Stove Top Espresso Machines

[Andy in Sig]

I've just bought one of those traditional Italian stove top espresso machines and essentially it does the job. However, I'm not entirely convinced of the quality of the metal used. Does anybody know if there is a tip-top high quality brand e.g. made out of stainless steel or similar high quality stuff and perhaps with a wooden rather than plastic handle?

 

[Fnaar]

Bialetti's are pretty good. Maybe that's what you have, though. Plastic handles too.... mine's fine.. don't put in dishwasher though (thank you Mrs F, that's why I had to get this replacement one)

 

[Twenty Inch]

Alessi do a range of different sorts. However, my bog-standard Bialetti has been in daily use for 15 years with no malfunction. A soak once a week, and replace the gasket every 5 years, and that's all the maintenance it gets. What exactly are you worried about?

 

[Nicensleazy]

When it comes to Espresso machines, there is only one maker 'Gaggia' . When i lived and worked in Italy, that was the number one name for quality!

 

[Will1985]

Bialetti are good - beware some cheap imitations which have lower grade metal and seals.

Italians will also tell you not to put it in the dishwasher - just give it a light rinse with water and rub with your finger, not anything abrasive, then let it dry naturally. Something to do with keeping the coffee flavour - the more used your Bialetti is, the better the taste supposedly.

 

[Andy in Sig]

I've checked out Bialetti and they do some nice stainless steel ones as do other manufacturers. I shall dig further.

 

[mr Mag00]

i get a white growth in the bottom of mine?! dont know the make and i dont wash it, but the growth..............

 

[Andy in Sig]

The WMF Kult is looking fave at the moment.

 

[Andy in Sig]

The one I currently have is aluminium and you do get funny white stuff in the bottom hence my thought (now confirmed) that there might be stainless steel ones.

 

[mr Mag00]

ahh mine must be made from alu.. alu ... oh whats it called??

 

[Twenty Inch]

http://www.anothercoffee.co.uk/products/item109710.aspx

There you go. Hmm - might get one myself...

I think the white stuff is mould as opposed to any oxidation. The Alzheimers - Aluminium link was disproved a long time ago.

 

[Fnaar]

I also have a Vaculator dating from the 1950s, a bit like the one in this pic, except in mine both bits are made of metal... again, the dishwasher took the shine off one of the parts, which was a shame...

 

[Fnaar]

I think Andy is talking about coffee, Fnaar, the poteen thread finished some time ago. In a big fight.

 

[Twenty Inch]

I think Andy is talking about coffee, Fnaar, the poteen thread finished some time ago. In a big fight.

My dad used to make poteen. I once got a lift home and invited him in for a cup of tea...when the still was set up on the stove. Oh, how hilarious that was....

 

[Llama]

I have a Bialetti one - its the original aluminium one, I have read elsewhere never to put it in a dish washer - I just wash up with very hot water - don't use washing up liquid - your taste it next time you brew!.

If its got white bits in the bottom and there still there after brewing its not mould, but rather scale from the water. Mould would disappear with the boiling temperatures. To avoid this put a grain of salt in the water before boiling. Also if you buy a new one run it through with clean water a few times prior to brewing to get rid of the metallic taste.


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