Bialetti Moka Express Aluminium Stovetop Coffee Maker (2 Cup), 8x11x11 cm, Silver

I have mainly used a Cafetiere for making my coffee but having seen the Moka type pot in use a number of times in different settings and viewed various reviews, I thought I would give one a try.I usually like my coffee fairly strong and in sufficient quantity (large mug size) to keep me satisfied for a few hours between mugs. I initially placed my order for the 3 cup Bialetti pot but immediately revised my Amazon order to the larger 4 cup. In my view it would be better to have a larger unit than have a smaller unit and not have enough capacity.I glad I made the 4 cup choice.In addition to the Amazon packaging my Moka pot arrived well packaged by the manufacturer Bialetti, with clearly written and easy to understand Operating instructions in multiple languages included.Read and follow these OI's and you should have no problems.Likewise, use common sense when handling and cleaning the more delicate parts, such as the coffee holder "funnel", and avoid holding it by the narrow stem while vigorously shaking out heavy wet coffee grains, especially if you wish the stem to remain attached to the funnel.If you ignore this common sense advice and manage to break it off, this is NOT a manufacturing issue or poor design. Anything can be broken if you try hard enough or use it in a way for which it was not intended.In my view, this Bialetti Moka is a good design, of good quality, and correctly used produces a good cup of coffee.Obviously these three points are my own personal view with the last point being dependent on your own taste in coffee brand and variations in preparation method, but in using this Moka pot you have the opportunity to produce a pot of nose tingling, great looking, hot, steamy, strong and great tasting coffee to suit your own personal preference.That is the key.In the Bialetti Moka Express Aluminium Stovetop Coffee Maker (4 Cup) you have the ideal tool to do the job.Since purchase several months ago I have used this Moka pot to make all my coffee, currently on my 7th 227g bag of my favourite coffee brand.It took me several pot cycles to arrive at the best heat setting on my cooking appliance (electric hob) which is usually the setting I use for a simmer/low boil.You will need to experiment yourself, as most appliances will vary from gas to electric etc and individual heat settings, but my advice would be (as per Bialetti OI's) use a medium heat setting to start and adjust your heat up or down to suit, based on results you get.As it only takes a short time from placing on the hob to start to produce liquid in the top pot, DON'T wander off even for a short time to do something else. Stay and watch the pot at all times it is on the hob with the lid up and heat is being applied.This is after all part of the coffee making experience and should be savoured.I "preheat" my electric hob at setting 4, place the pot towards the edge with the lid up and so the handle is off to one side so it has less direct heat exposure from the hob ring below, and reduce the setting to 3.Keep watching (and smelling).You should soon smell the familiar aroma of your chosen coffee wafting up to your nostrils and if you continue watching you will observe the initial flow of dark liquid gold. I close the lid after the first third of liquid has appeared and turn off the heat source at this point. On hearing the final bubbling and gurgling as the last of the liquid fills the top pot I remove the pot to a cork mat.I find the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is amazing.I boil a small amount of fresh water in my kettle in tandem, splashing a small amount in my chosen mug (to pre heat the mug). After allowing to stand for a minute or so I then pour the coffee from the moka usually accompanied by a satisfactory amount of "froth", topping my mug off with freshly boiled water as required/to taste.Less dilute equals stronger coffee, again down to personal preference.Cleaning the Bialetti Moka in warm water is simple and effective.I use a soft none abrasive washing up sponge if needed, and then immediately dry all parts inside and out with a tea towel before storage. I only reassemble the next time I am ready to make a fresh pot.I am pleased to report my Bialetti Moka Express Aluminium Stovetop Coffee Maker (4 Cup) pot is still in the same condition as when I first received it and the coffee produced is perfect.I would recommend this item and this manufacturer and if given the choice would buy this item again.If you follow the Bialetti Operating Instructions and handle with care it is likely this will last you a good number of years before it needs replacing.Purchase one and enjoy your coffee.M.

[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 jug2. 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.

Recently bought a house with an induction hob and couldn’t use my aluminum moka pots for my coffee. Saw this, read the reviews. Was a little concerned about folks claiming it ruined their hob by leaving white marks. Yes, it does leave a mark - but a quick wipe with some multipurpose spray and all is good.Very solid. Makes my moka coffee faster than on my old gas stove. Perfect solution and great quality.

Does what it says on the tin and it’s clearly a high quality product - metal is sturdy and thick and it transfers the heat to a standard moka really easily and fast. This was a huge save for us as we had multiple mokas that were not induction - and then moved to a new place with induction only. Only downside is that if coffee spills on it, you get some dark marks that can’t be cleaned off - and overall the metal plate becomes a duller almost purple colour after multiple uses - I imagine this is just the metal tempering under temperature but it’s worth noting

The media could not be loaded. So far, so good. Arrived today - made my first cup of coffee. It heats up super quickly - I must remember to lower the heat under it once coffee starts coming out! Super easy to use!