280842 Wed Nov 09 16:30:25 -0800 2005 9 31 Home Cooking 0 1493000 This is a fairly new stovetop pot that makes the espresso and heats the milk all in one unit. I've done an extensive search online (coffeegeek.com included) and I haven't found much info. Anyone have any experience with this device? Wed Nov 09 16:30:25 -0800 2005 0 cal 1 1493012 Christopher Kimball recently tried this and commented on it in a Cook's Illustrated e-notes. Anyway his conclusion was that it wasn't good if you need to make drinks for very many people(duh), the cappucino he made was lacking, and the cafe au lait he made with it was good. I'm actually really curious about this as well - maybe your post will generate some first hand reports. One interesting thing I saw recently...Micheal Chiarello (sp?) made foamed milk in a saucepan w/ an immersion blender. I never would of thought of that but I love the no additional equipment needed - I have both those things.:) Wed Nov 09 17:05:03 -0800 2005 1493000 0 Bean Counter 2 1493085 thanks for the tip to Cook's Illustrated. i'm looking to buy this as a gift for someone who isn't as "into" coffee as I am so the part about "cafe au lait was good" is really exactly what i was looking for. Thu Nov 10 08:35:55 -0800 2005 1493012 0 cal 2 1494560 Have found that a whisk works just fine for frothing milk. Still, I have requested this little moo cow for Christmas. Thu Dec 08 16:46:45 -0800 2005 1493012 0 Silvana 3 1494570 I'm not exactly a coffee connoisseur but have probably spent thousands of dollars on Caps at various mainsream and independent cafes. I already had an immersion blender and a milk frother but was very interested in the Mukka Express all-in-one stovetop cap maker. After dropping numerous hints, I received it as a holiday present and have to say it makes one heckuva delicious cappuccino. I'd read that skim or 2% fat milk worked best so I used the latter. It steamed up a beautiful foam that kept it's consistency the entire time I was drinking the cap. I was intimidated by the instructions at first, but once you make one or two, it's really quite simple. And, yes, it is NOT dishwasher safe, so it does require rinsing and washing of the various parts, but if, like me, you want to be able to enjoy a truly delicious cafe cap at home, it's worth it. I have read a review on Amazon.com by someone who said that it stopped working after a few uses, so I will keep my fingers crossed. Thus far, it's an amazing little pot that makes an amazing cappuccino. Wed Dec 28 13:48:26 -0800 2005 1494560 0 Deb 1 1493069 I have no personal experience with this, though I did see them in stores in Italy. Around E30, if I remember correctly. Bialetti is a good brand. It's a household name in Italy. You can definitely get a more expensive, fancier one, but a Bialetti caffettiera (stove-top coffee-maker) is generally the value-for-money coffee maker of choice. My boyfriend bought a normal one to make espresso when he was there,and now won't make it or drink it any other way. Above all, it is an extremely fast way to make coffee. Since an Italian cappuccino is basically espresso with a splash of milk and lots of foam, I'd reccomend you get a normal bialetti, and a simple milk foaming device, and make your own. My mother - obsessive cappuccino drinker - has a simple plunger-style milk foamer. You put milk in the container, then rapidly plunge the handle up and down to froth the milk. Quick, easy, no battery required. My mum has the Bonjour model which I have linked below, which creates a creamy, mousselike foam (which we prefer to the light, bubbly kind made by electric aerolatte machines). Link: http://www.ikitchen.com/boblcafrlimi.html Wed Nov 09 23:53:04 -0800 2005 1493000 0 Kate 2 1493098 I also have a plunger style milk frother made by Bialetti which is lined with a non-stick coating and can be put directly on the stove to heat the milk in. The plunger has two sieves and I think it works extremely well. I have an espresso machine and I still use the Bialetti to froth my milk over the frothing device on my machine. Sometimes you can find a boxed set with the stove top espresso maker and the frother together. Thu Nov 10 10:20:52 -0800 2005 1493069 0 mg 1 1493151 I have only seen this thing advertised in Cucina Italiana, but would imagine it is a real pain to clean. You know, cleaning the milk residue out of it. Maybe CI addressed that. It sure is cute with the little cow spots, but I'll stick with my 4 cup Bialetti Moka and a tiny saucepan for heating milk. Thu Nov 10 13:55:00 -0800 2005 1493000 0 Junie D 1 1494556 it makes good tasting authentic Italian coffee and good froth with fresh milk and is really easy but there are a couple of trouble spots...the inside got pitted and discolored almost immediately, don't know why. Also, the top is supposed to have two positions, down for cappucino and up for latte. the up doesn't stay up, so I hope you like cappacino. Sun Dec 04 21:29:57 -0800 2005 1493000 0 gail mandel 1 1494557 it makes good tasting authentic Italian coffee and good froth with fresh milk and is really easy but there are a couple of trouble spots...the inside got pitted and discolored almost immediately, don't know why. Also, the top is supposed to have two positions, down for cappucino and up for latte. the up doesn't stay up, so I hope you like cappacino. Sun Dec 04 21:30:16 -0800 2005 1493000 0 gail mandel