Atomic coffee makers popularity

colin99

Hello everyone - I am Colin, editor and creator of CoffeeCrew.Com in Victoria, B.C. Canada.

I have noticed in ten years of coffee webbing that the Atomic Coffee maker is one item that keeps coming up over and over again. For some reason, this item is very popular in Australia. In fact, there is a place in Sydney called Bon Trading that sells the odd bits and pieces for it.

My question is: In this forum, what is the sense about this trend or this particular item? Is it an item that is increasing in popularity, decreasing or is it a non-issue?

Did a quick search here and there is no mention of the words Atomic.

Thanks,
      Colin in Canada

FreshCoffee2

G'day Colin from Canada, welcome to Australia! Facts: 1) The Atomic coffee maker is no more than a stove top espresso machine with a stunningly beautiful shape; 2) I can buy a similar sized traditional shape stove top coffee maker (admittedly without steam function) for about $25.00 Australian, to the $385.00 Australian they were recently selling NEW Atomics for. 3) If I was looking for a truly quality coffee maker and not a piece of art, I could get one for not all that much more than the prices being charged for new or clapped out Atomics, which are not good coffee makers. 4) As with all stove top espresso machines the Atomic burns the coffee very nicely...but it does look great while its doing it! 5) The Atomic is stunningly beautiful classic design (kind of like a 1970 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle) and if one happened upon my door step at a "fair" price I would buy it for my mantle shelf...but certainly not as a coffee maker. 6) There are some out there that think the Atomic is a good coffee maker (????) 7) The prices are totally out of control (whether in terms of it being a coffee maker, OR a collectable piece of modern art) and if there is one thing I fear as an individual, with anything I buy, it is that I fear the possibility of being the LAST OWNER. This is where I am the last one to buy something, at the highest possible proce, immediately after which interest in that item wanes, the price falls through the floor, and I cant off load! I think this about sums up the Atomic phenomenon, and I think what I mean, is that I dont understand the Atomic phenomenon at all, and that I think its a non issue, but to others it certainly does seem to be an issue. Che? Regardz, FC.

pab

One look at eBay will show the popularity of the Atomic esspresso machine. Most of the ones seen on eBay seem to originate from here in Australia. I sold one not long ago for my dad. It was 20 years old and he paid ~$150 for it. It was in good condition without the original box or instruction. It finally sold fro $450!!! I've seen them reach as much as $600 for older types complete with original packing and instructions!!

Reschsmooth

But that's like paying $150 for a coffee cup.....oh, wait a sec......... ;D

colin99

One of my writing partners on coffeecrew.com, Frederick Nakos, has 13 complete Atomic coffee makers. Since he has a machine and wood shop, he decided to cast the jugs for the Atomic. He made 30 and sold them within about 40 days. He raves about them but refuses to loan me one for a review. Colin -

JM

I agree with Fresh Coffee's comments. The Atomic looks great, but my results with it were so bad I ended up chucking mine out. That was pre-EBay damn it, as some people are prepared to part with a lot of cash for an Atomic - guess they go for the cool design becuase I can't see any appeal in the coffee. It seems fashionable to worship Atomics however.

JM

Wow this software edited the word that starts with a "D" and sounds like lamb (in my post above).  Good thing I didn't say something rude or I might have been sent to jail in Cuba.

Reschsmooth

JM, for some reason, when I wrote s   p   o   o  n the other day, it was converted to 'sthingy'. P

JM

Love it!  Me thinks the anti-swearing feature is grinding too fine?

mattyj

spoon

mattyj

my gosh, you're right! I thought you were just being funny, Patrick! Spoon spoon spoon spoon spoon spoon spoon !!!!!

Reschsmooth

me, funny? Perhaps 's p o o n' is politically incorrect to some minority group who has undeserved and unnecessary influence on society....woops, did I say that? Maybe we should try to get a list of all the words 'banned'? P

bruce_

"p o o n" poon

joe

As has been stated, apart from their design and their ability to froth milk, the Atomics make coffee no different to a $20 moka pot. I bought mine in 1984 for $65 and haven't used it since '86, when I bought my first machine. It's a great art piece, but at the prices they go for today, a machine is much better value if you're after a good espresso IMHO.

admin

For the record guys, found a little-known function that sets 'censored' words in my secret Admin panel. Have to say it was grinding a little fine... hopefully there'll now be a few less 'thingies' for those commonly used expressions... now back to the thingy Atomica! -A

mattyj

oh man, you ruined all our fun! now people are going to be wondering what I mean when I say things here like 'kicks spoon' - that looked so much funnier when it said 'kicks sthingy' ... thanks for nothing!

colin99

Back to  the topic at hand -  ::) People think the Atomic is going to produce fabulous coffee because of the "look" or the "price" they paid for it. It is an illusion, nothing more. It is the same as the people that send me e-mail stating that they had this fabulous Brand-X stale coffee at Niagara Falls and cannot get it in the U.S.A. or where-ever. Truth is, it is NOT the coffee that tastes so good, it is where they are and what they are experiencing. So much of the coffee experience, for most people, is illusion.

Gordo

A different perspective... I inherited my parents Atomic coffee maker which they bought new in the 70's and compared to the instant crap I was drinking prior it makes a DAMN FINE cup of coffee. It also tastes as good as most of the stuff proferred by 'specialist' coffee shops I have visited. Another thing it does that the NASA-engineered, 5 minute service interval $4.6m elec machines can't do is brew you and your mates up fresh cappuchino in the bush atop a gas stove. Due to it's simple design there's low to no maintenace - no breaking or wearing parts -it LASTS!. The fact these machines have lasted so long and still command a high price as a WORKING device is testament to their durability and design. At work we have a Saeco gold-plated machine and when it's working or not our for repairs makes a half-decent cup of similar quality with freshly ground beans ! Granted it's making plenty of cups so I will overlook the frequent repairs... If the Atomic is used correctly it makes great coffee for the rest of us non-coffee nazis A friendly coffee-enthusiast edjamacated me in how much water to use to eliminate most of the caffeine and even a coffee noob like me can get black coffees to taste good. It's all relative really....asthetics aside for the job it was designed to do it does very well for a very long time at low cost

mattyj

about camping/making coffee in the bush - for sure, moka pots and these atomic things are a treat. they go great on the gas burner, or even well positioned over a camp fire. At home, I prefer the real thing though.

FreshCoffee2

Warning warning warning.............! Gordo, it is precicely because this is effectively a coffee edgamacation site that we cant let you get away with writing that the coffee made with an atomic and that made with an automatic espresso machine are of similar quality.... This is simply impossible although, a coffee enthusiast may enjoy coffee made with each...for what it is, individually. It would be like saying a chardonnay from the Victorian high country is great, and so is a chardonnay from the Hunter Valley...2 different chardonnays, each enjoyed for what they are...yes I can accept that...but "equivalent" or "similar"...afraid not. Back to atomic Vs auto...One is a complete coffee over-extractor and coffee burner particularly in the wrong hands, & the other is a complete coffee under-extractor....when there isn't an "out of order" sign attached. Totally different I'm afraid. Not a coffee nazi, just a realist! Regardz, FC. PS where are all the other Atomic lovers?

Reschsmooth

"PS where are all the other Atomic lovers?" I would say they are on ebay working out whether to spend $500 for a coffee perculator......

Frederick

The Atomic Coffee Maker is , was and will be, the best, stovetop coffee maker this side of heaven. Period. End of discussion. Those who do not have one and never experienced the joy of using it and imbibing the resulting brew, cannot talk and their advice boils down to ....nothing. This includes Colin. It also includes those whose knowledge of having everything JUST RIGHT is limited. Besides the design, or rather the complete absence of it, the ATOMIC makes a superlative cup. It frothes to perfection IF you know how to use it. I specify lack of design because the organic shape flows directly from the function that each section must perform. Like a violin, it is a perfect instrument. I'll be at Golds Boxing Ring from two to four everyday, ready to prove my point. Soon, quite soon, a book about the beloved by the cognoscenti ATOMIC will be made available. Stay tuned. Frederick, aka: Frittibaldi MacFeathers, Hey-you, Manutea and others....

One-a-day

I don't think I'd have the time and patience to use a stove top when I can just flick a switch turn the knob left than right and hey presto coffee. Hey Frederick do you run the coffee shop at golds boxing gym ? Do you use a stove top or a machine? If some one jumped in the ring and you thought you couldn't take them ,would you sock it to them with an Atomic WWF style if a chair was not available? ;D

askthecoffeeguy

I read it elsewhere but apparently, for those in the know, there is as much heated discussion as to the relative merits of this or that stove top, as there are about the domestic espresso machine! For the record, I picked up a stainless steel and Bakelite stovetop from a garage sale, which looked as though it had never been used, and took it with me on a camping trip recently, and the resulting coffee was strong, smooth, and sweet in a way hitherto unknown to my not inconsiderable experience! In short I loved it and can understand the attraction. A mate of mine has an Atomic and swears by it - says the resulting coffee tastes better than most cafes can produce! Who am I to argue! P

Mr._Atomic

Hi all, I would like to add to this discussion. many of the so called coffee experts on this thread have stated that all 'moka pots' are the same. i.e. they all burn the coffee. This is rubbish. There are many variables in the desgn and materials of a machine that affect the brew that they make (not to mention the beans, grind, packing and water...). The Atomic is not at all like a regular Moka coffee pot. The overall build is a lot heavier and the water travels further on its route to the coffee grinds. Also the head of the Atomic is solid aluminum and capeable of absorbing quite a bit of heat when the water reaches it. What this means is that when the water arrives at the grinds- it has cooled down significantly. Also the Atomic machine ingeniously employs a small hole in the water tube to increase the pressure under which the water reaches the grinds- Moka pots DO NOT have this device... these things combined produce a smoother less burnt brew than your average Moka pot. This is not just talk- I have seen it, smelt it and tasted it. Also the frother on an atomic works extremely well- much better than the frother on my La Pavoni Europiccola. Sure an Atomic will never produce the thick crema of a true espresso machine- but a smooth brew combined with a rich creamy froth= a very GOOD cup of coffee. And if your beans and grind are good-  there is a little bit of Crema in the mix- all of which adds up to a great coffee that only a true SNOB would put down. Also the Atomic requires no electricity- So if you are camping- you will be very hard pressed to find a better cup of coffee and all the Espresso machines of the world will not be able to help you one iota... FINALLY- It is simply one of the most elegant, stylish and superlative designs in the history of coffee machines. And it is built to last 50 years or more with minimal maintenance... does this answer the OP's questions as to the ongoing popularity of the Atomic machine?

admin

Hi guys - we're doing a feature on the Atomic in our next issue - any thoughts on what has been written here, also anyone who knows anything about the original designer, any new angles...  most welcome -A

Mr._Atomic

Giordano Robiatti of Milan invented the machine around 1946. It is said that Robbiati had a Renoir in his living room- certainl;y many thousands of machines were produced. It is also said that Mr. Robbiati made many of the earliest machines in his basement. Casting the alloy, moulding the bakelite, machining the steel and brass, polishing the alloy... can you email me directly through this forum? I have some info for your story.

psaigh

Apparantly my dad has a beaten up atomic which he's cleaning up for me.  Apparantly he still has the orriginal booklet in GC and even the orignal coffee which came with the unit if you wanted some photo's for the artical.  This might be a bit useless, i dunno how common these are (the booklet and coffee, not the atomic).  Pm me if your interested.

admin

Hey Jack - thanks for your input - Lib found it helpful and we will definitely include some of the info you provided in the article. cheers -A

askthecoffeeguy

spoon, there... I said it: Let it never be said that I mince words when it comes to coffee!

Gary Jenkins

I find it strange that some people on this blog are not happy with the Atomic. It makes the best coffee and is a superb way to do it, engaging all the senses. The fact that it is a work of art and will retain or even increase in value only adds to its appeal. I was lucky enough to bump into an Atomic collector when I bought mine there; The story and charm of the Atomic is another compelling reason for loving this machine. Who knows, I might have to start a collection. minor edit by the mod team to make it a little less of an add.