The Bialetti two-part cast aluminum espresso pot has long set the standard for stovetop espresso makers. With the invention of the Bialetti in the 1930s, espresso—long a staple of Italian cafés and bars—became available for home consumption. Today, this classic of twentieth-century industrial design can be found in 90 percent of Italian homes. Now Italy’s favorite pot can go to work in your kitchen, making delicious espresso on gas or electric stovetops.

As the cold water in the lower chamber heats, the pressure from its boiling forces the water up through the coffee grounds. In just a few minutes, espresso enters the upper chamber, filling it with perfectly brewed coffee, as the pot hisses and gurgles. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand until the lower chamber is releasing only steam.