How to Make Coffee with a Moka Pot
Whether you are nostalgic for an Italian coffee experience or enjoy a rich tasting caffeine kick, the moka pot is a convenient and easy to use coffee maker that will brew a well rounded cup of coffee if handled correctly. Invented in 1933 by the Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti, the moka pot quickly caught the attention of people across Italy. Due to its affordability and simplicity, it is widely used to this day – making stovetop coffee is a favorite morning routine all over Europe. If you are wondering how to make coffee in a moka pot, look no further!
I first got introduced to the moka pot while spending a year abroad in Rome, when my Italian housemates would fill the whole apartment with the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. To date this is my favourite way to wake up! It is important to note that burning your coffee or extracting bitterness are common issues when brewing with a moka pot. Over the years, I learned a few tricks to make sure that the delicious aromas are accompanied by equally great taste. But before we dive into the how-to’s of mastering the moka pot, let’s start by preparing ourselves for the perfect brew.
Moka Pot Steel vs. Aluminum
Steel vs. aluminum, which one is the best moka pot? If you happen to own an induction stove, a stainless steel moka pot like the Bialetti Venus is your best option. Stovetop coffee makers made of aluminium, such as the Bialetti Mokka Express, will only work with induction if you put a pan underneath. For fans of the eight-sided classic look, Bialetti have designed a moka pot especially for induction with the same vintage feel to it.
Moka Pot Sizes
Moka pots come in all shapes and sizes. Moka pot sizes are expressed in the number of cups it produces but depending on the model the capacity in ounces can vary. Here are some general guidelines on what to look for when comparing models:
- The 1 cup moka pot has a capacity of 2 oz and will produce one espresso-style or lungo-style coffee for one person. It is ideal for a single household.
- Most 2 cup stovetop coffee makers equal 3.38 oz and produce two espresso-style coffees. Perfect for sharing with that special person in your life.
- Other common sizes are 3 cups ranging from 4.3 to 5 oz, 6 cups ranging from 9.2 to 10 oz and 9 cups ranging from 14 to 15.2 oz. They are suitable for small to large families or people who like to brew a delicious cup of coffee for multiple guests.
- 12 cups is the largest size I’ve come across. It’s capacity equals 22 oz and is perfect for commercial use or for large gatherings.
Prep for the Perfect Stovetop Coffee
Making coffee in a moka pot requires some preparation. Ensure all removable pieces of your brewing device are clean to avoid any unwanted flavors. The main parts of a moka pot include: a knob, lid, small column, coffee collector, handle, filter plate, gasket, funnel, heating vessel, and release valve. On a little side note, double check that gasket (which can come loose if you use your moka pot long enough) and all other parts are in the right place. My moka pot exploded in the kitchen once and I had to repaint the walls. True story.
What is The Best Grind Size For a Moka Pot?
Without wanting to sound like a broken record, I always recommend freshly grinding your beans before brewing. There’s a helpful post reviewing the best hand coffee grinders up on my blog. When you’re ready to fill your moka pot with coffee, it’s important to choose the appropriate grind setting. To clear the air, although the moka pot is also referred to as Italian espresso maker or stovetop espresso maker, it is impossible to prepare true espresso with it. You’d need 9 bars of pressure to create a thick crema on top, whereas the moka coffee is extracted with only 1.5 bars of pressure. To find the right moka pot grind size, don’t grind your coffee as fine as you would for espresso to avoid overextraction and clogging the filter screen. An espresso grind is too fine for the moka pot. I use a Comandante grinder and choose a grind setting between espresso and drip coffee, which translates to 15-20 clicks. If your coffee tastes bitter, try to grind even coarser.
How to Use a Moka Pot – Step by Step Instructions
Once you set out to use your Moka pot, there are a few simple instructions you can follow to optimize the result.
1. Use a Clean Moka Pot
Great taste starts with a clean brewing device. The best practice is to clean your Moka pot thoroughly after each use, in order to prevent buildup that could lead to issues down the road. Aside from affecting operation, leftovers will negatively impact taste, with bitter flavors, and rancid oils.
2. Utilize Filtered or Bottled Water
Producing a balanced cup of coffee, requires the use of high quality, filtered or bottled water. Considering that coffee is 98% water, it’s no wonder professionals turn to clever solutions like Third Wave Water to optimize its mineral content. It goes without saying that in many parts of the world tap water is to be avoided for brewing coffee.
3. Pre-boil Your Water
Taking the time to pre-heat your water will go great lengths in improving the taste of your coffee. Aside from reducing the time the moka pot is sitting on the heat, pre-boiling your water before adding it to the chamber lessens the odds of burnt grounds and bitter tasting coffee.
4. Add Water and Coffee Ground
Begin by filling the bottom section of your Moka pot with pre-boiled, filtered or bottled water up to underneath the valve. Add coffee grounds to your filter basket, and level off the contents. Resist the urge to press, or tamp the coffee grounds down into the basket. Additionally, avoid overfilling the basket, or building a “coffee mountain”. Creating unnecessary resistance for the water flow will increase the bitterness in your cup.
5. Brew Espresso-like Coffee
Screw the parts of the pot back together using a towel to avoid burning your hands and, with the lid open, place the moka pot over medium heat. When the coffee starts gushing out of the spout, it has a temperature of around 60 degrees Celsius, after that the temperature will rise exponentially, which results in bitterness. You can avoid this by removing the Moka pot from the heat when the coffee has filled half the vessel or, if you have a thermometer handy, when the output reaches 75 degrees Celsius. Run the base under cold tap water to stop the extraction. Don’t get distracted and leave the moka pot on the heat until you hear the gurgle to avoid a bitter ending. Give the contents a good stir before serving, and enjoy black or with milk.
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