Taylor & Ng 30025 Bellman CX-25P Stovetop espresso Maker with Pressure Gauge

Before I start, I want to be clear: this machine makes the best coffee I have ever drank.I have been using this machine for about four years now, and I am pleased to report that it holds up greatly. I don't follow its instructions to start making coffee around 2 bar of pressure, but instead do 4-4.5 bar. The coffee is good and foamy - while the "true" espresso has to be made at 10+ bar pressure, it seems that the 4.5 bar this machine delivers do the trick. Some pros and cons follow.Pros:- good coffee, good foaming- very solid, quality build- made of stainless steel so if you care about aluminum, this is great- gauge allows you to try a variety of strength/taste for your coffee- very hands-on and takes a bit to clean; this is good for me for if it was easy (like with a pod machine), I would drink coffee continuouslyCons:- hands-on, so not easy to clean. While this is a plus for me it may be a minus for others.- must take a bit of care when you operate. For example, if you open the valves but left it on the stove, the water will evaporate completely and the silicon gaskets will burn. Or, if you do not close the lid tight, the pressure may push the gasket on top and the water will "explode" out. This happened to me - the good thing about it is that by the time it hit my face the water was cool already.- the shape is not beautiful (but the construction is solid), so this machine does not look like a great Italian art piece that some other espresso machines do)- plastic on the handle, faucets (OK, bakelite, a bit more heat-resistant), and worse of all on the pressure gauge! If you use this over a gas fire, it's very easy for the heat to effectively melt the "glass" of the pressure gauge, so be careful.-cannot control water temperature AND pressure easily - you can however by adding more or less water in the pot (and by applying Boyle's/Charles' laws).UPDATE (after 5 years of use): The pressure gauge broke after 5 years, indicating zero pressure. Instead of ordering the part I simply bought an Omega gauge and installed it myself (very easy process). Still using the machine every day.

I've quit using this because it is too much work. I've gone back to using the regular moka pot. This coffee maker is easy to use if you use it just like the moka pot but then what is the difference. This coffee maker does however make more coffee - it makes 9 "cups" (i.e. 9 oz.) but can make about 16 oz. if you are patient. (I only like the first 9 oz.) Still don't fill above the release valve.To fill the coffee funnel, put it in the mouth of a jar with something thimble shaped over the hole. You don't want any coffee grounds in the water or it will plug it up. Then put the funnel in the coffee maker and the 'thimble' will be pushed off in the process and there will still be no coffee in the water chamber.I would say to read the directions before you jump right in because pressure does build up. The green zone is for coffee. The blue zone is for steam. Beyond that it is probably best to let it cool down first. I also used it to steam clean my stove top in the groves!

Unit was supposed to be induction compatible but is not. I am using it with the special induction plates which works but is slower and more cumbersome. Disappointing for the induction issue.

This is a BEAUTIFUL espresso/cappuccino-maker! It's design is so unusual!The drawback is: It is not the most practical to use. Filling it with coffee tends to make a mess. The riser in the center, used to screw down the top, makes it quite difficult to tamp down the coffee without spilling.

It took 10 days to receive this item. It comes with a pressure gauge to know correct time to start brewing espresso. The item was cleaned by using just water as indicated in instructions. The pressure gauge never registered at all even up to the point of having pressure relief valve opening. I contacted seller and let them know this seeking help. They said to return and would email a return allowance. It took another 3 days to get the email. The item was packaged in original box and returned by fedex, another week. Hey received it 4 days ago and said they would test gauge and decide what to do. No word since then - still waiting. Over three weeks and still no espresso pot or any indication what happens next. This is a 300$ purchase.

As a serious coffee junkie I really need a good latte every morning. This is easy enough at home with a cheap electric machine (not ideal, but they work) but camping or on oil patch jobs, well I needed something portable that did not require electricity. Of course there are the common old style faceted espresso makers, but the milk ain't right unless you steam it. Anyway, I broke down and bought this, and I love it! You pay quite a bit extra for the pressure gauge, but once you figure it out, the results are great. There was a problem with the "reducer", an insert used in the coffee basket when making smaller amounts, it is poorly constructed but unnecessary - just measure 1/4 cup fine ground french roast for each large latte, up to three double shot lattes per run. I use about 6oz espresso to 12oz steamed milk. You will want a small stainless steel pitcher for steaming the milk, and it seems best suited for use on a "pocket rocket" type camp stove, although you can of course use a regular stove, setting it off toward the edge of the burner so as not to scorch the handle or spigot. The whole setup, with camp stove, coffee and pitcher fits in a small "makeup" type case. Don't know how I used to live without it.

The CX-25P is well made. It brews a nice cup of full bodied coffee/espresso drinks. The pressure gauge is nice to have. The steamer makes lovely foam. However, the product description declares the CX-25P will work on induction cooking surfaces. The CX-25P I received does not work on my induction cooktop. That's a bummer but we will keep it to use on the propane cooktop in our travel trailer.