If you’ve encountered a moka pot and an Aeropress, it means you’re on your way to becoming a home barista. Both of these coffee makers use a bit of pressure for brewing. However, the coffees they produce are completely different from each other.
This article on Bestcoffeeathome.com will thoroughly examine Moka pot and Aeropress in all their details. Thus, we will try to cover all the information you need to make the right decision before purchasing.
We’ll compare Moka pot and Aeropress in several sections. First, let’s quickly talk about each coffee maker.
Basics of Moka Pot and Aeropress
Moka Pot | Aeropress | |
Brewing Method | Uses steam pressure to force water through coffee grounds | Uses a combination of immersion and pressure to brew coffee |
Filter Type | Metal | Paper but metal filter also available |
Material | Aluminum or Stainless Steel | BPA Free Plastic |
Capacity | 2- 27 oz (60- 800 ml) | 8 oz (240 ml) |
Brew Strength | Produces a strong, bold cup of coffee | Can produce a range of brew strengths, from light to strong |
Taste | Produces a rich, full-bodied cup with a flavor similar to espresso | Produces a cleaner, smoother cup with brighter, more nuanced flavors |
Brew Time | 5-10 min. | 1-2 min. |
Ease of Use | Medium | Easy |
Portability | Can be bulky and heavy, making it less ideal for travel | Compact and lightweight, making it great for travel or use at the office |
Cleaning and Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning and maintenance regularly | Easy to clean and maintain with simple disassembly and washing |
Moka Pot: A Quick Glance
Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker, was invented in 1933 by the Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti. It quickly gained a significant place in the world of coffee. Today, the moka pot is a staple in Italian kitchens.
The iconic model of moka pots is the Bialetti brand’s octagonal aluminum model, though stainless steel models are also available today.
Moka pot essentially consists of three parts:
- A bottom chamber for water
- A middle chamber for coffee grounds
- A top chamber for brewed coffee
The working principle of the moka pot is fundamentally simple. Water is placed in the bottom chamber, and coffee grounds in the middle chamber. Then, the parts are assembled and placed on a heat source.
As the water heats, the steam pressure causes the hot water to rise. It then passes through the coffee grounds in the middle chamber and pours into the top chamber as brewed coffee.
A rich, strong, and concentrated coffee is obtained at the end of this brewing process.
Aeropress: A Quick Glance
Aeropress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler. Despite being a relatively new coffee maker, coffee enthusiasts have quickly embraced it.
Aeropress, in appearance, resembles a giant syringe and fundamentally consists of three main parts: the plunger, the chamber, and the filter cap.
The working principle of the Aeropress is as straightforward as its appearance. First, a paper filter is placed in the filter cap and mounted to the chamber. Then, coffee grounds and hot water are added. Afterward, the mixture is stirred and allowed to brew for sufficient time before the plunger is pressed down. Your coffee is now ready to be served.
Design Comparison: Aeropress vs. Moka Pot
Standard Aeropress and Aeropress Go
Aeropress is made from BPA-free plastic. There are two types of Aeropress: the “Standard Aeropress” and the “Aeropress Go.”
Aeropress Go comes with a mug that can fit all the parts of the Aeropress and is smaller than the standard Aeropress. However, its design is the same as the standard Aeropress.
Stovetop Espresso Makers (Moka Pot)
Also known as a stovetop espresso maker, Moka pot was originally an octagonal aluminum model when it was first invented. Over the years, various models of stovetop espresso makers have emerged. Today, the most popular moka pots are made of stainless steel and aluminum. Additionally, dozens of moka pot models have different colors and designs.
Which One is More Aesthetic?
When buying a coffee maker, the first thing you might look at is its aesthetic appearance. The Aeropress resembles a large syringe. Moka pot, on the other hand, is reminiscent of Tesla’s Cybertruck. Also, there are dozens of different models of stovetop espresso makers. Thus, in terms of aesthetics, Moka pot offers more than the Aeropress.
Brewing Capacity of Moka Pot and Aeropress
Aeropress has only one size option. You can only brew for one person at a time. However, it is possible to brew your coffee more concentrated than usual and then dilute it with water to make enough for two people.
Moka pot, unlike the Aeropress, is available in many sizes. Moka pots are sold in sizes ranging from 2 to 27 fluid ounces (60 to 800 ml).
However, when choosing a size, you should select one that suits your needs. You cannot make small brews in a Moka pot with a large brewing capacity.
For example, you cannot make a 3-cup brew in a 12-cup Moka pot. You can only make a brew that fits the 12-cup capacity.
This is because Moka pots are designed to brew coffee in certain sizes. If too little water is added to the bottom chamber, it will not create enough pressure for brewing. On the other hand, the middle chamber is designed for a certain amount of coffee grounds. Putting less than the required amount of coffee grounds can lead to uneven extraction and potentially bitter coffee.
Portability
Aeropress is an ideal coffee maker to carry with you. An Aeropress with all its side equipment (stirrer, scoop, and funnel) weighs approximately 275 grams (9.7 ounces).
Moka pot has dozens of sizes and design options. That’s why it’s impossible to tell how many grams a moka pot weighs. However, it is heavier than the Aeropress. The portability of a Moka pot depends on the size of the model you purchase. While a 12-cup model is not very portable, 1, 2, or 3-cup models can be carried with you.
Moreover, the Aeropress is much more functional if portability is important to you. This is because you can heat the water in any way (campfire, stove, kettle, microwave, etc.). However, you will need a campfire or stove to brew with a Moka pot.
Durability
Aeropress is made from highly durable plastic. It’s unlikely to break if dropped. Both aluminum and stainless steel models of stovetop espresso makers are also quite durable.
Both coffee makers can last a lifetime if you don’t lose or drop them from an airplane.
Note: You should make sure that you dry thoroughly after cleaning the stovetop espresso makers, especially the aluminum models.
Price
Both coffee makers are available at affordable prices. You can purchase an Aeropress for about 40 dollars. However, it’s difficult to give a definite price for stovetop espresso makers because there are many different Moka pot brands and models.
Ease of Use: Moka Pot or Aeropress?
Both the Aeropress and Moka pot are easy to use. However, Moka pot requires more attention. When you put your Moka pot on the stove, you must adjust the heat source and turn it off at the right time. Otherwise, burning the coffee is inevitable. With the Aeropress, you won’t have these kinds of worries.
On the other hand, you must also ensure that the water in the bottom chamber of your Moka pot does not exceed the safety valve. If it does, excessive pressure can cause the Moka pot to explode.
So, we can say that brewing coffee with the Aeropress requires less attention than with the Moka pot.
By checking out our guides on how to use both coffee makers, you can decide for yourself which one is easier to use:
Cleaning and Maintenance
Aeropress is one of the easiest coffee makers to clean. After brewing in the Aeropress, the coffee grounds accumulate on the filter cap, forming a disk. To clean the Aeropress, you only need to discard this disk and rinse the Aeropress.
On the other hand, to clean a Moka pot, you must first wait for it to cool down and then rinse all its parts with water. Especially if using an aluminum Moka pot, you must ensure all parts are completely dry.
Additionally, depending on the water you use, limescale may build up over time in the bottom chamber of your Moka pot. You should clean these deposits at regular intervals.
Related: How to Clean a Moka Pot?
Brewing Variety: Aeropress vs. Moka Pot
Aeropress is a versatile coffee maker. When you buy an Aeropress, you can brew filter coffee, espresso-like concentrated coffee, and cold brew. You can even brew tea with your Aeropress.
Additionally, an annual global competition is held for Aeropress recipes. Here, you can try the winning recipes at home and join the large fan base of the Aeropress. Moreover, you can find hundreds of recipes for the Aeropress online.
On the other hand, in the Aeropress, you can use a metal filter instead of a paper filter. Using a metal filter, you can achieve a taste similar to the coffee produced by a Moka pot. Plus, these metal filters are reusable.
With the Moka pot, you can only brew coffee similar to espresso. You can then dilute this coffee with water, like an Americano.
So, if you are looking for a versatile coffee maker, the Aeropress offers a much richer selection of recipes than Moka pot.
Taste Difference Between Moka Pot and Aeropress
Taste is highly subjective, but I’ll do my best to describe the flavor profiles of coffee brewed in an Aeropress and a Moka pot.
Aeropress is generally used for brewing filter coffee, but you can also brew espresso-like concentrates. Moka pot, on the other hand, brews only espresso-like concentrated coffee.
I conducted a new tasting in my kitchen to better explain the taste difference between Moka pot and Aeropress coffee.
I used 10 grams of coffee with 100 ml of water for both to equalize conditions. I brewed coffee in the Moka pot and Aeropress with a 1:10 coffee-to-water ratio.
I also opted for medium roast coffee beans and ground the beans at 14 clicks on a Comandante C40 grinder.
After brewing, I first tasted the concentrates produced by Aeropress and Moka pots. Then, I diluted these concentrates with water at a 1:1 ratio and tasted them again.
Firstly, both coffee makers can brew coffee that is close in taste to espresso. However, with its metal filter, Moka pot allows more coffee oils and grounds to pass through, resulting in a richer mouthfeel and a more intense and bitter flavor.
Aeropress filters out more coffee oil and produces sediment-free coffee with its paper filter. As a result, Aeropress coffee is smoother, cleaner, and brighter than a Moka pot.
In conclusion, if you enjoy strong coffee and don’t mind some coffee grounds in your drink, Moka pot is for you. If you prefer smoother coffee, then the Aeropress would be more suitable.
Winner: Aeropress or Stovetop Espresso Makers?
I’ve tried to explain everything you need to know to choose between the Aeropress and Moka pot.
If you enjoy strong coffee, are looking for a stylish coffee maker to display, or often brew for large groups, then Moka pot will be more suitable for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a portable coffee maker, enjoy the clean and bright taste that a paper filter provides, and usually brew for 1-2 people, then the Aeropress is a better option for you.
Finally, if you are considering buying an Aeropress, you can check the prices of the standard Aeropress and Aeropress Go here. If you’ve decided on a Moka pot, check out our selection of the best Moka pots here.
Besides, if you still have questions, don’t forget to mention them in the comments. Have caffeine-rich days!
