Or just get a Moka pot, which is what most Italians use at home anyway. You can get a decent one for $30-50.

Moka pots don't make espresso though. True espresso requires ~9 bars of pressure to make. Moka pots can create at max 1.5 bars (though optimally it would hover between 0.5 and 1 bar).

So while they make very good, rich, full-bodied coffee, it's just not espresso.

	▲	SecretDreams 2 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		It may not be true espresso, but I will ask my Nona every day for an espresso made from her probably 30 year old bialetti. When I'm drinking Moka, it's more about the vibes anywho.
	▲	foobarian 2 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Not to detract from your point but the Bialettis also let you make a great cafecito

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satvikpendem 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I have an espresso machine (or had, recently sold) as well as a moka pot as well as many other coffee making gadgets like a V60 and an Aeropress. They all make different types of coffee and are not comparable. Sometimes if you want true espresso you need to use an espresso machine.

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tokai 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

But they make horrible coffee, and can by design only brew at the wrong temperature.

	▲	kelipso a day ago \| parent [-]
		Thank you lol. I don't understand the love for Moka pot at all. You are guaranteed to get bitter coffee brewing at close to 212F. If you want simplicity, get a pourover or french press!