Customer Reviews

6 CUP Traditional Stove Top Espresso Coffee Maker 6 Cup

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Bene Casa's 6-cup "cafetera," as they call these units in Spain, is an excellent substitute for the WAY over-priced Bialetti. Clearly some folks like the "charm" of being able to say that their "cafetera" was manufacture in Italy instead of China (wher Bene Casa's unit is made), but if the quality of the unit is equivalent, is it worth paying $20 extra for the name? I do not. This is all aluminum, just like Bialetti's, and all three disassembling parts join flawlessly. The espresso made is the same as that by Bialetti's and other "cafeteras." So, unless you have money to burn, buy the Bene Casa brand and you'll enjoy a quality unit that produces the same excellent espresso. Now, if I can only find a 12-cup unit by Bene Casa...

Got this in hopes to make my daily coffee (versus getting a typical coffeemaker).
At first opening, everything seemed ok.
Made my initial first pot and didn't know how high or low the gas stove was supposed to be to get the percolating action going.
After figuring out the right temperature, it seemed fine enough... every now and then it would seem that I would have some water leftover in the bottom reservoir - not sure if that's normal or not.
And as others have reported, recently I had this unit over the gas flame a little off center while washing the dishes and smelled burning plastic. Thank God I was in the kitchen and was able to prevent a fire!
The handle melted somewhat but remained intact and I can still use the unit (now that I place the unit more off-centered so the handle is far away from the gas flames as possible). Instead of grabbing it by the handle I just have to use an over mitt and grip the unit from the top. Not ideal but still functional...

ONE STAR IS TOO HIGH.

We purchased the 3 and the 6 cup models for XMAS Gifts.

The 6 CUP leaks without ever even heating it. Just along the bottom edge at one of the corners, the casting is too thin!

The 3 cup does not leak until you heat the water. It then sprays out steam along the main "seal" between the pots and all AROUND the pressure valve (not through it).

I do so wish they had included in the product information that these are junk manufactured by the cheapest company in China. With this poor level of workmanship, who knows how many heavy metals are in it.

Don't risk your health, buy a product from somewhere that has health and quality standards.

As you can see, I rated this item with one star in #2 above. If I could have rated this item with a minus (-) sign indicating a rating lower than one star I would have. This item isn't worth the box it was shipped in. When I took it from the box and examined it, I realized something that most people say all the time; "You get what you pay for". First thing, the top lid was hinged in such a way that when it was opened the metal actually cracked at the hinge point due to poor molding. Second, when I added water to the pot, it immediately started to leak from the bottom side. After examining it I noticed pin holes where the water was leaking from, there again, poor molding. I no have a question; doesn't this product go through Quality Control, or is it because of the very low selling price the manufacture feels it is not cost effective due to man hours which reduce their overall profit?
I realize this item is inexpensive, but customers should at least be able to produce the product it was designed for.
I am very dissapointed in Amazon for selling this product, and I also realize that the order was placed through Amazon and shipped from the supplier. My overall comment is; I have purchased other items through Amazon with great results, but after purchasing this item I was "VERY DISSATISFIED". I will be cautious if and when I should make on-line purchases in the future.

If you can afford a better product, go for it. This is very cheaply made. I wish just about every day that I got the Bialetti I wanted instead of this.

Great coffee maker, highly recommend, it's simple to use and makes coffee in minutes. Good quality and great price.

A coffee maker that looks like this has graced European kitchens for decades. Unaware of replacement parts for my coffee maker I replaced it with this one. It is so light in weight it's an embarassment to Reynolds Wrap. So light it warps if even slightly overheated. When it does it will never hold a seal again. Hot water goes everywhere but into the upper chamber where I used to find some pretty good stove top Espresso coffee. Only professional help will improve my mood in future haveing suffered a disapointment of ruinous proportion.

This stove top espresso maker is a rickety piece of junk. I have had mine for about a week and the handle already fell off, plus it makes your coffee smell and taste like burnt tobacco. Also, once you pay for shipping and handling you spend about $15.00, which would be a good deal if it was good quality (but it's not). My advice? Put your money towards a better quality product.

I have used moka pots like this before and was excited to purchase a new one. When this came in the mail I immediately used it and to my shock the plastic handle had melted off and started a FIRE on my stove top! The fire had spread but thank God I was able to get the fire under control. This product is an extreme fire hazard. When I contacted Goodman's they did not seem at all surprised that it had caught on fire. The manager (David) refused to speak to me on the phone after a few attempts to talk to him. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau about my experience with their dangerous products. Please be very cautious when considering purchasing from this company.

I lived in France about 15 years ago, in a furnished apartment I shared with a few other teachers from the school where I worked. Our apartment had an aluminum moka exactly like this, and I learned to love a fresh cup of espresso. (Who am I kidding? I used to drink at least a full pot in one sitting, lol.) A few months ago, I grew tired of paying Starbucks for my espresso, and I remembered the old moka I'd used in France. I searched and searched, but all I could find were the fancy, expensive ones, until I thought of Amazon. And there it was, an aluminum moka just like the one I used to use! Now, I can have freshly brewed espresso every morning without taking out a second mortgage to pay Starbucks, and I didn't even have to sell any appendages!

If you're not familiar with a traditional espresso maker, I can see where you might have problems with this bare bones model that comes without instructions. But don't let your ignorance interfere with your enjoyment! As with any pot or coffee maker, don't turn your gas on so high that flames are bigger than the base. Overheating your pot may cause it to crack, or high flames could lead to melting your handle, as I've read has happened to a few reviewers. And play around with how much coffee you put in this, depending on how strong you want your espresso. I find that four heaping tablespoons is about right for me, but you might not be as wimpy. Or you could be wimpier, just figure out what you like and go with it. I really like loading my moka while I'm packing my kids' lunches at night and leaving it on the stove, so I can turn on the gas while I'm getting their breakfast together, then enjoy my espresso while driving them to school. Yes, I drink a full pot of espresso every morning. Don't judge me. ;)

I found a link with instructions on how to use a moka, which might help, if you order this pot. I doesn't come with any instructions. [...]

The aluminum does discolor after much washing and use, but it doesn't have to be pretty to be functional. I seriously do not see the need to pay more for aesthetics/stainless steel. If you do, this probably isn't the moka for you.