Moka pot has gained popularity across the globe, with its origin in Italy since the early 1930s. Unlike other coffee brewing mechanisms, the Moka pot is simple and easy to use and produces a unique taste of espresso-like coffee.
But is a Moka pot worth it? Yes. Moka pots are worth it as they make coffee by way of boiling water and passing steam over ground coffee to produce espresso-like coffee. Moka pot makes it possible to brew coffee in the comfort of your kitchen via a simple brewing mechanism. The pot is also light and portable at a pocket-friendly price.
Read through the different types of the Moka pot and the pros and cons in relation to other coffee brewing pots. In addition, we will also look at their suitability and other alternatives to Moka pots.
How Is Moka Pot Different?
To understand how the Moka pot is different from these other machines, let’s look at its brewing mechanism.
Brewing mechanism
The Moka pot brewing mechanism largely depends on low pressure and has three components that take place in the brewing process, namely;
- The bottom chamber acts as the boiling chamber
Use soft mineral water to avoid the formation of limescale. Light roasted coffee requires more extraction water than dark-roasted coffee. Heat is applied from the bottom and the roasted coffee brews under high-temperature steam, producing strong coffee collected in the top chamber.
Related Post: A Guide on How Does A Moka Pot Work
- Funnel filter with a plate for holding the ground coffee
The funnel is filled with ground coffee to a fine texture for the best results. You can use filter paper just below the mesh screen, and a rubber gasket to filter the coffee as it rises to the collecting chamber. However it is not mandatory, you can do that to reduce sediments in your coffee.
- Top chamber where coffee is collected
The top chamber collects the extracted coffee which rises through the funnel due to the steam pressure from the boiling water.
From the above brewing mechanism, the following are the major differences from other brewing mechanisms.
- Moka pot uses low pressure (1~2 bars) as compared to the espresso machine, which uses 9~15 bars to brew coffee.
- Moka pot requires low-controlled heating, unlike espresso machines that operate under high temperatures.
- Moka pot uses steam pressure to extract coffee from the grounds.
Types Of Moka Pots Available In The Market
Let’s look at the four major types of Moka pots available in the market and how to use each one of them.
1. Aluminum Moka Pot
Aluminum metal has been used to make Moka pots since its inception. Its lightweight and affordable price allows for a light and portable coffee maker.
However, aluminum Moka pots are prone to rust, corrosion, and even scratches that reduce their physical outlook with time.
The use of aluminum slowly lost its fame as people complained of coffee tasting and smelling a metal flavor as aluminum reacts with acids in beverages.
2. Induction Moka Pot
The induction Moka pot is an improvement of the original Bialetti coffee maker to provide a touch of Italian tradition with a modern finish.
The induction Moka pot has a stainless-steel base and funnel with an aluminum top chamber. The steel base is highly durable and resistant to rust, corrosion, and scratches.
This Moka pot is usable on both gas and induction stoves. So, you have the option to enjoy during a power outage as well as a gas shortage.
3. Stainless Steel Moka Pot
Here comes another type of Moka pot made from stainless steel, giving it a rust and corrosion-resistant finish.
The stainless steel Moka pot withstands the heat below it without discoloration or staining.
Coffee from this pot has its natural taste and flavor as stainless steel does not react with acids in the beverages. The pot is, however, expensive, heavier & healthier than the aluminum Moka pot.
4. Electric Moka Pot
The electric Moka pot is similar to the stainless-steel pot but uses an electric plate heater instead of the gas stove. The base is attached to the electric system and operated by an on and off button.
Some use 110V, while others operate at 220V depending on the brewing capacity.
How To Use The Various Moka Pots?
Moka pots come in different designs and colors but have the same operational principle. With only three compartments to assemble, using the Moka pot becomes easy even for first-time users.
Follow the process below to set the Moka pot for coffee brewing.
- Pre-heat water and fill the bottom chamber to the neck of the safety valve.
- Fill the funnel with ground coffee.
- Put the funnel and its content into the bottom chamber.
- Put the top component and ensure it is tightly connected to the middle chamber.
- Progress to heat either using a stove or an electric heater
Unveiling The Wonders Of The Moka Pot – Pros And Cons!
Moka pots have increasingly gained popularity due to their portability and availability in various sizes. However, despite their positive impact, they also have some setbacks.
Let’s briefly look at the pros and cons of the Moka pot.
| Moka Pot Pros | Moka Pot Cons |
| Simple to use – doesn’t requires skills | Challenging to control quality from brew to brew |
| Highly portable due to its lightweight | Has less pressure required to brew quality espresso coffee |
| Easy to clean | Aluminum Moka pot is prone to rust and oxidation |
| It is less expensive | Difficult to brew large quantities of coffee at one |
| Brews strong, thick and flavorful coffee | Moka pot may explode |
More Mota pot Resources:
What Benefits Does A Moka Pot Provide?
Below are the key benefits of using a Moka pot.
1. Brews strong, thick, and flavorful coffee
Coffee prepared by Moka pot is often considered espresso-like because of its high quality and strong taste. It is possible to brew concentrated and strong coffee on a small scale rather than on a large scale.
2. Less Expensive
Compared to the espresso machine, Moka pots are relatively cheap and affordable. An espresso machine will cost between $400 and $700, with an added installation and management cost.
Depending on the size and brand, a Moka pot costs between $20 and $100.
3. Easy To Clean
Moka pots are easy to clean as they are made of materials resistant to stains and corrosion, such as stainless steel. It would help if you cleaned the pot immediately after brewing coffee to avoid the coffee spills from sticking.
The base is easy to clean since it only holds clean water hence less dirt. Maximize cleaning the funnel and the collecting chamber as they get the coffee spills.
4. Highly Portable
Moka pots are made of small and lightweight sizes. The idea is to make them portable for use at one’s convenience.
You can carry the Moka pot to the office and prepare coffee there. The material used, such as aluminum, is light, reducing the weight of the component.
For packaging purposes, you can disassemble and easily assemble it when necessary.
5. Simple To Use
Moka pots are designed with three compartments to make coffee brewing easy. Focus is needed on heat regulation to avoid overheating the coffee, making it bitter.
All you need to do is add water in the base chamber, put ground coffee in the funnel, and close it with the top collector chamber. Heat at a standard temperature and collect your coffee on top.
Are There Any Drawbacks To Moka Pot?
Moka pot also has setbacks that one needs to consider before purchasing it.
1. Challenging To Control Quality From Brew To Brew
The quality of coffee from a Moka pot may vary in every brew. This is because you can’t precisely do everything including the right grind size, preheating the water, and maintaining proper heat during the brew each time. A lot of manual action is there, so it won’t be similar to an automatic coffee machine.
2. Has Less Pressure Required To Brew Quality Espresso Coffee
The Moka pot operates at a much lower pressure than the espresso machine. The low-pressure results in brewing coffee with lesser quality and taste when compared to espresso coffee.
3. Aluminum Moka Pot Is Prone To Rust, And Corrosion
Aluminum Moka pots cause a change in the taste and quality of coffee as the aluminum metal reacts with the acid in the beverages, leaving a taste of metal.
The metal also gets stained, making cleaning the stains hard after continuous use. However, oxidation and black spots are not the issues with stainless steel, titanium, or glass Moka pot.
4. Difficult To Brew Large Quantities Of Coffee At Once
Moka pots are designed to brew coffee on a small scale, from one cup to about 12 coffee cups. However, the cup size is equivalent to an espresso cup which is much smaller compared to regular coffee cups.
So, If you wish to prepare coffee for a huge group, you will find it tiresome and time-consuming replenishing water and coffee. Here you’ll get the ultimate Moka pot size guide to find the right cup size for you.
5. Moka Pot May Explode
Moka pot is enclosed during brewing and may explode due to pressure build-up from the steam generated. Unlike the espresso machine, the Moka pot is not designed to withstand high pressure at high temperatures.
Best Alternatives To Moka Pot Coffee
If you can’t find a Moka pot to brew your coffee, you can check out the following alternatives to serve the same purpose. Their prices range from $50 to $500, depending on the size and brand.
- Hamilton Beach 46205 programmable coffee maker
- Technivorm Moccamaster coffee brewer
- Pezzetti coffee brewer
- Delonghi nespresso lattissima pro
- Delonghi Magnifica coffee brewer
- Aerobie Aeropress
- Pedrini coffee maker
- Bodum pour-over coffee brewer
- Nespresso capsule machine coffee brewer
- Hario Technica coffee maker
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- Best Moka Pot Alternatives For Brewing Perfect Coffee
- Moka Pot vs. Pour Over Coffee: The Ultimate Showdown
- Moka Pot vs French Press: Which Is Best For You
Verdict: Is A Moka Pot Worth It?
Yes. Moka pot is worth every coin as it provides a mechanism to brew espresso-like coffee in the comfort of your kitchen. It comes in various pots made of strong and attractive materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and glass.
Following simple guidelines, you can easily brew coffee using a Moka pot. You don’t have to purchase coffee from the cafe. For the DIY group, you can prepare your cup in the comfort of your bed using the electric Moka pot.
The pot is made of portable sizes, making it easy to transport. The brewing process is simple and requires less time and steam pressure to make coffee. Coffee made from a Moka pot is thick and has a strong flavor with its original aroma of espresso coffee.
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