My sister likes coffee and I’m thinking of getting her a Bialetti Moka Express 6 cup moka pot.
She prefers expresso over her drip coffee maker and this sounds like it is something in between that she can make at home. She also goes camping and this would be nice to have when in the outdoors.
For those of you who have this type of coffee maker, what do you think of it?
This type of coffee maker is popular in Italy and Spain (among other countries) and I first got to know this device when I stayed in an apartment in Nerja (Spain) while attending a Spanish course. I liked it right away and even after trying all kinds of coffee makers (Nespresso, Senseo, full automatic espresso maker, drip coffee maker and so on) this is still my preferred coffee maker.
I do not like coffee with a bitter or even with a distinct “sour” taste, which lots of expensive espresso machines produce. The Moka Express coffee is very smooth. It does not get you a lot of crema (coffee foam) though, which some espresso lovers really want. I do not mind, I put 3 shots of Moka in a mug with steamed milk -> latte heaven.
I would recommend getting a stainless steel one rather than the traditional aluminum. When using it, make sure not to put too much coffee (do not “stamp” the coffee grounds like you would in an espresso machine) or water (only up to right below the little steam valve in the tank) in.
We have one of these. We don’t use it on a daily basis mostly because we really like our French press.
However, if I am waking a lot earlier than Mrs. Labor, or running in a weekend race I’ll often use it. The coffee is strong, I don’t make too much and it seems to have a bit more caffeine (probably just my perception) giving me a quick wake-up.
We due use it if we are going to a cabin or place where we are unsure of the coffee device that will be present. The moka is small and easy to transport and lends itself to any type of stove.
I think its a handy thing, I might have to use it tomorrow!
We have one, but it has never been used (my gf collects coffee pots). Reading this thread, I just might use it tomorrow!
I’ve been using a moka pot to make my weekend and camping coffee for years. I think I like the little ritual of making it as much as I like the coffee itself. As with any brewing method, the quality of your brew depends on the quality of the coffee you use (I’ve used stale Folgers and the result was pretty awful).
We called it greca. It’s my favorite way to prepare coffee, and I’m going to get a new one as soon as I get back home on Christmas. The plastic handle broke in the other one and I couldn’t get it replaced. 
I love the coffee that it brews, it is strong and smooth. Much more stronger than a percolator.
Karl, I’m pretty sure they sell replacement handles. You may want to check online.
These are by far the best espresso makers I’ve used, and they work great for camping.
That said, two caveats:
Make really, really sure you turn the heat off under it when you’re done, and also make really sure you put water in it before you fire it up.
Lift the handle when it’s done brewing to check that it’s done brewing, and also so the half-teaspoon of boiling-hot water that’s condensed to the underside of the lid drops down into the coffee, rather than down the handle and across your fingers when you pick the pot up. This sucks.
Ditto to making sure that you get it off the heat as soon as it’s done. There is a rubber gasket in there that can melt.
Other than that, we have one for emergencies when the super-automatic get the vapors. It makes nice coffee; not as strong as espresso, as you observe, but pretty strong.
Moka pots are absolutely wonderful ways to make coffee. I use them a lot, and I’m a big advocate of them as they produce comparable coffee to espresso makers in the $100-200+ range at a fraction of the cost.
The basic Moka Express is totally adequate and is an incredible bang for the buck. The six-cup model will produce roughly enough espresso-strength coffee to fill a small mug. I usually recommend putting it in a big mug and topping off with hot water to make a sorta Americano (or hot milk for a strong latte).
The four-cup Brikka model is about twice the price, but could also be worth a look. The Brikkas include a weighted gasket that creates some extra pressure during brewing, resulting in a bit more oily foam. It’s definitely better for drinking as straight espresso, but mixed with water or milk the difference is negligable. This model produces enough to fill two demitasse caps.
The only big downside of moka pots is that cleaning is kinda clunky – because the unit gets boiling hot, you can’t really clean it until it cools down. In my case, that translates to it often getting left on the stove and forgotten for a few days.
One other odd upside to them is that I think they work extremely well with inexpensive preground espresso, the kind vacuum packed into little bricks. Cafe Bustelo, for example, is extremely cheap coffee, but actually works wonderfully in my moka pots.
Well it sounds like this is made of win. Thanks everyone for the input!
One quick question; I’ve read that you should take the Moka off heat once it starts spurting, is this necessary? Or is it just a way to protect to rubber gasket? My sister has quite the brood and at times becomes distracted.
ETA another question. How important is it to use filtered water? Does anyone have issues with tap water as long as the Moka is cleaned often?
If you do use it can you post and let me know if you and Mrs. Labor notice a difference?
You do have to keep a bit track of time, as you don’t want it to get burnt. Also, at least in my experience, it may overboil and sputter around the stove if you don’t tun it off soon after it has started to boil to the upper chamber.
I’ve never burnt or melted a rubber gasket (they’re cheaply replaceable if you do, though), but leaving it on heat will result in coffee boiling in the upper chamber and getting burnt. This can happen pretty quickly after the brew completes, as the whole body of a Moka Express is aluminum so heat transfers quickly.
I rarely use filtered water in mine, and I’ve never had issues with minerals. One of mine is at least ten years old. An occasional scrubbing has been fine. Mileage may vary, as my water hasn’t been particularly hard.
Also, if you’re using it when camping, don’t set it down on a plastic camping table. Or a plastic anything, really.