Learn how to brew a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee right on your stovetop! A Moka pot is a great Italian coffee maker that lets you make espresso-like coffee without an espresso machine. Cost-effective and easy to use, Moka pot coffee is a must for all coffee lovers!
What is a Moka Pot?
These little pots are quick and simple to use and give you a stronger and richer brew than you would get from your drip coffee maker. The pot sits on your stovetop and it brews coffee by passing boiling water through ground coffee with the help of pressurized steam.
You can find the pots in aluminum or stainless steel. Stainless steel will last longer, but I’ve used this aluminum Bialetti Moka pot for years and it’s still going strong.
Be aware that if you have an induction stovetop, an aluminum pot will not be compatible. They do sell steel adapters you can use so you can use an aluminum pot, or I have a second pot from IKEA that I use. Bialetti also makes an excellent stainless steel pot that’s suitable for induction stovetops.
Lastly, when you’re buying your pot, you’ll want to consider what size you need. Most Moka pot coffee ‘cups’ are around 2 fluid ounces. I own a 6 cup pot and they also come in 1, 2, and 3 cups. You can even find some pots that make up to 18 cups which would work if you’re making coffee for a crowd.
How Does it Compare to Other Brewing Methods?
With so many options for brewing, it might be tricky to decide how the Moka pot stacks up.
Essentially, the Moka pot will brew a thick, strong cup of java similar to espresso. The pot uses steam pressure to brew the coffee, which is like an espresso machine, although an espresso machine uses a lot more pressure.
If you’re looking for a lighter cup, either the drip coffee maker or the Chemex method would be the way to go. Both use the drip method which means water is poured over grinds in a paper filter and it drips into the empty chamber below.
The French press and Aeropress methods are both fast and easy to use and will produce smoother and lighter coffee than a Moka pot.
Overall, if you’re looking for a robust sip of coffee, the Moka pot will give you great results.
Read on for my step-by-step guide on brewing the best coffee in your pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s Inexpensive: The pots are reasonable in price and brewing your own strong coffee at home is more budget-friendly than always going to your local coffee shop.
- Easy to Use: There are only a couple of easy steps to follow to make your delicious stovetop espresso. It’s also ready in about 10 minutes and clean-up is minimal.
- Small in Size: The pot is small and can be stored easily which saves you valuable counter space!
What You’ll Need to Make Coffee in Your Pot
This is what you’ll need to make 2 cups of coffee:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- 2 tablespoons ground coffee (more or less depending on how strong you like your coffee): You can use pre-ground coffee or grind your own beans at home. Check the section below on the grind size that you need.
- 1 ½ cups warm water: Use filtered water if you can; there will be less mineral buildup in your pot.
Which Coffee Should You Use?
Look for a medium-fine grind which is a little bit coarser than espresso. If you use too fine of a grind, (like the one used for Turkish coffee), it will clog up your Moka pot and you might end up with grounds in your coffee.
I sometimes like to make it easy on myself and buy pre-ground coffee from the store, but you can also grind your own beans at home. Grinding your own beans would ensure that you have the perfect medium-fine grind every time.
As for the roast, I like to use a dark roast, but anything medium to dark would work depending on your tastes.
How to Use a Moka Pot
It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to brew the perfect cup of coffee in your pot. It might take you a bit of practice to get it right, but once you do, you’ll be so happy to enjoy this delicious treat any time you want!
- Fill basket. Fill the basket with grounds that are a little bit coarser than espresso grounds. Loosely fill the basket and be sure not to tamp it down.
- Fill bottom chamber. Pour hot water into the bottom chamber of the pot. Using hot water prevents you from heating your grounds too much as you heat the water on the stovetop (and your coffee won’t be acidic!).
- Put the pot together. Use a towel to hold onto the bottom chamber as it will be hot from the hot water and then attach the top part and seal it tight.
- Brew coffee. Place the pot on the stovetop over low-medium heat and brew for a few minutes. Once you hear gurgling and the coffee has bubbled up into the empty chamber, it’s time to remove the pot from the heat.
- Pour. Run the bottom chamber of your pot under water to stop the brewing process and then pour yourself a cup!
Tip!
Be mindful of the temperature of the stove. If the heat is too high, you could burn your coffee and it will taste bitter!
Recipe Tips
- If you’re grinding your coffee beans with a manual grinder or an electric grinder, grind them until they resemble coarse sand, you’re looking at a medium-fine grind. If you grind too long and the coffee looks more like a powder, start over!
- Never tamp the grinds. Don’t tamp the coffee grinds down like you would when making espresso in an espresso machine. The pressure in a Moka is a lot lower than in an espresso machine. If you tamp down the grinds, the water won’t be able to pass through and the result will be a build-up of pressure that can cause your coffee to explode out the top, or the whole pot to explode into pieces.
- Don’t walk away. It’s a good idea to stay close to your pot when it’s brewing. The process doesn’t take all that long and once you hear the gurgling sound, you’ll want to take the pot off the heat. If you leave it on the heat for too long, you run the risk of it having an unpleasant burnt taste.
How to Clean and Care for your Pot
These little pots are easy to clean. You shouldn’t put them in the dishwasher or use abrasive cleansers when cleaning as they will corrode your pot.
All you need to do is empty out the used coffee grinds and rinse the basket. Dry everything off with a paper towel and put it away until next time!
Ways to Use Your Coffee
You can use the coffee from your pot to make delicious lattés and coffees at home. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Americano: Enjoy an Americano coffee by pouring 8 ounces of just boiled water into 1 cup (or 2 ounces) of Moka pot coffee.
- Latte: Brew coffee in your pot as normal and heat milk separately. Use a handheld frother to froth the milk. Pour your coffee into a cup and top it with the frothed milk. A good ratio is 1/3 coffee to 2/3 milk.
- Iced coffee: Brew it hot in your pot and allow it to cool to room temperature. When it’s ready, pour it over ice in a tall glass.
More Coffee Guides
FAQs
The coffee brewed in a Moka pot is a rich full-bodied brew that is similar to espresso, but it isn’t truly espresso because it’s prepared in a different way.
The roast you use depends on your tastes. Usually, a medium-dark roast works well and you want to look for one that has a medium-fine grind. Too coarse or too fine and the pot won’t be able to process the coffee correctly.
Unfortunately, you can’t use a standard Moka pot on an induction stovetop. The good news is that you can find pots that are compatible with induction stovetops. You can also purchase adapters to use with your standard pot which will make it suitable for induction stovetop use.
Avoid using a dishwasher to clean your Moka pot as the metal will oxidize and turn black. You also want to avoid using harsh detergents and scrubs for the same reason.
Save this recipe for the next time you’re feeling a little fancy and want to enjoy a nice cup of Moka pot coffee and share this recipe with the coffee connoisseurs in your life! Pin it for more people to enjoy too!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
How to Use a Moka Pot
Recipe Video
Equipment
- Moka Pot
- Tea Towel
Ingredients
- 1½ cups hot water 12 oz/350ml
- ¼ cup whole roasted coffee beans or 2 tablespoons of medium-fine ground coffee
Instructions
- Place the whole roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder, and grind to a medium-fine grind.
- Fill the basket with grounds. Loosely fill the basket and be sure not to tamp it down.
- Pour hot water into the bottom chamber of the pot.
- Use a towel to hold onto the bottom chamber as it will be hot from the hot water and then attach the top part and seal it tight.
- Place the pot on the stovetop over low-medium heat and brew for a few minutes. Once you hear gurgling and the coffee has bubbled up into the empty chamber, it’s time to remove the pot from the heat.
- Run the bottom chamber of your pot under water to stop the brewing process and then pour yourself a cup!
To Make Americano:
- Pour 8 ounces of just boiled water into 1 cup (or 2 ounces) of Moka pot coffee.
To Make a Latte:
- Brew coffee in your pot as normal and heat milk separately.
- Use a handheld frother to froth the milk.
- Pour your coffee into a cup and top it with the frothed milk. A good ratio is 1/3 coffee to 2/3 milk.
To Make Iced Coffee:
- Brew it hot in your pot and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- When it’s ready, pour it over ice in a tall glass with some ice cubes.
Notes:
- If you’re grinding your coffee beans with a manual grinder or an electric grinder, grind them until they resemble coarse sand. If you have a pre-programmed coffee grinder, set it to “medium” to get the perfect grind.
- Never tamp the grinds. Don’t tamp the coffee grinds down like you would when making espresso in an espresso machine. The pressure in a Moka is a lot lower than in an espresso machine. If you tamp down the grinds, the water won’t be able to pass through and the result will be a build-up of pressure that can cause your coffee to explode out the top, or the whole pot to explode into pieces.
- Don’t walk away. It’s a good idea to stay close to your pot when it’s brewing. The process doesn’t take all that long and once you hear the gurgling sound, you’ll want to take the pot off the heat. If you leave it on the heat for too long, you run the risk of it having an unpleasant burnt taste.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Dale says
Your instructions are very clear. I even learned a thing or two. Don’t pack down grounds. Use Hot filtered water for less acidic coffee. Thank You
Diana says
Glad you found the instructions helpful, Dale! Those little details really make a difference. Enjoy your coffee!
Hafsa says
hi,
should we fill moka basket full with coffee or 1 tsp will be enough for 1 cup
Little Sunny Kitchen says
You would want to use 1 tablespoon of grounds for one cup, but I think this method works best if there is at least two tablespoons in the basket. Enjoy!