Bialetti Moka Pot?

[mitt1aar]

I have been looking around for a stove top espresso maker. I have noticed that the Bialetti brand is a well known brand that lots of people love. What is everyone's opinion on it? I read some reviews on other sites saying that the espresso is very metallic tasting because of it being made out of aluminum. Others report that the taste goes away after using many times (sometimes in a year). I just want an easy affordable way to make espresso on my stove top.

[BenG]

the Bialetti sold here are stainless steel I believe.

my wife and I ended up buying a cuisinox brand for the looks. all stainless steel pots are not cheap, but probably worth it.

http://www.cuisinox.com/categories.php?category_id=43

[margot]

Bialetti does make good stainless steel pots, which is what you want to look for. Aluminum is highly reactive, and definitely affects the taste of an acidic substance like coffee. It might also not be the best thing for your health. Stainless pots cost more, but are well worth it.

[byron]

Yes, the Bialetti Moka Pots we sell are made of stainless steel. Aluminum probably works well but it's softer properties make us lean more towards steel.

[mitt1aar]

I actually went out and bought the Original aluminum moka pot. After reading more about them and researching about the aluminum I made the decision to get the cheaper one. I read about the aluminum and people thinking that there is a link that it may cause Alzheimer but the research shows that there is no possible way they could link it to consumption of aluminum. Also the amount of aluminum that would be leeched into the coffee would be very very small.

I was concerned about the metallic taste but I found alot of articles online about how the people in Italy never wash their moka pots and let them become "seasoned" just like someone would season a cast iron pot or pan. I used my new moka pot multiple times this weekend making some decent espresso. There was a hint of a metallic taste to begin with but the more I used it the less it got as the oils from the coffee built up a film on the aluminum.

[BenG]

I actually went out and bought the Original aluminum moka pot. After reading more about them and researching about the aluminum I made the decision to get the cheaper one. I read about the aluminum and people thinking that there is a link that it may cause Alzheimer but the research shows that there is no possible way they could link it to consumption of aluminum. Also the amount of aluminum that would be leeched into the coffee would be very very small.

I was concerned about the metallic taste but I found alot of articles online about how the people in Italy never wash their moka pots and let them become "seasoned" just like someone would season a cast iron pot or pan. I used my new moka pot multiple times this weekend making some decent espresso. There was a hint of a metallic taste to begin with but the more I used it the less it got as the oils from the coffee built up a film on the aluminum.

well, I wouldn't scrub with soap, but I'd certainly rinse well. otherwise you'll start getting rancid coffee taste.

I used to have an aluminum one and it made great coffee. but, we did switch out of heavy metal leaching fears.

[mitt1aar]

but, we did switch out of heavy metal leaching fears.

Aluminum is not a heavy metal (Aluminum has a specific gravity of 2.55-2.80 anything 5 times and over the specific gravity of water (specific gravity of 1) is considered a heavy metal). Not that it cannot cause poisoning but there is aluminum in TONS of things that people dont even consider.

I dont think I am going to be concerned about ingesting aluminum and it causing issue. I only use the moka pot on the weekend anyway.

[BenG]

but, we did switch out of heavy metal leaching fears.

Aluminum is not a heavy metal (Aluminum has a specific gravity of 2.55-2.80 anything 5 times and over the specific gravity of water (specific gravity of 1) is considered a heavy metal). Not that it cannot cause poisoning but there is aluminum in TONS of things that people dont even consider.

I dont think I am going to be concerned about ingesting aluminum and it causing issue. I only use the moka pot on the weekend anyway.

yeah, most metals that are not heavily refined have small amounts of other "heavy metals". Aluminum isn't a heavy metal but heavy metals are present. and since aluminum may also be dangerous, we switched.

[Mokabot]

Hi,

2 cents and a question.

I bought the original aluminum Bialetti 6-cup at Target last week. While we were waiting for our new Baratza Vario, and we needed espresso grind, we picked up some blonde roast from Starbucks (surprisingly good for something not roasted by me ) and had the guy grind it for us. We have done four or five brews (not including the initial throwaway batch) to season the pot. There is no metallic taste to the coffee, but I can smell and taste the rubber around the seal. And it is still pretty strong and stinky.

As I type this, I'm wondering if a silicone replacement gasket would make sense. It would be inert, temp. tolerant and odorless. Has anyone found a solution to this complaint, other than brewing a ton of coffee to flush out the chemicals?

[BKeith]

I lived in Northern Italy for four years and Sicily for one, and just about every Itilian home I went into had one of those things, and most were aluminum. I have a hard time seeing how they could be harmful. I will also say, when you visited an Italian, they were usually going to offer you some coffee, wine, or grappa. If you were lucky, it would be the wine because which ever it was, it was somewhat of an insult to turn the them down. Many made their own wine or grappa and thought their's was the best, and you was expecting you to tell them so. Those that didn't thought they made the best coffee and was expecting to have one if offered. I'm gonna tell you what, I never drank any kind of alcohol drink before I went to Italy and haven't since I left but I would accept wine or grappa any day of the week over the coffee they made in those things. Grappa is some wicked stuff, but it was mild compared to some of their coffees. It was not really espresso, but they would put enough coffee in them to make a 10 cup pot of ours, pour it into two cups, one for you and one for him. I was not much of a coffee drinker either and gonna tell you what, that was some powerfully wicked stuff. A straight, double shot of espresso at the local pizzera was weak compared to some of those things I had.