What Is Special About Bialetti Espresso Makers? Everything!

Are you wondering: “What is special about Bialetti Stove-top Espresso makers?” Everything makes these iconic pieces of Italian coffee culture and you need one.

Some History Of The Best Stove-Top Espresso Maker

This stove-top espresso maker, previously sold by us at Coffee In Italia, was invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and is considered so iconic that it is displayed in multiple museums as an example of modern industrial art. These coffee pots  have gained worldwide popularity with more than 300 million sold around the globe. While there are now may variations of the original, there is no denying the importance of the original by Bialetti.

What Does A Mustache Have To Do With Italian Coffee Culture

Alfonso Bialetti’s son, Renato (a.k.a.: I Baffi), died in Switzerland at the age of 93 on February 11, 2016. The caricature printed on Bialetti of a mustachioed man with his index finger in the air was modeled after him, and became the logo for the company.

One interesting note is that when Renato was buried, his ashes were put into an over-sized replica of the iconic Moka. If you read Italian, or just want to see the pictures, please take a look at this story. To me, it shows the respect all Italians have for the truly Made In Italy product and it’s creators!

What Is Special About Bialetti?

The classic design of the Bialetti products, like their stove-top espresso makers, makes them timeless. You can find an old Moka pot still in use in homes, B&Bs and resorts all over Italy. There have been some slight improvements, and an expansion of the coffee making options, but a consistently well made and designed product that is very easy to use is the hallmark of Bialetti.

How Good Is A Bialetti Coffee Maker?

In the past, we sold Bialetti stovetop espresso makers, along with a couple other brands. The Chinese copy of the moka was poorly manufactured and we heard reports of them exploding on the stove during repeated use. Never a concern for our Bialetti coffee makers. We also sold an artistically designed coffee maker that was a bit more expensive than a moka. It was beautiful, but replacement part were hard to come by and they didn’t always fit perfectly.

Is Bialetti Made In Italy Or China?

Bialetti is designed in Italy, and some models are made in Italy. Others are made in EU countries, like Bulgaria (I think) and none are made in China. There have been pushes to get all Bialetti products to be made in Italy, but that has not happened as of yet.

Can You Use Regular Coffee In A Bialetti?

The best option is to use a coffee that is ground to a fineness that is perfect for the Bialetti. You can find this in Italy, but you will have difficulty finding this perfect grind in the US. You can use regular coffee, meaning ground for an American drip coffee maker, but because it is a larger grind, you won’t get the same result. Also, avoid using an “espresso grind”. You might thing this is a good idea, but because it is a much finer grind, you can clog your moka and you will be started by the deafening noise coming from the release valve as the steam safely escapes.

Do Italians Use Bialetti?

Yes, Italians do use Bialetti products. This can’t be overstated because if you are looking, you will find then all over the country. Every B&B and apartment we stayed in during our travels to Italy had a moka for the guests to use. The coffee pots, and the replacement parts, are available almost everywhere and the coffee that you can buy is ground specifically for a moka.

What Is The White Stuff On The Bottom Of My Bialetti?

The white coating in the boiler of a moka is typically a calcium buildup. If you have “hard” water, like here in Italy, you will likely see this buildup. It isn’t dangerous, but it doesn’t hurt to give the pot a soaking in a water a vinegar mixture. Don’t miss our article on Moka Pot Cleaning With Vinegar.

Are You Supposed To Clean A Bialetti?

You are supposed to clean a moka after every use. However, you should only use water to clean it and definitely don’t use soap and don’t put it in the dishwasher. The dish soap will leave an after-taste that is unpleasant. You can also clean it with a water a vinegar mixture, but this is rare.

Is Bialetti Aluminum Or Steel?

In general, Bialetti are make from Aluminum and not steel, but there are versions that have steel plates on the bottom. These are for induction stoves only, so if you have a traditional gas or electric stove, the aluminum pots are what you need.

You Should Try A Bialetti Today!

Yes, this quick history lesson has been brought to you by us here at Coffee In Italia mostly because we LOVE this product, but also because it is such an important part of Italian culture that other people who share our passions need to know about this. Try one today!

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