Moka pot brewing guide
A moka pot makes a rich, concentrated coffee on the hob, without an espresso machine. Enjoy it on its own or add hot water or milk to suit your taste.
This guide walks you through filling the pot, adding coffee and brewing gently. No scales needed, just the pot’s own fill levels. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions alongside these tips.
What you'll need
- Moka pot suitable for your hob
- Coffee ground for moka pot, finer than filter but not as fine as espresso
- Fresh drinking water
- Spoon for filling the coffee basket
- Cup or mug
- Oven glove or heat-resistant cloth for handling hot parts
Using whole beans? You’ll also need a grinder. No scales required: the pot’s water level and coffee basket provide the measures. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
A simple moka pot recipe
Water: fill the lower chamber to your manufacturer’s recommended level, keeping the safety valve uncovered.
Coffee: loosely fill the coffee basket and level the top. Don’t tamp or press the grounds down.
Grind: use coffee ground for moka pot, finer than filter but not as fine as espresso.
Make the quantity your pot is designed for, rather than half-filling the basket to make a smaller serving. Moka pot “cups” are small coffee servings, not full mugs.
How to brew
Step 1: Check the pot. Start with a cool moka pot. Check that the filter, seal and safety valve are clean and in good condition, following your manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 2: Add the water. Fill the lower chamber to the recommended level, leaving the safety valve uncovered. Use the water temperature specified for your model.
Step 3: Fill the basket. Loosely fill the coffee basket with moka-pot-ground coffee and level the surface. Don’t tamp it down. Brush loose grounds off the rim.
Step 4: Assemble securely. Fit the basket and screw the upper and lower chambers together as instructed. Hold the body of the pot rather than using the handle to tighten it.
Step 5: Heat gently. Place the pot securely on a suitable hob with the lid closed. Use the heat setting recommended for your model. On gas, keep the flame beneath the base and away from the handle. Stay with the pot while it brews.
Step 6: Stop heating. As brewing finishes and the pot begins to gurgle, turn off the heat and move it to a heat-resistant surface if safe to do so. Don’t leave it heating until it runs dry. Follow any different stopping instructions supplied with your model.
Step 7: Serve and cool. Pour carefully, then enjoy as it is or add hot water or milk. Let the pot cool fully before opening and cleaning it. Never unscrew it while hot or pressurised.
Taste and adjust
Too strong? Add a little hot water or milk to your finished coffee.
Bitter or burnt-tasting? Check that the heat isn’t too high and remove the pot from the heat promptly when brewing finishes. Don’t leave it heating until dry.
Sour or sharp? If you grind your own beans, try a slightly finer grind next time, but not espresso-fine. Never tamp the grounds.
Too weak? Check that you’re filling the basket loosely and levelling it, rather than using a partly filled basket.
Using pre-ground coffee? Choose a moka-pot grind. Ask us for help if you’re unsure which option suits your brewer.
Change one thing at a time. Keep the water and coffee within your pot’s recommended fill levels rather than overfilling to adjust the strength.
