How to Use a Moka Pot

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

A Moka pot is also called a stovetop espresso pot and it is a traditional Italian method of making good, strong coffee. Although Moka pot coffee isn't strictly espresso, it has a rich and delicious flavor, making it a firm favorite around the world. Moka pots use steam pressure to force water through a strainer, resulting in a brew that is slightly weaker than espresso. The small devices are affordable and easy to use at home, which means that with a bit of practice you can enjoy Moka pot coffee whenever you like!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting the Moka Pot Ready

1
Fill the boiler up with hot water to the fill line. Remove the basket from the Moka pot and pour hot water into the boiler. If there is no fill line, fill up the boiler to just below the steam release valve.
- Be very careful when handling the Moka pot after you have filled it with hot water. This is because the metal will heat up very fast.^{[1]
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- Hot water is usually used in Moka pots because not only does this reduce the amount of time that it takes for the coffee to brew, but it also prevents the grounds from overheating and burning.^{[2]
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2
Grind coffee beans to the consistency of table salt. Place 18–20 grams (0.63–0.71 oz) of coffee beans into the grinder and turn it on. The grind that you choose depends on your personal preference. Most grinds for Moka pot coffee fall somewhere between espresso and hand drip coffee.
- Always grind coffee beans just before you are going to use it. Freshly ground coffee beans make the best coffee.
- This creates enough coffee grounds for 1 shot of Moka pot coffee.^{[3]
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3
Place the ground coffee into the filter basket. Fill the filter basket loosely and make sure that the coffee grounds are not tightly packed. Make sure the ground coffee sits level in the filter basket.^{[4]
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- Don't tamp the coffee as you level it in the filter basket. This is because if the coffee is too tightly packed, it will be too difficult for the water to travel through.^{[5]
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4
Assemble the Moka pot. Place the filter basket into the boiler. Then, screw the top of the Moka pot onto the boiler base.^{[6]
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- Hold the boiler base with a towel if it is too warm to hold while you assemble the Moka pot.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Brewing and Serving the Coffee

1
Heat the Moka pot on the stovetop for 5–10 minutes. Set the stovetop temperature to medium-low and watch the coffee closely as it brews. As soon as the brew flows into the upper chamber, remove the Moka pot from the stovetop immediately. The warmer the water that you started with, the faster this process will go.
- It's best to remove the Moka pot from the heat as soon as the coffee rises into the upper chamber. This is because the residual heat will continue to brew the coffee once it has been removed from the stovetop.^{[7]
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- Adjust the temperature of the stovetop during the brewing process if necessary. If the coffee rises very fast and almost explodes out of the Moka pot, reduce the heat. However, if the coffee only rises in tiny droplets with no consistency, increase the heat.^{[8]
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- It can take a few attempts to find the correct heat setting that works for your stovetop and Moka pot.
2
Use a spoon to stir the coffee in the upper chamber. Once the Moka pot has been removed from the heat, carefully stir it. This will help to mix the different layers of the coffee to create a smooth flavor.^{[9]
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3
Serve the Moka pot coffee immediately. Moka pot coffee is best served fresh. Be careful when you take a sip, as it will be very hot!^{[10]
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- You can drink Moka pot coffee with sugar if you prefer.^{[11]
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- Moka pot coffee can be quite strong, which isn't to everyone's liking. To work around this, Moka pot coffee can be diluted with hot water to create an Americano-style coffee.^{[12]
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- Don't drink coffee that has been left in the Moka pot. This is because it will taste burnt or scorched as it will continue to heat up in the chamber.
4
Clean the Moka pot using hot water and no detergent. Empty the Moka pot and let it cool down completely before you begin to clean it. Then disassemble the Moka pot and rinse out each part thoroughly using cool water. Dry each part with a tea towel.^{[13]
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- If you notice an excess of coffee build up, use a dry paper towel to remove this.

Community Q&A

Question

What type of coffee do I use?

Community Answer

Ask some people around you what they like, then go try some different brands/kinds until you find out what you like.
Question

How to make cappucino without a frother?

Community Answer

All you need is a microwave-safe jug and milk. Pour in the milk, shake it for 30 seconds, then microwave it for 30 - 40 seconds. The milk should come out foamy; take the foam and make a cappuccino.
Question

Why does my pot only brew about 1/3 cup and then only steam comes out?

Community Answer

It sounds like you need to add more water. If not, you may need a new pot.