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Brew guide · Stovetop

Moka pot

A small, intense stovetop brew with real character. Richer than filter coffee, gentler than espresso.

Watch the process

Step 01 / 05

Fill the boiler

Fill the lower chamber with freshly boiled water to just below the safety valve. Using hot water keeps the coffee from sitting over heat for too long.

hot water

Plays once · tap a step to inspect it

Moka pots vary in size, so this is deliberately written around the basket and boiler rather than a fixed dose. The key is low heat and knowing when to stop.

Starting point

93°C

water temperature

3:00

total time

Medium-fine

grind

On the counter: Moka pot · Kettle · Stovetop · Burr grinder · Towel or cool running water

Brew log

The method

  1. 01

    Fill the boiler

    Fill the lower chamber with freshly boiled water to just below the safety valve. Using hot water keeps the coffee from sitting over heat for too long.

  2. 02

    Fill the basket

    Fill the basket with medium-fine coffee, level it with a finger, and do not tamp. Wipe loose grounds from the rim before assembling the pot.

  3. 03

    Brew gently

    Set the pot over low to medium-low heat with the lid open. Coffee should emerge as a calm, steady stream, not an aggressive sputter.

  4. 04

    Stop the brew

    When the stream turns pale and starts to sputter, take the pot off the heat. Wrap the base with a cool towel or briefly run it under cool water to stop extraction.

  5. 05

    Serve

    Stir the coffee in the upper chamber before pouring. Drink it short or loosen it with hot water or milk.

Good to know

make it your own
  • 01Do not tamp the basket. A moka pot is not an espresso machine.
  • 02If the coffee tastes burnt, lower the heat and remove it earlier.
  • 03Use the coffee the pot was designed for: enough to fill the basket, but never packed down.