Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
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List Price: Our Price: $23.95 You Save: $6.04 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $19.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
Customer Review: Outstanding little device.. BUT...
Summary: 4 Stars
This thing is great and I don't want to waste your time telling you all about it because there are already hundreds of reviews by people more eloquent and informed than I.
However, I do want to reiterate one thing.. the thing which prevents me from rating it 5 stars. The indicated capacities are not accurate at all.
Espresso and moka cups are supposed to be 2 ounces. You are only going to get 2/3 of the rated capacity. For example, the 6 cup pot actually only yields 4 cups (8 ounces). For whatever reason, they state the capacity as the pre-brew volume of water. It does not account for the water lost by vaporization or absorbed by the grains.
Just keep this in mind when you decide on the size and you will have a good experience.
This comes as no surprise to me, because I read the reviews before I bought it. It has met and exceeded my particular expectations, but the capacity ratings are false, so just be aware.
Customer Review: Something to consider
Summary: 3 Stars
I love this espresso maker, just love it! It makes great coffee, I agree with all the rave reviews.
I have one word for you to think about: "aluminum".
After couple of times I used it, I noticed that aluminum on the bottom of the inside started peeling/oxidizing/dissolving. At first, it did not bother me, I knew the problem and I cleaned the parts before using with a washcloth taking off the aluminum powder (when it dries up it looks like a powder). Not long ago I read an article that advised not using aluminum pans and pots in cooking, since aluminum gets absorbed by the body and this is tied to an Alzheimer disease.
Recently, I bought stainless steel espresso maker. Makes same great coffee, however it does not have a spout (it is just round) which makes it hard to pour into small coffee cups and the upper part (the part where the coffee goes) has sort of trench on the bottom which makes it inconvenient in cleaning.
Hope this helps.
Customer Review: Credit where it is due.... BRAVO BIALETTI!
Summary: 5 Stars
I discovered this jewel on AMAZON.COM when they flashed it up via database association when I was researching espresso makers. [thanks Ma Amazon, I just LOVE the fact that you are always reading my mind ;^]
Anyway, we have started using the 6 cup Bialetti Moka Express [Italian cups that is, which is a 1 cup American, ha-ha!] with the wonderful Lavazza Espresso grind coffee, [yes Virginia, Amazon has it] and what a wonderful thing that combo is. [But seriously now, the "yield", using an espresso grind, is about 8-9 oz.]
Can't say whether the knockoffs work as well as the original; as for myself I have always had a policy of rewarding excellence in my purchases so paying the little premium for the real thing, by the people who originated it, is a no-brainer.
BTW, we bought a friend the combo pak with the Bialetti milk frother and she says that the frother is just as exemplary as the coffeepot! Amazon has the combo.
Customer Review: Buy this, save your money!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking at Amazon reviews for espresso machines costing hundreds of dollars to replace my Krups when I read a review on this little Moka pot. The reviewer said this is what they use in Italian homes and with a aerolatte frother one could have everything they needed to make great cappuccinos & lattes for a fraction of the cost. This turns out to be amazingly true. I love this little pot. It takes a bit of practice to get the amount of water (I like less than the full 6 cups to get a stronger espresso), coffee amount (filled) and amount of tapping down (just gently), and heat setting (medium low so it has time to extract) exactly right, but it's fast, easy to clean up, and I am thrilled with the quality. I will say that I have an issue with aluminum (some research saying it's not good to cook with it) and I've found they make one in stainless steel that I might get instead--but I would never consider an expensive espresso machine again.Customer Review: Brand New with Clear Gel on Gasket?
Summary: 3 Stars
Ran out and bought this from BB&B - very excited to use it after reading all the positive reviews, BUT I will be exchanging because of the following...
When I opened it, I noticed a glob of clear gel that had dripped into the coffee ground basket. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a couple of dollops of clear gel (consistency of clear silicone gel) where placed on the rubber gasket.
Furthermore, there were a number of black specs in the water reservoir - couldn't tell if they were coffee grounds or residue from the process of making it. I don't mind the black specs as much as the gel - since I don't know what it is. Made me wonder if this was cleaned and returned or if this is just part of the manufacturing process.
So, I'll go and find another in store and inspect it before I exchange or return.
If someone has any insight on this - maybe they can post.