Best Moka Pots

• What You Need to Know
• Coffee prepared with a moka pot has a particularly aromatic taste.
• Although a moka pot can also be electric, it is traditionally heated on a stovetop.
• If the moka pot is left on the cooker for too long, the coffee can burn, resulting in a bitter taste.
• Depending on the material of the moka pot, it can be cleaned in the dishwasher or simply by hand.

Tradition and enjoyment

Many names are used for moka pots: Espresso pot, percolator, caffettiera, moka express, mocha pot and stovetop pot are just a few. Despite its many names, however, the moka pot can only do one thing: make coffee. Traditionally, it is an octagonal device made of aluminium that looks like a pot. Its creator is the Italian inventor Alfonso Bialetti. He made the first model in 1933. In 1946, his sons brought it onto the market under the name Moka Express. The most famous moka pot manufacturer still bears his surname.

Operation, mode of operation and components

To prepare the moka pot, first take it apart. To do this, unscrew the upper part of the kettle from the lower part and remove the funnel insert from the lower part. Fill the kettle with water – up to the pressure relief valve at the most. Put the funnel insert back on the kettle and fill it to the top with ground coffee. The ground coffee should be evenly distributed and loose in the funnel. It is not advisable to press it tightly. This will result in a bitter taste. In the worst case, the water cannot penetrate the tightly pressed coffee powder and escapes as steam through the pressure relief valve. When the funnel is filled, screw the pot back on and place the moka pot on the cooker. Now the boiling process can begin.

The water rises through the coffee in the funnel insert as it boils. It passes through the riser tube into the collecting vessel, i.e. the inner part of the pot. After some time, the kettle is empty and the jug is full of delicious coffee.

Inexperienced users are often not sure when the coffee is ready. But you can hear, see and smell it. For one thing, the pot starts to steam shortly before the end. Secondly, the moka pot makes a loud, wet gurgling sound. When the gurgling stops, the coffee is ready. Stir briefly before pouring in several cups so that the flavour is evenly distributed.

Hot water in the moka pot

Some users recommend heating the water in advance. This way it boils faster. In addition, the moka pot does not get so hot. With aluminium boilers, there is also less risk of the aluminium affecting the taste of the coffee.

The anatomy of the moka pot

There are three main parts of the moka pot that are operated directly by the user: the kettle, the funnel insert and the pot. In addition, a moka pot includes other parts that are essential to the boiling process.

The boiler

The kettle is where the water is poured into. It is the part of the moka pot that comes into contact with the heat source.

The pressure relief valve

The pressure relief valve or safety valve is located on the upper part of the boiler. The water level must not be higher than this. If there is too much pressure, the water vapour will escape from the valve.

The funnel insert

The funnel insert – or filter insert – is placed on the kettle and filled with coffee. It has a long hollow tube at the bottom through which water rises. The holes in the strainer ensure that the water passes through, but the ground coffee does not fall through.

The coffee sieve

The coffee strainer or filter is located at the bottom of the pot, directly above the funnel insert. It prevents coffee grains from getting into the coffee.

The riser tube

The riser tube or column guides the coffee into the jug.

The jug

The jug – also known as the top – collects the ready-boiled coffee. The jug also consists of a lid and a handle.

What you need to consider when buying

Will the appliance be used at home in the kitchen or when travelling in a tent? For how many people will coffee be made? Depending on your personal preferences and needs, there are a number of things to consider when buying an espresso pot.

Type

Originally, the moka pot was designed for the cooker. This is no longer necessarily the case. The electric moka pot offers a practical alternative for many. This is very similar in design to the traditional moka pot. The only difference is that the electric moka pot is operated by electricity like a kettle on a base. The traditional version, on the other hand, requires a cooker as the heat source. Whether this is more practical or more convenient depends on the intended use. Access to a socket is often easier than to a cooker, for example in an office or hotel room. Some electric models even include a temperature setting. They also switch themselves off when the coffee is ready. Some then keep it warm for a longer time.

The traditional moka pot can also be used over a fire when camping. For coffee drinkers who value tradition, the octagonal version for the cooker is also more recommended. If you heat the moka pot on the cooker, however, you have to be more attentive. You must remove it directly from the cooker as soon as the coffee is ready. Otherwise there is a risk of burning the coffee. However, there is no difference in quality between the two types of coffee.

Material

Traditionally, moka pots are made of aluminium. Nowadays, however, stainless steel kettles are also very popular. Apart from tradition, the low price of aluminium kettles is their main advantage. They also conduct heat very well and are robust. However, it is often criticised that aluminium leaves a slightly metallic taste. In addition, aluminium cookers cannot be used on induction cookers. Cleaning is also more difficult, as aluminium cookers are not usually allowed in the dishwasher. However, this is not a big deal. Simply rinse aluminium models under running water. A patina is allowed to form. It even adds to the taste. The problem with this material is that it cannot be ruled out that aluminium gets into the coffee.

Stainless steel cookers are somewhat more expensive than aluminium cookers. But they have some advantages. For example, they are usually easy to clean because they can be put in the dishwasher. They also do not change the taste of the coffee and last a very long time. Moreover, they can even be heated on an induction cooker. However, they are not as heat-conductive as aluminium versions.

Size

Moka pots come in different sizes. The size is defined by the number of cups. One cup is approximately 40 millilitres. Espresso pots for two, four or six cups are the most common. However, there are models that can make up to twelve cups of coffee.

On the other hand, it is very inconvenient to use an espresso pot several times in a row. After all, it has to be washed each time and, depending on its size, takes several minutes until the coffee is ready. That is why the moka pot is one of the items for which it has proved worthwhile to buy two different sizes. This way you can adapt to the number of guests.

Handling

The moka pot must be easy and comfortable to use. Of course, the size plays a major role in handling. The handle is just as important. Ideally, it should be heat-resistant. This means that the hot pot can be removed from the cooker immediately after brewing without burning your fingers. This is also important for the taste of the coffee. If the coffee stays on the hot cooker too long, it can burn and become bitter. A thumb lever is also an advantage. This can be used to open the lid of the pot after it has boiled. After all, you should stir the coffee briefly before pouring it in.

Design

This purchase criterion is especially important for aficionados. After all, moka pots are objects with tradition. This states that the kettle is octagonal, as designed by the inventor.

Price and manufacturer

The price of an espresso moka pot depends on many factors, such as the type, size, material and manufacturer. For a simple aluminium maker for two cups, the price starts at about 10 euros. There is no known upper limit. The price increases with the size. Stainless steel is also more expensive than aluminium. Electric kettles usually cost more than traditional moka pots. Included accessories can also increase the price. For example, a stainless steel electric kettle for six cups costs between 50 and 100 euros.

Most well-known manufacturers such as Bialetti, Cilio, Rommelsbacher or Gräwe are represented in all price ranges. However, if you value tradition, you should go for a Bialetti kettle. In many tests and comparisons, Bialetti moka pots even prove to be the best, especially with regard to their price-performance ratio. However, this does not mean that other manufacturers are bad. The most sensible thing to do is to compare the individual models directly with each other after you have defined your most important purchase criteria.

Extras

Most moka pots are very similar in their function. However, some have special features. Two of these are the water level indicator and the spring-loaded funnel insert. These two extras are mainly for convenience. The only extra feature of kettles that significantly affects the coffee experience is the crema valve. Moka pots cannot actually produce crema. However, this is certainly possible for models with a crema valve. However, it comes at a significantly higher price.

About the coffee itself

Opinions are divided when it comes to choosing the right coffee bean. Some believe that Robusta beans are best for coffee from the moka pot. Others recommend Arabica. Whether it has to be espresso beans or not is also unclear. After all, the assessment of taste is subjective.

Cleaning and care

There are also a few things to bear in mind when cleaning the moka pot. Although stainless steel pots can be washed in the dishwasher, it is recommended that you wash the moka pot by hand after each use. First take the kettle apart after it has cooled down. This allows you to clean each part separately. Use lukewarm water for this. Do not use detergent, as it can affect the taste. You do not need to worry about the coffee oils that settle in the pot. These usually improve the taste. Finally, dry the individual parts with a cloth. Do not screw the moka pot back together until all the parts are dry.

Moka pots should also be descaled occasionally. How often this should happen depends on how much limescale your tap water contains. Descaling is very simple: Put lukewarm water and vinegar in a bowl. Place the unscrewed parts of the moka pot in the bowl and leave them to soak. Then wash all the parts thoroughly so that the vinegar does not affect the taste of the coffee.