The Cafe Du Chateau Espresso Maker appears to be a stovetop Moka Pot with some additional features. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if it’s a good fit for you:
Possible Pros:
- Moka Pot: Brews strong coffee similar to espresso, ideal for those who enjoy a bolder cup.
- Transparent Top Lid: This allows you to monitor the brewing process and avoid overflows without lifting the lid, potentially reducing the risk of spills or burns.
- High Gloss Finish: Adds a sleek aesthetic to the Moka Pot.
- Coffee Clip Spoon: A convenient addition for scooping and measuring coffee grounds.
- 6 Cup Capacity: Brews up to 6 cups (around 300ml) of coffee, suitable for a small pot or several servings.
- Versatility: The description mentions using it for mochas, cappuccinos, and lattes, although a Moka Pot doesn’t produce true espresso for these drinks. It might be suitable for adding strong coffee to these beverages.
Possible Cons:
- Not True Espresso: While it brews strong coffee, Moka pots don’t reach the high pressure of professional espresso machines.
- Attention Required: You’ll need to watch the Moka pot while it brews and remove it from heat when finished to avoid burnt coffee.
- Learning Curve: There might be a bit of a learning curve to perfect the grind size and coffee-to-water ratio for the best results.
- Unknown Brand Reputation: Cafe Du Chateau might be a lesser-known brand for Moka Pots. Consider reading reviews to gauge the quality and performance of this specific model.
- Transparent Lid Durability: While convenient, some users might prefer a more traditional, opaque lid for potential durability concerns.
Overall, the Cafe Du Chateau Espresso Maker could be a good option for those who:
- Enjoy strong coffee: If you prefer a bolder coffee than drip coffee, a Moka Pot is a good alternative.
- Want to see the brewing process: The transparent top lid allows you to monitor coffee extraction.
- Appreciate a modern design: The high gloss finish adds a sleek touch.
However, if you:
- Need true espresso for latte art or other drinks: A Moka pot won’t replicate the high pressure needed for true espresso.
- Prefer a completely hands-off brewing experience: Moka pots require attention during the brewing process.
- Want a well-established brand: You might want to consider a Moka Pot from a more established brand.
Here are some additional things to consider when purchasing a Cafe Du Chateau Espresso Maker:
- Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get a sense of the quality, performance, ease of use, and durability of the transparent lid.
- Alternatives: Explore Moka Pots from other brands with similar features or established brands known for their quality Moka Pots.
- Grind Size and Coffee: Moka pots typically require a finer grind size than drip coffee makers. You might need to adjust your grind or buy a grinder if you don’t already have one.
Caroline Liddle –
Marla Dunham –
If, like me, you’ve never had one of these before, than you won’t go wrong with this pot. It looks stylish, it makes great coffee and it’s easy to keep clean. Also, it did not discolour when subjected to the gas flame.
Recommended seller. Thank you
Gadgetgirl79 –
As a direct comparison, it is almost identical to my other one, although this one has a lovely see through lid so that you can see when the coffee starts coming out.
It’s not quite as nicely made (lid feels and looks a little cheaper in design) but it fits together easily, makes great tasting coffee, and was easy to take apart and clean.
I used 1 scoop of coffee and filled the water up to the line to make myself a nice strong cup of black coffee.
Hopefully it will stand the test of time, but it does seem quite robust.
Patt –
The customer support is lovely but the plastic lid eventually breaks, they have already sent me two replacements for my original moka pot and I now have 3 broken moka pots.
After two uses, the plastic lid falls of with just a slight touch.
I wash the product following the instructions and no matter what, after two uses it breaks.
The product no longer qualifies for a refund so now I am stuck with either continue to receive another moka pot (so that I can have four broken pots) or just forget about the money spent on the product.
It is not a good product.
Grant Morgan –
Germante –
It’s like any normal coffee pot.
The cleaning part is the problem. I’m not sure why but there are little white dots (looks like mould) at the very bottom (where the water is). I am NOT SURE what it is, but they were not there when I got this coffee pot, only after using it a few times. P.S. I wash them in the sink, not the dishwasher.
The lid opens very slowly. The top of the lid is clear, so it gets so dirty! Even after you wash it there are little stains.
Michael Henderson –
The coffee maker itself is very well constructed and durable. It’s easy to use, simple to clean and makes a decent amount. People we’ve been making coffee all wrong. Don’t go blowing all your dough on a machine for generic tasting coffee
If you’re someone who loves their coffee I’d definitely recommend one of these. They cost a fraction of what machines cost yet the coffee tastes so much better
Curvyme71 –
Unfortunately, after two days, the plastic lid detached, and won’t stay on.
I should have read other reviewers comments before purchasing, as this seems to be a common problem.
I gave two stars simply because it makes good coffee. Other than that, I’m disappointed in the lack of workmanship.
Especially after only two days of ownership.