Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This ain't the Cadillac of espresso makers. I read some bad reviews and I'm hoping to set a few things straight. No one who wrote those reviews is wrong; you're getting what you pay for here. I don't use it every day and sometimes I use it twice or more a day. I haven't used it for a year yet but I've gone through 2 whole $4 cans of Bustelo and what comes out tastes like... well, coffee. Espresso? Eh, I'm not sure I really know the difference but it sure as heck looks like espresso. Sometimes I forget it on the stove for an hour or more. It gets really hot, like anything metal left on a hot stove. I don't touch the handle when that happens, I let it cool or use a kitchen towel. I have electric, and if you put it on high-flame gas, it'll probably melt the handle, like any plastic exposed to fire. Yup, "6-cup," means 6 little espresso cups, not 6 American teacups. It makes a small mug's worth of stuff with one go. I drink it in a mug; complain to my doctor if you think that's a bad idea. Report me to the coffee police if that's an inappropriate use of espresso. If you're the Starbucks type, this is probably what you know of as 6 shots, enough to make a couple of the equivalent of a venti latte. Ask me if you want a neat trick I found on the Internet for steaming milk in the microwave without extra fancy gadgets. You can make less than 6 shots too, use less water and less coffee. Or use less water and just as much coffee for that extra-tingly feeling a few minutes after drinking. I don't pack the coffee-holder funnel thing, it says that in the directions. Two heaping teaspoons of Bustelo from the can works great. Three works well too. What comes out is plenty strong either way. You don't need to use Bustelo, I'm sure whatever kind you like will work well. The thing ain't pretty either, especially after some use. Aluminum gets discolored with heat and coffee stains. If you're going for looks, get a stainless steel one, it'll cost you more but there's a reason they call it, "stainless." I fill the top part with water after pouring my coffee so I don't get that bottom-of-coffee-pot sludge two days later when I need my next fix. I also rinse the whole thing well before the next use. Otherwise, I've found it needs no maintenance. It does crank out great-tasting coffee though. It's easier to use than my french press and I can't afford a Keurig, either the cooker or the coffee cups. I get about 20 runs through the small Bustelo can (not the huge one... what's the small one, a pound or so?), which puts me around 20 cents per go in coffee cost. Your mileage may vary. Load, put on stove, wait until later, drink coffee. I prefer a cup of it with a cigarette -- I know, those are bad for you too -- but I'm sure it would be just as good in small cups with friends after dinner. My non-smoker friends think the coffee tastes good too, including my fussy friend who complains about everything.