
How to Brew with a Moka Pot: A Guide to Rich, Bold Coffee
Share
The Moka pot, also known as a Bialetti, is a beloved coffee brewer from Italy that was invented in the 1930s. It is universally loved for its simplicity and for the bold coffee brews it produces. If you enjoy a bold cup of coffee, this is great option.
Brewer Type
The Moka pot is often mistakenly referred to as a stove-top espresso maker; and, while it will produce bold tasting coffee, the brew is not extracted under the same pressures as that of an espresso machine. Espresso machines typically operate at 9 bar of pressure (for reference, normal atmospheric pressure is 1 bar). Moka pots are closely related to percolator brewers, using steam pressure in a lower chamber to force water upwards. This is where the similarities between these two brewers end - the Moka pot uses steam to force all of the water in the lower chamber of the brewer through a bed of grounds, and into the serving chamber all at once.
Percolators brew differently
Percolators force small amounts of brew water through a tube that spills out over the top of the grounds. This brew water then percolates through the coffee grounds by way of gravity back into the water chamber and is cycles through the same process over and over. The longer the brewer is left on to cycle the water through the grounds, the stronger the coffee becomes.
Key Components of the Moka Pot Brewer
Within the brewer, there are three main components, from bottom to top they are:
1) Lower Water Chamber
2) Coffee Filter Basket
3) Brew Chamber
The lower chamber has both a fill line and an over-pressure valve. It's important to note you should never fill the lower chamber at or above the over-pressure valve. Doing so, can damage your brewer.
What you Need
In order to get the best brews, here's what you need:
1). Filtered Water (optionally preheated)
2) Gram Scale (small inexpensive jewelry scale is all that's needed
3) Grinder (good quality burr grinder if you have it)
4). Fresh Coffee
5). Heat Source
Prerequisites - determining your Moka Pot Size
Before getting started, you need to determine what size brewer you have - once that's known, then you can determine how much coffee you need, after which brewing becomes a breeze each time. To determine the size of the size of your brewer all you need is a gram scale and water. First place, the empty lower chamber (without the filter basket) onto your gram scale, and tare/zero out the scale as shown below.
Next, fill the lower chamber with water up to the fill line, or just below the over-pressure valve (if there's no fill line) as shown, then take note of the weight. For this example, the brewer holds 130 grams of water, which means it's a 130ml brewer.
Dosing coffee is now a breeze, Moka pots are dosed at 1/10 the amount of water, so a 130 g / ml brewer will take 13 grams of coffee grounds. Now we can proceed with brewing.
Steps for brewing with the Moka Pot
1. Choose the Right Grind Size
For a Moka pot, a fine grind is ideal—similar to table salt but slightly coarser than espresso. This allows for even extraction and prevents clogging. Too fine a grind can lead to over-extraction and bitterness, while too coarse will result in weak or sour coffee.
2. Add Water to the Lower Chamber
Now that you know what size brewer you have, fill the lower chamber to the fill line (or just below the over-pressure valve as we did in the previous section. Use fresh water. Optionally, preheat the water before filling the chamber - this will speed up the brew process and prevent the heat source from cooking the grinds.
3. Fill the Filter Basket with 1/10 the brewer capacity with fresh grounds.
In this example, we have a 130 ml brewer, so we weighed out 13 grams of grounds, and evenly distributed them within the filter basket. Do not tamp the coffee—just level it off gently. Overpacking the coffee can obstruct water flow and lead to over-extraction.
4. Assemble and Heat
Insert the filled filter basket into the bottom chamber and screw on the top chamber securely. Place the Moka pot on the stove over medium heat. Make sure the flames do not wick over the sides of the brewer.
5. Wait for the Brew to Complete
As the water heats, pressure will push it through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber. You’ll hear a gurgling sound as the coffee begins to fill the upper chamber. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. Lower the heat slowly, then when it begins to sputter, remove it from the heat and let it finish.
6. Stir & Serve
Once the coffee stops bubbling. Stir the brewed coffee in the top chamber to balance the flavors before pouring.
Steve's Tips for the Best Moka Pot Coffee
-
Preheat the Water: Using hot water in the bottom chamber can prevent the coffee grounds from overheating and developing bitterness.
-
Use Fresh Coffee Beans: Freshly ground coffee enhances the flavor and aroma of your brew.
-
Clean Your Moka Pot Regularly: Residual coffee oils can build up and affect taste, so rinse and dry your Moka pot after each use.
-
Calibrate the Grind Size as Needed: If the coffee tastes too bitter, try a slightly coarser grind. If you sense sour flavors (especially with light roasts), make it a bit finer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Using Too Fine a Grind: This can clog the filter, stall the brew process, or overly bitter or even astringent flavors.
-
Overfilling the Water Chamber: Covering the over-pressure valve can cause excess pressure buildup.
-
Tamping the Coffee Grounds: Unlike espresso, Moka pots should not be tamped or pressed into the filter basket; doing so can obstruct water flow.
-
Leaving It on the Heat Too Long: Overheating the coffee can cause bitterness and burnt flavors.
Enjoying Your Moka Pot Brew
Moka pot coffee is rich, intense, and full-bodied, making it perfect for those who enjoy bold coffee. It can be enjoyed as is or used as a base with milk. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to brew consistently delicious coffee with this classic Italian brewer. If you want to see a demonstration of brewing with the Moka Pot, watch Steve's video on Brewing with the Moka Pot here: