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What We Tested This Week: Bialetti Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
Who This Is Perfect for: People who long for simpler times and are ready to ditch pod coffee.
Don't get me wrong. I like frictionless interfaces and voice-activated gadgets as much as the next millennial. But there's something to be said about analog tech — those genius devices that aren't new, that aren't tricked out with features, but do one thing and do it very well.
The Bialetti Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker is just that for me. Invented by Italian aluminum craftsman Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, the art-deco style of the eight-sided Moka Pot has changed very little in design from its inception. It comes in various sizes, from a 1-cup all the way to a 12-cup model. I bought myself the three-cup Moka Pot when my old, automatic espresso machine kicked the bucket.
I'd always seen Moka Pot-like devices permanently perched on the stovetops of many of my Greek American relatives, but had never actually tried the espresso-like beverage when offered. Something about the metal device seemed intimidating, like whatever bubbling inside would be extremely hot and acrid.
Well, yes, if you leave the Moka Pot boiling on your stovetop for way longer than it should be, it'll produce a burnt, bitter liquid that per The Guardian tastes like rocket fuel. But after some of my own tinkering with the Moka Pot's brew time, I love the roasted, yet pleasantly tangy taste as much as its brain-buzzy effect.
While push-button, pod-powered coffee/espresso makers may be able to produce the exact same cup over and over again, I don't mind the physicality of the Moka Pot's brewing process. It feels like you actually made yourself a cup, rather than having a machine do all the work for you. Plus, it produces no waste beyond the used coffee grounds, which you can recycle or compost.
The Moka Pot comprises three sections: a lower chamber for the water, a funnel-shaped filter basket, and the top chamber for the brewed coffee to collect. There are many comprehensive step-by-step articles and Reddit posts out there to follow that get into the nitty-gritty of the exact bean roast, the coarseness of the grounds, and even the temperature of the water to use — I actually used this handy Twitter thread to show me the ropes when I was starting out!
These are the basics, though your mileage may vary:
- Pre-boil your water before adding it to the lower chamber.
- Loosely pack (don't tamp down) your filter basket with the coarsely ground coffee of your choosing.
- Carefully screw all parts together and transfer to your stovetop using protective mitts, as the pre-boiled water will make the metal Moka Pot hot.
- Continue to boil on the stovetop over a low heat.
- As soon as you can hear bubbling and smell coffee, take it off of the heat immediately and pour yourself a cup.
It may take a few tries to get it just to your liking, but it's worth it for the liquid gold that results when you get it just right!
Even if the espresso purists out there aren't all fans, I really like the Bialetti Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker for its rugged design, ease of use, and efficiency in producing a great cup. Plus, it’s a relatively cheap device that has allowed me to splurge on top-quality, fair-trade beans.
Read More:
These Cult-Favorite Espresso Brands Pack a Serious Punch
The Best Editor-Tested Coffee Grinders to Get the Coarseness Just Right
Quirky Kitchen Gadgets and That'll Make You a Meal-Prep Master
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