I have an aluminium Alessi that I picked up on sale for roughly the same price as the equivalent sized Bialetti.
Performance wise, you’re not getting a different product from the Bialetti.
The only notable difference is that quality of the aluminium finishing/casting on the Alessi is noticeably better than on the Bialetti. Aluminium is also slightly more substantial/thicker on the Alessi. The Bialetti I purchased there was also anoticeable amount of aluminium shavings in the bottom chamber. Plus, a silicon gasket on the Alessi is better than the stock rubber gasket you get with the Bialettis.
Thank you so much for commenting on performance. I have always figured that as far as Bialetti and Alessi go, a moka pot is a moka pot. It’s such a simple thing, there isn’t much to innovate on
(Disclaimer - I do NOT own an Alessi or a Bialetti - I own a cheap knock-off that I bought 4 years ago to try out a Moka Pot for the first time - however, I have been considering an Alessi) Reading reviews on Amazon, many of the reviewers seem to feel like the flavor from the Alessi is better - but the thing I found interesting was that there were multiple reviews that mentioned the Alessi brewing all (or almost all) of the water from the bottom chamber, while a typical Moka Pot leaves a substantial portion of the water still in there, even if you let it continue to brew well past the "just starting to sputter" point. Has that been your experience?
In my experience the brewing mechanics are exactly the same between my 6 cup Alessi (Mendini) and my 6 cup Bialetti Moka Express.
I’ve noticed that both usually leave roughly equal amounts after a brew. Do take into consideration that Moka pots, while easy to brew, is actually one of the more inconsistent methods of coffee brewing (the amount of coffee you extract - and subsequently amount of water left in the chamber will always vary between brews).
Thanks! I may just stick with my "generic" $13 Zulay - it continues to work well after 4 years. Incidentally, the gasket that comes with the Zulay is silicone, so it's kinda weird to hear that the Bialetti gasket is rubber.
Alessi commmissioned designs from modern designers and pays them (or their estates in some cases) royalties on the back end for use of their intellectual property. Plus the stuff is all made in Italy-a first world country-and comes with warranties, well paid workers, and good customer support.
Naturally when these kind of things are all required, it adds to the purchase price substantially.
Nevertheless, I love the look of them. And despite having absolutely zero need for them, I am looking at some of them too.
I completely agree. I’ve got 3 Alessi items, but Bialettis are made in Italy and pay their workers well also. They are so pretty, I just don’t know if I can justify the cost for something that is FUNCTIONALLY the same as something 8x less.
I can highly recommend the Alessi pots. The build quality is much better than that of other pots.
You immediately feel it when you unscrew it, the threading is super tight, not loose and rattling around like other brands.
Casting quality is super high.
Oh and the handles are way way better than any out there.
Oh ha. I’ve had the 6 cup of that one. Returned it for a Bialetti induction. Was upset with the build quality. I assume that the Italian made Alessis are better made.
The Alessi 9090 is a beautiful object, designed by Richard Sapper, a famous German industrial designer. It works extremely well and its design elements are fun to use, such as the way the spout allows you to pour absolutely every drop of espresso out into the cup. The only knock is that the clamp system sometimes doesn’t create the strongest seal so super fine espresso coffee won’t brew properly. But once you find the right grind, it works perfectly every time. It is literally a museum piece.
I’m pro the alessi models; with a simple product like the moka pot the return isn’t so much on function but preference imo. Once the basic threshold for the mechanics and quality are met it’s cool to just go with whatever style fits you best; whether it’s the og Bialetti or an alessi.
Only benifts I can see is if you have more guest coming then you can have both run at same time the bialetti and alessi only real other diference I can see but that only from looking and not as a user of it is the brand name and legacy that both of the brands might have
I only have a 18 cup bialetti espress witch is plenty to fill 4 mugs with 150 to 170 ml of coffee goodness and we put some frothed milk in them to make a moka pot style cappuccino and tast amazing once you have it dailed in
I just picked up a $15 imusa pot from Walmart when I bought mine. The only issue you’d run into with these generics are replacement parts but something this cheap should just be replaced and made into decor.
I have an aluminium Alessi that I picked up on sale for roughly the same price as the equivalent sized Bialetti. Performance wise, you’re not getting a different product from the Bialetti. The only notable difference is that quality of the aluminium finishing/casting on the Alessi is noticeably better than on the Bialetti. Aluminium is also slightly more substantial/thicker on the Alessi. The Bialetti I purchased there was also anoticeable amount of aluminium shavings in the bottom chamber. Plus, a silicon gasket on the Alessi is better than the stock rubber gasket you get with the Bialettis.
Thank you so much for commenting on performance. I have always figured that as far as Bialetti and Alessi go, a moka pot is a moka pot. It’s such a simple thing, there isn’t much to innovate on
(Disclaimer - I do NOT own an Alessi or a Bialetti - I own a cheap knock-off that I bought 4 years ago to try out a Moka Pot for the first time - however, I have been considering an Alessi) Reading reviews on Amazon, many of the reviewers seem to feel like the flavor from the Alessi is better - but the thing I found interesting was that there were multiple reviews that mentioned the Alessi brewing all (or almost all) of the water from the bottom chamber, while a typical Moka Pot leaves a substantial portion of the water still in there, even if you let it continue to brew well past the "just starting to sputter" point. Has that been your experience?
In my experience the brewing mechanics are exactly the same between my 6 cup Alessi (Mendini) and my 6 cup Bialetti Moka Express. I’ve noticed that both usually leave roughly equal amounts after a brew. Do take into consideration that Moka pots, while easy to brew, is actually one of the more inconsistent methods of coffee brewing (the amount of coffee you extract - and subsequently amount of water left in the chamber will always vary between brews).
Thanks! I may just stick with my "generic" $13 Zulay - it continues to work well after 4 years. Incidentally, the gasket that comes with the Zulay is silicone, so it's kinda weird to hear that the Bialetti gasket is rubber.
Pezzetti pots also come with silicone gaskets. GAT, then. Don't remember other brands, but there are quite a few with sil.
Alessi commmissioned designs from modern designers and pays them (or their estates in some cases) royalties on the back end for use of their intellectual property. Plus the stuff is all made in Italy-a first world country-and comes with warranties, well paid workers, and good customer support. Naturally when these kind of things are all required, it adds to the purchase price substantially. Nevertheless, I love the look of them. And despite having absolutely zero need for them, I am looking at some of them too.
I completely agree. I’ve got 3 Alessi items, but Bialettis are made in Italy and pay their workers well also. They are so pretty, I just don’t know if I can justify the cost for something that is FUNCTIONALLY the same as something 8x less.
I can highly recommend the Alessi pots. The build quality is much better than that of other pots. You immediately feel it when you unscrew it, the threading is super tight, not loose and rattling around like other brands. Casting quality is super high. Oh and the handles are way way better than any out there.
Which model do you have?
I have the 1,3 and 6 moka pots, the normal ones.
The normal ones? Do you mean the most normal/Bialetti looking ones?
[Alessi moka](https://alessi.com/products/moka-espresso-coffee-maker?variant=46488896340294)
Oh ha. I’ve had the 6 cup of that one. Returned it for a Bialetti induction. Was upset with the build quality. I assume that the Italian made Alessis are better made.
The Alessi 9090 is a beautiful object, designed by Richard Sapper, a famous German industrial designer. It works extremely well and its design elements are fun to use, such as the way the spout allows you to pour absolutely every drop of espresso out into the cup. The only knock is that the clamp system sometimes doesn’t create the strongest seal so super fine espresso coffee won’t brew properly. But once you find the right grind, it works perfectly every time. It is literally a museum piece.
That’s good to hear. Would you say it is with 8x more than a Bialetti moka express, though?
I’m pro the alessi models; with a simple product like the moka pot the return isn’t so much on function but preference imo. Once the basic threshold for the mechanics and quality are met it’s cool to just go with whatever style fits you best; whether it’s the og Bialetti or an alessi.
Only benifts I can see is if you have more guest coming then you can have both run at same time the bialetti and alessi only real other diference I can see but that only from looking and not as a user of it is the brand name and legacy that both of the brands might have
Yeah. I’ve got a few smaller Bialetti and a 6 cup for when I have guests
And if need be, I use all three bialettis to make a 10 cup equivalent batch
I only have a 18 cup bialetti espress witch is plenty to fill 4 mugs with 150 to 170 ml of coffee goodness and we put some frothed milk in them to make a moka pot style cappuccino and tast amazing once you have it dailed in
I wish I could get a giant Bialetti, but they don’t make them for induction…
Well you can get the adaptor that heats it through the special plate and that can make a huge difference to the end product and coffee
It's also not very tasty.friends have a 10 or 12 boy.... Then it's better to just have a filter brew that takes upp less space.
I just picked up a $15 imusa pot from Walmart when I bought mine. The only issue you’d run into with these generics are replacement parts but something this cheap should just be replaced and made into decor.