Bialetti 0001163

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.

What a simple piece of equipment! I am Swedish - and I love my coffee strong. I don't have space for a regular, filter coffee maker and I don't agree with the waste and cost of a "coffee pod machine". This makes fantastic coffee! It doesn't work that great to make 1-2 cups of espresso in this, but for a full 6 cups, or a regular Americano - it if FAB!. It does leak a little, even if you screw on the top REALLY REALLY tight but it doesn't matter. It works well on my gas hob (smallest ring) - so I don't think you need to buy any extra rings. Fill up a full cup water, fill full with regular ground coffee, hob for 12 min - and you have a super super americano! (Washes really well, just plain water rinse) Update (a few weeks later): I am upgrading my review to 5 stars! I now have the hang of it, and it no longer leaks really. Maybe the bottom seal expands a little once you have used it a few times? I twist it really tight (but I am careful NOT to apply all the pressure on the plastic handle, but more on the metal). This is the BEST coffeemaker I have ever had. I am never going back to a cafetiere! Because the steam is pushed through the coffee as it boils, it tastes just like a barista-made coffee/americano/espresso - actually, I am now wanting to go HOME to make coffee, instead of going to a coffee house :) It also makes the kitchen smell absolutely lovely with freshly brewed coffee. It is SO simple - I crawl out of bed, first thing I do is set this up, then it takes care of itself....until my timer buzzes and I get the most fab coffee to start my day: Fill with bottom pot with cold water, to just below the valve, fill the coffee filter (without pressing down) with ground coffee.Onto the gas hob (I put it straight onto our smallest ring - no need for "extra" reduction ring). 12 min for a "full" pot = 2 americanos (strong!), 8 min for "half" a pot/half coffee filter. (I was sceptical if it would make lesser amounts/a small expresso ok, but it is absolutely FINE using this bigger pot for that). Leave to cool slightly, just clean/rinse out with water. Oh, and if you want FROTHED milk, easiest way is to use any old cafetiere you have in the house, fill with cold (the colder the better) milk, and press up and down quickly, for a min or two :)

Love this original Moka pot. It is an excellent weight, has a good handle and pours without dripping. Makes a cracking cup of coffee. The 6 cup is about a mugs worth.

[UPDATE 26/1/17] Still love this. Used at least once a day (usually twice) since purchase. In addition to review below I'd add that in contrast to the copy we had before this is a little more tricky to get the threads lined up but once you have it screws on much more easily and a lot less force is needed to get it to seal well. It's possible this is to do with the age of the seal but we did replace seals on the old one and I don't think it ever sealed this well/easily.[UPDATE ENDS] We had a no-name knock-off one of these for years which we've grown to love - it's travelled everywhere with us and used all the time. That one lost a part so has been retired. We already had a larger size Bialetti which is nice but not used as much. So we went original this time round. We use this almost every day (sometimes more than once a day). It's even better than our much loved fake one as it has a very slightly larger capacity, is slightly more chunky and has a better spout which doesn't drip. I still think the handle could be marginally improved as it moves slightly which lessens the sensation of quality - but that's nit-picking. Works well, makes great coffee. We couple this with a cafetiere for frothing microwaved milk. Tips if you're new to these: 1. If you're grinding beans yourself, go to the finest setting and then back off a little - you don't want the very finest grind. 2. This has no measuring line that we can see in the water chamber - we fill to just below the pressure valve (or less). I’ve read a tip that it’s worth heating the water in a kettle first. This means that the coffee will come through before the heat has a chance to burn the coffee in the holder (not sure if this is true or not). 3. Only compress the coffee in the holder very lightly - don't compress it hard (this is advice we've read although in fairness I did used to compress it more in the old pot and didn't hit issues for a long time) 4. Use on a low to moderate heat (lower is better). If on gas, the flame shouldn't lick up the sides of the pot. 5. Keep an eye on it and turn off the heat just before the water as all come through - will need a couple of tries to get the hang. It keeps coming through after you turn the heat off because of heat stored in the metal. 6. Ensure lid is closed before it finishes or it will splutter coffee all over your cooker :-) The coffee holder is hard to clean but running water through from both directions and using a normal dish brush on the perforated disc will remove most of any coffee stuck in the bit you can’t see. If you want to froth milk... 1. For a full pot of coffee for two large mugs, we use 400ml of semi-skimmed (semi seems to work better than full fat) in a microwaveable jug 2. Heat for 2 mins (we have a microwave which is rated at 1000w but in practice is not that powerful - probably 850??) as soon as you put the coffee on. 3. Once the coffee starts coming through, heat the milk for a further 1:30 (experiment to get it how you like in your microwave - too hot ruins it IMHO) 4. Pour the coffee out between the mugs (a little into each at a time rather than all in one and then the other - the coffee can be different strengths in the pot as it comes through differently and may not have completely mixed). 5. Pour all the milk quickly but carefully into your cafetiere (quickly so that any skins goes with it rather than staying in the jug where its a pain to clean). 6. Insert the plunger and turn around so that the mesh is away from the spout (some have a blank piece on the opposite side to the mesh - ideal, otherwise use just the edge of the mesh part which usually blocks off the spout). 7. Froth by using the plunger up and down. 8. Push plunger in and turn around so that the mesh is at the spout. Pour most of the liquid milk into the mugs. 9. Either - froth the remainder some more and then pour out or, remove the plunger and pour straight away holding back the froth with a spoon at the spout, then spoon the foam on top. Experiment depending on how much froth to milk you want. 10. For chocolate sprinkles, get a shaker (supermarket kitchen sections sometimes have these) and put in one teaspoon of icing sugar to six parts cocoa powder (or just use drinking chocolate powder unmixed if you prefer). Swirl in the shaker to mix. My coffee addiction is calling - I'm off to use my Bialetti.

Honestly people! I was literally drinking garbage as coffee at home before I got this masterpiece of invention. Instant coffees, cappuccino mixes, Tassimo capsules, all crap compared to the coffee you can make with this. And it is coffee you want to wake up to. The size is decent to make coffee for one mug, you'll probably want to add some water on top cause the coffee is really strong, depending on what ground you use of course. The 6 cups advertised are probably for mini people, I don't know what they have in mind over there at Bialetti :) Here are the cons of this coffee maker: - Coffee making takes a bit of time, expect to spend at least a quarter of an hour to make your cup. - The pot requires dismantling and thorough cleaning afterwards, it comes down to 5 parts when disassembled which need a good wash afterwards, so if you're on the go forget it, better use a good instant of your choice. - You will need to experiment a bit in the beginning in order to reach perfection. - It doesn't make espresso. It comes close though. The real espresso requires high pressure steam which is only available on proper espresso making machines. This one is the close alternative and definitely makes awesome coffee! - Ground coffee is usually more expensive than your usual of the shelf instant, so you might want to think about the extra cost. Typically 250gr of ground coffee will last about 9-10 days if you use it once per day and you stick to the 2 spoonfuls dosage. How to use it properly and make awesome coffee: - Use bottled mineral still water. C'mon don't be cheap, you want good coffee :) Fill the bottom container up to under the round valve on the side (it is visible as you look the container opening from the top). Do not preheat the water, it needs to be in room temperature (provided you don't live in an igloo in Alaska). - Put the aluminum funnel filter (the one that looks like a funnel) on the opening until it sits in place properly, there must be no water coming through the tiny holes in it, if there is water then empty some from the bottom container. Put your ground coffee in the filter chamber: I'm putting 2 spoonfuls, the coffee does not fill the filter and that amount makes awesome coffee, some people are filling it up to the top which needs a lot of coffee. I leave this up to you. - Reverse the top holder so that you are looking at it's bottom, place the aluminum filter disk in the center so that the protruded face it towards you and press the rubber gasket against it to seal it in place. - Screw the top holder tightly on to the bottom container. Remember the first few times it will be a tiny bit difficult to find the right spot that the threads mesh properly, so don't force it or you will ruin the threads and your coffee maker altogether. Once you feel that the threads are engaged properly, screw firmly the top container to the bottom and tighten. Now the most important parts: - SAFETY FIRST!!!: Be extra careful not to touch anything metallic with bare hands while cooking, Use only the handle on the side and on the lid. The pot gets extremely hot. - You want to experiment with the heat marks of your stove in order not to burn your coffee: Turn the stove on, I recommend beginning from a medium temperature (usually the 3 or 4 mark on the knob), leave it at that for 5 minutes, then turn down to a lower temperature such as 2. - Open the top lid of the container. When the brewing process begins, the coffee should flow slowly from the 2 side holes at the top of the embedded siphon on the top container. Also another indication that the process is done properly is that the coffee that is gathered forms a brown cream on the surface. And oh that beautiful aroma! Anything other than than, you're doing it wrong!! If the coffee comes bursting out of the siphon holes you've overcooked it and it is burned, which means you should lower the cooking temperature. The coffee should flow slowly from the top at the beginning then gradually build to a smooth foamy texture. As the foam flow builds up, close the lid and turn off the stove. You'll probably hear a boiling sound as well. Let it sit there for a couple of minutes and then take it off the stove and pour into your mug! Mmmmmmmm! - Put the pot under your water tap by holding it from the black handle on the side, open the top lid and fill with cold water, let the water run on the sides of the pot until it is cold enough for you to hold and unscrew the two main parts. Dismantle, empty the coffee from the funnel filter and wash the lot thoroughly. Use the back end of a small spoon to take the rubber gasket off, do not use knives or anything sharp. - Take a peaceful momentand smell the coffee from your mug, perhaps dilute it with water (mineral still preferred), or make some frothed milk for a cappuccino clone. Either way enjoy the best cup of coffee you ever had in home.

A great Moka coffee machine. Only made a couple of coffees so far but really impressed with it. I made a perfect cappuccino today so I’m very happy.. Item comes in three parts. The base where you add the water, the middle where you add the ground coffee and the top where the coffee collects through the valve as it’s heated. A simple device but classic design.

Wouldn’t be without this, I enjoy the brand of instant ground I buy but with this it’s so much better and once you find your roast and intensity it’s just perfect, easy to use and fairly quick but DONT clean with liquid soap or in dishwasher or you will ruin it.

Excellent product! Good quality - easy to clean and wipe away!

Looks great in pictures but roughly cut/built. It spills water at the seem and the bottom reservoir is very coarsely machined, such that it makes washing any residue very difficult, getting burnt in the end.

Nice coffee. Should be at everyone's household

Ok

Essa foi minha primeira cafeteira italiana, e a primeira vez que tomei um café em uma cafeteira dessas, então nao posso comparar modelos, mas que gosto de café único, depois que eu peguei o jeito da quantidade de café só uso ela. Porque na primeira vez, vou te contar, parecia que meu coração ia sair pela boca de tão forte. Eu tinha visto em alguns tutoriais que você tem que colocar o café até a tampa, e eu fiz isso com meu lindo café melita, parecia um expresso vindo do centro da terra. Então eu coloquei o melita apenas na metade do reservatório de café, coloquei no fogo, e esperei alguns minutos e coloquei agua em cima pra nao queimar o café quando sair como é recomendado, e ai sim, que café incrível. Testei depois com café moido na hora mas de outra marca, fiz uma moagem mais grossa e ai sim, coloquei até a tampa, a cafeteira realmente extrai todos os aromas do café e fica um retrogosto na boca muito gostoso o dia inteiro. Mas pra mim café é como arte, eu gosto de preparar, esperar e apreciar o café, nao tomo café correndo, vale a pena ter, a minha é de 6 xícaras, que particularmente equivale a 1 de 360ml eu diria, então pelo preço, eu diria, se for só pra você ou pra 2 pessoas, eu recomendo, se for pra familia, eu recomendo pegar uma cafeteira programável pelo mesmo preço. Obs: de primeira eu nao gostei, pensei, nao pode ser, todos estavam elogiando, porque meu café saiu ruim, mas é só questão de acertar a quantidade do seu café, vai por mim, depois fica incrível, acredito que pelo o gosto ser único, você vai se acostumar e vai começar amar depois da 3 tomada, vale a pena.

I Punti di Forza (Pro) Qualità e intensità del caffè: l'estrazione produce un caffè caldo, corposo, aromatico e dal gusto intenso. Materiali e robustezza: La struttura in alluminio pressofuso è solida e progettata per durare decenni. La caldaia ottagonale distribuisce il calore in modo ottimale. Sicurezza brevettata: La presenza della valvola di sicurezza esclusiva Bialetti, ispezionabile e facile da pulire, è costantemente apprezzata per l'affidabilità. Design iconico ed ergonomia: Il design in stile Art Déco è un classico senza tempo. Il manico e il pomello in materiale termoplastico assicurano una presa salda e protetta dalle scottature. Rapporto qualità-prezzo: Considerata la longevità del prodotto e la reperibilità immediata dei ricambi originali (guarnizioni e filtri), l'acquisto viene definito un ottimo investimento. I Punti Deboli (Contro) Incompatibile con l'induzione diretta: Essendo interamente in alluminio, non funziona sui piani a induzione. Per usarla su questi piani occorre acquistare separatamente un adattatore in acciaio Bialetti o ripiegare sui modelli specifici della linea "Moka Induzione". Manutenzione rigorosamente a mano: Non può assolutamente essere lavata in lavastoviglie, poiché i detersivi aggressivi ossidano e rovinano l'alluminio. Va sciacquata solo con acqua calda. Volume reale delle tazze: Le "6 tazze" si riferiscono alle tazzine da espresso ristretto italiano (circa 250-300 ml totali di caffè erogato). Se utilizzi tazze grandi o mug da colazione, la quantità reale basta per circa 2 o 3 persone.