Bialetti Brikka Moka Pot 2 Cup

Overview

A stovetop Moka pot from Bialetti's Brikka line, made of aluminum and sized to brew 2 espresso-style shots, about 3.4 ounces total, per use, with a valve design built to produce extra crema.

The Brikka's distinguishing feature is a weighted valve in the top chamber that Bialetti says produces thicker crema than a standard Moka pot, using the same fill-and-heat process, water in the base, ground coffee in the filter, brew on the stovetop, rather than any electric parts. It works directly on gas, electric and camping-stove burners, but induction cooktops need Bialetti's separate adaptor plate since aluminum alone will not heat on an induction surface.

• Brews 2 espresso-style shots, about 3.4 ounces
• Weighted valve built for extra crema
• Aluminum stovetop construction
• Induction needs a separate adaptor plate

Who it's for

Stovetop coffee drinkers who already like the Moka pot format and want more crema than a basic model produces, without buying an electric espresso machine. Induction-only kitchens need to budget for the separate adaptor plate, and anyone wanting more than 2 shots per brew should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Performance notes

Brewing happens the same way as any Moka pot: water in the bottom chamber turns to steam under stovetop heat and pushes up through the ground coffee in the filter basket, but the Brikka adds a weighted valve at the top that holds back pressure until it releases in a burst, which is what whips the extracted coffee into a thicker crema than a standard Moka pot produces. Aluminum construction heats and cools quickly on gas or electric burners, but needs the separate adaptor plate to work on induction.

Where it stands among stovetop espresso & moka pots

• #4 most-searched brand and model of the 12 stovetop espresso & moka pots lines we track (by search demand, not sales).

From the specs of the 26 stovetop espresso & moka pots we list; not a test result.

Specifications

Closest rivals on specs

GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker 3 Cup

• Capacity 0.4 vs 0.6 cups (-33%)
• Item Weight 0.88 vs 0.31 pounds (+184%)

IMUSA B120-42T Aluminum Stovetop Espresso Maker 3 Cup

• Capacity 0.4 vs 3 cups (-87%)
• Item Weight 0.88 vs 0.64 pounds (+38%)

Mixpresso Stainless Steel Greca Moka Pot 9 Cup

• Capacity 0.4 vs 1.9 cups (-79%)
• Item Weight 0.88 vs 1.5 pounds (-41%)