simply the most loved & used item in the kitchen , good crema, simple to use, need to ensure a descent grind not too fine, ready ground lavazza rossa works well. top bit of kit. highly recommended
Bought this for my son who had one while he was in Canada. He reckons it makes better coffee than expensive expresso machines. Having tried it i think it makes excellent coffee although i didn’t actually make it so cannot comment on the process. Some bits are plastic and its a bit expensive but if are into coffee its worth a try.
I’ve been using a 2 cup Brikka since November and the manufacturer’s hype is right: the way that this little beauty works like a pressure cooker to build up sufficient pressure for a decent crema makes a heap of difference to the taste.
And there’s something really satisfying about the whole ritual of making espresso this way that you just don’t get from flicking the switch on an electrical gadget.
My little stove-top gem makes better coffee than any other espresso I’ve tasted.
Absolutely love it! I use it almost every day and it works a treat. The whole process of making the coffee is great and something i like to do for myself and others.
It’s easy to use and easy to clean (dont use soap – just water) – havent had any problems so far and it’s perfect for either a double shot or to share between two.
Since getting this I’ve not gone back to using my old moka pot. The taste of the coffee is far superior, & the golden crema makes it look the part. The first time I used it, the sudden force of the coffee spurting out made me jump.
Took a while to get the right coarseness of grind – seems best when slightly less than fine – I grind my own, but would imagine that ground Lavazza or Illy would do.
This 2 cup pot uses about as much ground coffee as my old 3 cup pot, and makes enough coffee to fill an espresso cup to the brim – half of what the old pot made. However, the quality is so much better this is not an issue.
Short of a top quality espresso machine, I don’t think you’ll make better coffee at home than by using this Brikka pot.
As with all Bialetti products, it’s a well made and lovely looking espresso maker. Unfortunately we’ve been unable to produce the advertised “crema” style coffee with it so far, even after following the slightly long-winded “set up” instructions for it. I am considering returning it, as without the crema-style espresso, it makes it a very expensive little espresso maker, (we already have a plain Bialetti 2 cup and a 6 cup espresso maker and don’t need another one).
A “cup” is 30ml (or 2 tbs). I went for a single double-espresso, or in other words a 2 cup machine. These machines don’t do half or double measures.
The two cup version takes about 3.25 tbs of ground coffee and 60ml water. Placed on the smallest gas ring it takes a few minutes to “complete” which will be announced by a frantic escape of steam from the bottom reservoir to the top chamber. Whether you’d notice the noise it in another room I don’t know, so it pays to keep your eye on it.
If poured out quickly after completion, the crema is superb but it is quite short lived. I used Lavazza Ground Coffee.
Anyway, the best espresso I’ve ever tasted, and far less hassle than producing expresso from a cappuchino type machine.
I bought this as I wanted an espresso maker which made enough for a double (my others are 4 and 8 cup).
I sprung for this based on the capability to provide the crema, but I find it a bit hit or miss.
I admit to being mystified why I can’t get this each time. Using the same coffee, sometime I get the crema, other times I don’t. I can’t see any correlation between how loose or packed the coffee is in the holder either.
I am currently using Sainsbury’s Fairtrade New York Style Half Caffe, but also tried Illy espresso. Assumed the Illy would be better, it being specifically for espresso, but in fact the Sainsburys has given me more cremas.
Anyway, when it works it gives an excellent espresso with crema. When it doesn’t it gives an excellent espresso anyway.
Closest home expresso you can have without having to spend substantial money in bulky dedicated expresso stations. Very reliable. Follow instructions with correct amount of water and do not overfill coffee tray. Only minor downside, you have to watch for the coffee coming into the top dish and take the Brikka off the stove/gas ring as soon as you see the coffee coming out. Nothing happens until the pressure forces the coffee through the valve. Then lovely creamy coffee fills up the Brikka very quickly but it does so at coffee boiling point. If you leave the expresso to boil the heat will take part of its aroma. It is OK if you take it straight off the heat source and pour it in a cup. The previous Bialetti expresso version did not have this minor problem though it clearly needed improvement of an unstable valve. This is the only reason for a 4 rather than 5 star rating.
June 27, 2010 | 
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Rating
simply the most loved & used item in the kitchen , good crema, simple to use, need to ensure a descent grind not too fine, ready ground lavazza rossa works well. top bit of kit. highly recommended
Rating
Bought this for my son who had one while he was in Canada. He reckons it makes better coffee than expensive expresso machines. Having tried it i think it makes excellent coffee although i didn’t actually make it so cannot comment on the process. Some bits are plastic and its a bit expensive but if are into coffee its worth a try.
Rating
I’ve been using a 2 cup Brikka since November and the manufacturer’s hype is right: the way that this little beauty works like a pressure cooker to build up sufficient pressure for a decent crema makes a heap of difference to the taste.
And there’s something really satisfying about the whole ritual of making espresso this way that you just don’t get from flicking the switch on an electrical gadget.
My little stove-top gem makes better coffee than any other espresso I’ve tasted.
Rating
Absolutely love it! I use it almost every day and it works a treat. The whole process of making the coffee is great and something i like to do for myself and others.
It’s easy to use and easy to clean (dont use soap – just water) – havent had any problems so far and it’s perfect for either a double shot or to share between two.
You wont regret buying one of these beauties!!
Rating
Since getting this I’ve not gone back to using my old moka pot. The taste of the coffee is far superior, & the golden crema makes it look the part. The first time I used it, the sudden force of the coffee spurting out made me jump.
Took a while to get the right coarseness of grind – seems best when slightly less than fine – I grind my own, but would imagine that ground Lavazza or Illy would do.
This 2 cup pot uses about as much ground coffee as my old 3 cup pot, and makes enough coffee to fill an espresso cup to the brim – half of what the old pot made. However, the quality is so much better this is not an issue.
Short of a top quality espresso machine, I don’t think you’ll make better coffee at home than by using this Brikka pot.
Rating
As with all Bialetti products, it’s a well made and lovely looking espresso maker. Unfortunately we’ve been unable to produce the advertised “crema” style coffee with it so far, even after following the slightly long-winded “set up” instructions for it. I am considering returning it, as without the crema-style espresso, it makes it a very expensive little espresso maker, (we already have a plain Bialetti 2 cup and a 6 cup espresso maker and don’t need another one).
Rating
A “cup” is 30ml (or 2 tbs). I went for a single double-espresso, or in other words a 2 cup machine. These machines don’t do half or double measures.
The two cup version takes about 3.25 tbs of ground coffee and 60ml water. Placed on the smallest gas ring it takes a few minutes to “complete” which will be announced by a frantic escape of steam from the bottom reservoir to the top chamber. Whether you’d notice the noise it in another room I don’t know, so it pays to keep your eye on it.
If poured out quickly after completion, the crema is superb but it is quite short lived. I used Lavazza Ground Coffee.
Anyway, the best espresso I’ve ever tasted, and far less hassle than producing expresso from a cappuchino type machine.
Rating
I bought this as I wanted an espresso maker which made enough for a double (my others are 4 and 8 cup).
I sprung for this based on the capability to provide the crema, but I find it a bit hit or miss.
I admit to being mystified why I can’t get this each time. Using the same coffee, sometime I get the crema, other times I don’t. I can’t see any correlation between how loose or packed the coffee is in the holder either.
I am currently using Sainsbury’s Fairtrade New York Style Half Caffe, but also tried Illy espresso. Assumed the Illy would be better, it being specifically for espresso, but in fact the Sainsburys has given me more cremas.
Anyway, when it works it gives an excellent espresso with crema. When it doesn’t it gives an excellent espresso anyway.
Rating
Closest home expresso you can have without having to spend substantial money in bulky dedicated expresso stations. Very reliable. Follow instructions with correct amount of water and do not overfill coffee tray. Only minor downside, you have to watch for the coffee coming into the top dish and take the Brikka off the stove/gas ring as soon as you see the coffee coming out. Nothing happens until the pressure forces the coffee through the valve. Then lovely creamy coffee fills up the Brikka very quickly but it does so at coffee boiling point. If you leave the expresso to boil the heat will take part of its aroma. It is OK if you take it straight off the heat source and pour it in a cup. The previous Bialetti expresso version did not have this minor problem though it clearly needed improvement of an unstable valve. This is the only reason for a 4 rather than 5 star rating.