If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker, you may have come across the LuxHaus Moka pot. This stylish little coffee maker certainly looks great, but is it worth it, and does it actually make a good cup of coffee? We decided to put the LuxHaus Moka pot to the test to see if it lives up to the hype.
Whether you’re new to brewing with a Moka pot or a seasoned pro, this device is worth a look. Read on to learn more about the features and benefits of this coffee maker, as well as whether we think it lives up to its reputation.
What to Consider Before Buying a Moka Pot
But before you take the plunge and purchase a Moka pot for yourself, there are a few things you should consider.
First, do you really need a Moka pot? If you’re not an avid daily coffee drinker, chances are you don’t need one.
Second, what kind of Moka pot should you buy? There are many different brands, models, and serving sizes on the market, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.
Third, how much should you spend on a Moka pot? This is entirely up to you, but we recommend setting a budget before you start shopping because they can get pricey.
Who is best suited for a Moka pot?
Moka pots are great for a few different scenarios. You may be a frequent traveler or someone who loves to set up camp away from modern conveniences. If that’s you, then you’ll love that you can brew with a Moka pot over an open fire, a travel stove, or any other kind of heat source.
This is also a great option if you want to brew a cup of espresso at home without the expense of an espresso machine. A Moka pot won’t give you espresso, per se, but it will give you very strong coffee that’s close to espresso. It uses steam power to brew the cup and pressure to force the water through the beans.
Even if you don’t use the Luxhaus Moka pot for traveling, you may just like that it’s small, convenient, and affordable, especially compared to other brew methods.
LuxHaus Moka Pot Overview
Need a great coffee maker but don’t want to spend a fortune? The LuxHaus Moka Pot is a good solution. This simple coffee maker produces excellent coffee at a fraction of the cost of other methods. Plus, it’s easy to use and clean, making it a great choice for coffee lovers of all experience levels.
For a look at how to use the Luxhaus Moka pot, check out our video.
With helpful features like a spring-loaded basket, an easy-to-use manual brewing system, and an ergonomic, heat-resistant handle, this coffee maker is clearly designed with the home brewer in mind.
It also features a stylish and modern stainless steel body that stands out from more traditional Moka pots. It’s hard to improve on a classic design, but the LuxHaus model feels fresh and new, even though its fundamental design stays the same.
Features & Benefits
Stainless Steel Body
The minimalist design of this beautiful coffee pot is the first thing that jumps out at you; it’s modern, fresh, and new, especially compared to the classic Moka pot shape. Even better, this coffee maker has a stainless steel construction which makes it durable.
Stainless steel is also considered a poor heat conductor, which means you’re less likely to burn yourself while using it. You can use this Moka pot on an induction stovetop, a gas stove, a travel stove, or even over an open fire without the fear of damaging it.
Spring-loaded Basket
The basket area of the Moka pot, where you’ll put the coffee grounds before brewing, comes with a spring on the bottom to make removing it much easier. This is a hugely convenient design feature that you don’t see with many other Moka pot models, especially Bialetti Moka pots. With a spring-loaded basket, it’s easier to clean the stainless steel pot and be sure you’re doing a thorough job.
Quick Brewing Time
As far as coffee brewing methods go, this is definitely one of the quickest and most convenient ones out there. The brewing time is only about 2 or 3 minutes on the stove.
After filling the bottom chamber with hot water, adding pre-ground coffee to the basket, and reassembling the Moka pot, you simply set it on your stovetop on medium/low heat and allow the water to come to a boil like you would with a tea kettle. The coffee will begin brewing within a matter of minutes.
A Variety of Sizes
No coffee drinker is the same, and everyone has their own coffee habits and brewing styles. LuxHaus knows this and offers their Moka pot in three different sizes: 3-cup, 6-cup, and 9-cup.
Keep in mind that since the Moka pot brews very strong coffee similar to freshly-brewed espresso, a “cup” means about two ounces, equivalent to a shot of coffee. So a 3-cup Moka pot brews about six ounces of flavorful coffee at a time, enough for three two-ounce shots of “espresso.”
There are no real “rules” around which one you should pick. But, in general, a 3-cup pot should be used by single coffee drinkers, a 6-cup version for serving 2-3 people, and a 9-cup coffee maker for larger groups.
Heat-Resistant Handle
One drawback with Moka pots is that they’re small, generally made of aluminum, and heat up very quickly, making it easy to accidentally burn your hand as you’re trying to handle it.
The plastic handle on this Moka pot is heat resistant and easily large enough to grip without touching the metal body of the coffee maker. This handle makes it easier to grip the Moka pot firmly and handle it with ease, which is critical when working with handheld stovetop coffee makers.
Drawbacks and Downsides
The Learning Curve
Learning to use a Moka pot is an art in itself, and it takes a few tries to get used to this brewing method. If you’re more interested in a hands-off brewing method, this isn’t the right coffee maker for you since you have to keep an eye on the Moka pot for the entirety of the brewing process.
Leaking into the Upper Chamber
One of the major drawbacks we’ve seen with this Moka pot design is the tendency for water and coffee grounds to seep up from the lower chamber and basket into the upper chamber during coffee extraction. This seems to be an issue exclusive to this Moka pot model.
While there’s no evidence of leaking water outside of the pot, it’s a major disappointment to see water leaking up into the chamber where your brewed coffee will be. This defect isn’t likely to harm you or your coffee, as long as you use clean water and fresh grounds, but it does take away from the brewing experience.
Delicate and Flimsy Lid
For all the robust stainless steel parts of this Moka pot, it seems odd that the hinge connecting the lid to the upper body should be so flimsy and loose. It’s disappointing since we’re generally pleased with the rest of the design, and we can easily see it breaking with heavy use, which you shouldn’t have to worry about with a coffee pot.
Final Thoughts
The LuxHaus Moka pot is an excellent option for those familiar with Moka pots and stovetop espresso makers, and those who are only just getting started. The user-friendly design and thoughtful features make this an excellent starting point for getting delicious coffee at home.
If you’re sure you’d like a Moka pot, but you’re not sold on the LuxHaus, you may want to check out the classic Bialetti Moka Express coffee maker. It’s a classic for a reason; it’s been tried and tested over decades, and why fix what’s not broken?
However, if you aren’t sure that a Moka pot is right for you, you might consider a pour-over coffee maker (like this one) instead. It has a manual brewing system, it’s small and portable, and has a similar price point.
Once you’ve decided on the right Moka pot for you and your morning coffee routine, you’ll need to know what kind of coffee works best for stovetop coffee makers. Or, if you’re curious about the Bialetti Express Moka pot mentioned above, check out our in-depth review here.
Happy Caffeinating!
