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Stovetop Espresso Maker (Moka Pot) Guide

Murat Aktas
To use a Moka Pot, start by boiling water, then pour it into its bottom chamber, ensuring it does not exceed the safety valve. Grind coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency and fill the filter basket without tamping. Assemble the Moka Pot, place it on medium heat, and wait for the coffee to flow into the top chamber. When you hear a gurgling sound, remove it from the heat.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Brewing Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Beverage
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1

Equipment

  • 1 Moka Pot
  • 1 Heat Source (gas, electric, or induction stove)
  • 1 Kettle (optional)
  • 1 Coffee Grinder (optional)
  • 1 Scale (optional)
  • 1 Aeropress Paper Filter (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • Coffee Beans
  • Filtered Water

Instructions
 

  • Boil the Water
    Boil the water in a kettle. Then, pour it into the bottom chamber of your moka pot. Ensure the water level doesn’t exceed the safety valve.
  • Grind Coffee Beans for the Moka Pot
    The ideal grind size for a Moka pot is slightly coarser than espresso. The best grind size is medium-fine. A finer grind covers more surface area, thus increasing the extraction rate. The best grind size for a Moka pot is medium-fine; it’s slightly finer than the medium grind used for pour-over but not as fine as espresso. 
    A medium-fine grind ensures even extraction and reduces the chances of your coffee tasting bitter or sour due to over or under-extraction.
  • Add Coffee Grounds to Moka Pot
    Pour the coffee grounds into the funnel-shaped filter of the moka pot. Then, give it a little tap to settle it down. 
    Don’t tamp down the coffee grounds in the funnel-like you would for an espresso machine. Simply fill it up to the top edge.
  • Assemble the Moka Pot
    Place the funnel-shaped filter into the water-filled bottom chamber and screw on the top chamber. Remember, the bottom chamber will be very hot. It’s safer to hold it with a cloth. 
    Pro tip: If you have an Aeropress paper filter, place it under the top chamber of the Moka pot, as shown in the picture below. Moisten it slightly with hot water. This ensures the paper filter sticks to the moka pot and doesn’t fall off.
  • Place Your Moka Pot On The Stove
    Place the moka pot on the stove and set the heat to medium. Adjust the flames slightly narrower than the bottom chamber using a gas stove. 
    Be careful not to turn the heat up too high. Excessive heat can burn your coffee.
  • Wait And Watch
    After a few minutes, coffee will start flowing into the top chamber. Soon, you’ll see foam emerging from the spout and hear a gurgling sound. Once this happens, remove the moka pot from the heat source and serve. 
    Pro tip: Once the coffee starts flowing, reduce the heat slightly. This will provide a more consistent flow and extraction.

Notes

Americano: Add water to your Moka pot coffee to make a Moka pot Americano. The strength of a Moka pot Americano will be much milder than a regular Americano. The water you add depends on your taste, but a 1:1 ratio is a good starting point. For instance, you can add 90 ml (3 fl oz) of water to 90 ml (3 fl oz) of coffee.
Latte: Add hot milk to your Moka pot coffee at a 1:2 ratio. You’ll get a taste very close to a latte. Caramel syrup will complement this mix very well.
Bonus: Add 5 grams of condensed milk and 10 grams of caramel syrup to 60 ml of coffee brewed with a Moka pot. Serve with plenty of ice.
Keyword moka pot, stove top espresso maker
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