Customer Reviews

Bialetti Musa 4-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

We having been using the Italian made Bialetti aluminum espresso maker for about 4 years and really like it. However, the aluminum Bialetti can't be used in a dishwasher (it oxidizes and turns dark.) We thought that a stainless model would be more convenient to clean. However, this Indian made coffee maker isn't made to as exacting a standard as the aluminum Italian one. The top and bottom pieces don't screw together as well and is very hard to prevent the steam from leaking.

Two year update: This model got better with age. The pieces screw together better and doesn't leak anymore. In addition, slightly looser fit of the rubber gasket made it easier to remove and clean. It cleans nicely in a dishwasher and is very durable. Now will give it a four star.

Bialetti Musa 4-Cup Stovetop Percolator

I've owned a 6-cup "Moka Pot" for a couple years and recently purchased the Bialetti Musa 4-cup stovetop perconlator for $39 from amazon.

Moka Pot: Your standard Italian stovetop percolator that will last forever despite cheap construction. About $6 from the second-hand store, and very easy to find. Unfortunately, they're a bit more work -- the aluminum construction results in a metallic taste if not properly cleaned. The "proper" way to clean it is to use only hot water and leave the oily coffee film in the pot (to coat the aluminum and provide a barrier). So, it provides increasing returns if *not* cleaned. :)

Bialetti: Stainless steel -- easy cleanup, can use soapy water, no metallic taste. Harder to find (check amazon, health-food stores). Mine arrived via Amazon.com yesterday, no metal shavings or grease (as an earlier reviewer experienced).

As other reviewers have pointed out, the "4-Cup" version does 6-8 oz of espresso, so that's like that Starbucks "Venti" wonder that you're trying to avoid.

Here's an easy recipe that should kick you out the door in the morning:
6-8 oz espresso from Stovetop (1 Moka Pot)
1-2 Tbsp of sugar
6-8 oz of half-n-half
Throw it in the microwave for 30s, some like it hot.

Enjoy!

I'm comparing the 4 cup Musa to the 6 cup Moka Express. First, the Moka Express takes roughly 3 oz of fine ground to fill while this Musa takes about 1.5 oz to fill. If you follow the directions, the end product for the Musa will be very weak compared to the Moka Express. I've learned that even though the directions say not to tamp the grounds, I lightly tamp the grounds to get a little over 2 oz of ground to make a product with the same potency as the Moka Express. The brew time will take a little longer, but worth the wait.

With that said, it all comes down to how the end product taste doesn't it. The Musa may win the looks contest, but the aluminum Express version wins on taste. Not sure how and why they taste different, but I did a taste test with friends and all agreed that the Express taste better and it's cheaper.

I would say get this if you a have fear of aluminum products and still want the Moka experience. I would pass on it if you're looking for a better product than the original Moka Express. For that, I would recommend you try the Aeropress, it takes more grounds, but the taste is worth it.

Would I buy the Musa again? Yes, it's another weapon in my arsenal for java nirvana. Although it may not be the most tasteful I have, it works great for 2 people having 2 shots each. Also, if you've never had the express version, you won't know what you're missing and this is a very good substitute. One last thing, it's very well constructed, you can see and feel why it's more expensive than the aluminum version.

I've had a couple moka pots and while this one seems to work fairly well, it's very evident that outsourcing the manufacturing on these from Italy (some Bialetti are still made there) to India has caused quality to suffer. The stamped logo is crappy, the lid hinges are crooked and the pin that holds the lid to the hinge is slightly bent and works it's way half way out each time it's used. The moka pot works fairly well but at this quality it should have been about half as much. This takes longer to heat up than an aluminum moka pot and I did notice that it doesn't like my gas stove tops nearly as much as electric and I think that because the base is so small the gas ring on the stove is almost bigger than the base so you need to keep it on a small burner with the flame on medium to low. The product works, it's just a shame that you can definitely tell the quality has suffered by being made in India rather than the usual quality manufacturing that Italy produces.

I've had this Bialetti for about eight months now. Apparently I got somewhat lucky in that the first one I received didn't have any defects. I like it. There's essentially nothing to break, and it's rugged - heavy gauge stainless. No problem taking it camping. A few things to keep in mind about these type of coffee makers:

- A "cup" is like a "shot" at Starbucks. Think demitasse.

- The strength of the coffee produced can be somewhat modulated by how much ground coffee is put in the basket, how much it's packed in the basket, and how finely ground the coffee is. If you pack/fill the basket, it will be slow to brew and come out very strong. If you partially fill the basket and don't pack it, the coffee will be weaker and come out quickly. Slight changes seem to make a fairly large difference in the results.

- One minor gripe is that I don't like the handle that's on the flip top lid. The way mine is installed, it's not possible to flip the lid up with your thumb while your hand is on the main handle. Sometimes I like to flip the lid up to check the brewing process and there isn't an easy way to do so. Not a big deal..

I'll have this coffee maker forever.

First the handle was broken, when they sent me a replacement the gasket was too small and didn't work. Made in China. Wound up going to buy one at a kitchen store where I could check the product before buying.

I love coffee and have at least five ways of making it - ugh! A Krups 15-bar pump machine, a classic drip cone with metal mesh filter, a french press, and an Aeropress. I almost always use this Bialetti or the Aeropress.

Pro's:
+ It takes up little space
+ It's relatively fast
+ It makes decent (but not perfect) espresso
+ It's stainless, which I prefer to the cast aluminum models because it won't leach and it's easier to clean
+ You can make espresso over a campfire! (though I usually take the Aerobie on backpacking trips)

Cons:
- It's hard to make a truly strong espresso without burning it
- You have to work it to get any 'crema' (the rich, dense, light brown froth on the top)
- You have to watch it so you don't end up with burnt coffee (on a gas stove, keep the flame under the pot, not coming up the sides; when it's close to done, turn the flame down even more to avoid the burn...)

Tips:
* Preheat the upper part with warm or hot water
* Use a grind finer than for a French press but coarser than for an espresso machine
* Keep the water level below the pressure release valve
* Tamp lightly, and brush any grounds off the rim
* Wash without soap, but use plenty of hot water
* Periodically remove the filter and gasket to clean them thoroughly
* Get an Aerolatte frother and a stainless frothing pitcher for your milk

I received the Musa as a wedding gift 4 years ago and have used it nearly EVERY MORNING since. It has held up extremely well to regular use- I have only had to replace the rubber seal/gasket once so far and there is a small 1/2" crack on the top of the handle. I even take it on trips since it is so small! I rinse it after each use and clean it with a paper towel and mild dish soap and water about once a month or so- if you have hard water you can end up with a bit of calcium buildup in the bottom reservoir- a bit of watered-down CLR left to sit for an hour or so will clear it right up (rinse well!!). Highly Recommended.

This is the second Bialetti stovetop coffeemaker that I've ordered in the last two weeks that has arrived scratched up and dirty. This one had machining grease in the top chamber which was easily noticeable after one swipe with a paper towel. The shape is such that there was no way I could get it clean without putting it in the dishwasher, which you aren't supposed to do. I don't know what's going on here, but something seems to be awry in the factory. I ordered the first one, a different model, on Amazon through a third party, and the second one was this model direct from Amazon.

I love coffee and own many different methods to brew it, french press, drip percolator, Aeropress, stovetop percolator and now the Musa.

I originally purchased the aluminum Bialetti moka pot but exchanged it for this Musa stainless steel version. The negative reviews had me nervous about the quality of the stainless steel models but thankfully these negatives were unfounded. My Musa pot arrived in pristine condition without grease or metal shavings. It is beautifully crafted with a brushed steel finish. The steel of the water tank is quite heavy and thick while the top chamber, where the coffee collects, is slightly thinner but by no means chintzy. The lid is seated squarely on the top and the hinge and metal pin are properly aligned as is the handle. This unit is heavy and substantial and I expect to enjoy the use of it for many years.

Before use, I washed the pot thoroughly with hot water only and then made and discarded two pots of coffee to season the Musa.

I did not see a fill line but guessed that it might be to the bottom of the safety valve which turns out to be about 6oz. I have had no trouble with the threads and, as another reviewer mentioned, I also avoid using the handle when I screw the pot together. I'm careful to adjust the gas and the pot on the burner so that the plastic handle is not heated. The burners of my gas range are too large for the pot to be centered anyway so it works out very well. It takes about 4 minutes for the pot to brew. I don't have to babysit it and worry that the water will boil out of the tank because it's made to have some extra water remaining for this purpose. I can hear when it's done by the sound of air sputtering through the pipe openings.

Using 6oz of water and 2 Tblsp of ground espresso, this pot produces a tad more than 5 shots (5oz + 1 tsp/5ml) of strong coffee. A perfect quantity for two people drinking double shots, four people drinking single shots or a large drink for one. Don't confuse this with our American 8oz cup as that is not how the Italians measure a "cup" of espresso. While not technically espresso, as the pressure produced by the moka pot is far less than an espresso machine, the coffee extracted is delicious and far superior to drip, french press or percolated brews. Occasionally, I'll make lattes, cappucinos or Americanos but I primarily drink this coffee straight with some sweetener. The moka pot is how my Italian sister-in-law makes coffee as well.

I'm very pleased with my beautiful, new, stainless steel moka pot! It's made the other methods obsolete for me.