The Cuisinox Roma COF-10R Stovetop Espresso Maker Review

There is no better way to start your day than with the bubbling sound and strong aroma of freshly brewed moka pot coffee! Did you know that Italian-style moka pots are some of the most practical coffee brewers to achieve a quick espresso-style brew with minimal effort?

One of our favorite models is the Cuisinox Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker: read on to see if it would suit your caffeine-related needs.

The Cuisinox Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker Review

Whether you are a loyal veteran of moka pot coffee looking to upgrade your brewer, or just getting started with this old-school classic, the Cuisinox Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker offers an upscale and effective brewing experience.

Ease of Use – 5/5

The Cuisinox Roma and stovetop espresso coffee makers in general are very easy to use, especially when compared to other brewing methods that require manual agitation, dialing in the shot, or any kind of special expertise.

With this 18/10 stainless steel moka pot (1),  simply fill the lower chamber with water (but not above the valve), add coffee grounds to the funnel-shaped filter (no tamping necessary) and place the espresso maker on the stove.

Depending on the amount of coffee you are making, you will only have to wait a few minutes before hearing your coffee bubble up into the top compartment and smelling the rich aroma that characterizes moka espresso (2). A great cup of coffee is as easy as that.

The Roma, like percolators across the board, allows you to brew rich, strong coffee without the cumbersome trial-and-error learning process. It is an excellent tool for the coffee lover who doesn’t have time to be a coffee snob. 

Brew Capacity – 5/5

The Cuisinox Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker is available in 3 different sizes: you can choose among a 4-cup, 6-cup, or even 10-cup option, so you can select one that works well with your coffee routine.

While stovetop espresso makers are generally not customizable, this model comes with a handy reducer that allows you to make less-than-the-full-capacity of the brewer. To make fewer cups of coffee than the maximum volume of the percolator, simply add the reducer to the funnel before brewing and fill it with half the quantity of coffee grounds that you’d normally use.

The Cuisinox Roma brews delicious strong coffee with a thin layer of crema. Oh, and it also comes with an extra gasket, which is always handy to have around.

Build Quality – 4/5

Contrary to what the name may suggest, the Cuisinox Roma is not manufactured in Italy, but in China. But similar to the Rapid Brew, the Cuisinox Roma is made of stainless steel – it has a sturdy and stylish structure that has proven to be effective and durable.

The chrome-y look is sure to be an excellent addition to your kitchen aesthetic. We also like the fact that they’ve included an induction base, as not every moka pot is built that way.

Cleaning and Maintenance – 4/5

We know that cleaning is the least exciting part of the coffee brewing process, but with the Cuisinox Roma you don’t have to worry. Although it is not dishwasher safe like some of its competitors, it’s very easy to clean: just take it apart once it’s cooled down and give it a good rinse.

We also recommend that you descale it every once in a while like any coffee maker, depending on the hardness of the water. Descaling your moka pot doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a lemon, vinegar and water will do. (3) Depriving your coffee maker of this regular TLC will begin to interfere with the extraction process, diminishing the clean, strong flavor you love.

Value for Money – 3.5/5

The Cuisinox Roma is undeniably more expensive than the average moka pot, but cheaper than espresso machines. If you are debating between this stovetop brewer and a traditional espresso maker, this will save you money and deliver a much higher value–provided you aren’t wedded to classic espresso.

If, on the other hand, you are deciding between the Roma and another, more economical moka pot, the value is decidedly less. While the extra gasket and reducer included are an added plus, this percolator does not incorporate any material or technology to justify the steeper price point. That being said, its big selling point is an astounding 25 year warranty. To put it simply, it is a reliable, though annoyingly hefty, investment.

Do Not Buy The Cuisinox Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker If…

You want to keep it classic – If you’re after a stovetop espresso maker in an effort to authentically embrace this Italian morning ritual, the Roma is not the best option. Instead, we recommend you try the Bialetti Moka Express, a moka pot manufactured in Italy and designed by the company whose founder invented the brew method. The Bialetti sports the original octagonal design and has been a staple in Italian households for decades. Though the Moka Express is an aluminium and therefore non-induction moka pot, the company does offer induction-compatible models as well. Its more modern version, the Bialetti Brikka, is also a good option.

You want an all-electric option – If you are looking to avoid nuances of induction or non-induction stoves all-together, the best moka pot option is the De’Longhi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Pot. Rather than placing the percolator on a stovetop, it sits on an electric mount that plugs into the wall and heats up similarly to an electric kettle. The top chamber on this espresso maker is also insulated so your brewed coffee stays hot for up to 30 minutes. Learn more about the DeLonghi EMK6 here.

You want more manual control over your espresso – An Italian coffee maker is a great brewing tool if you are looking for a standard, strong brew, but it does not offer the flexibility to program or personalize your coffee like a semi-automatic espresso machine. If your goal is to fiddle around more with the extraction process, we recommend you up your game and invest in something like the Breville Infuser. While this machine is certainly more expensive than the Cuisinox Roma, if gives you a lot more control as the barista and can prepare milk, heat water for americanos and tea, and deliver the signature espresso we all love.

The Verdict

The Cuisinox Roma is a stylish stovetop espresso maker that, while more expensive than most moka pot models, has a high-quality build sure to last you decades. The 3 different sizes and the handy volume-reducer mean that you can brew exactly the right amount of espresso style coffee for any occasion.

If you are still on the fence about the Roma Stovetop Espresso Maker, you can always check our moka pot review roundup.

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