When it comes to stovetop coffee makers, there are a lot of similarities with products, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own unique set of differences. It’s important to really delve into what sets the products apart if you’re looking to add a new gadget to your life.
Three popular options for a stovetop coffee maker are the Bialetti brand’s Moka Express, the Venus and the Kitty. We will be examining the main differences and similarities between these Bialetti stovetop coffee makers in this article.
Bialetti is an Italian line of stove top coffee makers, originating back to the early 1930s. The first products revolutionized how coffee was made at home for years to come. It’s no surprise many want to go back to the Italian roots and get themselves a Bialetti stovetop coffee maker.
It’s important to consider what each product can and cannot offer, and what kind of lifestyle would be most compatible with each feature. If you’re someone who wants to make a classic cup of Italian espresso, but doesn’t want to deal with a lot of setup or cleanup, the Kitty would probably suit your needs more than the Original Moka Express.
Still, the Bialetti brand of stovetop coffee makers are all high quality and offer the ability to make a delicious cup of coffee. You can’t go wrong with these, but you certainly can end up with a product you find too difficult to incorporate into your lifestyle, and ends up in the cabinet with other abandoned gadgets. That’s why it’s important to research the features of each product before making a decision.
If you’re on the lookout for a Bialetti stovetop coffee maker, this article should help you sort out what you are looking for exactly.
Let’s dive in to the main features of each product, starting with the Moka Express.
Main Features of The Original Bialetti Moka Express
If you’re looking for a product with a fun look and a nostalgic feel, look no further than the Moka Express. The creator of the Bialetti brand, Alfonso Bialetti, started his career with this exact model. Sure, it’s been redesigned over the years, but it still holds true to its roots.
The Moka Express comes in the one, three, six, nine and twelve-cup varieties. The downfall here is that these cup sizes are not settings, but capacities for each individually-sized product. If you want to be able to brew three full mugs worth of coffee, you’ll need to purchase the twelve-cup Moka Express.
The Moka pot comes in an elegant shape, octagonal with polished aluminum. There’s plenty of room for customization with this one, as it comes in a variety of pretty colors. It also comes with a cute little pressed on image the “Bialetti” brand image. The image is rather noticeable on this pot, so if you aren’t a fan of the image, you may not like using this pot with the big picture plastered on it.
The machine comes with a patented safety valve, so if you’re into convenience you can feel safe about how quick and easy it is to disassemble without injury. Sometimes you end up cleaning a product longer than you spent using it, which expedites its journey to the cabinet to be locked away. The safety features on the Moka Express allow you to easily disassemble and clean without any worries.
The octagonal shape is not just for looks, either. It allows the heat to be diffused evenly, adding to the delicious aroma of the coffee. This design stays true to the original model, as well.
Pricing can fluctuate, so be sure to check out the current prices for the Moka Express.
Main Features of the Bialetti Venus
Like the Moka Express, this product has the brand logo printed on it, but this one is much less noticeable. This pot is overall more aesthetically pleasing than the Moka Express, replaces the octagonal shape with a rounded one.
Unlike the aluminum in the previous product, the Venus uses gorgeous stainless steel to create a sleek, elegant look. This design looks significantly more modern than the previous.
The Venus comes in two, four, six and ten-cup varieties. Again, you’ll need to select which one fits your needs as there are no settings to differentiate between how much you’d like to brew. The ten-cup variety can hold up to 16 ounces of liquid, which is two cups of coffee.
The stainless steel in this pot really sets it apart, as many claiming to be stainless steel still may have some aluminum in the interior. For those who want to avoid aluminum or plastic, this is a great and reliable choice. The resulting look is a sophisticated product that blends well with other coffee equipment.
Another great feature of the Venus, like the Moka Express, is the safety valve. This protects even the clumsiest of coffee makers from potentially burning or cutting themselves. This product does not disassemble as easily as the previous, but you can rely on the safety features to protect you if you need to clean or inspect the pot.
This is a great simple choice for someone who prefers a more modern look than the Moka Express. Most of the functions remain similar, with each offering useful safety features that allow for easy cleanup. If you’re looking for a sleek, contemporary gadget to add to your coffee bar, this is a great choice.
Again, prices are not always the same, so it’s best to keep your eye on the product listings if you are interested in purchasing.
Main Features of the Bialetti Kitty
This product is much more comparable to the Venus than the Moka Express in appearance and function.
The branded Bialetti logo is just as small as the image on the Venus, and placed delicately on the gorgeous stainless steel pot.
The Kitty stands out for its convenience far more than the previous two. First, it is dishwasher safe which is a huge deal for someone who doesn’t want to spend as much time cleaning as they spend brewing.
While the safety features on the other Bialetti products allow for easy clean up, this model bypasses the need for an easier cleanup and allow the user to just disassemble and place the parts in the dishwasher. This would be an excellent choice for anyone who is generally short on time but still wants a classic Italian pot of coffee.
It also has a heat-resistant, extra-wide reaching handle, which is a convenient feature for anyone who likes to go fast and tends to grab hot handles without thinking. I can’t count how many times I’ve grabbed a stovetop coffee maker straight from its place on the burner with my bare hand and ended up with an unpleasant burn.
Another great feature of the Kitty is its compatibility with gas, electric and ceramic stove tops. If you’re using a gas stove, be sure to keep the wide-reaching handle from direct contact with the source of heat.
This product also is available in two, four, six, and ten cups. Again, there is no setting with brew options, so you’ll need to consider your desired size.
Be sure to check out the listing for the most up-to-date pricing.
The Main Differences
While all three products are similar in their functions, they all have some main differences.
The Moka Pot is obviously the most different in looks. Unlike the other two on this list, the Moka Pot is made of aluminum and is octagonal. The Venus and Kitty are both stainless steel, which is sometimes the biggest selling point when it comes to choosing a product.
The Kitty has more extra features than the two, as it is dishwasher safe and compatible with multiple types of stove tops.
Conclusion
A stovetop coffee maker is a great addition to any coffee-enthusiasts collection, but it must come with careful consideration. This isn’t an instant, or even super easy method of brewing coffee. It will take a bit of time to figure out the ins and outs of your product.
If you just want a simple, good cup of coffee, and don’t care about how you get it, you may end up deciding against a Bialetti altogether. There are a lot of other ways to brew delicious coffee other than a stovetop coffee maker.
Bialetti coffee makers can be a fun way to craft delicious Italian-inspired coffee, and if you are looking to purchase one, it’s important to pick the right one. They all work on the same premises but have slight differences that make some models more ideal than others.
For the nostalgic, classic-loving connoisseur, the Moka Express is a pretty solid choice. The functionality is great, and it has good safety features. The design is reminiscent of the original model, so it would look best in a retro-themed home.
If you’re not into using aluminum, the Venus or the Kitty are both great options. They have a lot of the same functionality, with the Kitty having a few more useful features than the Venus.
Whatever your needs may be, keep in mind there is a product out there that will suit them. Take special care in researching your next stovetop coffee maker and decide if a Bialetti product is right for you. They are all high quality and look lovely, but different products serve different lifestyles and needs.
We hope this article will help make the decision a bit easier and offer guidance on how to evaluate the features of the products you’re considering.
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