Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso Pot) – What Is It and How to Use It?

Moka pot is steam based coffee maker that makes dark and very strong coffee. Often it is also called stovetop espresso pot, however, it should be mentioned that it is not exactly the same as espresso, because the pressure of the water going through the grounds is not high enough. Occasionally you might come across the names like ‘macchianetta’ or ‘caffettiera’ – these are both just different ways to call moka pot. Also when talking about stovetop espresso pots, company called Bialleti often comes up – it is the company that first started producing these devices and is probably the best known and most valued moka pot manufacturer.

Moka pots are three chambered pots: lower chamber is for water, middle is filter funnel where the coffee grounds go and the top chamber is where the coffee ends up. Additionally there is a filter plate that goes in front of central column in top chamber and rubber seal which ensures that hot liquid doesn’t leak from between the lower and the top chamber. Here is a picture of all the parts:

And here is a photo of top and bottom containers with filters and rubber seal in place:

This is what top container looks from inside:

How does moka pot work?

When heated up, some of the water evaporates creating the steam which reaches the pressure high enough to force the water from lower chamber up the filter funnel and through the coffee grounds to the top chamber where it is collected. Finally when the lower chamber is nearly empty steam bubbles mix with upstreaming water creating gurgling sound. That’s when it’s ready.

How to brew coffee with moka pot?

1. Fill the lower container with water so its level is lower than the safety valve. Don’t put more water than that. It is very important that water level is below safety valve, because it provides release if pressure should get too high. If the safety valve is blocked by too much water and pressure gets too high your moka pot can actually explode.

You can use either hot or cold water, it really is a matter of taste and you can do some experimenting here to find the best option for yourself. However it is recommended to use hot water, since it lessens the time that grounds are exposed to heat, which makes the brew less bitter.

2. Fill the filter funnel with the coffee grounds. Use bit coarser grind that you would for the regular espresso machine, because if the grounds are too fine they might block the holes in the filter and the water can’t get through anymore. Also, do not tamp the coffee grounds, since if the coffee is pressed too tight it also may block the water flow. Tamping is also not necessary, because grounds will expand with the heat and create its own tamp. Instead lightly knock the filter downwards, which helps to distribute the grounds evenly.

3. Screw on the top chamber and place the moka pot on the stove. Use medium level heat, since too high temperature might create the steam too fast. Keep the pot on stove until you hear a gurgle. It means that the water in the lower tank has been exhausted. Take the pot off the heat. Your coffee is ready. Note that the metal handles and surfaces get very hot, so be careful when handling the pot.

Most of the moka pots are made either from stainless steel or aluminum. It is recommended to get the stainless steel model, as the aluminum can affect the taste of the coffee and not in a good way.

Here are couple of different examples of moka pots from Amazon:

Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker

This is classic shaped moka pot. It comes with many different sizes, so when buying, you should consider your needs. If you will be using it to make coffee mainly for yourself 1-3 cup sized pot will be enough. If you need to make more, there are also 6, 9 and 12 cup sizes available. Click here for more information.

Bialettoi Easy Caffe 6 Espresso Cup w/ Electric Base

This one comes with its own electric base, so you don’t need a stove to make coffee with it. Click here for more information.

Bialetti Musa 4-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker

A 4 cup moka pot with rather sleek design.
Click here for more information.

Vev Vigano Van Gogh Starry Night Espresso Maker – 4 cup size

This one is a little bit different, as it has stainless steel bottom and porcelain upper container with Vincent Van Gogh’s famous masterpiece Starry Night printed on it. It’s brewing process is the same as with other moka pots. Click here for more information.

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