People confuse espresso and moka as being the same thing, which because of some differences in how water is heated and passed through the grinds does cause some differences in taste and character. That out of the way, this makes a good enough moka that I didn't miss my espresso maker anymore, particularly when I compared the effort to make the two different styles of coffee.
The product is made of very durable aluminium and manufactured in Italy to very high specifications of quality, a welcome change from the flood of low quality Chinese products we US citizens have to wade through. The bottom chamber holds the water and screws into the top chamber against the metal filter and rubber gasket providing a solid seal. A tip is to tighten the bottom till its snug, and then give it one more quarter turn, this gives a very tight fit upon heating as the metal and rubber will expand with the heat to finalize the fit. The top is easily figured out by the picture and handling except it has another quality that most ignore. When you first get the moka maker its very shiny on the inside, after a few uses it starts to dull with a light brown tone having banished the aluminium shine. DO NOT SCRUB THIS AWAY!!! That brownish tint to the aluminium is proof that your moka maker has been properly seasoned to get the best taste possible. All you need to do in the cleaning of this is to rinse it with tap water, though at the rubber seal on the bottom, take a little extra time and use a toothbrush there to make sure no grit or grime is present when you set it to dry since that will greatly extend the life of your seal and insure a reliable fit for your next brew. Typically it takes me less than a minute to clean mine after use.
There is a little cup that fits into the bottom chamber that acts like the coffee basket, just load it up with grinds and drop it into the bottom chamber, clear any grinds along the edge to prevent it from coming into contact with the rubber seal and you're good. The use of grinds then comes into consideration, you can use a espresso grind or a somewhat finer than drip coffee grind for your base, some experimentation suited to your taste will be necessary. I grind my own beans (which if you haven't done yet I highly recommend) and use a couple notches above espresso for the fineness of the grind, as this lets a great deal of flavor from the coffee come through without unduly impeding the flow of the steam rising up through it, and I would definitely not recommend turkish grind settings.
A quick word of caution based upon a friend's experience and that is do not add spices to the coffee grinds in order to make some sort of flavored moka, in particular cinnamon. Typically spices in powder form do not react the same way to hot steam the way the coffee grinds do, and frequently will clog the fine mesh filter the steam travels through, my friend ruined her moka maker this way by trying to make cinnamon flavored moka. If you must flavor your moka, use either flavored beans or after brew flavorings.
Finally the taste the Moka Maker produces is different than a espresso, its got a softer tone to it and a richer flavor where my palate is concerned, and while a good espresso is still a joy of mine, the moka maker's coffee is actually preferable to me when I want something different than my usual fare from my press maker.
Additional Details
Made in Italy
Shop products that have been wholly produced or have undergone their last substantial transformation in Italy. Discover more about “Made in Italy”, a label synonymous throughout the world with refined materials, attention to detail, and creativity.
Made in Italy
This product was wholly produced or has undergone its last substantial transformation in Italy. Discover Made in Italy.
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From the manufacturer
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Moka ExpressBialetti shows its commitment to the environment. Moka Express, a 100% eco-sustainable coffee preparation method. |
Zero WasteZero waste: the only waste it produces, in fact, is 100% biodgradable and compstable. |
Zero DetergentsZero detergents: it does not require chemical detergents for cleaning, it can be cleaned only with water. |
TimelessTimeless: it is a green investment as the coffee maker has a minimum life of 10 years and maintenance is reduced to the essentials. |
Coffee according to the traditional Italian ritual
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Made in ItalySince 1933, symbol of Made in Italy all over the world. |
Patented safety valvePatented safety valve, inspectable and easy to clean. |
Ergonomic handleErgonomic anti-scald handle, for a comfortable grip. |
How to make a perfect italian coffee
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Fill the boiler up to the lower level of the safety valve, without exceeding it and using fresh water, possibly low in limestone. |
Select a quality blend, suitable for the production of coffee for the Moka. Fill the filter generously, without pressing the coffee powder, forming a small gutter and avoiding dust escaping on the edges of the boiler. Close the coffee pot, screwing the collector firmly onto the boiler and place it on the stove. |
The flame must never envelop the coffee maker, but remain inside the bottom of the same, in order to allow extraction in adequate times and not too quickly. As soon as you start to hear the typical Moka gurgle, the coffee is ready and you will need to turn off the fire immediately. |
Never let excess coffee boil: this would burn it, compromising its success and making it too bitter. Enjoy hot coffee, as soon as it is ready, remembering to mix the contents of the collector: the coffee extracted at the end, in fact, is less full-bodied than that leaked at the beginning of boiling. |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Bialetti - Moka Espress: Iconic Stovetop Espresso Maker, Makes Real Italian Coffee, Moka Pot 6 Cups (6 Oz), Aluminium, Silver | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -6% $37.46 List: $39.99 | $19.99 | $7.99 | -46% $5.89 List: $10.99 | $43.05 | -24% $45.50 List: $60.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Nov 9 | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 8 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | LY Berditchev Co. | Amazon Export Sales LLC | Vander & Co | Amazon.com | Amazon Export Sales LLC | Amazon Export Sales LLC |
| capacity | 1420 milliliters | 6 cups | 6 cups | 3 cups | 240 milliliters | 3 cups |
| material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Aluminum | cast aluminium |
| input interface | buttons, buttons, buttons, buttons | buttons | buttons | touch screen | buttons, buttons, buttons, buttons | buttons |
| wattage | 230 watts | 1000 watts | 230 watts | 120 watts | 230 watts | 1000 watts |
| model name | Moka Express | Classic Stovetop Espresso | — | Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker 3-Cup | Rainbow | Moka |
My little magic
I have tried multiple mocha pot and they all suck one way or another. This one is tiny makes probably two shots of espresso and a bit pricey but totally worth it. They hold the top brand name for this kind of mocha pots.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012
Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 6-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2016
Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 9-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Cafeteira de excelente qualidade!! Exatamente como eu esperava!!
Cafeteira excelente e de muita qualidade!!
Reviewed in Brazil on June 30, 2024Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 6-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
teresinha sumie ianagui
Ótima qualidade
Reviewed in Brazil on January 20, 2024Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 9-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
Dan T
Excellent for espresso
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2024Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 6-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
gianluigi assoni
Perfetta
Reviewed in Italy on July 9, 2024Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 1-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
Himz
I love my Bialeti
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on October 7, 2023Color: Aluminum SilverSize: 6-CupPattern Name: PotVerified Purchase
