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This pot comes in three pieces (five pieces if I consider the filter and filter ring separate). The filter and filter ring are shown separately in the documentation but I could not remove them; although one day I'll need to replace it with this. In fact, I ordered a new filter when I purchased this not realizing I didn't need it.
Before use this pot has to be primed (four times). First, it should be used (heated) with just water then dumped. The remaining three times it should be brewed with coffee and then the coffee dumped. Once the unit is primed, it is ready to use.
After priming, I brewed regular coffee on low and it was done in a few minutes. It is perfect for espresso (not as good as what comes out of an espresso machine but close enough). As long as I remember to warm my milk after I froth it, it makes a good cappuccino by just pouring the brewed coffee on top of the foam or adding the foam on top of the coffee (either / or).
Note that I also ordered these filters to lay on top of the grinds (and wetting it lightly) but my order for that hasn't arrived yet. This will help keep some of the sediment out of the brewed coffee.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
- This supposedly makes 3 cups but the "cup" size is actually the tiny espresso cups (demitasse cups). Since this holds only about 4 ounces of water below the safety valve, I actually consider this as making 2 espresso cups. Each demistasse cup holds a little over 2 ounces of coffee.
- This needs to be primed before use as mentioned above.
- This pot only gets rinsed with water and never washed.
- The coffee grinds should not be packed down as one would do with an espresso machine. They should only be loosely sitting in the "funnel."
- Only regular grind coffee should be used. Espresso coffee (which is a finer ground) should NEVER be used with this pot as it will clog the filter.
- It's best to use with a lower flame below the pot. Lifting the lid during brewing may make a mess. I tried lifing the lid and during the end of the brew cycle, the coffee explodes out like a volcano. The lid prevents this.
In summary, I love my moka pot. It is a piece of functional art that allows me to brew "almost espresso" at the drop of a hat very quickly.
UPDATE Dec 18, 2024 - I am using this pot regularly and love it. As I mentioned above, my order for these filters finally came in. I ordered that because another reviewer recommended them and I am sorry I did. I put this on top of the grinds and wet it lightly, but I didn't like the results. First of all, the coffee came out exactly as it always did and there was still some sediment in the bottom of the brewed coffee. Secondly, the pot ran hot and steamy. I may try these filters one more time but I honestly wish I never ordered those filters for this pot. It was a waste of money to me not to mention the scariness of having the pot run under more pressure than expected.
