Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup Coffee Maker

Pros: Timeless design; takes very little space; works as intended.
Cons: You may end up drinking too much coffee.

What, coffee for real men? Do real men drink espresso? Apparently, in Italy they do. However, the charming little Bialetti Moka Express is not going to make a "true espresso". It brews a very rich, very strong coffee that is reminiscent of the ...

Pros: Easy to use, versatile, and very inexpensive. Your friends will be impressed.
Cons: Addiction; need a stove top (or campfire to use it)

I work daily with a bunch of Espresso junkies...they all have complicated $200+ machines at home and they all chipped in so they could get another one for the office. My manager even went so far as to give me a gorgeous set of espresso cups one ...

Pros: Cheaper, simpler, more durable, and easier to clean than a machine. Faster than drip methods.
Cons: Longer set up time than a machine. Made of soft aluminum.

I found my Moka Express pot stored in my mother's attic, and she let me keep it. It was stamped 1973. The rubber gasket was no longer flexible but I was able to purchase a genuine Bialetti replacement part at J and R in NYC for $3.50. After 35 years ...

Pros: Attractive, easy to use / clean
Cons: Residue on metal / metallic taste

Italy: land of pizza, pasta, and great coffee. However, most Italians have never set foot in a Starbucks and have never heard of Frappuccinos. Instead, straight espresso is preferred as a breakfast drink, and nearly every household in Italy (and Spain, ...