee, pour over ice, splash of milk and simple syrup, top with whipped cream, good to go.
Very happy with this purchase!

I first had coffee made in one of these little pots at a rooming house in Italy several years ago. It was FABULOUS coffee. We weren't sure if it was the pot, the coffee, the rooftop garden in Rome or WHAT, but the coffee was heavenly and addictive.
So, we left Italy with the pot, as well as 10# of the magnificent coffee beans (acquired directly from the roaster via a very scenic and costly trip outside the city...a very worthwhile sidetrip!)
It turns out that the coffee was perfect because of all of those elements in play while we were in Rome!
Given that I can't fly to Rome for coffee every day (sigh), we're making do with what we can get here in the U.S.
I have a wonderful espresso machine that makes a terrific cup, I have various french presses, french drips, cold water pots, etc. I love a good cup of coffee! That said, even though this little pot makes a cup that technically isn't as good as my espresso machine, or as smooth as my french press, or as rich as my french drip...I sitll find myself CRAVING the coffee made with this pot.
Oh, let's not forget that I avoid aluminum cooking utensils like the plague, yet I'm here telling you how much I love my aluminum-saturated cup each morning. Go figure! If the aluminum rumors are true, I guess I'll be a happy, satisfied, coffee-sipping, Italy-remembering, short-term-memory-challenged old gal!
So, this may or may not help you make your decision because I simply can't give you a logical or compelling reason to buy this pot. I can just encourage you to be bold and give it a try. Return it if you hate it!

My brother-in-law introduced this to me. He has the 3cup version and fixed me a cup on a recent visit. He was recommended this by a friend that sells the expensive espresso machines that run several hundred to a thousand dollars. This thing has been around since 1933 in Italy and is a common way moka is made there in homes. I decided to go with the 6cup version for myself as I wanted something I could make a standard 12oz cup of coffee with if I didn't want espresso. Just don't fill the basket all the way or use standard coffee grind for coffee. Works great for both and will work over any cooking surface including my alcohol emergency stove. This thing gets pretty hot being aluminum, but cools down quickly due to same reason after it's emptied. Keep the handle out to the side and avoid getting it over the heat source or it will get hot.

We own the 3 cup version. Enough for two lattes each morning. Like others have said, produces a great cup of coffee, much better than from a drip coffee machine.

Use only fresh ground beans each brew.

To make a latte microwave the milk. Once you hear the pot gurgle it takes about 2 minutes before the coffee is ready.

To make a cappuccino use a Jamie Oliver trick. Warm the milk in a microwave or on the stove, put it into an empty milk container. Shake vigorously. Pour into you coffee cup.

If using a gas stove do not let the flames come over the bottom of the pot or the handle gets hot. If using an electric stove move the pot to the edge of the rings to stop the handle getting hot.

When the outside gets stained bar keepers friend cleans it off with ease.

Easy to use. Easy to clean up (water only). Make a perfect cup your first time. What more can you ask for? Get it and you'll be glad you did.

My only advice is to get the 3 cup, or 6 cup Size if you want to share.

wow! what an amazing stovetop espresso maker. i've been using the 3-cup for a few weeks and my only regret is not having bought this thing sooner.

i've been wanting an espresso maker, but was hesitant to get a big machine because of the associated price and hassle of using one. i'm so glad i finally heard about the moka express. it's easy to use, a snap to clean and DIRT FRICKEN CHEAP compared to even the low-end espresso machines. i think the espresso it makes is awesome. maybe a $2k+ espresso machine might make a slightly better shot, but i can't imagine it being that much better.

now i can enjoy lattes at home, rather than dropping $3-$4 at a coffee shop. just brew and pour into hot microwaved milk. so simple and so GOOD.

just to prevent any confusion, "3-cup" does not mean 3 actual standard cups of coffee! it's more like the amount of shots of espresso it makes. 3-cup makes 3 shots worth of espresso, 6-cup makes 6 shots, etc.

Fantastic Coffee maker. I highly recommend this for making espresso. Its fast and easy and costs so little. The only hitch is that it makes too much espresso for one person. If you favour coffee americano (Espresso + water) this might be a good choice.
I would recommend the one cup size if you make only 1 cup of espresso regularly. Using a 3 cup for making 1 cup messes up the coffee.


---Relevant to Indian Style Coffee drinkers---
this also makes amazing south indian style coffee. I would strongly recommend it to anybody interested in making good south indian coffee much faster than using the traditional "filter".