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

I recently discovered how great mocha pot coffee can be when brewed with care and patience. I went with it after some research as many people claim that the original pot is still the best. I am very happy with my purchase and find it better than the cheap 1 cup I was experimenting with. With a little effort, this little pot can make great coffee. As someone who doesn't have the money or space for a full espresso machine, it's nice to be able to make such good coffee right on my stovetop. However, I would like to address some of the issues I have read about in other reviews. Fake Pots: First off, it's fair to say that modern Bialetti pots aren't what they used to be. Despite being "Made in Italy", most of Bialetti's products are actually made in other countries and only assembled in Italy (at the bottom of the boxes it is surreptitiously added that the Apple style is "designed in Italy") , so don't expect the quality you expect. found in your old moka pots. The build quality still seems better than most cheap pans on the market, but you can still look for a cheaper (or more expensive) pan that will work for you if that bothers you. I'm not saying fakes don't exist, fakes are everywhere, but most quality control issues are just symptoms of a company in decline in recent years. This misleading marketing is why I cannot give this product 5 stars, although my pot is still working very well. Cup Size: As mentioned by others, these "cups" weigh 2 ounces. espresso cups, NOT 10 oz. American coffee cups. The 6-cup model fills a full American-style coffee mug, but be aware that the appeal of the moka pot is that it uses pressure to create a quasi-espresso, so the coffee brewed is stronger than a regular one Cup. At this strength, you may not need a full cup. I found the 3 cup model to be perfect for a single serving, it fills about half a cup and leaves plenty of room for cream or milk. Maintenance: These pots are traditionally made from aluminum, NOT stainless steel. They WILL oxidize and rust or turn gray if you don't take proper care of them. Wash and dry everything with just water. Ignore the nonsense of "seasoning" your coffee maker with coffee oil unless you like the taste of stale, stale coffee. Never wash it in the dishwasher and do not use soap or abrasives when cleaning, otherwise the pan will be destroyed. Melting Sticks: Use on a small burner/flame at slightly above average heat. High heat on a large burner will obviously hurt these things, it's just common sense. Nothing made of plastic and metal compounds is designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high heat. People have also complained about leaks in the center, which luckily I haven't experienced. You can mitigate this by being careful not to tightly pack the coffee grounds or pour water through the safety valve. The rubber seal does not last forever and it is recommended to change it at least once a year. If you remember all this, this cool gadget will make delicious coffee. Take care of him and follow the instructions and he will take care of you.