Bialetti Mukka Express 2-Cup Cow-Print Stovetop Cappuccino Maker, Black and White

I was really excited to get this new product and I tried it right way. The first time I used it, I put the flame on too high and not only did I get milk everywhere (which I should have known from heating up milk and cream when making bechemel sauce or yogurt, milk goes EVERYWHERE when overheated) but water leaked as well.

I can't tell how many times I've used it since (sometimes twice or three pots a day) and I haven't had a problem with it at all. My guests love it as well. If the flame is medium, it doesn't leak. As soon as I hear the milk or cream frothing, I take it off the stove and put it on the sink (just in case, but it hasn't overflowed over since that first time I used it).

It's superfast, and it's supereasy to clean. This little product is saving me lots of money because I no longer desire to buy Cappuccino from Starbucks.

My only complaint about this product is that it has a two-cup capacity. That would be a two-espresso-cup capacity. So if... Read more

ok, let's be honest, if your looking to spend less than $400 this is probably your best bet. Anything under that price is going to have it's idiosyncrasies (read "problems") But for the money this is a great buy, and if you take some time with it in the beginning you'll be happier in the end. And in the time that I have had mine here's what I learned.

First off - read the instructions!
- Throw away the first 3 - 5 cups (read "don't drink") think of this as seasoning your Mukka
- Use a coarse espresso grind, too fine and the water doesn't make it through and then it's leaking all over your stove.
- Don't pack-down (tamp) the grounds in the filter basket, see problem above.
- Don't fill the filter basket with grounds while it is sitting in the water reservoir, instead hold it in your hand over the sink to prevent getting grounds all over the seals. See problem above.
- Clean all the grounds off the seals. See problem above.
- Wet the seals... Read more

...and if you do it makes a great latte or cappucino. Follow the directions explicitly, or you could have a mess on your hands, as some other reviewers have reported. Now that I've had it a couple of months, it comes out perfectly (including lots of foam, if that's what you choose)99% of the time. When there is a problem (leaking, exploding, etc., as noted by others) it's because you haven't done something right. When instructions are followed, it works just great. Some things to particularly watch out for:

-Be certain the rubber seal is properly seated.

-Check to make sure you have properly screwed the two main parts together - correctly and securely.

-Observe fill line guidelines strictly - if you put in either too much water or milk, it will overflow.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the design - when I've had problems, it's been my error.

The instructions are clear and thorough - just don't be hasty or careless and... Read more