Bialetti Bricca NEW 4 Cup Open Fire Type (Coffee Maker, Espresso Makinetta)

This little guy is amazing. It looks good when not using it too. It's very durable but be sure to clean it properly and don't let it sit, wipe it dry once it's clean. This Brikka will give you outstanding coffee but make sure you do it right. You may have to play with measurements so don't judge until you get it right. I put cold, filtered water from my fridge into the bottom (black) part up to the release valve (I think that's what it is?) Next, put your finely ground coffee ground in the coffee holder. I use the back of a spoon to slightly press the ground down. I use 4-5 heaping scoopfuls so it's just under the rim. Put this into the black crock and screw the top on well. If you don't, pressure will release and you'll have a mess with little to no coffee. Tighten it too much and you'll have a devil of a time getting it off! Put it on a stove set to medium-med high heat. Slow is the way to go! It should take about 5 min. You'll hear it start to foam and bubble into the carafe. When your coffee bubbles to just at the part where you pour, remove it from the heat so it can continue to finish. When first starting, you might want a plate handy in case you wait to long and it boils out and over. Once done, give a few seconds before pouring. Pour SLOWLY and take slow moments to pause, tip it back, and pour again. This way you won't lose any of that amazing froth! The 4 cup is only a 2 cup for our home. We use 6 oz cups so you might get 3-4 cups if you use 3 or 4 oz cups to drink from. Now while this will make almost any coffee taste 1000 times better, you have to start with the best coffee you can but this little guy really pulls the bitterness out so you taste only frothy yumminess.

The Bialetti Moka Express is a classic stovetop espresso maker that delivers rich, aromatic coffee effortlessly. The dual valve system ensures safety and optimal pressure extraction, producing a smooth yet robust brew. Its aluminum construction heats quickly, while the ergonomic handle stays cool. Cleanup is simple, though thorough drying is needed to prevent oxidation. For best results, use medium heat and finely ground coffee. While it takes practice to avoid bitterness, the flavor rivals pricier machines. Compact and iconic, it’s perfect for espresso lovers seeking authenticity without electricity.

I was following the directions using the correct amount of water and coffee level amounts . To get consistent results from cup to cup use a Brikka 2 cup. Its better than the Moka express for consistency.1) Correct water amount2) Same gas flame size or on stove setting knob3) Always use one aeropress paper filter each time.If you don't clean the rectangular orifice or valve near the spout you get no coffee flow and it plugs up very easy . Finer ground coffee will plug it up also ,I use one aeropress paper filter bottom of pitcher to prevent that from occurring and from coffee bursting out through the top If your dreaming of crema its all in your head, its advertising.The directions don't tell you on the valve. Just take it out and clean it just finger tight.(O ring seal)...rather than doing all the maintenance required each time of taking it all apart.I prefer using just 3 oz hot milk with 3 oz Cuban (La Carreta) brand with a little condensed milk. It suits me fine but everyone has their own preference.Beware: First thing you will need to replace the handle attached to the lid that does get hot. HANDLE, KNOB, COVER Made of anti-scald nylon. Check this item's best price before you buy! Why I rated this item 1 star. Parts are a problem for this item. You might just need to buy another one for parts. You may need to make your own 3 inch metal handle better than what is provided on this item with plastic. What's next I need to replace in parts?An aeropress is much quicker making coffee and less maintenance than this item. I would say, save your hard cash and spending your life cleaning up the mess it leaves behind. Don't buy this product you will regret it, its not a thing I would take to my grave.

This helps me make the best cappuccinos I've had outside of Italy. It's not quite as syrupy, and the crema is not quite a thick, but it's the closest I've gotten to an Italian espresso shot without a $$$$ espresso machine.As others have stated, there is a little learning curve, but the most important part is MEASURE THE WATER EXACTLY. You can even use slightly less than the recommendation if your coffee keeps boiling over. The only time my coffee boiled over was because I got careless and was slightly too slow to stop pouring water into the measuring cup. At most, I added 125ml of water instead of the recommended 120ml, and that extra 5ml of water was enough for it to bubble over. Since then, I've measured carefully and haven't had issues since.Aside from that, any other issues (bitterness, strength, etc) can probably be resolved by trial and error. The length of time, heat level, type of coffee, and even the altitude you live at can affect the taste of your coffee, so just keep experimenting until you find what you like.