Alessi MDL02/3 R Pulcina Stovetop Espresso Maker - 3 Cup Aluminum Moka Pot with Cast Handle & Knob, Vibrant Red - Perfect for Home Brewing, Camping & Italian Coffee Lovers

The Alessi is a definite improvement over the standard Moka pot in a few ways. First of all, and most importantly, it makes better coffee. I had read this in reviews but had some admitted skepticism until I tried it. It produces a rich, full-bodied demitasse strength cup with none of the burnt notes I would always get with my old Moka. Also unlike the Moka, it consistently uses all of the water in the base, whereas the Moka pot would start to sputter and gurgle after using only half the water. The thick plate on the bottom of the pot seems to do a good job of dispersing the heat evenly, even on an electric stove.Second, the build quality is impressive. I have had several Moka pots of various sizes over the years and they felt, for lack of a better word, cheap. The aluminum felt flimsy and the pieces fit together in a haphazard sort of way. The Alessi, by contrast, seems to be engineered and manufactured to much tighter specifications. The aluminum feels heavier and the parts fit together snugly. The lid on the upper part opens and closes smoothly without being loose or rattling around.Third, but partly an extension of the point above, the Alessi is beautiful. Both the aesthetic and functional design elements are outstanding. It looks great on the shelf, its crisp, smooth lines (presumably from CNC machining) when viewed up-close become sweeping curves when viewed from a few feet away.The only real downside to the design is the handle. It is a bit small and awkwardly shaped, making it difficult to pour without your fingers bumping the hot metal. I usually grab it with a towel or oven mitt if I am pouring right off the stove.Also, in case anyone is not acquainted with Moka-style coffee makers, this device does not make espresso. Coffee from the Alessi is never going to taste like a shot of espresso from your favorite coffee shop. That said, it does produce a stronger brew with more body than a drip-style coffee maker, and it is appropriate for a demitasse serving. It is called a 3-cup maker, but I get just a bit over two espresso cups' worth of coffee per brew.Overall, if you are like me and had given up on Moka-style coffee, you might consider giving this one a try. It is a big improvement over the Moka, and will look great on the shelf even when you aren't using it.