Pour Over & Brewing

Moka Pot

Stove-top pressure without a pump

Brew stage

Specification
What it does	Heats water in the lower chamber until steam pressure lifts it through the coffee in the middle funnel and up into the upper chamber.
Grind	Fine but not espresso-fine, and — critically — not as fine as a moka pot grinder setting that clogs. Medium-fine is the target.
Heat	Medium to low. High heat scalds the coffee and drives the brew too fast, which is the most common cause of a bitter, metallic moka pot cup.
Sizes	1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 cup. The "cups" are small Italian espresso cups, not mugs.
Material	Aluminium conducts well and is traditional; stainless works on induction and does not react with acidic coffee.
Water	Fill to the valve, no higher, and use hot water in the base to shorten the time on the stove.

Overview

A two-chamber aluminium or steel pot. Steam pressure pushes water up through the coffee bed — a strong, syrupy brew somewhere between espresso and filter.

Moka Pot

Safety

A moka pot is a pressure vessel. Fill only to the valve, never tamp the grounds, keep the gasket and filter in good condition, and let it cool before opening. Open the top lid away from your face while brewing.

Technical parameters

At a glance
Sizes	1 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 cup
Grind	Medium-fine
Pressure	~1–2 bar from steam
Heat	Medium-low
Water	To the valve, not above
Brew time	4–6 minutes from cold, less from hot

What actually goes wrong

Start with hot water in the base so the grounds are not cooked while the pot heats.
Pull it off the heat as soon as the flow turns pale and sputters.
Rinse with water only — detergent strips the seasoning and can leave a taste.

What it has to match up with

Medium-fine capable grinder
A heat source the pot suits (induction needs a steel pot)
Replacement gaskets and filters

This guide is an independent educational reference. It is not a substitute for the instructions supplied with your own equipment, and nothing here is sold, sponsored or endorsed by any brand.

Moka Pot

Overview

Technical parameters

What actually goes wrong

What it has to match up with

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