Bellman CX25 "style" machines.

[Robbks]

I'm looking for a reasonable, simple "stovetop" machine that i can use for milky latte's/ flat whites while camping.

The Bellman CX25P from DiBartoli looks interesting and simple enough to use.
Bellman CX25P Stainless Steel Stovetop - With Gauge

I realise i'm still only getting pseudo-espresso, the same as a Moka Pot, but as long as I can have that plus some steamed milk from the one device I'll be happy

Thoughts on quality of the drink for the price/ time/ effort?

Cheers

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I've got one of these, but have only ever used it for steaming milk. A bit of a 'learning curve' (geez I hate that phrase), but the quality of the steamed milk is pretty good once you work it out. Not a great to have leave laying around after use if you have kids (or stupid friends), unless you want to release the pressure after every cup (it gets and stays v. hot).

Can't help with the brewing coffee side unfortunately.

[Robbks]

watched a few video's last night and it looks like it ticks all the boxes.
especially if you believe the milk side is really good also.

How long is it taking before it's ready to steam milk?

[deegee]

watched a few video's last night and it looks like it ticks all the boxes. Especially if you believe the milk side is really good also. How long is it taking before it's ready to steam milk?

I have a CX25P and it works well on portable gas stoves, but it's very slow at home on the electric hotplate. How long it takes to be ready to steam will depend on several things, like the temperature of the water you put in it, whether you fill it to the minimum or maximum mark, and how much grunt your stove has. I have never timed it, but it doesn't take all that long.
Mine gets up to working pressure faster on my Coleman dual fuel stove than it does on a little butane one unit. Once up to steam temp/pressure it has plenty of steam at good pressure. I have seen something somewhere (maybe on CS ) about changing the size of the hole in the tip, but I'm happy with mine as it is.

I recommend the video on you tube called "proper use of a Bellman CX-25P" I found it very helpful when I first got mine, and it's well worth reading the text of the original post too.
I still agree with most of what he says, but I have found that I can use the "6 cup"reducer to make less than the maximum by gently tamping the coffee into the basket. I turned up a wooden tamper with a hole in the middle to make it quick and easy. I suspect that his problems with the reducer may be because he didn't tamp at all.