Kitchen appliances wear out. When they do, it usually means it's time to toss it and buy a new one. But in recent years, it's become easier to buy replacement parts, thanks to eBay and Amazon. This trend has kept my Bialetti Moka Express stovetop coffee maker alive and well.
My Moka is one of my favorite possessions. I use it a couple of times a day. I have the 6-cup orange-colored Moka, which I bought in December 2014. (I use it to make one-regular sized cup of coffee, not six espresso sized cups.) I've made over 1,000 cups of coffee with it. I get excited every time I use it.
The handle melted off a few months ago when my daughter left the burner on. A replacement handle kit is $9, but I opted to make one from a bamboo cutting board. You can get 3 replacement rubber seals and an aluminum filter for $10 (I've replaced the seals twice).
It's harder to find a replacement safety valve. I have one, scavenged from another Moka, if I need it. But they rarely wear out. When I find it acting up, it's because it's dirty and needs cleaning. Here's a good troubleshooting guide.
If you want a coffee maker that outlives you, it's hard to beat this one.
