I decided to get this because I wasn't sure about how much I'd be making espressos for myself, and didn't want to spend too much on this yet.It was a great product at first, the espressos were fine. Although, I would suggest keeping the cover closed because it tended to spurt the coffee out and it was messy and dangerous! I figured, okay fine, I'll just keep the lid closed while making coffee. This worked for the time being.Pouring was a mess. Whenever I would open the lid to check on the coffee, the condensation would drip down the back. When I would pour, it would drip in the front & sides. Ok fine, I'll just put paper towels to catch that. The last straw was when the handle broke on me. I opened the lid, and the handle came off. It barely lasted a month!I immediately replaced it with a bialetti espresso maker, which I should have gotten originally. You can defintely feel and see the quality!Don't make my mistake, go with a bialetti! It's only $10 more and you can trust the quality.My parents use to use one like this all the time but the result didnt seem the same. Make sure you use the right coffe (fine ground like Cafe Bustello) You also have to know how to pack the coffee in there. Pack it too hard and the water won't go through. I also think these work much better with electric stove. With gas stove the flame didn't seem to concentrate enough heat to make it work faster. As a result, the coffee had a burnt taste. It's a trial an error thing, if you expect a great cup of espresso the first time you will be greatly disappointed.I have a Bialetti coffee maker, The purchase of this off brand coffee maker was to have an extra to cart around in my suitcase, I suggest spending the extra money for a better coffee maker. This coffee maker does not have the quality of the better coffee maker, and the extra cash shelled out is well worth it for the difference in quality. This cheaper maker is not as horrible as some of the other reviews, The coffee it makes is just as good as the better makers, but the better makers have a better handle and casted from heavier gauge metal which makes it well worth the price differenceWay too small for any use whatsoever.This thing barely makes a third of a cup of coffee. That should've been made crystal clear in the description. Absolutely WORTHLESS !ZERO STARSThe pot has improper design as when the coffee is getting ready some of that is splashing right from the pot on the stove even before the coffee is completely ready. It gets very irritating that stove is always dirty with coffee. Also some water still left in the pot after it stops getting into upper part of the coffee maker. I put it into the cupboard instead of using several times every day as I used to.We used this a total of 3 times and on the third time the top half of it some how blew up, hit the ceiling and threw coffee grounds and water all over our kitchen and onto my husband!! It was a huge mess our kitchen was covered from ceiling to floor, no joke!It took us two hours to clean the mess up. My husband was in the kitchen when it happen and coffee grounds went into his eyes. He was in alot of pain for hours and had to keep washing his eyes out with water. It was a nightmare I thought he had been blinded. What a piece of junk its so poorly made and it also leaks! DO NOT BUY THIS SAVE YOUR MONEY! We used it correctly by what little directions are with it. I contacted the manufacturer to let them know what happened and how crappy their product is and that we are thinking of contacting a lawyer.ONE STAR IS TOO HIGH.We purchased the 3 and the 6 cup models for XMAS Gifts.The 6 CUP leaks without ever even heating it. Just along the bottom edge at one of the corners, the casting is too thin!The 3 cup does not leak until you heat the water. It then sprays out steam along the main "seal" between the pots and all AROUND the pressure valve (not through it).I do so wish they had included in the product information that these are junk manufactured by the cheapest company in China. With this poor level of workmanship, who knows how many heavy metals are in it.Don't risk your health, buy a product from somewhere that has health and quality standards.came fast in the mail within the week, but the quantity of coffee that it makes a very small but extremely strong and tasty.if you enjoy espresso but don't want to pay for expensive machine I suggest this is the way to go