Espresso Makers

When I started making espresso at home, I used a machine. Not one of the glorious ones, the kitchen countertop version of a Dusenberg or Rolls Royce but a modest one from Crate and Barrell at around $30 - 60.

After 3 or 4 of those, I went to Salumeria in the North End and bought a Bialetti Moka made of aluminum which is a simple pot that works directly on the stove. Two years later, I replaced it because it had simply stopped working. I filled it with water, added ground coffee. Set it on the burner. Nothing. Two years later, I was ready for another one for the same reason.

The man who sold me the steel pot at Salumeria said that my story was the story of most of their customers.

Today, the handle snapped off the stainless steel pot. It was more than 6 years old but less than 12. Ten sounds about right.

I went to a local cookware shop and there were nothing but aluminum pots. Remembering my old experience and the man at Salumeria, I shied away from them. The woman at the shop became angry when I asked her about their life expectancy: "You were told false information," she nearly screamed.

But it was consistent with my experience.

I read reviews on AMazon. Apparently, people have had problems with Bialetti stainless steel products made either in China or India.

What can knowers here at a2k tell me?