The secret behind the strong coffee
As you’ve probably heard before, the secret behind great coffee comes down to three main things: extraction, pressure, and temperature. The brewing process of a stovetop espresso maker checks the box on all three of these.
The three main sections of a moka pot include the water chamber on the bottom (where you put the water), the filter basket (where the coffee grounds sit), and the collection chamber up top (where your coffee will go!).
When the water in the water chamber heats up, pressure builds up, pushing the water through the filter basket (where the grounds are) and into the collection chamber. It’s all done through water vapor, so there’s no risk of crushing or burning the grounds, which results in a supremely aromatic roasting process.
Do Moka Pots Make Espresso?
Nope! But no one could blame anyone for thinking that. It’s totally confusing — it may officially be called a Moka pot, but people consistently refer to it as a “stovetop espresso maker,” which is totally misleading.
The Moka pot got the alternate name “stovetop espresso maker” due to its similarity in the brewing technique of an espresso machine, where both use high pressure and temperature to achieve fast extraction—but they’re ultimately quite different.
To get a beautiful demitasse of espresso, you need a full 9 bars pressure—that’s nine times the weight of pressure at sea level. Looking at it that way, logically, we all know it’d be impossible to get to that sort of force without some extra gadgetry.
The Moka pot creates about 1.5 bars, which doesn’t get it anywhere near producing espresso, but is just the right amount for a bold cup of coffee!
Buying Criteria: What to Look for in a Moka Pot
Despite the simple design of the standard Moka pot, there are still a variety of features you’ll want to check in on, including size, material, and capability.
How many cups can it make?
Stovetop espresso maker sizes often run in multiples of three: 1 cup, 3 cups, 6 cups, 9 cups and 12 cups. The word “cups” is used pretty differently than the standard US measurement, though.
Adding an extra layer to the confusion about what exactly the Moka pot creates, the cups are often counted the same as espresso shots would be—ounces that are called cups. A 6-cup moka pot will serve six ounces of coffee, so if you plan on entertaining guests, 9 and 12 cup Moka pots are probably your best bet.
Stainless steel or aluminum?
While the original design of the Moka pot called for aluminum, times change. When it comes to kitchen items, we lean towards stainless steel for a number of reasons. Stainless steel is non-corrosive and non-porous, making it easier to clean than alternative versions, but it does cost a bit more, too.
While aluminium may not be our first choice for kitchenware considering its propensity to corrode, we can cut it some slack if it’s anodized. Anodized aluminum is corrosive-resistant and more durable, making it better suited to handle heat. Bialetti, yes, that Bialetti, is known around the world for their excellent moka pots, and they use anodized aluminium.
You’d be amazed how many people overlook this, so we’re going to make a public service announcement:
Not all stovetop espresso makers work on electric stoves.
...so please, make sure you read a little bit about the stovetop espresso maker you’re considering buying.
Top 6 Stovetop Espresso Makers In 2021 - Reviewed
There are a growing number stovetop moka pots out there capable of providing a decent cup of coffee. However, the six we reviewed below stood out from the crowd.
