How to Make Moka Pot Coffee (and Make It Better)
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The short answer: fill the base with cold, filtered water to just below the valve. Fill the basket with medium-fine coffee, level it and do not tamp. Put it on low to medium heat with the lid open, and take it off at the first gurgle. Run the base under cold water to stop the brew.
The moka pot is a stovetop coffee maker that uses steam pressure to push hot water up through the coffee. It makes a strong, rich cup, often called stovetop espresso. It is also one of the easiest ways to ruin a coffee, usually by cooking it. The fixes are simple.
What you need
- A moka pot
- Fresh coffee, ground medium-fine: coarser than espresso, finer than filter, about the texture of fine sea salt
- Cold, filtered water
How to make moka pot coffee, step by step
- Fill the base with cold, filtered water to just below the pressure valve. Never above it.
- Fill the basket with coffee, then level the top with your finger. Do not tamp. A moka pot is not an espresso machine, and packing it down chokes the flow.
- Screw the top on firmly.
- Heat it on low to medium with the lid open so you can watch. Keep the flame under the base, not licking up the sides.
- Watch and listen. When the stream turns pale and the pot starts to gurgle and sputter, take it off the heat.
- Stop the brew. Run the base under cold water for a few seconds. The last of the water drags the bitter stuff through, so you want it done.
- Stir and pour. Drink it as it is, add hot water for a longer coffee, or top with hot milk.
Want it quicker? The hot-water shortcut
Start with hot water from the kettle in the base. The pot spends less time on the stove, but the base is hot, so hold it with a tea towel when you screw the top on.
Hot water or cold water: what changes?
Cold water is the traditional way and the safer one. The catch is that the grounds sit in a warming basket for a few minutes while the water heats, so a high flame can scorch them before the brew even starts.
The argument for hot water is that the pot spends less time on the stove, which some brewers find gives a sweeter, less bitter cup. Others taste very little difference. Either way, heat control and stopping on time matter more than the starting water temperature.
Why it works
Heat turns the water in the base into steam, and the pressure forces water up through the coffee. There is far less pressure than in an espresso machine, so the grind is coarser and the cup is bolder than filter but not true espresso. The end of the brew is where the bitterness lives, which is why timing matters more than any gadget.
How to make it better: fix your cup
- Bitter, burnt or harsh: the heat is too high or it stayed on too long. Turn the flame down, pull it off at the first gurgle and cool the base. A slightly coarser grind helps.
- Weak, sour or thin: the grind is too coarse, the basket was not full, or you stopped too early. Grind a touch finer.
- Slow, hissing or spitting: the grind is too fine, or the coffee was tamped. Go coarser.
- Gushes through in seconds: the grind is too coarse.
- Tastes of metal: a brand new pot needs a rinse and a water-only brew first, and the first couple of coffees should go down the sink.
Change one thing at a time. The Roo would. The Galah turns every dial at once and blames the stove.
Which coffee to use
Fresh beans, ground just before brewing, make the biggest difference. Medium to dark roasts suit the stovetop, and both of ours do. The Cartel is our dark roast, with dark chocolate and toasted almond, and it makes a strong, rich stovetop cup that stands up to milk. The Hooligan is our medium roast, with milk chocolate, caramel and toasted hazelnut, for a sweeter, smoother cup.
Moka pot FAQ
Is moka pot coffee espresso?
No. It is strong and concentrated, but the pressure is much lower than an espresso machine. That is why people call it stovetop espresso.
How much coffee should I use?
Fill the basket and level it. The pot size sets the amount.
What grind should I use?
Medium-fine: coarser than espresso and finer than filter. If you buy pre-ground coffee, choose one made for stovetop pots.
How do I clean a moka pot?
Rinse it with warm water after each brew and dry it fully. Check under the rubber gasket for old grounds now and then, and keep it out of the dishwasher.
Can I make a milk coffee with it?
Yes. Top the coffee with hot milk for a simple stovetop latte.
Roasted in Dubbo, NSW and sent Australia-wide. Meet The Cartel or buy The Cartel dark roast coffee beans. Meet The Hooligan or buy The Hooligan medium roast coffee beans.