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Page Contents:
-Porcelain-Top
-Traditional Aluminum
-Vespress Stainless
-Kontessa Stainless
-Ilsa Stainless With Stirrer
-Bialetti Brikka
-Bialetti Mukka Express
-2 Spout Espresso Makers
-Via Veneto/Bellman Espresso/Cappuccino
-Replacement Gaskets
-Aluminum Macchinetta Filter Plates
-Aluminum Macchinetta Funnel Filters
-Aluminum Macchinetta Adjustable Funnel Filters
-Aluminum Macchinetta Overpressure Plug
Related Pages:
-Espresso Accessories
-Espresso Spoons
-Espresso & Cappuccino Cups
-Napoletana Coffee Maker
-Coffee Beans
-Fantes.com Main Page
The stovetop espresso maker, also known as
"macchinetta", is still the most popular way of making espresso at home.
It works by creating pressure through heat to force water through finely
ground coffee and into a serving chamber.
How much is 1 cup? A traditional espresso is about 1.5 ounces. A
6-cup espresso maker would thus make approximately 9 oz. of that delicious
liquid. Though espresso cups may hold 3 to 4 oz., it is customary to only
partly fill the cup.
Become familiar with the parts of your macchinetta. Take it apart
and examine how each part fits in place before you wash and use it the first
time.
How to make espresso in a macchinetta:
- Fill the bottom chamber with cold water up to the steam release valve
(overpressure plug).
- Insert the funnel filter (cone) and fill it with espresso-ground
coffee, smoothing it without tamping.
- Make sure the flat round filter plate and the rubber gasket are in
place underneath the central column of the upper part of the macchinetta.
- Screw the top on, but not too hard.
- Put it on the stovetop with enough heat to cover the bottom, but not
so that it heats the handle.
- When you hear the macchinetta gurgling, remove it from the heat and
allow it to sit for 30 seconds.
- Use a spoon to stir the coffee, then serve.
 The Overpressure Plug
(emergency steam release valve) is a safety mechanism that will open a way
for the steam to escape if it can't go through tamped coffee grounds. It
usually lasts the life of the pot. To help insure this, do not tamp the
coffee grounds. Smooth the coffee, instead, then lightly knock the filter
funnel downwards on a counter to help evenly distribute the grounds.
Metal handles and surfaces get hot, so use a pot holder when
handling a macchinetta. Close supervision is necessary when using a
macchinetta, especially when children are near.
Keep the heat source low and under the pot to help prevent
discoloration and damage to the handle and other parts. Over time, some
discoloration of the metal is to be expected due to the repetitive heating
and to the natural effects from your water supply. Some heat spots (bluing)
can be cleaned using silver polish on the stainless steel macchinetta. On a
smaller macchinetta, just keep the handle away from the heat source, even if
the macchinetta is not perfectly centered on the heat. The use of a diffuser
will keep the heat lower, though it will take a bit longer for the
macchinetta to heat.
Especially made to keep the smaller espresso makers stable on your stovetop
burners, this cast iron trivet fits over any size grate.
To maintain the macchinetta in good condition, wash all the parts
with hot sudsy water, and rinse thoroughly. Before first use, and regularly
(though not necessarily every time), also remove and wash the rubber gasket
and round flat filter plate. Use a dull knife point, or small screwdriver,
to remove the gasket, and to get to the filter plate. When the gasket dries
or cracks, replace it. A telltale sign of a needed replacement gasket will
be that some steam will begin to escape from the screw threads between the
top and bottom pieces of your macchinetta.
Occasionally scour the inside of the macchinetta to remove mineral
deposits. Or soak with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water,
then rinse thoroughly.
Gaskets are likely to last at least a year if they are cleaned on
a regular basis. Keep a note of the name of the manufacturer of the espresso
maker, its model name and size; this will help in obtaining replacement
gaskets. If you can't find a replacement, get a sheet of rubber in a similar
thickness (from your local hardware or plumbing supply store), and use the
old gasket to cut out a template on the sheet of rubber. |
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Top
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Caffettiera Van Gogh, Porcelain
Espresso Maker, 6 Cup $64.99
#5133
|
8" high,
4-1/2" round top,
6-1/2" spout to handle,
Porcelain top,
18/10 stainless steel bottom,
Works on induction cooktops
 Italy |
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Caffettiera De Longpre,
Porcelain Espresso Maker, 4 Cup $59.99
#5134
|
7" high,
4" round top,
6" spout to handle,
Porcelain top,
18/10 stainless steel bottom,
Also for use on most induction cooktops (may have too small a base to
be recognized by induction cooktop sensors)
Italy |
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1 Cup Traditional Aluminum
Macchinetta $13.99
#7131
|
Makes 1 demitasse,
5" tall overall
Aluminum alloy
Italy |
| 3 Cup Traditional Aluminum
Macchinetta $16.99
#7132
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Makes 3 demitasses,
6.25" tall overall
Aluminum alloy
Italy |
| 6 Cup Traditional Aluminum
Macchinetta $19.99
#7133
|
Makes 6 demitasses,
8" tall overall
Aluminum alloy
Italy |
| 9 Cup Traditional Aluminum
Macchinetta $27.99
#7134
|
Makes 9 demitasses,
9.25" tall overall
Aluminum alloy
Italy |
| 12 Cup Traditional Aluminum
Macchinetta $39.99
#7135
|
Makes 20 oz (1.67 oz per cup),
11" tall overall
Aluminum alloy
Italy |
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1 Cup Bialetti Moka Express
$19.99
#9869
|
Makes 1 demitasse,
5-1/4" high overall,
2-1/2" base,
Aluminum with plastic handles
Italy |
| 3 Cup Bialetti Moka Express
$21.99
#9870
|
Makes 3 demitasses,
6-1/4" high overall,
3-1/4" base,
Aluminum with plastic handles
Italy |
| 6 Cup Bialetti Moka Express
$24.99
#9871
|
Makes 9 oz (1.5 oz per cup),
8-1/4"high overall,
4" base,
Aluminum with plastic handles
Italy |
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1 Cup Vespress
Stainless Stovetop Espresso Maker$31.99
#1327
|
Makes 1.5 oz.,
5" tall overall,
Heat resistant handle,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on most induction cooktops (may have too small a base to
be recognized by induction cooktop sensors)
Italy |
| 3 Cup Vespress Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $44.99
#1328
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Makes 3 demitasses,
6.5" tall overall
Heat resistant handle,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on most induction cooktops (may have too small a base to
be recognized by induction cooktop sensors)
Italy |
| 6 Cup Vespress Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $52.99
#1329
|
Makes 6 demitasses,
8" tall overall
Heat resistant handle,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on induction cooktops
Italy |
| 12 Cup Vespress Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $77.99
#1330
|
Makes 21.75 oz,
10.25" tall overall
Heat resistant handle,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on induction cooktops
Italy |
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2 Cup
Kontessa Oro Stainless Stovetop Espresso Maker $54.99
#6996
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Makes 2 demitasses,
7" high overall,
Brass handle and knobs,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on most induction cooktops (may have too small a base to
be recognized by induction cooktop sensors)
Italy |
| 4 Cup Kontessa Oro Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $64.99
#6997
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Makes 4 demitasses,
8.25" tall overall
Brass handle and knobs,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on most induction cooktops (may have too small a base to
be recognized by induction cooktop sensors)
Italy |
| 6 Cup Kontessa Oro Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $77.99
#7453
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Makes 6 demitasses,
9.5" tall overall
Brass handle and knobs,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on induction cooktops
Italy |
| 12 Cup Kontessa Oro Stainless
Stovetop Espresso Maker $99.99
#7452
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Makes 14 oz (1.16 oz per cup),
11" high overall,
Brass handle and knob,
Stainless steel body,
Also for use on induction cooktops
Italy |
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3-Cup Ilsa
Turbo Express Coffee Maker with Stirrer $49.99
#14015
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3 demitasse cup size,
20cl capacity,
6.8" high,
3.25" belly,
2.6" diameter base,
Reducer for 1 cup,
Extra gasket,
18/10 stainless steel
Italy |
| 6-Cup Ilsa Turbo Express Coffee
Maker With Stirrer $59.99
#14016
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6 demitasse cup size,
35cl capacity,
8.5" high,
3.5" belly,
2.75" diameter base,
Reducer for 3 cups,
Extra gasket,
18/10 stainless steel
Italy |
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Bialetti Brikka Espresso Maker,
4 Cup $59.99
#9993
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Makes 4 espresso cups,
8-1/4" high,
4" diameter base,
Cast aluminum body,
Acrylic and plastic lid and handle,
Stainless basket,
Brass weighted spritzer makes crema
Italy |
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Bialetti
Mukka Express Cappuccino Maker, 2 Cup $89.99
#9994
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Makes 2 cups of cappuccino,
8" high,
5" diameter base,
Cast aluminum body,
Enameled exterior,
Acrylic and plastic handles,
Brass weighted spritzer,
Stainless basket and filter,
Basically, fill bottom with water, and filter with ground coffee; screw
on top, add milk to level indicated, and press down on top button
Italy
(Manual -
PDF 3.94MB) |
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Birba Single Spout Stovetop
Espresso Maker Set, Red Handle $34.99
#16369
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6-1/4" overall height,
2-1/2" round base,
Includes cup and saucer,
18/10 stainless steel
Italy
- Place the cups under the spouts before turning on the burner.
- Concentrate the flame to fit under the unit, and not up the sides.
- When the coffee starts dispensing into the cups, lower the heat to
minimum in order to obtain a slow and perfect distribution of coffee.
- And remember that metal parts get hot, so handle carefully. |
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2 Spout Stovetop Espresso Maker
$29.99
#1231
Currently unavailable |
6" tall,
5.75" wide,
3" deep,
Stainless steel body,
Can be used on induction cooktops
Italy |
 |
Bellman Stovetop Espresso &
Cappuccino Maker CX-25 $69.99
#16358
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7.5" tall,
4.25" base,
Makes 3, 6 or 9 demitasses,
Frothing arm for cappuccino,
Stainless body,
Aluminum baskets,
Heat resistant plastic handles
Taiwan
(Parts List &
Instructions) |
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Bellman Stovetop Espresso &
Cappuccino Maker with Pressure Gauge CX-25P $119.99
#16690
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7.5" tall,
4.25" base,
Pressure gauge measures up to 5 Bar pressure, with green indicator at
the optimal pressure, between 1 and 2,
Makes 3, 6 or 9 demitasses,
Frothing arm for cappuccino,
Stainless body,
Aluminum baskets,
Heat resistant plastic handles
Taiwan
(Parts List &
Instructions) |
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Atomic Stovetop Espresso &
Cappuccino Maker
Currently unavailable |
This beautifully designed espresso and cappuccino maker
(pronounced ah-toh-MEEK), from the middle of the last century,
may be coming back.
View the
Atomic Instructions (PDF - 16KB), which we
translated from Italian to English in the 1960's. |
Top
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1 Cup Replacement Gasket For
Aluminum Macchinetta $1.99
#11375
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51 mm. outside diameter (2")
6 mm. wide (1/4")
Set of 4 |
| 3 Cup Replacement Gasket For
Aluminum Macchinetta $1.99
#11376
|
64 mm. (2-1/2")
8 mm. wide (5/16")
Set of 4 |
| 6 Cup Replacement Gasket For
Aluminum Macchinetta $2.49
#11377
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70 mm. (2-3/4")
9 mm. wide (3/8")
Set of 4 |
| 9 Cup Replacement Gasket For
Aluminum Macchinetta $2.49
#11378
|
82 mm. (3-1/4")
9 mm. wide (3/8")
Set of 3 |
| 12 Cup Replacement Gasket For
Aluminum Macchinetta $1.99
#11381
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90 mm. (3-9/16")
8 mm. wide (5/16")
Set of 2 |
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Replacement Gasket for 1-Cup
Vespress & 2-Cup Kontessa $0.99
#9851
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2" outside diameter
1/4" wide |
| Replacement Gasket for 3-Cup
Vespress & 4-Cup Kontessa $0.99
#9852
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2-9/16" outside diameter
1/4" wide |
| Replacement Gasket for 6-Cup
Vespress & Kontessa $0.99
#7449
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2-31/32" outside diameter
3/8" wide |
| Replacement Gasket for
12/14-Cup Kontessa $0.99
#9854
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3-9/16" outside diameter
5/16" wide |
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Replacement Gasket for San Remo |
See:
Cogen & San Remo Gasket |
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Filter Plate for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 1 Cup $1.99
#12824
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| Filter Plate for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 3 Cup $1.99
#12825
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| Filter Plate for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 6 Cup $1.99
#12850
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| Filter Plate for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 9 Cup $1.99
#12821
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| Filter Plate for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 12 Cup $1.99
#12823
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Funnel Filter for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 1 Cup $2.99
#16350
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| Funnel Filter for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 3 Cup $2.99
#16351
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| Funnel Filter for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 6 Cup $2.99
#16352
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| Funnel Filter for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 9 Cup $2.99
#16349
Temporarily unavailable
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| Funnel Filter for Bialetti
Aluminum Macchinetta, 9 Cup $2.99
#16340
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2-1/8" long stem |
| Funnel Filter for Aluminum
Macchinetta, 12 Cup $2.99
#16348
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Full position
Diminished position |
Adjustable 3/1 Funnel Filter
$3.99
#121016
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Fits the 3-cup aluminum macchinetta only,
Makes 3 cups or 1 cup,
Aluminum
Italy
- Use in place of the regular funnel filter, to make either the full
or diminished quantity indicated,
- The tube depth adjusts with the height of the filter screen, and
automatically pulls up the right amount of water from a properly filled
macchinetta |
| Adjustable 6/3 Funnel Filter
$4.99
#121017
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Fits the 6-cup aluminum macchinetta only,
Makes 6 cups or 3 cups,
Aluminum
Italy
- Use in place of the regular funnel filter, to make either the full
or diminished quantity indicated,
- The tube depth adjusts with the height of the filter screen, and
automatically pulls up the right amount of water from a properly filled
macchinetta |
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