8 Best Moka Pots: Stovetop & Electric Espresso Makers For Every Day

Everyone who loves rich and bold coffee flavors knows about Moka pots. They have been used by Italians to brew a dark, espresso-style cup of coffee without the use of large appliances.

Whether you are looking to brew coffee using more additional techniques or are in a need of a brewer you can take on the go, you can be sure that there is a perfect option for you.

The Rundown

What Is A Moka Pot?

It is a classic Italian brewer invented by Alfonso Bialetti who gave it a name after the Mocha town. It provides you with an espresso-type coffee brew. Similar to espresso machines, it uses a pressure-based brewing system but with a much lower pressure level of around 2 to 3 bars. There are stovetop models that don’t use electricity and electric models that include a cord and require an outlet but look like stovetop ones.

How Does It Work?

The first thing you need to know is that this pot is a two-chambered machine. As the water from the bottom chamber starts to boil, it creates pressurized steam that goes through the coffee grounds inside the filter. It then travels up into the top chamber as a dense coffee brew with a flavor between an espresso and a drip coffee brew.

Different Types You Can Find

It is worth knowing that you can find both stovetop and electric pots, both with their amazing features:

Stovetop Models
With stovetop pots, you need coffee, water, and a heat source to get a delicious brew. While these machines may be slightly less safe for use, they are great for use on outdoor trips.

Electric Models
With electric pots, you need coffee, water, and a power source. These machines are a bit more modern option and they allow you to brew coffee by pressing a single button.

Which Option Is The Better One?
The former do require a bit more effort on your part but they also provide you with better control over the brewing process. They are great if you want to experiment and perfect your brewing skills. The latter do the job for you and are a much more convenient choice. They are great for use in dorm rooms, office rooms, and hotels.

Brands You Can Trust

While you will come across versatile brands including Zulay, Grosche, LuxHaus, etc., one of the most desired brands is Bialetti which is still made in Italy. This is because its models feature an octagonal shape that ensures perfect heat distribution throughout the brewing process. As a result, you can get a strong Moka brew using a Bialetti pot in less than 5 minutes.

Is A Moka Pot Worth It?

There are many benefits to buying a brewing pot:

• the easiest and fastest way to a strong espresso-like coffee
• no waste to worry about since pods and filters are not required
• only need a quick rinse with water to be clean
• less expensive than barista level machines

On the other hand, some downsides of these machines are:

• you will need some practice as to not burn or over-extract your coffee
• a consistent coffee grind is required to achieve optimal brewing results

Useful Guidelines

In your search for an optimal pot, you will come across versatile models. Here are some guidelines that might help you make your final decision.

Design Material

Traditionally, these brewers are made out of aluminum material:

• they are lightweight and suitable for travel
• offer amazing heat conductivity
• need to be hand washed and dried to avoid rust
• they are inexpensive

Nowadays, you can easily find stainless steel pots too:

• they offer much higher durability
• are nonporous and won’t corrode or rust
• keep their patina for longer and provide a much more modern feel
• require much less maintenance
• can be washed inside a dishwasher although hand washing is recommended
• they are more expensive

Electric Vs. Stovetop

Choosing between an electric and a stovetop pot is a lifestyle choice. If you need a safe option for closed spaces, the former is the way to go. If you want the convenience of brewing coffee wherever you go, the latter is the best choice for you.

Stovetop Compatibility

If you do opt for a stovetop model, you need to pay attention to its compatibility. For instance, some models work great on gas and electric stoves but not induction. Be sure to check this before you buy a brewer as you don’t want to come home and find out you can’t use it in your kitchen.

Different Sizes

Which size of the pot is the right fit for you depends solely on how much coffee you consume throughout the day. If you drink one or two cups, choose a small pot that brews up to 3 cups of coffee as it will save you space and provide high efficiency. On the other hand, if your whole family dreams about coffee before they wake up, go for a larger 10-cup model that will allow you all to enjoy the mornings together.

Brewing Capacity

Note that these cup measurements are based on espresso shots and not on Americal cups. With that in mind, here is a convenient chart that shows just how much liquid coffee you get per cup size:

Safety First

A lot of pots come with additional safety features that are designed to keep accidents and heat burns to a minimum. These include:

• a heat resistant rubber-coated handle that remains cool to touch throughout the brewing process (stovetop models)
• built-in safety valves that keep the pressure inside the brewing chamber from reaching a dangerous point (stovetop models)
• automatic shut-off programs that turn the pot off immediately once the brewing process is done (electric models)

8 Best Moka Pots

While the first model below is made for stovetop use, the second one is electrically powered and is perfectly safe to use. Keep reading to learn more.

Bialetti Express Pot

The most important thing about this model is that it is made in Italy. It will provide you with a truly authentic experience. We all know how Italians are passionate about their coffee so you never have to doubt its quality or performance.

Its timeless design ensures that it provides you with lasting use. It is worth knowing that it is also very eco-friendly as it creates absolutely no waste. To clean it, you only need to rinse it out with clean water, no detergents or soaps of any kind should be used.

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Delonghi Authentic Italian Pot

This is the only electrically powered model we reviewed in this post. It is very easy to use and provides a simple performance. Once you fill its water reservoir and the filter basket you simply need to plug it into a power source and flip its power switch on.

Note that it uses about 450 Watts of power to provide you with optimal being results. Thanks to this feature you won’t have to wait for a long time for the brewing water to heat up to the needed temperature. Its boiler is made out of aluminum, meaning it conducts heat efficiently and heats the reservoir evenly.

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bonVivo Intenca Pot

The best thing about this model is that it is compatible for use over all kinds of cooktops. This includes the induction range, ceramic glass cooktops, electric range, and gas cooktops. As a result, you can use it anytime and anywhere you are.

Although all its interior parts are safe to clean inside a dishwasher, it is highly recommended that you wash the brewer manually. Since it is made out of stainless steel you can clean it using only lukewarm water. No need for additional dish detergents.

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Zulay Classic Pot

It is worth knowing that this model features a truly user-friendly design. It is constructed out of food-grade material to ensure that nothing affects the quality of your brew, has a specially designed pouring spout for a mess-free pour, and a heat-resistant handle that keeps your hands safe from accidental burns.

Another thing you should know is that its interior coffee filter features fine holes that strain out all the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee. Thanks to this feature the brew will have a rich and completely smooth consistency you can enjoy.

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Grosche Milano Pot

This machine also comes with a silicone seal that prevents any leaks from the brewer. The most important thing is that it is entirely made out of food-safe materials. This is to ensure that your brew has the natural taste and aroma of the grounds you are using.

Its safety valve is certified and specially designed in Italy. It is made to ensure that the pressure inside the water chamber remains at an optimal level and does not reach a dangerous point. Due to its simple design, the machine is very easy to disassemble and clean.

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LuxHaus Coffee Pot

This is another stainless steel model. Due to its top-quality design and exceptional durability, you never have to worry that it might become affected by rust or corrosion due to its lasting use. It is a perfect companion for hiking, camping trips, picnics, etc.

Another thing worth mentioning is that it heats up in only a few minutes. Once the water in its reservoir starts to push through the coffee grounds, you will be provided with a rich and thick espresso brew. Also, due to the filter’s design, the brew will be completely smooth.

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Début Espresso Pot

Note that this model comes equipped with a highly convenient reducer. It is specially designed to ensure that you can be flipped. By doing so, you can reduce the size of the brew for a half dose.

The main disadvantage of this brewer is that it is completely made out of stainless steel material. In most cases this would be an amazing thing, however, this means that it has no heat-resistant parts. You need to be careful not to accidentally burn your hands while you use the brewer.

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Cuisinox Roma Pot

Out of all listed models, this brewer provides the largest brewing capacity of up to 10 cups per single use. This makes it a great choice for use while you are traveling with a group of friends as you all get to sit down and enjoy freshly brewed coffee at once.

The only downside of this model is that it is made specifically for use over gas stovetops. Not to discourage you, this still includes a range of camping stoves and home kitchen cooktops you can use the brewer over safely.

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Is Moka Coffee Stronger Than Espresso?

No, Moka is not stronger nor is it as strong as espresso. However, it is the closest thing to espresso you can make without actually using an espresso machine with a high-pressure level.

Which Is Better: French Press Or Moka?

Just like Moka and espresso, the difference between Moka and the French press is also in strength. Moka is stronger than the French press. Moreover, Moka has more caffeine than French.

Step By Step To A Perfect Brew

If these pots are somewhat new to you, here are some steps you can follow to achieve optimal results with every single use:

1. preheat the water – by preheating the water in the kettle before the brewing process, you can shorten the brewing time and avoid problems such as over-extraction and bitterness.
2. grind your coffee – if you are not grinding it yourself, choose a pre-ground blend of your liking.
3. fill up the filter basket – you need to fill the basket with coffee grounds and level them at the top. Never tamp or compress the grounds as you will only end up with a higher extraction pressure and, as a result, a higher chance of over-extracting the coffee.
4. fill up the bottom water chamber with pre-heated water – only up to the level of a safety valve and not an inch higher.
5. place the filter basket in its place – it should fit into the lower chamber’s top. Its tube needs to be pointing down into the water.
6. attach the chambers – at this point, you should use a kitchen towel since the bottom chamber will be hot from the pre-heated water.
7. place the pot on a heat source – keep the heat at a medium-low setting and make sure that the pot’s lid stays open.
8. monitor the process – watch out as the pressurized steam forces coffee out of the chimney in the middle of the pot into the upper chamber. Once the chamber is full and the chimney starts to spurt your brew is done.
9. carefully pour the brewed coffee into the cup.

For more detailed instruction from a brewing expert, check the video below:

Useful Tips

Here are some additional tips you might find can come in handy:

• you need a consistent grind size to get optimal brewing results
• never try to tamp the grounds inside the filter basket as you would for an espresso
• start the process with preheated water you already brought up to the needed temperature level
• you should remove the pot from the heat as soon as you can and rely on heat inertia to complete the brew.
• it is best to cool the pot by running it under some cold water the second you remove it from a heat source to avoid unintentional heat burns.

Can You Use Regular Coffee For Moka?

If you truly want to achieve the best results, opt for a bit coarser ground beans than for espresso which means you should adjust the grinder to medium level. It’s recommended by professionals who made a scale for each type of coffee brew.

Can You Get That “Top Espresso Crema” On Your Brew?

Unfortunately, the top espresso crema is made by the high extraction pressure which these pots simply do not accumulate. However, by experimenting with versatile grind sizes and water temperatures, you might get something with a similar “crema” consistency.

What Else Can You Use Moka Brewer For?

Here are some beverages you might think of when using your Moka brewer:

• Turkish coffee – this is not the best idea as Turkish coffee requires a very fine grind that might escape through the pores of a Moka brewer
• lattes and cappuccinos – the entire brewing process is the same, you only need to froth milk using a separate frother and add it to your brew.
• tea – this is not true for all, but some models are suitable for brewing tea. You only have to add tea leaves into the filter basket instead of coffee. However, some manufacturers strongly advise against this so be sure to check if the brewer you like is suitable or not.

Tips For Keeping Your Brewer Clean

Never put your pot in a dishwasher if you want it to have a lasting lifespan. In case you have an aluminum model you do not want it anywhere near any kind of soap or detergent as it will rust. Use only water to rinse it out and make sure you dry it up thoroughly after every use.

Stainless steel models are advertised as dishwasher-safe, however, it is still a better idea to wash them manually. In case a quick rinse is not enough and you need to give it a thorough clean, you can use some white vinegar. Combine 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water in the bottom part of the pot, assemble it, and let it brew. Once the water boils over, let the pot sit for about 15 minutes, rinse it with cold water, and dry it up thoroughly.

Percolators Vs Moka Pots – Know The Difference

The main difference between the two is that the percolators use gravity to brew coffee while the pots we talked about use pressure to brew a perfect espresso batch.

Also, percolators are designed to satisfy the needs of larger groups at once but they can not produce a strong flavored brew whereas pots for Moka produce smaller batches but ensure a more flavorful brew. You can learn more about the difference between the two here.