When I was in Italy, I learned about making espresso on a stove. I had never heard of a stove top espresso maker before and what a shame really. They are extremely popular all over Europe and are now catching on more so in the U.S.

These espresso makers have been around for many years - actually many decades. I started out with a cheap aluminum one and after having to replace it 3 times due to corrosion and pitting, I now am sold only on stainless steel.

For something that is used 365 days of the year, sits on the counter, and is used to serve guests, I'd like it to not only look attractive, but to last for a long time.

I equate an espresso maker to a tea pot. It must be attractive - and easy to use.

I got the opportunity to test the Alessi 9090 Stovetop Espresso Maker and I discovered a number of features worth mentioning.

Are they made in Italy?

These are made in Crusinallo, Italy by an Italian company named Alessi which has been around since the 1920's. For those familiar with Italian designs - you probably have heard of them.

Their focus is to design high quality products which can be used decoratively in the kitchen. The Alessi 9090 is a perfect example. Made with 100% mirror polished stainless steel from top to bottom - it is absolutely stunning.

Alessi is considered one of the most important "Factories of Italian Design". Their reputation goes beyond espresso makers and reaches into other products giving themselves a reputation for high quality and sophisticated items.

I was impressed to learn they employ over 500 workers, and use top designers from around the world to craft quality products which are trendy, aesthetically pleasing and completely functional at the same time. This is their trademark.

Why the 9090 is different...

For starters, it has an gorgeous elegant design which is suitable for kitchen decoration. This means it is "amphibious". Similar to a tea pot, it is meant to be attractive for serving as well as for decorative purposes. It uses 100% mirror polished stainless steel which does not lose it's shine.

I've yet to find any other espresso maker which can match this innovative and beautiful design.

The 9090 has even earned its inclusion in the Permanent Design Collection display at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York City, as well as winning the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1979.

In regards to functionality, they use a locking mechanism to attach the top to the bottom. Other makers screw the parts together. The base is wide and heavy which makes it suitable for use on gas stoves without fear of it falling through.

 

 

It is sturdy?

When testing the 9090, one word comes to mind - sturdy. I know this espresso maker will last for a very long time. It is solidly built from top to bottom, inside and out. There isn't one cheap part in it that I could even find. Once you hold it in your hands I'm sure you will agree 100%.

Is that a copper handle?

Yes. At first I was puzzled by this, until I did some research. Let me share with you why this handle is so unique.

1. Good Conductor of Heat. Copper is a great conductor of heat and reacts quickly to temperature changes - meaning it will cool quickly. When I tested this product I placed the handle directly over the small burner (glass stove top), and could easily grasp the handle without any issues. On a large burner where the heat was more intense, it was too hot to grasp. However, there would be no need to ever use this over a large burner anyway.

2. Locking Mechanism. The handle has a locking mechanism which locks the top and bottom pieces together when assembled. There is no screwing of the pieces together which is the more common design among other styles on the market. This locking mechanism rates as one of the best features when it comes to ease of use and functionality.

One note however, although this is an excellent feature, it does take a good tug to pull the handle out of the locking position. Make sure to hold the top part of the espresso maker with one hand while you pull the handle, otherwise it can go sliding on you - specially on a wet surface. I found once I understood how to grasp it in order to easily unlock the handle, it was very simple. I can see why this never leaks - it is very solid.

3. Protects Your Hand From Steam. In the photo above, you will see that you can lift back the lid with the latch at the top of the handle. This allows you to open the lid and peer in without having to grab a knob which is generally placed in the center portion of the lid. Why is this important? Because that top compartment holds very hot steam which shoots straight up when you open the lid. Yes, I'm speaking from painful experience. By using the lever off to the side, your hand does not come in contact with the steam.

What size should I get?

A 1 Cup Size will create a single 2.5 oz serving of espresso.

A 3 Cup Size will use 5 oz of water, this produces about 5 oz of espresso. 2 oz is considered the serving size for single shot. However, it is safe to say most people consume more than this in one sitting.

If this is used for one person, I would go with either a 1 cup or a 3 cup. For up to 4 people I would go with a 6 Cup Size . This really depends on how much a single person uses, and how many people are being served.

Why is stainless steel better than aluminum?

I have a few reasons for this actually. The main reason is that the cheaper quality of aluminum will corrode and pit over time. I think I replaced mine 3 times before I realized they were offered in stainless steel. In addition, there are many reports claiming aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's. I for one, tend to play it safe and prefer stainless steel.

Is it dishwasher safe?

Yes! These are dishwasher safe which is great for those like me who don't want to take the time to clean items by hand, or are always in a rush.

In case you are wondering, the Alessi 9090 is made of 18/10 stainless steel which is a good grade. In other words - it's strong and durable.

I was able to compare the Alessi with a much cheaper stainless steel maker I have and could tell right away the Alessi had a much more sturdy and heavy feel.

What is my favorite feature?

As with nearly every other espresso maker made for the stove, the top and bottom parts screw together. However, Richard Sapper, the original designer, used the handle as a locking mechanism to lock the top and bottom segments together. I thought this was ingenious as screwing the top and bottom together can be cumbersome and annoying - especially when coffee grinds get stuck in between the grooves.

As mentioned above, the locking mechanism creates a very tight seal and requires a good pull in order to unlock the two pieces. It also needs a good push to lock the two together. After a few times of just getting familiar with the handle, I became very fond of the feature. Of course, the first time I tried to lock the parts together, I had the placed the top on backwards and could not understand why I could not get it lined up to lock properly. Then my husband politely showed me my error and I was then able to make my espresso!

Not the espresso Maker you were looking for?

I won't pretend the Alessi9090 is a low end item - it isn't. It's famed prestige and solid build is what makes it a high end item. For those looking to spend next to nothing, the Alessi 9090 is not for you.

However, I don't want to leave you high and dry, so you might want to check out the Vev Vigano for another popular Italian brand. Yes I'm stuck on Italian made products. After all they are the ones that invented espresso. I would never buy any model made in China - which most in retail stores are from.

The Vev Vigano is still much more attractive than many of the cheaper models out there and is still made of stainless steel which I am a fan of.

By the way, I strongly recommend avoiding the cheapest models. I have one given to me which was on the lower end of the pricing scale and I noticed the hinge for the lid continually slips out and the metal is flimsy. You will get what you pay for.

Where to Buy?

I have found that Amazon has the most competitive prices and also offers the most options. CLICK HERE to view the award winning 9090 for more details.

 

by Liz Trementozzi

Note: This review is my own opinion based on personal research and review. My opinions are my own and subject to change - but I doubt they will. If there are changes I'll update this page. I have done my best to give you all the information you need to make an educated decision for your purchase so you can truly enjoy your espresso as much as I do. Make sure when clicking through to the merchant to confirm you are ordering the right product with the advertised features.