Bialetti Brikka Espresso Machine
- Operation: Manual
- Type: Espresso Machine
- Family Line: Bialetti Brikka
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splendido
Pros
One of the great coffee inventions of the modern era
Cons
Weird to use at first
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
run to the store (or to your computer) to buy it
I know, I know, for all of you espresso snobs, coffee congnoscenti out there...this is not the real thing. I know that the real espresso is only made in Rome in one of those giant (lever operated) metal machines that makes that untypeable, wonderful sound, that real espresso has the crema, the light colored foam on the top of the coffee. But I am here to tell you, to convince you, that the Bialetti Brikka stovetop espresso maker will actually deliver you the closest possible cup of espresso to this ideal, even with the magnificent crema, with a rich and almost chocolatey flavor, in your very own home and for much less than the cost of a ticket to Italy.
At about $45-60 dollars online (look carefully and you can find one on the lower end), this is about $20-$40 more than what you would usually pay for a stovetop espresso maker. Again, I must assure you that this is worth it. The Brikka makes a damn good cup of espresso, far better than anything you will have tasted from any other stovetop model.
It is a bit odd to use at first, with a set of strange instructions, so I will give you some hints (partly based on the badly translated instructions):
1. It must be used about three or four times (with three-quarters of the usual coffee and water---I know, strange) before it works properly.
2. It must be screwed together very, very tightly.
3. It must have good heat underneath it (gas is the best).
4. You have to leave the top lid open while the coffee is brewing.
5. You must remove the device from the heat as soon as you hear the at first unsettling burst of coffee come out.
6. When cleaning, lift the valve inside to release the pressure before unscrewing the device.
What sets this device apart from the others is a pressure valve that helps to create the crema and also somehow makes the coffee taste better. This miraculous invention is akin to those first cans of Guinness with the device inside which allowed the beer to come out creamy.
The device comes in one size only right now, and makes one very large espresso, or two small ones. Either way, it will vastly improve your mornings.
At about $45-60 dollars online (look carefully and you can find one on the lower end), this is about $20-$40 more than what you would usually pay for a stovetop espresso maker. Again, I must assure you that this is worth it. The Brikka makes a damn good cup of espresso, far better than anything you will have tasted from any other stovetop model.
It is a bit odd to use at first, with a set of strange instructions, so I will give you some hints (partly based on the badly translated instructions):
1. It must be used about three or four times (with three-quarters of the usual coffee and water---I know, strange) before it works properly.
2. It must be screwed together very, very tightly.
3. It must have good heat underneath it (gas is the best).
4. You have to leave the top lid open while the coffee is brewing.
5. You must remove the device from the heat as soon as you hear the at first unsettling burst of coffee come out.
6. When cleaning, lift the valve inside to release the pressure before unscrewing the device.
What sets this device apart from the others is a pressure valve that helps to create the crema and also somehow makes the coffee taste better. This miraculous invention is akin to those first cans of Guinness with the device inside which allowed the beer to come out creamy.
The device comes in one size only right now, and makes one very large espresso, or two small ones. Either way, it will vastly improve your mornings.
