IlsaTurbo Express Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker, 1 Cup

Just got this little guy yesterday and I wanted to share some first impressions.What comes in the box:One moka pot — stainless steel base, top, basket, and screen.Two gasketsTwo sets of instructions.All parts are stainless steel — base, top, basket, and screen.The gasket is a little loose around the screen (inside diameter) — 1 to 2 mm of space left. See images.The lid "hinge" isn't really a hinge at all — look at the picture, please. The "hinge" is made into the handle. All in all I think this is a smart design choice.The handle is solid metal welded onto the top of the pot, however, it's only spot welded thus this would be considered the weak spot therefore, as instructed, do NOT use the handle when tightening the unit together, which is a little hard since it is a very small top.I've read reviews of similar moka pots with metal handles where reviewers complained that the handle got hot. I haven't notice any significant heat at the handle thus far however, I know to keep the handle at the edge of the heat source.You can see that the bottom of the moka pot is NOT flat. I'm not sure if this really matters or not. However, I do hear this pot boil for some time before coffee will come out whereas, with an aluminum moka pot I don't hear anything prior to coffee slowly oozing out.Using the same procedure I would with an aluminum moka pot this stainless steel one takes about twice as long to produce coffee. About 10 minutes versus 5 minutes for a 3-cup aluminum moka pot.:Steps1. fill basket with coffee grounds — tapping basket on the counter to distribute grounds, don't tamp or over fill the basket.2. heat ~3 ounces of water in microwave & pour into base.3. screw top onto base4. place on stove on LOW heat — I use the #1 setting on our ceramic-top stove.5. wait until you get desired amount of coffee or pot begins to sputter, foaming starts happening.6. pour out coffee.note: some people prefer to heat on a higher setting (medium to medium-high) then they pull the pot off the heat once the coffee begins to flow and let it finish away form the heat. With this particular pot I found that doing this causes the coffee to brew too quickly, IMO, thus I'm using the low & slow method with preheated water.Taste:This pot, like most moka pots, gives its own unique flavor. It doesn't give the exact same brew we get from our 3-cup aluminum moka pot, nor should anyone expect it to. I think the coffee is not as thick as it is in the larger moka pot, which makes sense as the large moka pot has a much bigger and deeper basket. However, the flavor brewed by this tiny pot is very good, IMHO. It's very hard to describe the flavor differences, but they are noticeable — neither good nor bad, just different. I actually prefer the flavor out of this tiny pot than our bigger moka pot.The base holds ~3 ounces of water when filled to just below the pressure valve, as instructed.This will yield ~2 ounces of coffee if left to run until "completion" — when the pot starts sputtering out foam.Therefore adjust the amount of water you put into the base or pour out coffee when you get the amount you want for a "single" serving. Technically, I guess, we could call this pot a 2-cup. I, personally, like the fact that you have room to spare and can go over if you choose. Better this way than only being able to get 1 ounce of coffee no matter what.The valve seems to be on the low side for pressure — you cannot add any extra coffee grounds above the basket like you might on other moka pots. Fill basket to the top and level it, no extra whatsoever or it will NOT flow. In other words, if I loaded this basked the same as I can with my Bialetti Brikka (when using it as a moka pot not a Brikka) I will only get steam out of the pressure valve and NO coffee.I'm rather disappointed that neither the manufacturer or the Amazon seller has any decent images or details on this product, thus I've uploaded several pictures for those who are interested to see the insides and other parts.All in all it seems to be a decent stainless steel moka pot. I do believe the Bialetti 1-cup gasket set will fit this moka pot however, I need to track down my calipers to measure more precisely. If not, there are a couple online stores that have the gasket and screen available and it shipped with one extra.Since your choices for a 1-cup moka pot seem very limited — you either pay a lot or have few choices and only one or two stainless steel to choose from — I do think this is the best bang for your buck stainless steel 1-cup moka pot available. Not a 3-cup moka pot with a 1-cup insert — I think the depth of the basket is very important to the brew, thus I wanted a true 1-cup moka pot.FYI:My purchase price was $37 here on Amazon for this moka pot, which I considered a bit high then. Apparently the price is now $55 + shipping (I had free shipping) which is ridiculous for this moka pot IMHO. At that price I wouldn't even consider this pot and I would go with the aluminum Bialetti 1-cup or the even cheaper aluminum 1-cup that's available. . . or look for another stainless steel pot.

The media could not be loaded.  +1 star for elegant aesthetic, +1 for all stainless steel construction.Lose 3 stars for the high degree of variability of grind, temperature and time to brew coffee.I use a gas stove to make coffee and no matter how low the temp, grind of the coffee beans it takes too long to make: sometimes the water gurgles sometime not, sometime your coffee boils while it’s still brewing - all in all it takes up to 10+ mins to get coffee - much much longer than the Balleti coffee maker this was replacing. Perhaps it works better with an electric stove - or it’s user error - whatever the case my barista down the street is faster and if you like waiting like you do in line for coffee - you can get that same experience at home with this one.

I used the Bialetti single cup for a long time, but the handle melted. I was looking for a pot with a steel handle and came across this one.Pros:It's really really well builtEasy to use, easy to clean in general. Doesn't blacken like the bialetti on the outside.All stainless steel except the gasket. Handle wont melt.Should last a long long timeComes with extra gasket. The gasket doesn't get crushed like it does in bialetti, so should last longer.Cons:Handle can get hotUnsure is bialetti gasket fits itDepressed ring at the edge in the top pot is difficult to cleanOverall: best single cup stovetop espresso maker out there.

Just right for morning when all I need to make is enough for myself. Easy to use!

so well made! best on the market, i have 2 different sizes

good everything and seller

Did anyone else get a product that had a film of oil along the edge of the screw part?

Bought this from old stock at a local Italian family owned grocery store. Liked it so much I also bought the 3-cup version.Have been using it for a year now.It is made of heavy duty stainless and has a very beefy construction. The brew is consistent and efficient. I have been using 7.2 grams of coffee and 55-65ml water. That makes a 22-30ml cup.I like how the basket is sturdy stainless. It all has a great feel in the hand.It cost me $50 plus tax. I think it is worth that much. I am very very pleased with this mokka pot and expect it to last a lifetime! 😄

Sto usando questa moka 4 volte al giorno tutti i giorni da quando l'ho acquistata mesi (anni) fa.Ho scelto l'acciaio perché si può pulire del calcare che infesta l'acqua del rubinetto (l'alluminio a contatto con i detersivi degrada). E perché può andare su braci o sul fuoco senza temere di fondere il manico.Trovo questa ILSA Turbo Express molto bella.A essere sinceri ha un rimasuglio di acciaio nel serbatoio e ha una leggera perdita dalla valvola... dettagli.Ho letto molti in difficoltà nel fare il caffè.Bisogna tener presente che lavora diversamente dalla classica Bialetti di Alluminio.Allora:1. non comprimete il caffè nel filtro. Se lo comprimete aumenta troppo la pressione e la temperatura di esercizio.2. usate il fuoco più piccolo possibile (va benissimo anche su stufe, fiammelle ad alcol, ottima per campeggio).3. togliete dal fuoco prima che inizi a borbottare.Se il manico diventa caldo che non lo potete toccare state sbagliando qualcosa.Usata correttamente il manico di acciaio rimane FREDDO.Se il caffè va in ebollizione prima di essere salito state sbagliando qualcosa.Fiamma troppo vivace e caffè troppo compresso o macina troppo fine.E non scordate ogni tanto di sturare il filtro superiore (o di cambiarlo).Con tutto il rispetto per il grande design della Moka Bialetti, questa Ilsa è veramente ottima e la consiglio (e sì è cara, ma è solido acciaio e a differenza dell'alluminio la potete lavare)

Per fare un buon caffè al mattino

QUALITÀIl prodotto è di ottima qualità e buona fattura (vedi foto).VALUTAZIONI UTILIZZOAl primo e per i successivi utilizzi può deludere molto. La caffettiera ha bisogno di un tempo di "rodaggio" minimo di qualche giorno se non settimane. Consiglio di chiudere le due parti a vite molto strettamente; questo evita la dispersione della pressione prodotta. Inizialmente il caffè saliva lentamente e a tratti. Poiché inoltre il caffè tendeva ad uscire a spruzzi, la parte già uscita nella parte alta tendeva a bollire. Pensavo fosse un difetto ma nel tempo tutto si è risolto perfettamente. Dopo due settimane di utilizzo plurigiornaliero il caffè ora esce velocemente e senza interruzioni. Anche il fischio della caffettiera ora avviene solo alla fine, giusto come dev'essere.PULIZIALa pulizia è molto facile. All'interno della parte dove viene raccolto il caffè c'è un piccolo incavo che potrebbe risultare difficile da pulire; nell'utilizzo pratico però non ho avuto particolari problemi. Ovviamente utilizzare solo acqua e nessun sapone.SAPOREIl sapore è molto più "neutro" e piacevole rispetto ad una banale caffettiera in alluminio. Poco più allungato e sicuramente senza nessun retrogusto metallico. A me piace moltissimo. Ovviamente dev'essere provato perché l'apprezzamento dipende dal gusto personale. Non tornerei sicuramente all'alluminio.CONSIGLIOA nuovo e per le prime volte non caricate troppo caffè nel filtro/imbuto e non pressatelo. Dopo qualche settimana è possibile invece caricare più caffè.

La guarnizione fornita non si adatta al filtro che è di diametro inferiore alla parte interna della stessa.per adesso ho sostituito il filtro con uno di alluminio( avevo deciso di sostituire la moka di alluminio per evitarne la contaminazione). Con guarnizione e filtro originali, il caffè esce a schizzi impiegando troppo tempo e bruciandosi

Contento dell’acquisto ma sono stato costretto a restituirla perché non compatibile con il mio piano a induzione.La fattura è buona e si avvita molto bene.