Bialetti Moka Pot - aluminium or stainless steel?

Buddy97mm

I have some Amazon voucers and was thinking of buying a Bialetti Moka Pot. After doing some online research, there appears to be some debate regarding which type is better - the old school classic aluminium type or the newer stainless steel model.

Some contend that the aluminium imparts a bitter taste, which may fade after sustained use, whilst some believe it is the best. Some seem to think that the stainless steel does not make as good a coffeee, whilst others feel it is better than the aluminium version.

I would welcome any views.

Thanks

jam_mac_jam

I have only ever had the aluminum one, and I really love it. So handy and for the effort involved a lovely coffee. That may be not very helpful as you are comparing but I would say either would be good?

bbbbb

I have the stainless steel version because my hob is induction (aluminium won't work).
I suspect that & perhaps design factors are the main reasons people choose one over the other?

Gran Hermano

The aluminium is the traditional one and is reputed to produce a better beverage than the stainless steel due to better heat conduction. The downside of the aluminium is that it is harder to clean (and scaremongering around aluminium and Alzheimer's).

I'd probably go stainless for the convenience of being able to clean properly and work around the heat issue by preheating and using hot water in the reservoir.

Buddy97mm

Many thanks for replies. Still not sure which I will get, as the aluminium "classic" seems to be preferred and get great reviews online, with the primary caveat relating to potential taste seepage into the coffee, which can in turn be overcome by allowing build-up of coffee oils on pot and only cleaning with water, not detergenent, to ensure these oils remain.
The stainless steel pot has none of these issues, but is subject to less favourable reviews and seems to be much less robustly constructed.

nc6000

I have one of these and I've no idea what it's made of. :-)

Jezek

aluminium -> clean only with water, oil layer builds up. If you use it often, it doesn't go off, and the moka works perfectly! If you dont use it for a while then use something stronger, there is really no noticeable taste! All in all, go for aluminium I think, it's a bit cheaper, its traditional, better heating properties, although there is nothing to say the steel one isn't good!

Gran Hermano

OP, if you are still undecided here's a left field suggestion - have a look at an aero press.
You can see videos of it in action on brewmethods.com

Buddy97mm

Thanks again for suggestions, went with stainless steel model eventually after much deliberation. Like the idea of Aeropress but really wanted something a bit more old school