How to Use Moka Pot
Moka pot coffee isn’t well known outside of Italy and coffee expert circles. While it’s arguably one of the most traditional methods of making a strong cup of coffee, it fell out of favor due to the rise in espresso machines and drip coffee makers.
However, once you know how to use Moka pot, you’ll rarely go back to the other options. In this guide, we’ll cover moka pot instructions and how to perfect the process.
What is a Moka Pot?
A Moka pot is traditionally a stovetop coffee maker, although you can get electric versions. You might recognize it – the metal body is quite distinctive.
Essentially, the pot consists of 3 chambers: the boiler, the coffee basket, and the collection chamber. As the water heats, it passes through the coffee basket, extracting liquid coffee. Due to vapor pressure, the resulting coffee collects in the top chamber, which you then use to pour into a cup.
How to Use Moka Pot?
Making Moka pot coffee is pretty easy. It involves less work than an espresso maker or French press and is probably equal to a drip coffee maker in terms of your involvement. Before jumping into the moka pot instructions, we’ll cover what you’ll need.
Equipment for Moka Pot Coffee
To make a moka pot coffee, you’ll need:
- A moka pot
- Espresso ground coffee (20g or 0.7oz. – equal to 2 scoops)
- Water – cold or preheated but never boiling
- A stove
You need finely-ground coffee for a moka pot. Espresso grind is the best option, which you can buy from pretty much any store. If you’re grinding your own beans, use the finest setting on your grinder.
There’s some debate over the best water temperature to use in your moka pot. Cold water is fine, but many experts advise it results in the coffee being extracted at too low a temperature.
Equally, you don’t want to use freshly-boiled water, as then it won’t extract enough coffee. According to an academic article on the subject, 70 degrees C (158F) is the best temperature for preheated water.
Moka Pot Instructions
1. Prep Your Moka Pot
The first step is to prep your moka pot if it’s the first time you’re using it. Rinse it in warm water without any dish soap and dry it thoroughly.
As part of this step, you’ll need to separate the moka pot into its different parts. This should help you familiarize yourself with its design. It’s not difficult, but it helps you to know where to put the water and coffee.
2. Filling with Water
The next step is to add water to the bottom chamber of the moka pot. Ideally, your pot will have a fill line to show how much water it needs. If not, stop just below the screw thread once the pot starts to narrow properly.
For a smoother brew, consider preheating the water chamber. To do this, pour in a small amount of hot water and swill it around. Leave it for a few minutes and then tip it out before adding your brewing water.
3. Add the Coffee
This step is pretty simple. Add the filter basket to the bottom chamber and fill it with coffee. If you had a scoop included with your moka pot, use 2 scoops. If not, 2 dessert spoons worth of coffee will be fine.
Importantly, you shouldn’t tamp down the coffee. It needs to be loose to brew properly. To distribute it evenly in the basket, shake it lightly. You don’t want it to be overloaded with coffee, so there should be some free space.
4. Add the Collection Chamber
Next, add the collection chamber to the water chamber. It should be as simple as screwing it into place, although some might click together. Make sure you know this ahead of time.
Hold the base with one hand and screw the collection chamber on with the other. You want it to be tight enough that no water will seep out, but obviously not so tight that you can’t undo it later. Remember, the water is fairly hot, so be careful not to scald yourself.
5. Brew the Coffee
Moka pots sit directly on a gas stove hob. You can get versions for electric and induction hobs, but gas is the best option. Set it to medium-to-low heat. You want a slow brew, as higher heat will burn the coffee and the pot, resulting in a bitter brew.
Making moka pot coffee requires a keener eye (and ear) than other methods. You’ll hear the brew starting to happen when it makes bubbling and hissing sounds. The bubbling shouldn’t be slow and rolling or rapid but rather somewhere in the middle.
It can be difficult to understand what this looks and sounds like, so consider lifting the top to watch the coffee. Be careful if you do this though, as it’s filling with boiling water! Consider checking your pot’s instruction manual, as this might advise a brewing time at a set temperature to use as a guide.
6. Pour and Serve
You’ll know when the coffee is done brewing because the pot will whistle or hiss. This means the collection chamber is appropriately full of coffee. When this happens, remove it from the stove and pour it into your cup.
You might need to play around with the amount of coffee you use and the brewing temperature and time. A moka pot coffee will make 1 standard cup at about espresso strength. Adjust the amount of coffee you use for stronger or weaker cups rather than the amount of water.
Final Thoughts on Moka Pot Coffee
As you can see, moka pot instructions are simple to understand but can be challenging to master. Unlike a French press or espresso maker, a moka pot requires you to listen and watch the coffee for the best results.
In turn, it’s not necessarily a go-to option for rushed mornings before work. However, when you have the time to make a moka pot coffee, you’ll understand why it’s such a popular option in Italy and elsewhere.
How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Potv How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot How to Use Moka Pot