Last updated : February 2021.
Recently, numerous readers have bombarded me with questions relating to the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker. To mention but a few:
Does the unit function well? Is its brewing process difficult or easy? What kind of brew does the unit make? Is it true that brews made in aluminium units cause various health concerns? Can I avoid making brews that taste metallic?
If so, what are the best Bialetti coffee maker instructions that can help me avoid making metallic tasting brews/ what do I need to do? Is the Bialetti coffee maker 3 cup (or Bialetti coffee maker 2 cup) just as good as the Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup? Are all Bialetti’s stovetops or can I find a Bialetti espresso maker hob or a Bialetti electric coffee maker?
Of course, my natural response has been to answer these questions in sum and direct those who needed in-depth query clarifications to articles I have previously written which (for the most part) address most of the concerns they have relating to the unit.
However, the questions have continued to trickle in every now and then (I’m guessing the reason for this is due to the fact that the unit is remarkably unique as far as stovetop coffee making units are concerned), I have decided to compile all the Bialetti coffee machine information anyone might need to find out in this all-encompassing and comprehensive article. I will address all possible questions you may have relating to:
-the unit’s brew quality (I will expose the real truth i.e. explain why the statement “aluminium units make brews that can cause you to get ill” is total propaganda PLUS, I will give you all the Bialetti coffee maker instructions/ brewing tips and tricks that will help you brew perfect cups of java ANYTIME)
-the different types of Bialetti coffee makers (with in-depth information why I recommend the Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup over all other types of Bialetti coffee makers)
Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker: Addressing Bialetti Brew Quality Myths (with info on how to bypass these issues and brew Sinfully Delicious Espresso)
Contents
- 1 Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker: Addressing Bialetti Brew Quality Myths (with info on how to bypass these issues and brew Sinfully Delicious Espresso)
- 2 Bialetti Coffee Maker How to Use – Brewing Tips and Tricks
- 3 Bialetti Coffee Maker Types (Differences, Similarities, and Best Overall Pick)
Two of the most annoying criticisms I have heard/read relating to the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker are that a) the unit makes metallic tasting brews and b) if you use the unit to make your java, you are probably going to get really sick because the brewing process introduces some aluminium residues into the brew.
Read on to find out what is true (and verified as a fact) and which criticisms regarding the unit is total fiction.
A- Bialetti Coffee Machines Brew Metallic Tasting Java (LIE!)
The Truth about Criticism A
The main reason why I get so agitated by this first criticism against the Bialetti 6-Cup Espresso Maker is because the concern is a fact that is typical of ALL units. (THAT’S RIGHT! Regardless of whether or not a unit is made from stainless steel or aluminium, if used incorrectly OR if the unit has never been used before, it has the potential to brew some ghastly, metallic tasting cups of coffee).
Naturally, I believe that this concern should be considered slightly (if not completely) irrelevant and should not be used as a reason why you should not purchase the unit. Why? The problem is the result of a brewer’s inability to follow appropriate brewing instructions.
How, you might ask…
Mistake #1- Not “Curing” a New or Over Clean (interior thoroughly scrubbed clean) Unit
As soon as your unit is delivered, the first thing you ought to do is “season” or “cure” the unit (if you intend to use it right away, of course) by actually using the unit a few times. The same advice applies to any Bialetti unit whose interior has been scrubbed clean.
My personal curing remedy requires that you purchase a pack of cheap coffee grinds for the purpose of making several coffee brews (approximately 4-5 complete cycles). From experience, using your favourite brand of coffee grinds (which tend to be quite expensive if I may add) is a complete waste of money since the resulting brew needs to be dumped down the drain (really taste bad and will only assault your delicate taste buds).
In sum, using the unit to make several brews works by coating the pot’s interior metallic surface with essential coffee oils from the coffee grinds. By using this method to coat/season this surface, you ensure that none of the fresh brews the unit makes thereafter does not come into direct contact with the metallic surface (no contact, no contamination).
Since all units require the same curing remedy, you can read more on how to cure your unit by clicking here to view the article “Farberware Coffee Maker 12 Cup Instructions: Home Curing Remedy and Important Cleaning/ Maintenance Advice (The Key to Brewing Devilishly Delicious Cups of Java)”
Mistake #2- Using the unit over a very high heat setting
To make this statement clear, you can tell whether you gas stovetops heat setting is high if the flames lick the sides of the unit. Not only does this ruin (almost irreparably) your Bialetti’s aesthetic appeal by tarnishing its lustrous exterior, but it also seriously alters the unit’s brewing process to cause your brew to have a metallic taste to it. Simply put, an overheated Bialetti will naturally leak some metal into the brew to make it taste really bad.
For those who have ceramic or electric hobs, a high heat setting can be noted by the amount of time the unit takes to start its characteristic “woosh woosh” sound (an indicator that the brewing process is super close to its brewing climax). When a Bialetti is used over a medium intensity heat setting, this should occur after approximately two and a half minutes. Over a higher heat setting, the unit will reach this point after about one and a half minutes.
In essence, to avoid this second brewing mistake you should make sure that your gas stovetop’s flames do not lick the side of your unit. If using a ceramic or electric hob, monitor your unit’s brewing cycle and take note of the perfect temperature setting (it will save you loads of time in terms of monitoring).
If you require more definitive answers relating to brewing via the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker, click here to read the article on how to “Troubleshoot your Bialetti Moka Express”.
Bialetti Coffee Maker How to Use – Brewing Tips and Tricks
– I highly recommend preheating the water in order to avoid the Moka pot getting too hot and “cooking” the coffee grinds
– You must be careful not to pour in too much water into the unit’s lower chamber. If you overfill the unit with water, the resulting brew will definitely have a burnt or bitter taste to it (this is one of the common brewing issues people encounter)
– You MUST NEVER press the coffee grinds in as this will make it harder for the hot water to seep through the grinds. The end result is commonly a bitter brew because pressing in the grinds may cause you to put in more grinds than you need to make a perfect tasting brew
You can learn more about the Bialetti’s brewing procedure by clicking here and reading the article “How to Brew Better than an Italian Barista! Bialetti Coffee Maker Instructions with Tips and Tricks that No User Manual Can Offer!”
B- “Coffee brewed in Aluminium Units Poses a Health Hazard”
The Truth about Criticism B- (All Hogwash! NOT SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN)
According to a scientific study published in the Food Chemistry Toxicology journal, using a coffee maker which is constructed from aluminium DOES introduce some “dietary aluminium” into a brew.
However, when discussing the various health risks that the unit’s brew supposedly poses due to aluminium seepage, the study’s conclusion was that the bioavailability of the mobilized aluminium that was ingested from the brew was “yet to be determined”.
Other studies which have been conducted on the same issue and with the aim of figuring out if it is dangerous to drink coffee made in aluminium units note that the dietary aluminium consumed in java brewed in an aluminium coffee maker amounts to about 0.0024 milligrams per cup.
This amount is not very much especially when you consider that one antacid tablet contains much more than this (approximately 200 milligrams).
Therefore, to conclude this section…Although numerous studies agree with the fact that aluminium coffee makers do introduce a small amount of the metallic element into a brew, there lacks scientific evidence to show that this amount is actually harmful to one’s health.
Click here to read the article “Aluminium vs. Stainless Steel Coffee Machine: Which should You Choose?” as it contains all of the information you might want to know about the issue.
Bialetti Coffee Maker Types (Differences, Similarities, and Best Overall Pick)
Although I typically recommend the Bialetti Moka express 6-Cup to my readers, the number of questions I have received (as mentioned earlier on in this article) need to be adequately addressed.
There are 3 basic types of Bialetti coffee makers, namely, stovetop, electric, and hob.
Stovetop Bialetti’s
The stovetop Bialetti version, also known as a Moka Pot, functions over a gas, ceramic, or electric stovetops/ cookers. These are the Bialetti coffee maker 3 cup (a.k.a. the Original Bialetti Moka Express 3 Cup), and the Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup (my favourite).
All stovetop Bialetti’s offer the following feature advantages (and the main reason why I highly suggest that readers buy the 6-Cup Moka Express is because of its larger brewing capacity):
-Unit makes perfectly delicious cups of espresso
-Unit is quite easy to use, clean, and maintain
-Unit has a sleek, trendy design (the Moka Express’ traditional hexagonal shape makes it very aesthetically appealing)
-Can be used over several types of heat sources including gas, ceramic and electric hobs
Click here to read a thorough review of the Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup (since all stovetop Bialetti versions offer the same feature advantages)
Electric Bialetti’s
The Bialetti coffee maker 2 cup is the only electrically powered coffee maker manufactured by Bialetti and is known as the Bialetti Moka Elettrika. Of course, the unit is well known to have great functionality. After all, it is a product of one of the best coffee maker manufacturers’!
However, I must mention the few cons that make me ignore recommending the Bialetti Elettrika in favour of the 6-Cup Bialetti Moka Express.
First, the unit’s price is ridiculously high (going for $149.99 on Amazon.com). Compared to the price of a 6-cup Moka Express which is $41.95, nothing, and I mean nothing can validate its price (especially its small brewing capacity of only two espresso cups!).
Second, the Bialetti Elettrika clearly does not fit the bill since it ALWAYS needs electricity to function. Naturally, this translates to increased electrical bills which in the long run, prove to be a cost that one can easily avoid by using the Moka Express stovetop version.
Last, you ought to know that the brewing speed of the Bialetti Elettrika is almost double that of the 6 Cup Moka Express! Can you believe this? The Elettrika needs a whole ten minutes to make a 2 cup brew! In my opinion, this amount of time is totally ridiculous!
To gain a further understanding of the Bialetti Moka Elettrika (Bialetti coffee maker 2 cup) click here to read the article “The Travel Design Bialetti Electric Coffee Maker (Elettrika 2 Cup) vs. Bialetti 6 Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker (Moka Express 6 Cup): Why the Stovetop is better Hands Down!”. It will provide you with all the information you need.
Induction Hob Bialetti’s
The Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker, also known as the Bialetti Venus 6-Cup, is the only Bialetti unit that can be used over an induction hob. Unlike all other Bialetti units which are constructed from aluminium, the Venus is made from solid stainless steel and can brew up to 6 cups of espresso (just like its stovetop version). So, why do I forgo this unit in favour of the Bialetti 6-Cup Moka Express? I’ll give you two vital reasons:
a – This unit is not versatile in terms of the heat source you can use and can only be used over an induction hob.
Comparing this fact with that of the Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker (which I really consider to be the best Bialetti unit), you will notice that the stovetop version can be used over gas, ceramic, AND electric stovetops.
b – The Venus can be considered slightly tedious to clean since the unit’s gasket is pretty susceptible to damage during the process. Now who wants to keep ordering for replacement parts? I’ll tell you who: NOT YOU!
For further information regarding the Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker (the Bialetti Venus 6-Cup) click here to access the article “Ultimate Bialetti Moka Pot Showdown: Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup vs. Bialetti Venus Induction 6 Cup Moka Pot (Why the Moka Express is Best!)”
All this information being noted, I bet you know possess all the power to decide whether or not the Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup is a great fit for you or your household.
If so, click here to buy the unit from Amazon.com. You won’t regret it!