Customer Reviews

Primula Aluminum 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

OK, since Amazon now has this policy of publishing reviews to similar items as though they were for the specific items (beware of this when you read reviews! Read the fine print at the top of the review!), I hope this appears for all of these similar espresso makers, regardless of brand, because it works in all of them.

I've owned several of these, different brands and different sizes, and have been somewhat underwhelmed with their performance. "Emergency coffee" is what I used mine for. So one day I was at my son's house and he made me this incredible dry cappuccino. I immediately went to his kitchen to see what kind of machine he had bought, and was blown away when he showed me his old, beat-up and stained "6-cup" espresso maker, just like the ones in these reviews. I asked him how he managed to get that kind of performance out of this thing and he said the secret is in ignoring the published instructions and pretty much doing the opposite of what they suggest. Here's his instructions:

1. Grind your coffee to espresso fine. If you don't have a burr grinder capable of this, buy your coffee in small quantities and have them grind it for you.
2. Fill the coffee holder to a bit over-the-top and then tamp it lightly. A shot-glass or anything else that fits into the holder will do.
3. Then proceed as normal: fill the boiler to the brass safety valve with cold, filtered water, screw on the top, and put it on the stove.
4. Leave the lid open so you can watch what's going on, allow the coffee to flow until it starts bubbling a bit but not so long that it will boil!
5. Pour off the most amazing cup you've ever experienced from your Primula (or similar) espresso maker!

I now use the Primula more often than my $500 Gaggia machine. Less fuss and just about as good. Not better, but just about as good, and that's pretty darned good.

Like the other stove top espresso makers, including the now discontinued Walmart brand that cost half as much, it does nice work brilliantly. Various reviewers of these devices obviously don't understand how to operate them. Read the six line instructions.

The stench on the gasket is so nasty, it stinks up the house. I tried soaking in vinegar for 24 hours, isopropyl alcohol for 24 hours, lighter fluid for 6 hours. It is no longer as bad as it was. This stinky gasket must be redesigned. There is no excuse for it.

epilog: Bialetti 06951 replacement gasket is clean and sweet.

I too had the "stinky gasket" problem, and I was also able to solve it with the Bialetti replacement gasket. The interior had a rough finish with irregular globs of aluminum, suggesting that their factory quality control is poor, but that does not seem to affect the function of the coffee maker. When I was done, I had spent about $25, so this cheap espresso maker was no bargain. If I had to do it again, I would buy one of the products with a silicone gasket.

I bought this espresso maker after owning 3 different makes that all failed when the handles broke away from the makers. I specifically bought this model because the handle is attached to the body at two points and so less likely to work itself loose. The handle performed beautifully! The metal lid, however, has developed a crack that runs along the entire surface! This I didn't expect to have happen and now I find myself searching for another maker before this one fails completely. I used this maker every single day, so it obviously has seen quite a work out and I have loved everything about it -- taste of the coffee, ease of cleaning, ease of use in general, everything. I may even go ahead and purchase another one as I think it was very good value for the price (some of my other stovetop makers have cost more and lasted less), but I am frustrated at the fact that while it's engineered to solve one problem, it fails in another.

If you are an occasional espresso drinker who doesn't plan on 365 day/year performance, I would highly recommend this maker.

I own this - and love it - super quick and easy to use and clean - only problem is that I tossed out the rubber gasket because it's HORRIBLY toxic and smelly (like others stated) and made my coffee taste like rubber. I didn't have a replacement, so I simply took it out and just screw it together tightly enough that it doesn't leak (and it doesn't - except maybe a drop or two here and there). Use it every day, but It it SOOO difficult to unscrew after each use. Going to buy an upgraded model, but it works!

As a Puerto Rican who was brought up on the "espresso", this brings back some great memories. This is a well made product that makes a great cup of espresso. Make sure to purchase the rings that go with this. Once the ring goes, you can't make the espresso without it spilling everywhere. Amazon sells the rings as well for a reasonable price. (and no, I don't work for them, I just buy almost everything from here.)

I have not had the problem with the gasket that other have had. Maybe they are using too much heat or like several reviewers have said poor quality control. I paid $4.99 for my 4 cup at a local supermarket, it make better espresso than my Tassimo machine and I have a friend that has a $500 Nespresso and it is better than that too. (Although he won't admit it!) My wife lived in Italy for 13 years and says this little thing brings her back to those days. Two important ways to use this: Do not pack the coffee in, just heap around 5 teaspoons and screw shut. And also use med-low heat and wait it out, the result is much better.

There are three coffee makers here that are being reviewed: a stainless, which is stainless by the way; a pot metal one; and a glass top one. They each have differences. The metal two use a different gasket than the glass top one and they only have one gasket. It is a traditional rubbery one and if burnt will stink. Don't burn them! And the glass top has three (3) gaskets. The main one is in the same place as the other but is silicon. The other two are in the top and I cannot find replacements. I would separate these reviews because the comments are confusing as they are. The three coffee makers are similar but not the same in many ways.

I just wanted to make a note that the reviews you are reading might be for another espresso maker, I found a handful of the same set of reviews are used for other stove top espresso makers. Hope this helps!

The three stars was just to be able to post the message.

While waiting impatiently for this item to arrive (it arrived in 3 days) I went looking for reviews (I know backwards process). I was a bit worried because many reviews on a different page complained of a stinky gasket and how it made the coffee smell and taste like rubber. I followed the instructions and rinsed the gasket and filter before use. Then brewed the 1st batch, which as the instructions mentioned should be thrown out. Then I brewed some water and vinegar, and finally just some water to rinse it. I know, a lot of work, but I have not had a problem with smell or taste.
Only complaint is that the first steam sometimes makes the lid jump up and splashes some of the espresso, just a few drops, around the stove burner. Also, you have to put it at the edge of the burner not in the middle, otherwise the handle gets too hot.