As devout coffee fanatics, we can all appreciate the delightful flavor of a good, strong shot of espresso. Unfortunately, not every aspiring barista can afford a top-notch espresso machine. So, what’s a caffeine addict to do?
Get a Moka pot, of course! This unique tool is a dream for old-school coffee lovers and passionate coffee hobbyists.
At a Glance: Best Moka Pot
What is a Moka Pot?
The Moka pot is a classic tool used to make espresso-like coffee. It works off of steam pressure, like an espresso machine, but it usually only hits around 2 or 3 bars rather than 9 bars of pressure.
Curious about what beans will go best in a Moka pot brew? Check out this article.
How to Brew in a Moka Pot
We’re not going to go into too much detail about how to brew espresso in a Moka pot, but if you feel like doing a lot of reading, we have a step-by-step guide on how it’s done here.
More of a skimmer than a thorough reader? Here’s the Moka pot brewing Cliff Notes: Fill the lower chamber of the device with cold water, add coffee grounds to the funnel, and screw on the Moka pot’s upper part. Let the brewer heat on a stovetop (or another heat source, if you’re camping or in a dorm room) until the water begins to boil and coffee begins to brew out of the center post and flow into the upper chamber. Voila — delicious espresso-style coffee!
The resulting brew is perfect if you want to make espresso-based drinks, like lattes, However, if you’re looking for artisanal espresso to drink on its own, you’re going to have to save up for an actual espresso machine. While the Moka pot makes nice-tasting, strong coffee, you aren’t going to get the same luscious texture and flavor you would with a high-end espresso machine.
Curious about what beans are best for a Moka pot brew? Check out this article!
Quick Summary: Best Moka Pot
 | Our Top Pick BIALETTI MOKA ESPRESS STOVETOP ESPRESSO MAKER |
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 | IMUSA USA B120-42V ALUMINUM STOVETOP COFFEE MAKER |
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 | BIALETTI KITTY STAINLESS STEEL ESPRESSO MAKER |
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 | GROSCHE MILANO STOVETOP MOKA POT |
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 | CUISINOX ROMA 6-CUP STAINLESS STEEL STOVETOP ESPRESSO MAKER |
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 | DE’LONGHI ALICIA ELECTRIC MOKA ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER |
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Best Moka Pot: Our Top Picks
Bialetti Moka Espress Stovetop Espresso Maker
This Bialetti model has been around since 1933 and is hands-down our number one pick for a Moka pot. The design is classic and recognizable, and for the price, this original is hard to beat.
These aluminum beauties are still made the same way they were 80 years ago: in Italy with Bialetti’s patented design that helps diffuse heat to give you the best stovetop espresso. It’s compatible with both gas and electric stoves, and for your peace of mind, it comes with a two-year warranty.
You’ve got plenty of options with this coffee pot. With sizes ranging from three to 12 cups and even a few color variations, we are certain you will find one that suits your lifestyle and aesthetic.
The only complaint we have for this Moka pot is that, unlike stainless steel models, it’s not machine washable thanks to its aluminum body. Everything else, however, is a hit!
IMUSA USA B120-42V Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Maker
Sometimes the best things come in the smallest package, and that saying appears to ring true with the existence of IMUSA’s 3-cup coffee maker. And if small batches of coffee aren’t your thing, the company offers these stovetop coffee makers in a variety of sizes, so you can brew one, three, six, or nine cups of our favorite morning drink.
This Moka pot is made of aluminum, which makes it durable enough to last for years and keeps your coffee warm all morning (or afternoon…there’s never a bad time for coffee). The handle and knob, however, stay cool as your java steams, so as you’re pouring a demitasse cup of espresso for yourself — which is super convenient thanks to the side pour spout — you won’t have to worry about your hands getting burned.
Bialetti Kitty Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
If the aluminum on the previously mentioned Bialetti is a dealbreaker for you, or you just aren’t jazzed about the classic design, go for the Bialetti Kitty.
Bialetti’s Kitty espresso coffee maker is stainless steel and dishwasher safe. This model also features a more modern design and a handle that is a bit further out from the body, which makes it easier for you to keep your knuckles safe while pouring hot java.
Like the other Bialetti option, the Kitty is compatible with both gas and electric stovetops. However, it is manufactured in China instead of Italy.
The price is a little steeper, but if you can swing it, this model is a good option, though some users complain that the lid is more cumbersome than the original.
GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Moka Pot
Did you know every product sold by GROSCHE funds 50 or more days of potable water to those in need? Should you find yourself purchasing this company’s Moka pot, find peace in knowing each cup of coffee you pour helps fill someone else’s cup with water.
The Milano White is one of GROSCHE’s four Moka pot styles, and you can find it in three different sizes: three, six, or nine cups. The white aluminum fits well into essentially any kitchen setup, and though the burn-guard handle is made of rubber, it looks like finished wood to complete the stylish, modern look.
Not only is style represented in the Milano Moka pot, but safety is, too, as it’s made with a non-toxic silicone gasket seal that prevents leaks and maintains boiler pressure and an Italian safety valve that prevents the internal pressure from getting too high.
Cuisinox Roma 6-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker
Cuisinox’s Roma is one of the higher-end Moka pots you can get. This espresso maker’s stainless steel design makes it dishwasher-safe like the aforementioned Kitty but comes at a price point that is more than double that of the Bialetti pot.
With that price point comes consistency and durability. If you spring for the higher price, chances are this will be the last Moka pot you ever buy. It comes with a 25-year warranty and is often touted as the best. Period.
This sexy and sleek modern design comes in a variety of size options and is compatible with both electric and gas stovetops. Our only real complaint is that the price can be prohibitive, so make sure you’re ready to commit before investing.
De’Longhi Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker
Don’t have a stove or the patience to figure out the art of using a regular Moka pot? Try De’Longhi’s Alicia. This option is electric and features an aluminum boiler, cordless base, and plastic upper compartment.
This is a great option if you are living in a dorm with limited space and resources (or if you simply prefer a machine do all the work for you). However, because of the plastic top component, the coffee’s quality isn’t going to be as good as the stainless steel or aluminum options that we’ve presented, and you’ll miss out on much of the complex flavors so many love about this style of coffee.
The auto-off feature and the easy-to-use design are convenient, though, and De’Longhi is a reputable brand. So for the price, this isn’t a bad option.
Things to Consider Before Buying A Moka Pot
Your Lifestyle
Is this tool going to be used inside the kitchen of a typical home or apartment? If you answered yes, then one of the classic options, like the Bialetti or Cuisinox, will be a great choice for you.
Already have something that will work for you at home and just need something that can travel and come camping with you? Go for something small, like the aluminum IMUSA pot we highlighted.
Are you in a stove-less environment, like a dorm, or uninterested in mastering the Moka pot? Then De’Longhi’s Alicia may be the perfect gal for you.
Material: Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel
Aluminum
Moka pots made with aluminum are a little more high-maintenance. They are not dishwasher safe and require you to double-check for electric stovetop compatibility.
Since you have to handwash them, you need to make sure they are completely dry to avoid rust. But with that said, even though they last less time than their stainless steel counterparts, they’ll still give you many years and ounces of coffee before they begin to deteriorate.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is non-porous, non-corrosive, and super durable. If you get a good Moka pot of this material, it will probably last you a lifetime — or pretty close to it. However, stainless steel Moka pots are typically much more expensive than aluminum ones, which can still last a decade or so.
Stainless steel Moka pots can also be washed in the dishwasher for added convenience. However, we don’t really recommend it because the appliance can be rough on your tool and shorten its impressive lifespan. On the bright side, they’re easier to hand wash than aluminum and won’t mind a few stray water droplets left behind.
So, if you’re looking for something that can easily last until you bite it or is just more low-maintenance, go for stainless steel. If you’re fine with a little extra effort and want to save a chunk of money, go for an aluminum option. They’re both durable and are going to work well if you treat them correctly.
Cup sizes
No, we aren’t talking about B or DD. We’re talking about demitasse.
It is important to keep in mind that Moka pot size measurements are based on espresso shots, not the typical American cups. So, a 6-cup Moka pot comfortably brews enough for about two regular espresso-based drinks. If you’ll need more coffee than that, consider sizing up.
More About Moka Pots
Will it work with a gas or electric stove?
The majority of Moka mavens agree gas stoves are better for brewing. This is because you can more easily control the temperature of a gas stove, lowering the chances of ruining your Moka pot coffee. Electric burners generally get much hotter than you need them to be, so your timing has to be perfect. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with a pot full of burned, black sludge.
Can you use a Moka pot on induction stoves?
If you invest in an aluminum Moka pot, then no, you can’t use it on an induction stove. However, if you buy a stainless steel pot — or better yet, one that’s specifically designed to be used on induction stoves — you can make use of it on these portable burners.
Don’t toss out that aluminum coffee maker yet; there are a few tricks of adapting it to an induction stove. If you have a frying pan that’s safe for the burner, place the Moka pot on top of it as you brew. Of course, this makes the process a bit longer and less efficient, it does save you the trouble of having to buy a new brewer.
You could also consider investing in an induction hob diffuser. It’s the same concept as using a frying pan to transfer the heat, however, the diffusers are thinner, which makes the process a bit faster.
Can you get crema from a Moka pot?
Coffee connoisseurs know that when it comes to espresso, the beloved crema — or the layer of velvety foam atop the shot — is a symbol of amazing quality coffee. We know it can come from a real espresso machine, but can you get crema from a Moka pot?
Some say you can’t since the stovetop coffee makers don’t brew with enough pressure to produce it. Others have found that, with a bit of experimentation with grind size and temperature, you’ll end up with something reminiscent of crema.
What’s the difference between a Moka pot and a percolator?
Though both devices make delicious coffee on a stovetop, they aren’t exactly the same. One of the biggest differences lies in the result. Joe from a Moka pot is similar to espresso, as it’s rich and concentrated. A percolator, however, produces java that’s more like regular drip.
A Moka pot also stores the finished brew in the upper chamber; a percolator does not. Instead, a percolator works by pushing hot water to the top of a straw-like device where it will shower over the ground coffee and initiating the brewing process. After the coffee drains through the percolator’s filter and flows into the lower chamber where the water once was, it makes its way back up the straw.
In short, percolators continue the brewing cycle until you remove them from the heat; Moka pots stop when the water runs out.
Wrap-up
If you are looking for something to give you espresso-like coffee without breaking the bank, a Moka pot is definitely the way to go. Just keep in mind the different factors your lifestyle brings to the table so you can get a tool that will last.
Happy Caffeinating!
