See this espresso machine? It was a gift from my parents when I was, oh, 16 or 17. I’ve been nursing my coffee addiction since I was about 14 years old, and when I was in my late teens a coffee shop opened in the next town over that sold (expensive) espresso drinks. They gave me this to offset what I was spending there, I think, out of my little paycheck from the pharmacy I worked at. Anyway, it was mothballed a year or two after I left for college, and sat in my folks’ cabinet until last year. My mom, in a cleaning frenzy, handed it to me. It then sat in my pantry until this last Monday. In Italy, I drank incredible (and wee-Americans make their drinks too large!) cappucinos and cafe every day, and I was hoping for a splashing return it. I bought some espresso at Trader Joe’s, and dug out my little machine.
But no matter how many times I rinsed it out–ran water through it–ran water and vinegar through it–it keeps kicking back little brown flakes. An investigation with a tiny reading lamp reveals what looks like some corrosion inside the well. It’s a shame, because it works beautifully, too. But I probably shouldn’t drink rust with every coffee, so I guess it’s time to move on.
I do have a birthday coming up with great speed, so Mr. Pea has suggested a little European stove-top espresso brewer. Be on the lookout for it in next month’s gadget reviews!
Sweet Pea Cooks 
welcome back from italy, love your post(s) on bell’italia and coffee, too… you inspired me to write my own! cheers
Sorry to hear about your machine! I heartily agree with you about american espresso drinks, we add way too much milk!
Hey Becky! Hopefully we’ll see you guys around shortly; maybe by then i’ll have a swell new stovetop model.
Hi Evie! I never realized just how oversized US espresso drinks were until I went elsewhere; it’s amazing, too, that even in tourist districts in Rome you can get a cappucino for less than 1 euro! In the US, I don’t think it’s ever under $3!