15
votes
Accepted
Do I need to use a tamp if using a Moka pot stove top espresso maker?
You should not tamp the coffee in a Moka. These pots don't like excessive pressure, which tamping would produce due to increased density. This is also why the water should not cover the steam valve. ...
- 1,498
13
votes
Accepted
What are these spots on the inside of my moka pot? Do I need to remove them?
Short story: They are probably aluminum oxide, but almost certainly some kind of metal oxide. You don't need to take any action unless they're affecting the taste of your coffee, and it shouldn't be. ...
- 8,535
13
votes
What's the difference between a percolator and a moka pot?
A moka pot is what some call a stovetop espresso maker; I find this to be a bit of a misnomer, because the result is rather different than proper espresso. Water is put into a bottom vessel; coffee ...
- 8,535
12
votes
Accepted
When and how should I clean my moka pot?
If you stop washing your mocha pot completely, you'll see a bit of a residue buildup on the inside of the pot from many past cuppas imparting their special oils to surface. This "seasoning" is said ...
- 885
12
votes
Generating crema with a moka pot?
Moka pots (or stove top percolators) usually produce a pressure of around 1.5 bar, while most coffees require a pressure of at least around 6 bar for a crema to appear. However, there are some Moka ...
- 1,100
12
votes
My moka pot brew exploded. What did I do wrong?
While the grind could have been too fine, I suspect what happened is you overfilled the bottom chamber, and the water level was covering the safety valve.
You really don't want the water level to go ...
- 464
11
votes
Accepted
Most moka pots don't work on my induction stove. How can I still use them?
Yes, you just need to get a pot that's made of the right stuff. Induction hobs only work with magnetic metals. If you can stick a magnet to your coffee pot, it will work. Traditional moka pots are ...
- 7,035
10
votes
Why does water remain in the bottom chamber after brewing with a moka pot?
This is deliberate.
In a moka pot, the downward spout of the funnel does not reach all the way to the bottom of the pot. Brewing will stop once the level of water in the pot falls below the bottom of ...
- 7,035
9
votes
Accepted
Does it make a difference whether the moka lid is open or not?
So what I've been taught is that you should keep the lid open while brewing. This is so you can watch the progress of the extraction, and cut the heat at the appropriate time. It gives you much more ...
- 7,035
9
votes
Is it good to have the "floating oil" on the surface of some coffee drinks?
The amount of oil in your coffee correlates to what is called the "body"? This is the "fullness" that you feel of the coffee in your mouth. Like the difference between a light cake and fudgey brownie. ...
8
votes
Accepted
What is this tamper/filter thing that came with my moka pot for?
OK, I've worked this one out. This little thing is called a reducer.
What you can do is put the reducer into the funnel. It should sit on the indentation half way down. You then put coffee on top of ...
- 7,035
8
votes
Accepted
How should I make multiple batches quickly with a moka pot?
Here's what I do:
Boil a kettle with as much water as you're going to need for everyone
Fill the sink with cold water
Make your pot of coffee as normal: using boiling water
After you've made the ...
- 7,035
8
votes
Accepted
Is it good to have the "floating oil" on the surface of some coffee drinks?
Nice question. A similar myth has been arisen for Turkish coffee pot; such as it should be cleaned only with water to keep the greasy surface made with coffee oil.
Partly correct, partly not. ...
- 7,668
7
votes
Accepted
Do I need to boil the water before using my moka?
It is true.
Preboiling the water will make the coffee tastes a lot better. It will reduce the bitterness and give space for a lot of other notes.
Heating up the Mokka too much releases also ...
- 186
7
votes
How to properly use the Bialetti Brikka
I understand that the crema created by the Brikka is an approximated crema using the gasket's small opening. Sure, purists may not consider this tan, smooth film of microbubbles as authentic crema (...
- 533
7
votes
Accepted
Coffee ground too finely - how to deal with it?
In this case, my usual pre-coffee tiredness solved the problem:
I had planned to mix the espresso grind with my usual grind to minimize the total amount of grounds in the cup. The idea was
1/2 too-...
- 3,963
6
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of the crimp on a moka funnel?
The crimp is there to support the reducer! The reducer slots into the funnel, and sits on the ridge. You then put coffee on top of it, allowing you to use less coffee in larger pots.
- 7,035
6
votes
Moka Pot Buildup
Due to the fact that the spots are picking up the colour of the coffee, it sounds to me like they may be scales from minerals in the water being used. This is normal occurrence for almost every type ...
- 2,158
6
votes
Aluminium moka pot put through dishwasher and then polished - would it alter taste?
As you suggest and note in your question, and it deserves repeating:
Aluminum of any kind is generally not recommended for the dishwasher: it is likely to corrode / oxidize like your pot did.
Keeping ...
- 8,535
6
votes
Is this moka pot safe?
This looks like oxidation, try cleaning it with hot water (NO soap). After most of it has gone, fill up with hot water again and add a few spoons of bicarbonate. Stir and let it sit for a day or 2. ...
- 61
5
votes
When and how should I clean my moka pot?
As Robert explained the residue that is accumulated by not cleaning to rigorously is generally considered to add to the flavour. However, this remains a personal choice as always. I personally always ...
5
votes
Does it make a difference whether the moka lid is open or not?
If you just keep the fire at low levels, and the lid open, you won't spill coffee all around. That's what I do :)
I also noticed a difference in the layer of creme on top of the coffee, with the lid ...
- 51
5
votes
Most moka pots don't work on my induction stove. How can I still use them?
Shop for stainless pots with a magnet! If it sticks, they will work provided the base is big enough. I found a larger unbranded one (at Goodwill!) with a flared base that works perfectly with my ...
- 51
5
votes
Most moka pots don't work on my induction stove. How can I still use them?
You can buy an induction adapter.
A quick search easily shows a few models.
Disclaimer: I have never tried one yet. Legacy gas around here.
- 2,305
5
votes
How to properly use the Bialetti Brikka
I think you gave a good overview of everything. Here's a few comments on your list that I find is most important from my own personal experience, and from this Bialetti guide.
"Moka" grind is ...
- 8,535
5
votes
Why does my Moka pot sometimes produce GREAT coffee and sometimes awful coffee?
Actually, this question is self explanatory. I assume you only need some guidance and confirmation for what's going wrong.
A better known fact is:
if your coffee is underextracted, it tastes sour.
...
- 7,668
5
votes
Accepted
Why is tamping necessary for espresso machines but not mokas?
Espresso machines rely on pressure to extract coffee solutes over a very short (~25 seconds) extraction time. Tamping is a critical aspect to achieving this. By tamping ideally, you eliminate channels ...
- 1,464
5
votes
What are low-maintenance and plastic-free options for making coffee?
A French Press lasts forever. Or until you drop it, whichever comes first. I have a stainless steel thermos French Press which is bullet proof and keeps coffee warm for hours.
Or you could be a ...
- 321
4
votes
How vigorously should I heat my moka?
I'm going to start by answering your last question first just for fun. In this site, it says that:
Place the pot over a low flame. A low flame increases the brew time, which enhances the flavor. At ...
- 1,852
4
votes
Do I need to use a tamp if using a Moka pot stove top espresso maker?
The general idea is that tamping with moka pots is unnecessary/harmful/dangerous because of the excessive pressure this will cause (see Ivan's answer: https://coffee.stackexchange.com/a/489).
...
- 183
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