Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker from Bialetti
Related entries in Espresso MachinesBialetti has released a cappuccino maker dubbed the Mukka Express. There is not much floating around the web on this nifty little gadget, but here is what I’ve found.
Apparently not a new product from Bialetti, it’s marketing campaign has recently been ramping up. Although I cannot rate first hand how good/bad the quality of the maker is, I have to say I am drawn to its design concept. I think the cow motif is fitting for a cappuccino machine. Mucca=cow in italian. Also comes in aluminum. Suitable for 2 cups of cappuccino or milk coffee.
The shape of the Mukka Express is very similar to the one of Bialetti’s traditional espresso maker, but with rounder curves. You fill it in with both water and milk … and coffee obviously, and you pour out a perfectly well mixed cappuccino. You can check how it works looking at the demonstration video (click on the link at the top of the page).[Popgadget]
From the Has Been site:
The new Mukka Express is the first, fully patented ‘Stove-Top Cappuccino’ maker. It combines the traditional stove-top style of coffee maker with a large size pot for holding the milk. Place the water in the bottom section, coffee in the middle and fill the top section to the maker with milk. Then place on the stove-top and as the water boils to make the coffee, the resulting steam is passed through the milk to froth it. Ideal for 2 mugs of cappuccino or caffe latte. The Mukka Express can also be used without milk for an ordinary espresso.
Available at LaPrima Shops [backordered].
Link via Popgadget
April 3rd, 2005 at 11:15 am
I doubt you can call what comes out of this “Capuccino Maker” a Capuccino. These stove-top machines do not make espresso, they make moka. They do not achieve the pressure needed to make real espresso.
And I doubt it also steams the milk properly.
May 11th, 2005 at 7:21 pm
You can buy the Bialetti Mukka in Canada at http://www.citychef.ca
City Chef is an online kitchenware store based in Vancouver,BC.
August 8th, 2005 at 10:00 am
A friend brought one back from Italy and it makes a great Cappacino or latte. It is a great design and I am going to pick one up.
March 29th, 2006 at 10:23 am
You can also now get it at the Canadian company http://www.espressoplanet.com. I haven’t tried it yet but have heard from many people that it is actually quite good.
April 25th, 2006 at 5:44 am
Ianiv-
Water boils at the same temperature no matter what device you use, and steam is steam! Just because they call it a moka pot, doesn’t mean it you don’t call the results espresso!
May 4th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
I just picked one of these gadgets up in Chicago (I live in Saskatoon) and I adore it! This machine makes fabulous cappuccino’s with a great foam on top. It takes up very little counter space, is ready in 5 minutes and makes delicious lattes/cappuccinos. I hope there’s a lifetime warranty!
May 28th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Bought two Mukka’s in Pasadena last week, one for a friend, and one for me. Hopeless results after daily experiments, gift red-faced to boot. No milk equals foaming stovetop erruption. With milk equals flavorless stew. Suggestions appreciated folks, Lang, Melbourne.
June 27th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
In Ottawa,Ontario, Canada I found this gadget in three stores: Bagel Bagel for $134.00; Cafe Venuto wanted about $114.00, and Misto in Hampton Park Plaza: $80.00!
After reading many reviews, I don’t want one.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
well for those of you who are italian and actually have experience with stove top expresso this is great,…its basically expresso with milk..
you need to put special expresso grind coffee in it for those of you who don’t know…
July 9th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
My sister in law came to visit from Italy and brought me one. It makes the most fabulous cappuccino. The same taste as when i was in Italy. We love it!!! Now my son and daughter want one as well.
July 17th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
My husband saw this in the Williams-Sonoma catalog and thought I would enjoy it. He was right. I’ve had it for 4 days – and I do love it. I haven’t tried it for espresso only, but I will after reading this site. I would buy it again in a minute.
September 4th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Very simple to use after a couple of practices and excellent results. You must use proper finely ground espresso coffee like Lavazza or Kimbo if you want the best results though.
October 14th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
I got one for my birthday and love the cappucino it makes. I usually nuke a bit of extra milk to make enough for us North American types.
I did kind of forget all the intricacies of the instructions, most importantly that to get the base unscrewed again you need to release the top valve.
Now the valve has cracked, and I’m wondering if anyone knows how I can get a replacement…
October 18th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
Carolyn, you can get all parts at the Bialetti website.
And for those of you with the problems of stove top eruptions…use a lower heat, per the Bialetti help line.
October 30th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Yes, it’s as quirky to use as it looks – and I love it! It’s become a ritual for me.
I tends to leak from the center so screw it closed very tight. Thenm of course, the problem is getting it open again. I finaly found a silicone oven mitt gives great traction. For even cheaper, there are rubber-palm garden gloves (also great for keeping finger nails clean with nasty cleaning & polishing jobs!)
For smaller hands, there’s a new collapsable silicone food strainer that lies flat and rippled and gives a good traction grip on a flat counter.
Oh, the leaking – under the standard gaskets I’ve added some standard O-rings from the hardware store that add just enough extra squish to my (now) old rubber gaskets.
After more than a year of 4-6 uses per day, the enamel on the lid is beginning to bubble up and there are a few other chips and the white is beginning to be stained from too mamy foam-overs – but it looks loved and well used – and it is!
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:23 am
I recently received my mukka express. So far I have had 2 dismal attempts. Although I tighten the 2 sections as tight as I can, water, then coffee, spews out of the mid section and spatters all over the stove. I refuse to give up, but what could I be doing wrong? I watched the video, read the manual, and followed all directions. Will it work better with more attempts? Should I just fun some water through it a few times without coffee grounds or milk? I have heard some people say it takes 3 times to get it working, some say 6 times.
November 5th, 2006 at 1:09 am
Jane
I had the same problem – fill the coffee holder away from the base and then put in in the base – even one tiny bit of spilt ground coffee on the screw threads makes it leak.
Hope this helps
November 5th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
The 4th attempt was the charm. I’m not having any problems anymore. I am really enjoying the pot.
November 7th, 2006 at 7:43 am
Anyone have trouble w/ bitter tasting coffee? I’m not having any leaking or foam problems, but the result is quite bitter; I’ve tried w/ different beans all properly ground.
November 7th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
I love it. Makes great cappucinno. When mine started leaking, I used a small amount of olive oil rubbed on the ridges that connect. It hardly ever leaks.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:59 pm
Got mine from Bosa Foods and love it. Sure, to the true cappucinno purist it may not be the real thing, but it’s better tasting than some of the junk they sell in a coffee shop with someone claiming to be a barista. Plus, I’m at the comfort of my home and they aren’t taking my first born for payment.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:06 am
Can anyone suggest a good rich coffee to use? I love how my mukka works but the coffee is weak tasting. I didn’t get a good pot until the third time, and for those of you planning to make espresso only, don’t. The Mukka is only meant to be used with milk in the top, never with coffee alone.
November 28th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Susie
Try ILLY fine grind espresso coffee – this is the best! We’ve been using a stovetop Bialetti for 4 years since we bought it back from Rome, and ILLY is the only coffee we use.
-Carrie
December 10th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Does anyone know where I can buy the Mukka Express Cappucinno Maker locally around Vancouver? Does any store carry this product so that I don’t have to wait for it online?
Many thanks!
December 11th, 2006 at 3:50 am
Susie, if you can get your hands on Caffe Kimbo you won’t be disappointed! In the UK it is sold in Tesco’s, but I’m sure it must be available in North America too. My husband is from Naples and this is the locally produced coffee that everyone uses. Loosly fill the coffe holder of your Mukka and you will have perfect strength coffee that isn’t too bitter.
December 11th, 2006 at 7:32 am
I’ve had my cappucino maker 5 months now. My big expensive electric machine now sits unused.
Invest in a cheap bristle art brush to brush off any gounds that get on the rim of the coffee basket; a good seal is essential. DO NOT TAMP THE COFFEE like you do with a pressurized espresso machine. Use a good espresso/moka grind coffee from Italy. Use a moderate heat as if you heat it too fast you lose favour and froth.
I’m so pleased with my Mukka I’m buying two this Christmas for my daughters.
GOod Luck!
December 18th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
Made out of aluminum, consumers have short memories. Anything made in aluminum is poisonous eg Alzheimer’s disease. If anyone tells you any different, they are trying to make money out of you.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:23 am
I’m a little late to this party, but Rosalind, that’s entirely untrue. Aluminium is a known neurotoxin, but it also is extremely insoluble in its naturally occurring forms, and as a result, it is nearly impossible to absorb. On average, we already take in about 30-50mg per day, and there is a fair amount in antacid tablets–far more than you would get from using aluminium cookware.
It is not known whether Alzheimers is caused by aluminium buildup or if aluminium buildup is caused by Alzheimers. The link is correlational, not causal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/aluminum.htm
January 25th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I also love this two-cup Muka. However, after about 15 uses making latte, and having no problems with leaking or boiling over, I now have boiling out the top and the spout each time I attempt to make latte. I have cleaned it well, use very low heat, done all the trouble shooting, I think . . .
Here’s what is happening: no water comes to the upper chamber until WHOOSH – the boiling water and steam come roiling up, foam the milk and boil out the spout and top. I know that the button is up, cuz I check and watch it. I have the valve on “Lock” or “1″ position as marked on the bottom of the milk chamber. It’s as though cappucino is being made, but, of course, there is too much liquid???? Suggestions? Oh – and what is the tiny grommet-lined hole for in the bottom of the (black) valve stem?
Thank you for any of your experiences re this . . .
February 11th, 2007 at 10:08 am
How much milk should be added to the top section? Should the milk be whole milk for best results? Can you use 2% milk? After reviewing some of the comments about boiling over I think my heat was turned up to high on my stove. Thanks for your replies.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I’m also interested in Stewart’s question i.e. “what type of milk to use”. I rarely get foam as I’ve been using “fat free” milk. Should I be using regular whole milk ? Also are you better off using a lower heat or a higher heat?
February 16th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Iavino (Dec 10th). IF you are still looking for one in Vancouver… the Bay sells the cow-print ones. I’m looking for polished aluminum finish (to match my Bialetti espresso maker)… Does anyone know of a local Vancouver store with them?
February 19th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Received our Mukka Express at Christmas – it was on my wish list. So far totally underwhelmed. Having all the stated problems, of leaking, frothing over and just too much work for a very bland cappucino. Certainly not worth the effort. Our last effort results in a real mes and stove top cleanup – just about ready to throw this $89 problem out with the junk. We’ve decided to give it one more try on a lower heat. But unless it is a great tasting event, it will be the last time we use… how disappointing.
February 21st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
To whomever left the advice about the olive oil … I love you! I too recieved this as a gift after over two years of wanting one and after the first pot have had nothing but problems. I kept getting sprayout between the top and bottom. Even when my husband tightened it I had problems. After a serious cleaning, I oiled the threads – and the gasket *(yes I know the oil will eat away the gasket eventually but that will be awhile and I can replace a gasket) anyhow, I filled the base with the water for gas stove, filled the filter basket with Illy medium roast, express ground coffee over the sink then put in in, double checked to make sure no grounds where there, – and screwed the top and bottom together then put on the black thing, twisted it into position, put down the top filled the milk area to the line with milk, turned on the stove and said a prayer. FOR the first time in a month, NO SPRAY!! Evidently the oil helped me to get a good “connection” If you are having “middle” issues try the oil and be diligent about grounds on the threads and gasket. IN the mean time thank you thank you to whomever suggested the olive oil rub down!
Amy
February 24th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
We purchased ours over the internet from SamovarCanada.com and are very happy with it. We have tried 2% and 1% (lactose free) and are very happy with the results of 1%.
I have a beautiful wooden, hand operated Italian Tre Spade burr grinder and grind my own beans to a very fine grind.
The cappucino is wonderful. The proportion of coffee, heated milk and froth seems ideal. Topped with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon and you have a perfect drink.
March 3rd, 2007 at 7:01 am
I’m not from Canada, but I just wanted to rave about this mukka machine. By no means does Mukka mean Mocha! It makes a delightful cappuccino. I live in Rome and bought one for the aesthetic look of the machine alone, but man has it saved me from having to visit a bar/cafe every morning! A completely inauthentic tip for the fun loving: One drunken evening, we filled the milk section with chocolate milk, made the cappuccino, poured it into our cups with a shot of baileys… mmm! Delicious!
March 3rd, 2007 at 7:03 am
Oh yeah, and to respond to the what kind of milk question, it foams well with both scremato (which I think is 2%) and whole milk. Inside the top cow-spotty pitcher, there’s a line that is indented into the metal of the machine. The milk should go up to that line. In otherwords, the actual nozzle/button that you put into the middle of the machine, the bottom of that nozzle should barely be touching inside the milk.
March 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hi Vancouverites,
Where is it the cheapest to buy in Vancouver. And which one would you think is easier to clean? The cow print one (is it enamel covered?) or the polished aluminum one?
Thank you all for your feedback. This site is very helpful!
March 6th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Iano:
Water *doesn’t* boil at the same temperature irrespective of device! The boiling point is determined by pressure. A proper, plumbed espresso machine has the capacity to build up sufficient pressure to make a “proper” espresso. The Moka pot/Mukka pot is in my opinion the next-best thing.
Susie:
I find the smoother coffee I make comes from packing the grounds in tightly. Don’t go too far, but find a tightness that works for you. You are not supposed to compress the grounds, per the instruction manual, but I honestly think it makes a massive difference. Also, you need to find a heat setting on the stove that is in the sweet spot. I find if it is set too hot, I get a more bitter brew, and if too cold, um I don’t know actually as I get impatient!
HTH
Ciao
Zak
March 7th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hi … does anyone know anything about the “Bialetti Gran Gala electric cappuccino maker” advertised in the W&S catalogue at US$139.95? I’ve used a Bialette stove top espresso maker for years and enjoy it … I was wondering if the product is available in Canada and if so where?
Thanks
Lloyd
March 9th, 2007 at 7:23 am
I purchased a Mukka Express and tried to make several pots of cappucino – all of them failed due to leaking where the top and bottom parts screw together. This was after following the DVD and booklet instructions to a “T.” I called Bialetti and they said it was a faulty value. Even after putting in a new valve, the pot still leaked. Thanks to someone’s suggestion on this blog, I tried putting a small dab of olive oil around the gasket. Viola! A tight seal was achieved and no leaking. The pot actually made an excellent cappucino. I am concerned about this gasket problem and why 50% of us experience a leaking pot and the other 50% has a good experience. Can someone comment on this problem? I am happy with the pot as long as this olive oil remedy continues to work. Thank you.
March 20th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Gail,
I have experienced a leak in the seal between the bottom and the top containers only once. I attributed it to the screen (the one that fits in under the seal and stays attached to the top pot) not being properly seated in its groove. Other than that, I usually tighten the heck out of the two halves and never have a problem. I do however, have to fight the thing open after I have made my cup of frothy goodness.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Julian , ditto for me. You have to screw the two halves on tightly to not experience water/steam loss while brewing. If you allow the device to cool properly,(20-25 minutes at least)you’ll find that unscrewing these halves is a lot easier as the metal contracts. I still am looking for a consistant brew/froth/taste (while using the correct ingredients ‘by the book’- no cheapies) and am beginning to think that the electric cook top is the problem. Any comments on this ?
March 24th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Just bought it today. Filled the water to the right level. Loosely packed the med grounds in the basket. Heated, and heated, and heated, and got about two tablespoons of espresso in the top adn soem very weak coffee left in the bottow. What did I do wrong? Will keep trying.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Steve, your “medium” grounds might be the problem. Most others are having success with a finer grind.
April 4th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Don’t listen to the silly snobbery remarks and speculation on the quality of this machine.
I am used to operating a professional gaggia, and over the years have made more expresso, americano, capp and lattes than I care to guess at.
This was perfect from the first cup…I don’t understand why people are having troubles or complaining about the taste. (hint, use good quality bold flavoured coffee for stronger taste)
I used good coffee, filled to the appropriate lines, put the pot on a cold electric burner then turned it up to 7.
When I hear the tell tale gurgle and froth 4 min later I take it off and pour a perfect foamy latte…no more fussing with my annoying home market counter-top machine and it’s pathetic steamer.
I plan on taking this pot everywhere I go…best gift ever!
April 8th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I just got my Mukka yesterday – does anyone know if I can use soy milk instead of regular milk?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:24 am
We’ve had the machine for a couple weeks- use soy milk exclusively. We get great foam, way better than Starbucks manages. We have been having the leaking middle problem, but I’m about to go try the olive oil rubdown.
April 14th, 2007 at 9:32 am
after 1 month’s use, i don’t get a good foam of milk from my mukka express anymore. i make sure the valve is pressed down for capuccino but end up with a latte. I tried checking the valve after cleaning for any problems…but I couldn’t figure out if it’s broken. has anyone experienced this problem? any suggestions?
April 14th, 2007 at 10:06 am
To repeat Lloyd’s question back in March, has anybody tried the electric version of the Mukka? I am really tempted to buy one for my office (no stove top available at work … and the “latte factor”, as I’ve heard it called, is biting a considerable chunk out of my salary). Thanks!
April 14th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I just received my Muka today and I’m dying to try it out but i can’t seem to get the pressure valve to the 0 position to clean the unit. Not sure if the difficulty is due to the unit being new and needing to loosen up or if its damaged. Anyone else have to break there’s in?
April 16th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Regarding the above problem, we’ve never experienced difficulties removing the valve. Ours has always rotated easily. Maybe try a bit more force and it should be looser next time.
Some more tips after nine months of successful use:
Our valve is still foaming well after all these months of use. For the person having problems with foaming, I suggest they ensure that the little metal screw thing that dips into the milk is completely clean. Insert a few bristles of a stiff brush into the hole to make sure it isn’t getting blocked at all.
If your pot leaks from the middle you are either not tightening it up enough or you’ve spilt coffee grounds around the thread. You must ensure that the pot is really tightly screwed together. You may find that it does take half a dozen or so uses for the seal to wear in. Also make sure that there are no used grains stuck to the seal. You can dismantle the seal and filter periodically to clean thoroughly.
Remove the valve first when you come to wash up. This releases the pressure and the pot will unscrew easily then.
Only use proper, finely ground espresso coffee such as Lavazza, Illy (or Kimbo if you can get it). Anything else just won’t work.
Wait until the pot has completely finished all its gurgling and whooshing noises before you remove it from the stove. It takes several minutes, especially if the valve is in its raised position for latte. That way your coffee will be nice and hot. No more lukewarm results!
Be careful to only fill the pot to the marker levels for water and milk (or very slightly below), this will prevent overflowing. I use semi-skimmed milk and have always had a good result. I think the less fatty types of milk work better than the full cream versions.
I have seen the electric version on sale in Italy although I don’t own one myself. However I have a plain espresso maker by DeLonghi that’s electric and it works very well. I was put off buying the electric Mukka due to the fact that it has a much smaller capacity and only makes one cup. But I’m sure it probably works well.
Hope these tips help.
April 17th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
For those looking for the Moka Express in Vancouver it’s available at Bosa Foods in behind Boundry and First Ave.(turn in at Gravely and follow it around the corner). They also carry the Illy brand coffee and lots of other wicked treats.
April 22nd, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Hi,
I am thinking of buying the electric version through Williams-Sonoma. I read the directions for the stovetop version at a store and it really made a big deal about the fact that the pot should cover the entire burner. I have an electric srove and I don’t think the pot would cover the small burner. Any words of wisdom from those of you who use the stovetop on electric stoves? Thanks!
April 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I have a Mukka Express and it was working great for about a month and a half. I loved it! Now however, when I try to make a latte, none of the coffee gets up into the milk area. Instead of the gurgling and steaming sound, all I hear is the valve hissing like a tea kettle. When I open it, the coffee in the bottom doesn’t even seem to be hot. I did use grounds that were not espresso several times, but it made the coffee fine then. Would this be enough to cause this malfunction? Now it doesn’t work even with espresso grounds.
May 9th, 2007 at 11:24 am
I just received my Mukka Express (purchased off ebay)and so far so good.
Barbara- I used mine on my smallest burner (electric stove). The express only covers about 1/2-3/4 of the burner, so I used med-high (75%) heat and it seems to work just fine.
Coffee tastes bitter, but it could be the Medaglia D’Oro I used.
May 11th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I received my Mukka Express yesterday and am having the same problem as Melissa. I can get the pressure valve to the 0 position to clean it. It goes about half way to the 1 position.
Even my brawn husband can’t force it–he’s dying to use a wrench. LOL! I’m afraid to apply more pressure, afraid that it will damage the unit. Help?
May 11th, 2007 at 10:22 am
I’m sorry, I meant to say that I cannot get the value to the 0 position to clean it. I have continued to work with it and am now about 3/4 of the way to 0. Thanks for any input!
May 13th, 2007 at 8:23 am
hi
i publish a m-f, free, opt-in newsletter all about greater vancouver. i did a piece on a swiss coffee manufacturer that also produces espresso machines…take look in the archives and who knows you might like the newsletter enough to subscribe.
thanks
george froehlich
May 18th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Just got this for my birthday yesterday, made my first pot this morning. Had absolutely not problems worked perfectly. I can tell I am going to love this. Just as good if not better than Starbucks. Has anyone ever added flavoring to the milk? Just wondering.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I fell in love with Cappucino while in Italy last month. I bought this pot in Rome and love it! Had some problems with the leaking in the middle after a few weeks. More was on the stovetop than in the pot. After a good cleaning and using just water thru a cycle it seems better. Will definitely try the oil trick. I gave up regular coffee after using this gadget, so glad I stumbled upon it on vacation.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
I bought my Mukka Express and have not had any major problems, but does anyone know any good recipes (that could rival Starbucks- I LOVE their White Chocolate Mocha and Vanilla Latte)- just need recipes- HELP!
June 25th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Just got a Mukka Express, I found that unhommogenised milk works better than hommogenised. I wouldn’t call the coffee a cappacino, but it makes a great latte.
July 15th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I have the smae problem as Jesse. Any suggestions?
July 30th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
I bought a pink mukka express off Ebay, and tried it out tonight. It works great! First I tried using medium grind, and it didn’t work so well… only some of the espresso made it into the milk. I switched to Nabob espresso grounds, and it worked like a charm. It’s like i’m back in Europe again sipping cafe con leches!
I highly recommend this espresso maker. The pink one is so pretty… matches my pink kitchenaid mixer too!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I bought the mukka express from Bed Bath & Beyond. Makes cappacino just as good as Starbucks. Better since I put splenda sugar in the milk before brewing. Also have tried cinnamon. Tastes great . Only problem is leaking sometimes. Makes a mess on the stove top. Got to be real careful not to get any grinds near rubber seals top and bottom. Before unscrewing take off the valve. You will hear an insuck of air. Makes unscrewing easier. Should have made this thing as a one piece pot with coffee filter and top to go inside the pot. That way if not screwed together tight or grinds in seals would leak inside pot but not on stove, no mess. Also I have noticed that the continued use of any coffee pot has a lot to do with how easy it is to clean up after use. That is probably why drip pots are so popular. Throw the paper filter away, rinse the pot, done. But the coffee is not as good as other methods of brewing.
August 6th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Have a mukka express since christmas. Here are my tips:
1- Use fresh, finely ground coffee beans, the oilier the better. Get yourself a burr grinder for 100$ (I have a Breville conical burr grinder and really love it). Sometimes I use standard beans and I like the results.
2- Tried an espresso today (no milk) and it worked nice. Strong enough, great taste but not enough crema foam. Will try appropriate coffee beans next time (used standard beans). Makes an espresso like the automatic one-cup Saeco machine at my job.
3- KEEP CLEAR OF LOOSE COFFEE ANYWHERE. Otherwise it will certainly spill.
4- I put on electric stove at 4 (med-low) (takes 5-7 min. approx.)
5- Do not clean the pot with soap! Keep the good coffee oils in the pot by cleaning it with hot running water and a brush if necessary. Makes a huge difference in taste and the quality of the froth. This is why it always takes a couple runs to have a good coffee when the pot is new.
6- Sit back, relax and enjoy. For the price of the machine, you are currently sipping one heck of a good espresso/cappucino/latte. Plus, it has a cow motif!
August 12th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I have been researching this Mukka Express since before last Christmas and was concerned with the problems that some people have had, although many like it.
I also found the Mukka a little expensive ($120Cdn).
Today I was in Toronto at the Taste of the Danforth and went into a small kitchen shop to avoid the rain and found this item priced at $89.99 with 25% off today only (last day of the street festival).
I took the plunge and bought it. I love the cow design too.
I LOVE this machine……..I have made several cappuccinos tonight for myself and my family and all of them turned out perfect. I think the clues are to use the proper coffee (I used Lavazzo) and to not get a grain of coffee in the thread. I also experimented with heat and time, finally deciding on a mark 7 on electric. The first attempt frothed the milk and it overflowed a bit of froth (no huge deal)so the next attempt I put a touch less milk and it was perfect.
It is SO easy and SO good that I am hooked already.
I read on here to only clean with hot water and a brush and that is what I will be doing.
I can see me becoming addicted to this machine, and for an ex-Brit chain tea drinker that’s some recommendation!
August 18th, 2007 at 6:42 am
This “cappucino” maker was a huge disappointment to us. It works sometimes but not always (as in, sometimes there’s pressure and sometimes not enough, sometimes the drink is cold because the espresso didn’t come through hot enough to heat the milk) and the drinks are watery. Yuck. Don’t waste your money.
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Yes I was disappointed. It leaks from the middle. It does not make enough for more than one small cup. And I left it too long on the stove and the inner plastic part melted onto the center tube. A regular cheaper espresso maker would not do that. For the price, very disappointing.
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
The Mukka Express was great for a couple of months. All of a sudden, the coffee “brews” too quickly and is not hot. Using same medium temperature setting as before but not having good results. Any suggestions?
August 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Has anybody purchased the electric bialetti mukka express cappuchino maker??
have they had any issues with it being electric instead of stove top??
Any tips would be great.
thank you.
Ronnie in NJ
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I’ve also found that running the gasket seal under hot tap water before screwing the upper and lower parts together will give you a better seal. i haven’t had any leakage problems since doing that.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Help! I bought my Mukka Express last weekend, and with a bit of practice got perfect cappucinos (using medium ground coffee and whole milk)This morning’s was the best – but now I can’t for the life of me unscrew the top from the bottom. I’ve taken the valve off; the pot is cold – does anyone have any tips or is this the end of the short life of my lovely machine?
September 21st, 2007 at 11:45 am
I just brought one home from Italy (42 Euro, included two mugs/saucers). I was having no success getting it to foam the milk on my electric stovetop – I kept lowering the heat to get the top to pop in the 5-10 minute timeframe recommended by the manual.
Finally, I tried going in the other direction – turning the heat to MAX. Works like a charm now. I’ve also just made a pot with half and half instead of milk – delicious!
September 21st, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Anyone that is willing to get “rid” of your Muk k a …. let me know. I love coffe and would love one of these but really can’t afford it right now. my e mail is:
l o a t c @ h o t m a i l . c o m
I would really like the electric version even if it makes only one cup. Thanks!
September 26th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I have an Electric Mukka, which works a treat. The same problems exist as with the stove top ones, ie, leaking, and difficult to unscrew etc, but apart from that its superb. The advantage is that it beeps at you to tell you that its ready, and also, beeps at you if there’s a problem (the beeps differ depending on the outcome).
This means you know when you need to turn it off and re-check everything, and you know when your coffee is ready. The only problem is the one I have is only a one cup, and because it takes an age to get the bottom off, you can only have one cup of coffee every half hour. I believe a 2 cup and possibly 3 cup electric are available as we speak, these would be perfect. It would certainly save the fights with my wife as to who gets the first cup!!
September 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Oh, and this may sound silly, but keep your ground coffee in the fridge, many people do anyway, but it really does make all the difference! I use Lavazza, kept in the fridge, use two teaspoon fulls in my one cup electric mukka, and it the coffee is delicious. Full Fat milk is better for froth in the electric, as the steam generated is not as high as a stove top one, that said, I have used semi and its ok.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I agree with SPW – if you want two servings at the same time you are out of luck! A major drawback IMO.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:31 am
i got the mukka 2 months ago, and have been using illy moka ground. the moka ground is made especially for the moka/mukka pot as it is a little bit coarser than the regular illy espresso grounds. the extracted flavour is better (less bitter) and you don’t get those ground residue in the bottom of your cup after. i store my opened can of ground in the freezer. but even after a few times of opening and closing, the ground will lose some of its aroma and the coffee flavour will decrease as a result. so last week i went full out and got a rancilio rocky doserless grinder and a bag of blaser cafe beans (from switzerland)… WOW what an awesome improvement!!! even grounds from a newly opened can of illy cannot beat the smell and flavour of fresh ground beans… for those of you that are considering an upgrade from the mukka pot, i highly recommend getting a burr grinder and grind your own beans. it REALLY makes a difference!
October 21st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I don’t have the time to use the Mukka everyday, so just on weekends. The first pot always leaked like crazy. Realized that the rubber gasket dries out so now I unscrew the top portion and set it in a small bowl of water overnight. First pot on Saturday morning is now working like a charm.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I bought the mukka express coffee maker and it makes delicious coffee. but, this afternoon it sort of exploded the top cover opened and now my kitchen cubboards and ceiling are coffee color, also my clothes and hair. i was lucky i wasn’t burnt. It reminded my of a presto cooker that blew. it is a good thing that the cover on the top is attached. be careful…………
November 12th, 2007 at 10:57 am
I just noticed that you can get the Mukka with Air Miles (around 1200 if memory serves) so I Googled to see what I could find out about the machine, and it sounds like it might be worth spending either cash or my miles.
2 questions:
A) Can you steam Enriched Rice Milk?
2) Where can I buy it in Toronto or Barrie, Ontario?
November 16th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
If anyone has trouble with the stainless Bialetti Moka pot leaking steam, I had the same trouble.
I substituted a gasket that fits my old aluminum pot and that stopped it.
I don’t know if the replacement kits sold by Bialetti that contain the screen and gaskets work or not. I have several of the old gaskets, so I’m not likely to find out soon.
There appears to be a thirty second of an inch diff.
November 19th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I’m wanting to buy a Bialetti, and am unsure whether it is better to get an aluminum or a stainless steel one. Does the metal make a difference in the quality of espresso? I find stainless steel easier to clean than aluminum….but you all seem to be going for the aluminum Muka….so what’s the deal???
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:51 pm
We just got the 2-cup Bialetti. The leaking between the upper and lower halves is extremely annoying (I have been very careful to avoid stray coffee bits on the lip). It results in horrible burned coffee smell in the kitchen for hours. It’s particularly vexing because it would have been easy to design it so that it wouldn’t happen. It also only occurs about half of the time, and appears to be a random problem because I do it the same way every time.
I’m willing to keep trying to get this thing working well, but the instructions are terrible. Can anyone tell me HOW MUCH COFFEE TO USE? Seems like a rather important bit of information, yet the instructions say only “fill the basket” or something like that. It would be far better to provide an actual measurement, in tablespoons or whatever. The basket plate, as you know, is spring loaded; the amount of coffee that can be put in there is certainly not a fixed amount.
Also, the instructions appear to say that my cappucino is ready 10 to 15 seconds after the center button/valve pops up. However, they also say that it’s OK to leave the Mukka on the stove for up to a minute for hotter brew. Huh? There’s a BIG difference between 10-15 seconds and a minute!
Any help from experienced users would be greatly appreciated. I’m not ready to give up on this yet.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I just purchased the Bialetti Mukka from my favorite thrift store for $3.00. I have read enought comments that I think I can make it work without instructions. Wish me luck!!
January 9th, 2008 at 7:10 am
This is a very helpful site and I want to thank the owner and the contributors. In fact, my decision to purchase the Bialetti Mukka was based partly on the opinions express here (I am a LONG time user of the Bialetti stove top espresso maker). However, HEEEEELLLLP!!!
The first few times I used the Mukka, it worked flawlessly. Milk foamed up nicely all was good. But, now, the valve seems to pop early (I am guessing here), the milk foams to less than a third the height it should, water is left in the base (i.e. not all of the water is forced up through the funnel/basket) even when I leave the unit on the burner for a minute or so after the first expression of steam and coffee, and the result is not a bad, but not very hot, café latté. But I want the cappuccino.
I have been extremely anal about ensuring that no grinds find their way between the two halves of the unit and I have tried the olive oil suggestion (oiling both the gasket and the threads). Nothing has worked. I cannot see any steam leakage from the seal. I did not oil the threads very much. Should I try a serious coating of oil?
Any suggestions would be very, very, greatly appreciated.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Linda: You have probably tried rice milk by now. I tried a soya milk product (when the unit was still working properly) and it foamed out the spout. Seems the soya milk I was using bubbles up too much. I suspect that different milk products have different foaming coefficients. The instructions, as I recall, say to use milk only. If I had used less soya milk to avoid the over foaming, it may not have foamed at all as the spout would not have been close enought to the milk.
January 11th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I received the electric Mukka Express for Christmas. It’s taken some fiddling to figure out its nuances but I’m very happy overall. Here’s some tips:
1) Make sure to use a dark-roast, espresso-ground coffee. Fill the cup up to the rim without tamping it down and make sure there are ZERO grounds of coffee on the edge of the rim of the coffee holder (both top and bottom of it).
2) Make sure you firmly tighten the top and bottom of the unit; otherwise, steam will leak and you won’t get adequate frothing of the milk in the top.
3) I’ve been using both 1% and 2% milk. Both work fine. Can’t see much difference in the amount of froth so I’m inclined to stick with 1%.
4) To speed up making a second cup, grasp the Cappucino valve and remove after pouring the first cup. This releases the steam in the lower unit and makes it much easier to dissemble. The units will be HOT however so grasp them carefully as you twist (I use a dish towel to hold the hotter lower unit) or just wait for them to cool sufficiently.
5) Sprinkle some chocolate powder on top or stir into the liquid portion (before dolloping on the foam) for an added treat!
January 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I bought the unit on eBay and really regret it–since the shipping price was higher than the unit price it wouldn’t be worth it to return. It leaks and leaks. The only itme it doesn’t leak is with plain water. Could it be the grind? I’ve always ground my own but am willing to try a few more times if anyone has suggestions.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I have been using my stove top, cow motif, aluminum Mukka Cappuccino maker for approx 4 months now. Average perahps 2 pots a day. For 100 bucks, I don’t think anybody can complain about the results, which I find are generally excellent, but it does need regular cleaning to get best frothing, and hotter brew, as the valve seems to lose its sealing quality as coffee residue build up in it and on the top of the spigot.
I clean the inside of the valve and the top of the spigot with vinegar and a tooth brush, and then flush the whole system with just water every third pot. It seems that coffee residues build up, and compromises the sealing surfaces causing the the valve to pop/lift too early/easily in the brew cycle resulting in au-lait type brew. Still tasty though.
The fineness of the grind will also make a big difference in the way the valve pops/heated water flows through coffee grinds/basket: a finer grind will result in a less powerful pop, and slower flow, and a cooler brew, as the grinds turn to a mud. A coarser espresso grind will flow more water faster, and create better froth and a hotter brew. I use high burner setting. I take the pot off the burner when it stops hissing, and let it sit on the back burner. The contents stay warm for a reasonable time. Leaving it on the burner after it’s been turned off, gives a burnt flavour. I find Illy expresso grind is very flavourful, but Kimbo flows the hot water better, making better froth, though it’s bitter compared to the Illy dark. Another trick I leanrned for really foamy froth, is to pre heat the milk. Homo works best IMO.
I’m not sure what people are referring to regarding setting the pressure valve to 0. Once I used to much too finley ground coffee in the basket, and and the valve worked fine, releasing the steam pressure as designed, and I didn’t touch/adjust it.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention that cleaning the back side of the screen and the inside of the spigot tube, accessible after the main gasket is pulled, also helps keep it frothing like new.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Does anyone know if the “espresso” produced by the Mukka, without milk, is more similar to that produced by the Brikka, or to that produced by the Moka pots? Thanks for any help!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:16 am
Hello to all! I bought recently Mukka express and I still don’t know how it works. The first time I’ve put it in the kitchen (in indication “4″) and after 10 minutes the valve still was down. The second time the indication of kitchen was 7 (9 is the maximum temperature) and after 7 minutes I heard the “splash” of valve and it started to rise milk and coffe everywhere from the top, like volcano. I put it instantly in the sink but the volcano stopped only when there was no more coffe-milk. Please please please help :-(
February 12th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Re: last post… I found that medium low heat is best. Too high heat will make the coffee lack taste and temperature won’t be hot enough, and too low heat will just take too long. Regarding overflow problem, make sure you add milk only to the level of the rim as indicated inside the upper compartment, and add the right amount of water to lower compartment (using the measuring cup). Try adding less milk, and don’t add too much ground coffee to the basket, and make sure you don’t tamp/press on the ground. Hope that helps!
February 17th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
What is the best way of cleaning the filter screen? I have been able to clean the build up from the surface, but about half of the holes in the screen still seem blocked.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
i usually rinse and gently scrub the screen (without detergent) after every use. If there are still alot of fine grounds stuck in it, you can try to soak the screen in soapy water, or use compress air to knock them off when it’s dry.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:25 am
I just got the electric version of this mukka express… and its WONDERFUL! It really makes BEAUTIFUL cappuccino and lattes!!! I think the trick will be in the putting the right amount of milk and water. If you do not, it will just spray out!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I recently bought the stove top version and love it. The first few pots were trial and error and I did have a couple spray or even empty onto the stove. After cleaning and making sure the screen was in correctly ( we put it in upside down once, coffee everywhere) it never leaked again. My husband and I love the cappuccino it makes and the convienence of it. Not to mention the $$ we save from running to Starbucks. You can buy flavored syrups at the grocery store and have your favorite at home!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
love my mukka express but after several years my pressure valve no longer works–i found several in on line stores but nobody wants to ship to canada–does anybody out there know what carries the parts in canada???
March 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Great site! I have the Bennoti machine, which is okay, but hate having to order the coffee pods from them. Saw the Bialetti Mukka in Williams-Sonoma, and have found other places to purchase it. Before doing that though, I was curious about being able to use the fat free flavored creamers in place of the milk, and wondering if it’s worth the extra money to get the electric one? Any and all comments will be appreciated! Thanks.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
A new model came out:
Bialetti Mukka Glass Cappuccino Maker and a pic is available on http://www.williams-sonoma.com
I just love it!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I bought my Mukka stove top cappucino machine in Melbourne Australia on a recent holiday and have been disappointed because of the leaking, coffee too weak, sometimes hot, sometimes not and so on as experienced by people here. I will try a few new things as suggested by others otherwise it will be left at the bottom of the kitchen cupboard and my oldie but goodie reinstated.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Bought the electric Mukka Express. Had all the same problems with leaking, exploding, etc. but it seemed to work itself out after about 6 uses.
Brought it to work and have been enjoying my Pellini Top coffee (from Bosa Foods), HOWEVER, today when I plugged it in, the green light did not come on and all I get now is an ear-splitting squealing and no coffee. I’ve had it about one month.
Caveat emptor.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
My wife just bought me the glass Mukka Express from Williams-Sonoma…so far I am pretty happy with it! I have been using a Bialetti stovetop espresso maker for many years now and have really enjoyed having it. I still plan to use that one when I make iced latte drinks, because I really like the espresso it makes. But for cappuccino and hot lattes, I will definitely enjoy using the Mukka Express.
I noticed a few people asking about soy milk here — I used WestSoy Plus soymilk and had good results. I really love this stuff.. Silk in the red box is my next favorite — but usually WestSoy can be found a bit cheaper, and I go through a lot of it!
I have always packed/tamped the coffee in my old Bialetti stovetop espresso maker, even though the directions say not to. I find that I get a much stronger/more flavorful espresso that way. You do have to watch the heat of the oven though and find the “sweet spot” for your particular oven — everybody’s is going to be different, you just need to experiment! I currently buy whole beans from a local coffee roasting company and grind them as fine as possible in my burr grinder…or I like to use the Illy Dark Espresso roast. I have not tried the Illy in the Mukka Express yet, but I plan to give it a try..
July 6th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Help!
The taste is just plain bitter….
I’ve been using a stovetop espresso maker, warming my milk in the micro wave and foaming my milk with a electric milk frother with quite good results. Using the same coffee with the mucca express makes a very bitter cappuccino. I just dont get it…
any ideas??
July 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Kenneth — one thing that can cause extra bitterness is letting the espresso sit out (be exposed to air) — you should mix the espresso with the milk as soon as it is made. The best baristas I have seen seem to froth the milk first, get that all ready in the serving mug/glass, then they make the espresso spots and *immediately* pour it over the frothed milk. When I make iced lattes, I can even notice a big difference between pouring espresso over room temperature milk and iced milk — it seems to work best if you pour the espresso into the room temperature milk, mix that up pretty good, and then add ice…for example. :-)
Good luck! If this doesn’t help, I would try some other coffee, most Whole Foods stores usually sell the Illy brand of espresso, their ground espresso is very good.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:11 am
To those having problems, 1) you need to follow the directions exactly as they are listed, and 2) about one in ten doesn’t seal, take it back and get another. These machines do work if you follow the directions, don’t overfill, use lowfat milk, and ideally use the Illy Mokka grind that is made specifically for the machine.
The comment about “not being a true espresso/cappucino” is half right. It isn’t a true espresso machine espresso… it’s a true stovetop espresso. Nearly every home in Italy has one. The results of this machine after repeated use and practice are excellent, particularily when you compare the pricetag to machines that cost $500-2000.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Hi there,
Have had my Mukka for a while now, began using it religously about 8 months ago. Now, however, steam is escaping through the little valve on the side of the coffee maker. I called Bialetti. They surmised that it was the steamer valve inside that failed and sent me a new one. However, that’s not the issue, since the problem repeats with the replacement valve. If I just put water in the bottom and water in the top, no steam escapes through “the safety inspection valve.” But as soon as I put coffee in the basket, the problem happens again. Has anyone else run into this problem?
Thanks!
August 10th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Also check this website about Cappuccino Machines and Coffee Makers
We provide good coffee maker reviews, most contributed by consumers.
So if you don’t know which coffee maker to choose, take a look!
August 24th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Just bought this yesterday and tried 8 times — no success. The button doen’t pop until after 6 or 7 minutes are vaying temps between low, med and high gas flame. No froth yet — not once. :(
Help!
September 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I bought this today for 80 bucks.
First attempt was a failure with coffee leaking out from where the bottom half meets the top half, but after I disassembled the aerator and cleaned the machine thoroughly, it works perfectly.
Lots of froth and everything…I don’t know about the taste yet. Maybe I should have used better espresso beans.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:58 am
I just bought this yesterday. After 3 attempts, I finally got it to work. The coffee flavor was weak, though, and not warm enough. I prepare it on a gas stove. (I used Illy Moka that I purchased at Williams Sonoma) Any ideas on how to get it warmer? I’ve had to microwave after pooring it in my cup.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I bought an espresso coffee machine this year and it really gives a high quality coffee. I’m now crazy about the espresso coffee. I’m loving it. You too like it if you taste it atleast once.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Do you have to make 2 cups of coffee each time it is used – what if I only want to make 1 cup of coffee.
Thanks.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Got mine at Winners in Edmonton for $50. It works like a charm using medium heat.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Oh ya, I’m 99% certain that the manual says it CANNOT be used on gas stoves. Many entries in this blog mention failed attempts at coffee with gas burners… Use conventional electric or electric ceramics and you will have no problems.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
First off, it does work on gas stoves. In fact there are 2 different amounts of water used depending on if you use a gas or electric stove. I’m guessing that the people that fail use too high of a flame or the burner itself is too wide. The flame shouldn’t wrap around the outside of the maker. It should be used on the small burner, assuming you have one.
Also, it says right on the manual that you can leave it on the stove for a minute after the milk frothing to keep heating the coffee. It works fine.
The Mukka Express, as stated numerous times, is not making true espresso. Who cares? It is about expectations. You shouldn’t buy something that’s sub-$100 and expect it to rival a Seattle coffee house. It does, however, make a decent quasi-cappuccino.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Ok – I’ve made six batches and had none of the problems listed above. My problem…only about half of the coffee is making it into the top of the pot. The emergency release valve in the bottom of the unit starts releasing steam very early in the process – do I have a bad valve? I have taken everything apart and cleaned it all thoroughly and there are no errant coffee grains harming the seal.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:32 am
FYI for those having difficulty getting the top and bottom unscrewed after use.
Lift the push button before you try to unscrew the two pieces, this breaks the vacuum that is formed when the Mukka cools and the top and bottom come apart easily.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Update on my valve issue, the main valve was plugged and a quick call to City Chef (an online kitchen catalogue located in Richmond BC) resulted in them sending us a replacement. Success!
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Have had this for about six months, used it religiously and re-read and followed the instructions to the letter. I would estimate it makes a successful “quasi-cappuccino,” as people here have described it, roughly 10% of the time. Despite careful cleanings, attention to the seals, a delicate hand in seating the valve, etc., it just does NOT manage to sufficiently pressurize before the valve releases water into the upper chamber. I don’t think a replacement valve would help, as it doesn’t fail each and every time. It would appear the design is simply not up to the task. Wouldn’t buy it again.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:37 am
makes great coffee – buy a brand new one so you don’t have the problems that many of you have
December 28th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I’ve had it for two days, and the damn thing erupted like a volcano. There is a big coffee colored stain on the roof of my kitchen which I cant get rid of.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I just received one of these for Christmas. I also own a high-end machine that I have used for 6 or 7 years. Are they the same? No. However, the Mukka makes a very good version of cappuccino if you follow the directions, including the recommendation to make 5 or 6 cups before serving any. Plus, it is self-operating and portable.
The fancy countertop machine will be my preference. For a faster cup while I am doing something else, it gets used often. Most importantly, I cab take it camping for cappuccino by the campfire. Previously, I had to use the Nestle Instant. Yuch.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I know everyone’s frustration with the leaking but our Italian family in Italy showed me the ’secret’. GREASE THE RUBBER GASKETS WITH VEGETABLE OIL. I guess the secret is out:) Even if it is new they need to be greased and then regularly, every two weeks, there after. NO MORE LEAKS!!!!
February 15th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I got one recently.It seems that I cannot stop the leaking problem.I couldn’t make not even one cup of cappuccino. Should I ask for a replacement?
Do you have to make 2 cups of coffee each time it is used – what if I only want to make 1 cup of coffee. I bought the one for 2 cups, thinking that I would be able to make 1 cup if I wanted to….
Thanks.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:28 am
As others have reported I had the same issue with leaks. My wife, a Chemical Engineer, suggested that I use Teflon tape. Haven’t had a leak since. You can get this in the plumbing section of hardware stores for a few $.
Two or three wraps around the threads did the trick. Now it screws on and off easier and no leaks, just replace tape when needed.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 am
I have to agree with Ianiv Schweber, that these moka pots cannot be called Cappuccino makers….but the coffee they make does come very close to an espresso…and they cost so much less compared to an espresso machine
April 28th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Okay, the mooka express is great for about a month. Then it starts to not work and you have to reorder the valve off the internet, it works for a few weeks, then you realize that it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
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July 10th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
If you break it in without using milk, the coffee-only contents of the upper beaker will explode everywhere at the point when the foaming would normally begin. To break in without stovetop volcanoes: follow all instructions but do not fill upper beaker with milk. Once the button pops up and you hear hissing (this is when foaming would occur if milk were present), simply remove the whole thing from the burner, discard the coffee (or drink it..), and repeat. Doing this 5 or 6 times breaks in the machine and makes a nice cup of cappucino for the next time.
I don’t understand why people are having leaky machines. Don’t foul the threads with any grounds, don’t pile up the coffee in the filter basket above the level of the rim, and don’t put the heat up too high. I use the ‘medium’ setting on my 20-year-old Hotpoint electric range, which is a very hot range at all settings. If you still have a problem then remove the gaskets and put them back in. Try again. Make sure the top and bottom units are screwed together tightly. To remove the top and bottom units, flip the pressure valve to the open position and release excess steam pressure.
Don’t leave it on a hot stove, don’t heat it up too fast, don’t clean it out with soap or vinegar, and don;t drink coffee before bedtime.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
When serving, I pour the liquid into short coffee cups and spoon the foam. This puts the thickest (best) foam toward the back of the top part of the unit. I haven’t ever had a bad cup with this machine. It’s a very nice product.
If you’re used to Starbucks’ drinks then you’re in for a treat. If you think it’s bitter then try using a naturally sweeter coffee with a lighter body or a lighter roast. Mexican, Costa Rican, and Guatemalan high-grown coffees are very sweet and (usually) not roasted too darkly.
Those make nice mellow coffees for this machine, but if you want a more strident flavor (like I prefer) then use a properly dark French or Italian roast of whatever brand you prefer. Cappuccino is supposed to have a strong, strident flavor, so you may just be used to Starbucks light, milk-heavy capps if you think these are too bitter. (Starbucks masquerades as a coffee shop but it’s really quite a rip-off and more like fast food as far as good coffee drinks are concerned — the employees are usually under-trained and not at all knowledgeable about their jobs and the variations possible in each drink. Small things make BIG differences with coffee drinks.) Also, try sweetening the milk before heating. A french roast has a nice smoky flavor with underlying natural sweetness that contrasts nicely with the toasted foamed milk flavor. Higher fat content in the milk makes a stronger flavor and better foam.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I bought mine a year ago in Nuremberg, Germany. Brought it back to Japan and used it since.
There were some experimenting in the beginning, but I found it easy by following the guidlines on water level (for gas) and milk level.
I use quite low heat (3-4 minutes) and standard milk. Low fat works well.
I june I lost the top valve and had to order it. Got it in September!!!
Now it was laeking from the gasket even I claened it very well.
I read this blog and… Voila!! Olive oil!! THANK YOU!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
For those having trouble with cold coffee with almost no froth after some period of use:
I used to have the same trouble, namely, after an intensive use for a month or two, the thing started to behave irregularly, the valve would go up prematurely, resulting in cold coffee with no froth. The solution is – clean the screen filter regularly. It gets clogged after some 20-30 times, depending on the grind. Flushing it under running water is not enough. Use a toothbrush to scrub the screen from the “inner” side. The bristles can penetrate into the holes in the screen and drive the stuck grains away. No need to buy a new valve, just clean the filter regulaly, and it will never happen again.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:32 am
I also had intermittent problems with the valve releasing prematurely. When placing the filter basket, I now make sure that it is as centered as possible. This has produced much more consistent results.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I love my Bialetti but I am having trouble
with the little valve at the base. It lets out air after about 4 minutes and then the
big valve won’t rise. Why ?
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January 23rd, 2010 at 11:17 pm
@Marina, I have the same problem. I end up simply letting steam escape from the bottom value for about 15 seconds, then pop the top valve up myself. It seems to work reasonably well. In the meantime, I’m looking for a replacement foaming valve. I’m going to try cleaning the foaming valve in vinegar when I get back to Canada.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Mine was fine until at some point it started making lukewarm coffee at all temperatures. WHY?
February 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Hi, I am having problems with a burnt coffee taste. I am setting the machine on a medium heat, but it always takes about 12-15 minutes until the valve pops up. If I turn the temperature up on my electric stove, it just seems to taste more burnt. Any ideas please?
May 1st, 2010 at 7:43 am
I’ve had mine for 3 years. I’ve replaced the valve, filter and gaskets, and still love it (ordered parts online from goodmans.net to Alberta). Yes, occasionally it spits on the stove, but the olive oil treatment fixes that. Yes, it will boil over, oops. The lukewarm issue can be fixed by leaving it on the burner for a bit after its boiled, but you do have to watch, to prevent the boil over. You may also try grinding the coffee a bit finer, so it takes more pressure to send the water through. I’m now looking for an electric one, any comments on those?
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July 31st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
For all you Vancouverites you can get the Mukka Express from the Bay or Espressotec in Richmond which had the cheapest @ $75. I just got this machine and I can say “impressed!”. I made the suggested 3 pots prior to a first tasting which I had no problems with. When I finally made my first consumable pot, it came out perfect with no mess or fuss, but I’ll keep in mind that oiling the gasket may be needed eventually. The cappuccino was superb for a home made cup. I made mine with Illy’s Moka grind. I absolutely LOVE my Mukka and never going back to home drip ever again.
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I’m always curious to know if the coffee made using the Capuccino Maker is really good? Would there be enough pressure to create the flavor and would the milk heat properly?
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April 19th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Wow. I found lots of good advice here! I love my Mukka Express Vitro ( the glass one) but have had leaks. The olive Oil trick did wonders.
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