The Moka pot was invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. It is also known as a stovetop espresso maker although it does not produce the “real” espresso.
Brewing with a Moka pot is simple and can yield excellent results. Yet, many people don’t know how to use a moka pot properly, which can lead to less than ideal results. In this handy guide, I will walk you through all the steps so that you can make perfect coffee every time.
Let’s get started!
How to use a moka pot
Moka pot consists of three parts:
- the bottom chamber, which holds water
- a metal filter basket which holds ground coffee
- and the upper chamber where brewed coffee collects.
If you are using moka pot for the first time, repeat steps 1 to 6 and dump out the coffee each time. Do this at least three times to season the brewer. This helps in forming a thin layer of oils inside of the moka pot which prevents the metallic taste of the coffee.
Step #1 – Fill the bottom chamber with water
Preheat the water in the kettle to the boiling point, remove from heat and pour it into the base.
The water level should be below the pressure valve or touching the bottom of the valve. There is also a line inside that marks the allowed water level. Be sure to not cover the valve with water or it won’t be able to release the excess pressure and you might find yourself in trouble in the middle of brewing.
Preheating the water keeps the temperature of the moka pot from getting too hot and cooking the coffee, introducing a “burnt” flavor.
Step #2 – Fill the filter basket with ground coffee
If you are grinding your own coffee, set the grinder to coarser than for espresso but finer than pour over. You can experiment within that range to find the perfect grind size for your cup. If you grind coffee in your local coffee shop, let them know which grind size you need.
The great thing about the moka pot is that you don’t need to use the scale. The measures are built into the design.
However, I like to weigh my beans because I grind only what I plan to use. For my 2-cup moka pot, it’s 15-16 grams. The weight may vary depending on the coffee bean type, darkness of the roast and coarseness of the grind.
Fill the funnel a bit more than half. You can use a spoon to do this. I drop the grinds directly from my hand grinder’s container because it’s just the right size.
Tap the basket vertically to settle the coffee. Fill it further and shake. If there is excess coffee, even it out with a knife or a finger. When the coffee level is in line or slightly below the rim, tap it vertically one last time to leave a bit of headspace. Do not compress the pack.
Place the basket with prepped coffee into the base.
#3 – Assemble moka pot
Make sure that there are no grounds on the rim or on threads of the lower and upper chambers. Those loose grounds prevent a good seal which badly affects the coffee flavor.
Grab your hot pads or towel to hold the bottom and line up the threads correctly so they fit perfectly with the top. Screw both parts but don’t over tighten.
#4 – Put moka pot on the heat
Place the brewer on a heat source. Set it to low or medium heat. Never brew at high temperatures or you’ll burn your coffee. If you are using a gas stove (or an open fire :), make sure that the flame is not reaching beyond the base and the handle is not exposed to heat. Most moka pots will work on electric stoves, as well.
If you have an induction stove you’ll need a moka pot with a stainless steel bottom or use a diffuser plate.
Open the lid so that you can peek inside.
#5 – Observe the brewing process
The first few minutes will seem like nothing is happening. You might even get tempted to put the heat up. Don’t do it. Be patient.
After some time the pressure will build up in the bottom chamber and push the steam up through the funnel. You will hear a little hissing sound before the coffee starts coming out through the spout.
The coffee stream will be thick and golden-brown at the beginning. Towards the end of the extraction, it’ll turn honey brown.
#6 – Remove from the heat
At this point, it doesn’t take too long to fill the pot so watch it carefully. When you hear a gurgling and the coffee starts bubbling out, it’s over. Close the lid, turn the heat off and remove the pot from the burner. How do you know when the pot is full and you’ve used most of the water? With practice. You need to do it a few times.
It may happen (even before the pot is full) that the gurgling sound becomes loud and coffee begins to spit out all over the place. This is a sign that the temperature is too high. You need to immediately remove the pot and turn the heat off. It’s very likely in this case that the coffee will taste burnt and bitter.
A lot of people will run the pot under cold water or put on a cold towel to cool it down. They do it to stop the brewing process and prevent that bitter taste. From my point of view, it’s not necessary and I haven’t noticed any difference in the coffee taste. It’s fine if you just let it finish aside or pour the coffee right away.
#7 – Serve and enjoy
It’s not a bad idea to gently stir the coffee in the pot with a teaspoon as the thicker, first-extracted coffee will have settled to the bottom.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy!
How to clean a moka pot
After the usage, wait for the moka pot to cool down and then clean it. It’s important to wash it after each usage so that it stays clean.
Unscrew the pot and locate the rubber gasket and filter plate at the bottom of the upper chamber. They do come off with a little help of a dinner knife or a similar blunt implement. Don’t use anything sharp or you might damage the rubber.
The best way to clean your moka pot is by hand, using warm water and a cloth. Remove any stuck grounds or stains and thoroughly rinse out each part.
Avoid using harsh abrasive scrubbers, which can damage the metal. Also, do not use soap, detergents or put it in the dishwasher. The chemicals will remove the oils from the surface and your coffee might taste metallic or even soapy.
Then hand dry each part and set everything out to air dry before assembling and storing away.
What’s next?
Now that you know how to use a Moka pot, it’s time to start brewing some delicious coffee! Thanks for reading this guide. Do let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Happy brewing! : )
