4 stars only because it is a bit difficult to clean. My buddy who introduced this to me never cleans his so it might not even be a real issue. It takes a bit longer to brew than a Kurig but is still very fast. I chose the stainless version due to the whole “aluminum/Alzheimer’s” thing. Makes very smooth, strong coffee. Makes for one person at a time. Let’s put it this way, if I lost it tomorrow, I would buy another one.I had first bought a Bialetti and loved it except for the mystery coating on the inside of the water vessel. It also didn’t seem to be stainless steel with my magnet test. I returned that one and bought this due to the reviews and I’m so glad I did! Use it every day. And there is no coating inside and it’s stainless steel! Happy brewing!!!I’ve used a French press for years, and have been very happy with it. However, I became interested in the possibility of acquiring an espresso machine, but the size, cost and complicated use of one discouraged me. I came across Moki pots and thought one might be a great alternative. I didn’t want one made of aluminum due to health risks. This pot is stainless steel. It cleans as easily as my French press with only water. An added plus is the coffee basket uses only half the coffee I have to use in my French press. While one can use espresso coffee, I am very pleased with the taste of medium roast 100% arabica beans. I have an Oxo coffee grinder capable of a very fine grind, a big help in getting full flavor. I’ve added a frothing machine and enjoy a latte every morning. The pot is well designed. The big plastic handle and ear on its lid have prevented my being burned. It feels substantial and easy to hold despite being small. I have a ceramic top stove, and wondered if it would heat properly given that the bottom is not flat. Instead, it has a circular outer ridge which slightly lifts the center area from the stovetop, but it heats up well. I hope it lasts a long time, as I do like it. I’d look for this brand again if I needed a replacement.Small enough to travel with - makes excellent coffee.I ordered this item because it is described as 18/8 stainless steel. And yet, when you pull this item up on Amazon, the title is Primula "Aluminum" Stove-Top Espresso Maker. I didn't catch that before ordering. It is the main reason I give it three stars.So how can it be both? It looks to me as if it is stainless steel coated aluminum. The inside of the pot looks like aluminum; but if it is not, I'm not sure what that coating is. It sure doesn't look like the inside of my 18/8 cookware. But...I'm not a metallurgist. The grounds holder is definitely not 18/8 if it is stainless steel. I recommend checking out Bialetti Musa Moka Pot. It is much more substantial, definitely 18/8 all the way, and has a 2 year warranty. Right now Sweet Maria's offers it for about 15% less than Amazon. (Sorry big A. But you are the one who taught us that competition is the name of the game, right?)Keep in mind: this is an espresso pot, not a coffee pot. Some reviewers seemed surprised at how little it holds (8 ounces of water in the four cupper, which is only about 6 ounces of brew). It is designed to make little teeny tiny cups of espresso. Although you could use it to make espresso and then add hot water for an Americano.All of that aside, however, how did it work? It works well enough. You'll have to experiment with the level of your heat source--ideal time from start to finish should be 5 minutes. Expect some water to remain in the bottom part--that's how moka pots are designed--you never want any pot to boil dry. I've had a couple fails, where only half of the water brewed, and I think that was because the heat was too low.Taste: You know, with a Moka pot, you have to be able to tolerate some sludge in your coffee. You want to get it off the heat source as soon as the liquid turns clear--some will say when it gurgles, but that was too late for me, and it had a faint burnt taste. Another fail was where I used too coarse of a grind coffee (I don't recommend coffee ground for drip), and the coffee was under-extracted and bitter. If you are careful and follow the tips, you can get a passable espresso.If you want to keep it spiffy-looking, you'll need to dry it as soon as you rinse (never wash) it, because stainless steel is not really stainless of course. But if you aren't OCD, just rinse it and drain. There is a recessed area in the interior that I doubt even the worst OCDs will be able to get to and clean. After 5 brews mine is already stained, and it's going to stay that way. Hopefully, as it gets more that way, it will not affect the taste.Bottom line: As with all things coffee, the first question is: how finicky are you? If you have a blessed palate that can detect subtle flavors, and you enjoy tweaking coffee toys, go for the Bialetti for just under twice the price. If you really don't mind a few flaws, and don't want to tinker much with the toy, this one is a decent plaything. This is definitely an inexpensive step up from the all aluminum Moka pots. On the other hand, if you really love good espresso, you need to save your money, put on your big boy/big girl pants, and move right on by the Moka pots to a good burr grinder ($200 and up) and decent espresso machine ($350 and up).UPDATE AFTER MORE USE AND KNOWLEDGE:It is a nice change periodically from a brewed cup and an espresso cup of coffee, so I am enjoying it. If this is for one person, I do recommend the 4 cup rather than the six--4 cup is just the right amount. Also, it makes a big difference if you heat the water in a microwave and then add it to the pot and then put it on the stove. Really helpful details are here:[...]People going gaga over this need to get a grip. It is a "good" pot and that is really all there is to say.The first one I was sent had some sort of defect which prevented correct sealing. It also had the steam vent located such that it always pointed directly at the "stay cool" silicone handle and blasts it with steam making sure it never once "stayed cool".I returned the first one due to the bad seal and the second was better but the steam vent was -also- located directly at the "stay cool" silicone handle meaning it's always hot AF. Really bad design or I got unlucky twice.This is probably better than the rusty one you've been using, but pay a little more if you want something better than "middle of the road" at-best.Funciona muy bien, altamente recomendable. Recientemente compré la cafetera Bialetti de similar tamaño, pero en aluminio, comparando las dos me gusta más el funcionamiento de Primula. La Bialetti de aluminio tiene un problema con el filtro, se traba después de usarla. El único inconveniente que le encontré a la Primula es el acabado interior, no está pulido por lo que da una mala sensación. En 8 meses de uso, ha funcionado a perfección.I'm a purist and only drink coffee. No fancy latte or mocha, not even cappuccino. I never bought one of these stovetop espresso makers before as I already had a machine and I don't use any aluminum cookware in anything I prepare, drink or food wise. Then one day the espresso maker gave out a ghastly sigh and stopped working, so I hunted for a stainless steel stovetop maker. I loved the simple look of this one so I made the order.Makes great coffee, very pleased with the quick heat time (be sure to keep the handle OFF of the edge of any burner) but had to give it 4 stars as opposed to 5 as I managed to slice my finger open on the base when I was hand washing it the first time, so now I'm more careful.I was surprised when I took the thing out of its box, expecting thin steel, only to realize that it is actually quality heavy gauge steel. Aside from the lid (which you really don't need at all), no sheet steel here. Judging by the interior that has been left rough and unpolished, it appears to be cast. Rough but in no way unpleasant or detrimental to the quality of your brew. I actually like it.If you follow the manual, you will get great coffee. With the 6-cup model, you can make a coffee mug of very strong coffee (kind of espresso but not really) or separate and stretch it with hot water to make 2 delicious strong coffees. Yes, I actually bought the thing full price, ~45$cad tax incl.Sept.2017. Would buy again.Es una cafetera muy bonita a la vista, se siente pesada y sólida.En un inicio creí que me había salido mala, resulta que, como estaba usando un paño de microfibra, se resbalaba y no alcanzaba a apretarla bien, para que lo tengan en cuenta.Ahora la aprieto con mi playera y los resultados han sido constantes y muy buenos.El café sale bien cargado, aunque no noté tanta diferencia de líquido entre mi Bialetti de 3 tazas y esta, quizás lo siento así porque no tengo tazas de Espresso.Para aquellos comentarios de que se derritió la manija, yo no sé qué hacen, simplemente pones la flama que no rebase la base y ya. Incluso sale más rico el café así por como se infusiona.Definitivamente recomiendo esta cafetera, no le pide nada a modelos más costosos.