Moka Pot or Alternatives?

[JuanCarlosFandango]

I am/was a fan of the moka pot - nice simple stove top espresso maker which makes as good a coffee as anything else I've tried. However, recently the handles keep falling off. My old one went some time last year, and the new one I got for Christmas fell apart recently. I ordered some replacement handles but they don't fit properly. I use them on an electric hob so there aren't flames lapping up the side and I don't leave them chugging away for ages either. So I'm getting a bit cheesed off with them, and since I usually use it first thing in the morning there's a high likelihood of a temper tantrum soon.

Has anyone had more success with a particular brand or style? Or what are alternatives? Someone at work raves about Bellman coffee makers but they look a bit fiddly. Any other ideas? Or do I just need an endless stock of moka pots?

[sherman]

Bialetti is the original.
Are you using another brand?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Moka-Express-Esp...

[JuanCarlosFandango]

I think it's just a no name one. Are the Bialetti ones significantly better?

[W99KSY]

Had my Bialetti for years and no issues - no sign of the handle coming loose (that said it doesn’t get used every day)

[thebraketester]

By a genuine one as above it will last a long time. They are not that expensive.

[clarkey]

I use a Bialetti 3 times a day. No idea how old it is but they don't break. The seals do go, but a pack is a few quid on amazon and it's easy to change.

[trando]

I have one of these:



Awesome piece of kit. Used every day and as solid now as when I bought it a few years ago. There is a non induction version as well.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

That's fancy. What is it?

I'll try a genuine Bialetti.

Thanks

[trickywoo]

I favour stainless steel.

Aluminium isn’t likely to kill you as such but there is less risk with steel and I don’t think the performance suffers.

[trando]

JuanCarlosFandango said:

That's fancy. What is it?

I'll try a genuine Bialetti.

Thanks

It’s an Alessi version of a bialetti moka pot.

[Riley Blue]

sherman said:

Bialetti is the original.
Are you using another brand?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Moka-Express-Esp...

This is the exact one I have for my mid-morning coffee, it even goes on holiday with us.

ETA: I just checked, mine is from 2016 and the handle is 'as new'.

Edited by Riley Blue on Friday 9th February 12:09

[NSNO]

Another Bialetti user here. I've been using it for years and no issues apart from seals going as someone else pointed out, but easily replaceable. The only reason that I've had to buy a new one is when I moved countries and left it behind. I have an induction hob, so I bought the induction plate for it.

[dontlookdown]

Long time coffee addict and Moka pot fan here. Have had a number of Bialetti pots over the years, but I now use an Alessi 6 cup one. A little more understated than the one upthread, mine is called a La Cupole.

The handles on the Bialetti are a weak spot. They do go eventually, but the genuine ones I had all lasted a few years. Lots of cheapo one around now though, which do look pretty flimsy.

I also had a stainless steel Bialetti for a while, but it chewed through seals at a rate of knots so I gave up on that one.

If you are a regular user I would say that getting an Alessi pot is worth it. The handle on mine is pretty sturdy, I have been using it every day for 10yrs and it is still fine. When/if it does go, spares are available and it is held on by an Allen screw so simple to replace.

It cost ca 100 quid if I recall but has only needed a couple.of new seals, so 10 quid a year so far and falling. It looks.nicer too. You do have to hand wash it though. Dishwasher makes the finish go dull and powdery looking.

[biggles330d]

Bialetti here. Used several times every day. It's the one with the steel base for use on an induction hop. Brilliant thing and feels as robust as the day it was new. Simply classic.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

Down a whole new rabbit hole here. Great stuff.

[NaePasaran]

Also another Bialetti user here. Not only much better quality than the AliExpress Chinese one it replaced, but spare parts easily and cheaply available to such as handle, seal etc.

[TX1]

Another Bialetti user here however only gets used to take on holidays so cannot really comment on durability, not had any problems with it.
That Alessi looks the business though.

[sean ie3]

Another Bialetti stainless induction moka pot person here as a PP posted it does get through seals at a rate but they are not dear. If you have not used yours in a while I'd recommend the Hoffman YouTube, it will reinvigorate your interest.

[Riley Blue]

I've just had a look at the Bialetti website, there are a lot of items I've never come across before:

https://www.bialetti.com/it_en/

[curtisl]

I can also vouch for Bialetti. The only bit that has ever fallen off any of the ones I own was the little handle on top of the lid. If you are ultra worried about handles, Bialetti do a dual head one that has no top and no handle and fills up two espresso cups.