A moka pot is a stovetop coffee maker that produces a rich, smooth, delicious brew. It was invented in Italy in the 1930s and quickly became popular for making espresso at home. I first encountered moka pots at a friend’s house when he offered all of us coffee. I saw this little contraption on the stove and had to know what it was. The coffee we had tasted so good, I was astounded! I never thought this little device could make coffee so well.
WE RECOMMEND: Bialetti Moka Express (The Original Moka Pot)
Basic Mechanics
The lower base has a pressure valve and is filled with water. There is a metal cup where coffee is loaded, and that cup has a metal stem to carry the boiling water through the coffee and up into the upper chamber for serving.
It’s a super simple set up, and one that I love to use because it is difficult to mess up.
How To Use a Moka Pot
Making the best coffee is simple! Follow these steps to get started.
- Fill the bottom with water up to the fill line.
- Add coarse ground coffee to the middle chamber, filling it just below the rim.
- Securely screw the top onto the middle chamber.
- Place on a stove over medium heat.
- Allow the water to boil; the hot water will pass through the coffee grounds and extract their flavors and aromas.
- Remove from heat once the coffee starts bubbling and sputtering from the spout.
- Pour and enjoy.
Moka Pot vs Espresso Maker
A common misconception is that a moka pot is an espresso maker. Unfortunately, that is untrue, as the amount of pressure produced during the brew process is too low to be considered espresso. While a moka pot might produce 1 to 2 bar of pressure, espresso standards dictate about 9 bar or higher. However, that shouldn’t dissuade its use, as moka pots make some of the best-tasting coffee.
The coffee from a moka pot is similar to espresso, but it’s not quite the same due to the lower pressure and different brewing methods. The moka pot is a great option for those who want to make espresso-style coffee at home without investing in a more expensive espresso machine. It’s also small, compact, and portable, making it a great option for travel or camping.
How To Clean a Moka Pot
Cleaning a moka pot isn’t difficult at all. Follow these steps to cleaning your moka pot.
1: Unscrew the base.
2: Empty the coffee grinds.
3: Using a brillo pad or similar scrub brush give the entire pot a good scrubbing!
4: Using a narrow brush, scrub the stems of the upper and lower chamber.
Bonus tip: To get things really clean, use vinegar to descale and clean the hard-to-reach areas.
