Review on Bialetti Moka Express: Authentic Stovetop Espresso Maker for Italian Coffee - 3 Cup (4.3 Oz - 130 Ml), Silver Aluminium by Joshua Paulson

I bought this small kettle after spending many hours looking for espresso machines. I was about to buy a Breville machine, but after reading so many reviews, many not very good, and considering the price of high end machines, I decided I would give it a try. First impressions of the coffee - it was bitter like a BIG time. I had to read reviews, watch tutorials, read forums, etc. to FINALLY get a good cup of coffee. So for those who are still struggling, it is possible! I used room temperature filtered water (I have a large mason jar and refill it). I use a burr grinder (with Fresh Roasted Coffee brand coffee. SO good) set at 8.5 and fill the jug/grinder bowl/funnel completely and just rub it with my finger to smooth it out, but don't press on it stamp it down. I mounted it on top of the oven next to the eye of the glass cover (because there is no coil in the middle) and placed the oven cover up between Med and 4. This takes about 10-11 minutes, and when clear bubbles appear, I remove myself from the heat. Like many others this is not a true espresso as espresso is brewed under very high pressure but I would say the coffee itself is as strong as espresso which is what I was hoping for. We used a French Press and we have to say that the results are much better in terms of flavor and intensity! Now the only problem is that I had to buy 6 cups. 3 cups makes enough coffee for a traditional Japanese cup/mug and is perfect for that with milk too, but the usual US mug size isn't that big. Overall it's amazing and gives you strong coffee but it takes practice and patience and even bearing that in mind every stove is different and so is the coffee you use!