Are you missing that heavenly espresso you often order from your favorite java joint? (which, unfortunately, closed down due to the global pandemic).
Buying an espresso machine isn’t quite practical nowadays, you’ll say. What if I tell you that you can replicate the café-style espresso at home without breaking the bank?
Enter in the iconic Moka Pot – a compact and modest stovetop aluminum coffee maker that not only gives you a smooth and robust coffee but is also a piece of art on its own.
Read on and find out more about what makes a Moka pot worth the investment.
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Bialetti Express Moka Pot |
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Alessi Pulcina Italian Coffee Maker |
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Zulay Classic Stove Top Espresso Maker |
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Bon VIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker |
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Grosche Moka Pot |
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Invented by the Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, the first-ever Moka pot is named after Mocha, a City in Yemen where the coffee beans for espresso usually come from.
A Moka pot is mostly made of aluminum or steel and has three chambers:
The bottom chamber is where you pour fresh water and will be heated. It also has a pressure valve.
The middle chamber is the coffee basket where you put your ground coffee and sits right on top of the water chamber.
The top chamber of the Moka pot has a spout and a handle that screws and seals on top of the coffee basket.
Once the water boils, the steam rises to the coffee grounds, and the pressure pushes the brewed coffee thru a funnel into the upper chamber, resulting in a smooth aromatic coffee.
Pro Tip: Take your Moka pot off the stove as soon as you see the coffee flowing to the upper chamber. Let the remaining heat push the rest of the coffee without overheating, which could result in a “burnt” or bitter flavor.
Bialetti Industries have continued to produce Moka pots named “Moka Express.” However, several brands followed the trend and invested in the same coffee pots, which provided a variety for consumers to choose from. Below are 5 top Moka pot brands that you can check with seemingly great reviews from the people who bought them:
Best Stainless Steel Moka Pot – Bialetti Express Moka Pot
The timeless original design is still one of the best. The Bialetti Express Moka Pot is made of quality aluminum and comes in different sizes: 1-16 cups to suit everyone’s needs.
Bialetti is a trusted brand and has been making Moka pots since 1933.
One of the customers who purchased it on Amazon rated it as: “Beautiful, efficient, and fast.” She said that it’s very simple to assemble and to make coffee, and it was perfect.
It brewed very fast, with no clutter, no fuss, and no waiting. She loves it and anticipates using it every day.
Another satisfied customer said that she dumped all her fancy coffee/espresso maker years ago in favor of her new Bialetti stovetop espresso maker because she can get a hot, robust espresso in two minutes. If you are looking for stainless steel moka pots, or stainless steel espresso makers, you have come to the right place.
Best Stovetop Coffee Maker – Alessi Pulcina Italian Coffee Maker
Designer Michele De Lucchi gave a distinct and modern style to the classic Bialetti.
Alessi is one of the leading factories of Italian design.
A review from the UK says it makes delicious coffee, and unlike the more conventional hob-based Moka pots, the Alessi does not get cough and splitter at the end of the brew. He said it’s a joy to use and a true statement piece.
Another one says that the Alessi Pulcina is doubtless the most beautiful coffee maker she’s ever had. With the coffee flavor so good and the water capacity 10 ounces. Overall this is an amazing machine!
Best Cheap Mocca Coffee Pot – Zulay Classic Stove Top Espresso Maker
This 5-cup aluminum Moka pot has the same design as the classic Bialetti but with a very affordable price perfect for those just starting up to use stovetop espresso makers.
It comes in 6 colors to match everyone’s style: Blue, Dark Gray, Pink, Red, White, and Sheen silver.
You have the option to register for a lifetime warranty with Zulay. A customer who bought the white Moka pot raved that it’s a super nice espresso pot with an amazing price. She uses it to make her espresso, and it does a terrific job.
She adores the sleek design with white and wood details. She said it has a fine weight to it, and it doesn’t feel inexpensive at all.
Someone who bought the Sheen Silver said that she is amazed at the product that she is shutting her front door to be able to enjoy her little espresso maker.
Best Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker – bon VIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker
This stainless steel luxe Moka pot veered away from the traditional design with its sleek and modern finish.
Bon Vivo is a German Company that manufactures kitchen and home accessories.
You can use this Moka pot not only on gas stoves but also works on induction and electric cooktops.
It comes in chrome, copper, and black colors.
A buyer from Mexico reviewed it with five stars and said that it has “Good quality with the look and price ratio.”
He said the appearance is quite stunning without being flashy and does not alter the taste of the coffee like other coffee makers of this style which makes it an impressive purchase option.
Another review said that it functions exceptionally well with his induction stovetop. He said he likes the look and has his coffee ready in no time.
Best Electric Moka Pot – Grosche Moka Pot
This is an excellent aluminum electric Moka pot genius that brews six espresso cups at the touch of a button.
Known for its espresso machines, Grosche is a distinctive Italian brand, so expect great things from this Moka pot machine.
A review from a customer in Canada said it’s: “A sensible classic with a contemporary twist.” He said it functions as a conventional stovetop unit, but he was also able to use it in his office without a gas range.
He is overall delighted with his purchase, even though it takes longer to prep and cleans the machine than sipping the coffee, but he thinks it is worth it.
Another great review says that this is one of his favorite purchases ever. He uses the Grosche to make Cuban coffee at work. He’s been using it for a couple of months now, and it has been working faultlessly.
Moka Pot Buyers Guide
How to Choose A Moka Pot
Whether you are new or an expert in home brewing, owning a Moka pot will take your coffee experience to the next level. These are some guidelines to take into consideration when buying a Moka pot:
Materials
Moka pots are either made of aluminum, stainless, or plastic. You can check the links from the five products posted above to guide you when it comes to materials.
Most stovetop Moka pots are either aluminum or stainless, while electric Moka pots are mostly made out of plastic.
Type Of Stove
Bear in mind the type of stove that you have at home; most Moka pots can be used on a gas range, but if you have an induction or electric cooktop, make sure that you choose the compatible ones.
If you are always on the go, you can opt for the electric Moka pots that you can simply plug in wherever you are.
Size
Moka pots range from 1 cup to 16 cups. Remember that the “cup” refers to an espresso cup that is relatively smaller than a regular coffee cup.
Three espresso cups can fill up one regular coffee cup, depending on how much caffeine you would like in your coffee.
Is Moka Coffee as Strong as Espresso?
Although Moka pots are also called stovetop “espresso makers” (and even though it might taste like it too), the coffee that comes out of your Moka pot isn’t technically an espresso.
The water in a Moka pot is pressurized at about 1-2 bars resulting in a coffee 2-3 times stronger than a regular drip or pour-over coffee.
In espresso machines, however, the water is pressurized at 7-10 bars resulting in a coffee 5-6 times stronger than a Moka pot coffee.
Also, compared to an espresso machine, a Moka pot is so much easier to use and maintain.
You can get your “espresso” from a Moka pot in less than 5 minutes, whereas it would take almost an hour for an espresso machine to “warm up” before you can start using it.
Which Coffee is Best for Moka Pot?
There is no right or wrong type of coffee beans to use on a Moka pot. It mainly depends on how you like your coffee. Here are a few tips and tricks:
Choose a roast that you like
Medium to dark is the typical roast for Moka pots for its low acidity and rich flavor. But if you are a fan of lightly roasted coffee beans, then, by all means, follow your heart! We all have our preferences when it comes to our coffee.
Choose an Italian brand
If you can’t decide on which coffee to buy, trying out an Italian Brand like Lavazza is a good way to start. Moka represents the Italian coffee culture and dates way back into their history, so you’re sure that their coffee will give a perfect brew every time.
Choose whole beans
The correct grind is vital in Moka pot brewing as well as with other coffee-making equipment.
For more pot coffee, the optimum grind is medium to medium-fine. It cannot be finer than what’s used for drip coffee but can’t be coarser than what’s used for an espresso machine.
It is best to buy your beans whole so you can grind them yourself and be assured that they are always fresh before brewing.
Choose to experiment
If your first brew is already perfect, then good for you, but if it’s not, don’t lose heart. It takes patience and practice to get the right type of brew that will suit your taste.
But once you learned it, I assure you, you are never going back to your instant coffee ever.
Is a Moka Pot Worth It?
A Moka pot might not be as expensive as an espresso machine, yet it is also not cheap. But if you truly crave authentic and quality coffee at home, then this is a good investment for you. Check out the following facts:
The espresso-like coffee produced by a Moka pot can be used as a base for other espresso recipes like Americano, Cappuccino, and Macchiato, so you can channel your inner barista from the comfort of your kitchen.
Because the Moka pot is small and doesn’t have complicated parts, you can easily pack it up for travel or camping, so you are ensured to have great-tasting coffee any time, anywhere.
Moka pots are made out of sturdy materials, with decent care; they could last a long time and save you hundreds of bucks in the long run compared to tips and trips to Starbucks every day.
Moka Pot Do’s & Dont’s
DO – clean your Moka pot regularly to avoid micro-grounds build-up that will affect the taste of your succeeding brews.
DON’T – place your Moka pot or any of its parts in an automatic dishwasher. It is recommended to just run your Moka pot through the faucet and use mild detergent only.
DO – check for mineral build-up in the safety valve of your Moka pot regularly while cleaning it. This build-up might clog the valve and cause problems in your next brewing session.
DON’T – scrub the inside of your Moka pot with a rough pad to avoid scratches.
Refer to this link for more details on how to take care of your Moka pot.
Top 5 Moka Pots
- Bialetti Express Moka Pot
- Alessi Pulcina Italian Coffee Maker
- Zulay Classic Stove Top Espresso Maker
- Bon VIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Grosche Moka Pot
Conclusion
A lot of us are stressed and stretched out in so many ways these days. Coffee has always been our companion – helping us think and helping us relax.
Give your tastebuds a treat, brew your coffee in a Moka pot today and step into the oasis of bliss only a heartful cup of your favorite drink can give.
Thanks for your time today, have a great day, and may your cup always be full!
