Finding the best Moka pot is difficult because the term “best” various based on individuals preference.
Undoubtedly drip coffee maker is a very popular and widely used coffee appliance in the globe. But, this does not indicate that stovetop or electric coffee makers are outdated devices and do not work as they once worked. If you think this way, you are absolutely far away from the truth because traditionally, Moka pot has its own specialty, therefore its demand is growing day by day.
As time flies, the more people discover the unique taste of Moka Pots, aka Stovetop Espresso Makers, the more they become interested in it and seek their services.
If I am not wrong, you are here because you have discovered little known natural taste as well. And, you no longer want to miss strong, smooth, and flavourful, stovetop coffee. If you are looking for small capacity Moka pot, then you can read the best 1 cup stovetop espresso maker review.
Surely, finding the best stovetop espresso maker is a daunting task and it takes time for getting the right information.No worries, we have done the hard work for hours and picked the top 10 models.
So, scroll down and figure out which one fulfills your demand most and meets your expectations.
Our Top Picks Moka Pots
- Best for induction cooktop: Cuisinox Roma 6-cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Moka Espresso Maker
- Best 100% Stainless steel: Alessi Espresso Maker 9090 by Richard Sapper
- Best Electric: DELONGHI EMK6 Espresso
- Best for camping: Bialetti Express Moka Pot
- Best made in Italy: Bialetti venus Stovetop espresso coffee maker
- Best 1 cup: Bialetti Express Moka Pot, 1-Cup
- Best 12 cup: Bialetti 1166 Moka Express Export Espresso Maker
Best Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Makers 2021 comparisons & Reviews
Read on the head to head comparisons because this will help you find a budget-friendly Moka pot that you’ve been searching for for a while, and this will give you enough product features and benefits related details to make risk-free buying decisions and avoid a costly mistake.
| Best Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Bialetti Moka Express | # High-quality craftsmanship # Quite fast, saves time |
Check Price |
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Cuisinox Roma | # 18/10 stainless steel. Mirror polish finish # 25 years warranty |
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Bialetti 06813 Kitty | # Brews full-bodied espresso # Elegant design # Safety valve |
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Tops 55704 Rapid Brew Stovetop Coffee Percolator | # Capacity is relatively high # Affordable # Durable, high-quality construction |
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Bialetti Elegance Venus 6 cup | # Brews exceptionally well # Affordable # Portable # Durable |
Check Price |
Let’s dig deep into the reviews of stovetop espresso makers one by one.
Bialetti Moka Express – Best of the Best
If you are looking for the highest-rated Stovetop Espresso, then Bialetti, more than 100 years of the reputed brand made Moka Pot is the perfect appliance. This is because Bialetti has been making this particular model for years and leading the market and beating every other model on the market.
When you look at this aluminum-made body Moka pot, you will appreciate is Italian beauty, designed in a unique and stunning shape of an Juneagon.
For brewing coffee, just simply follow two steps. First, pour the lower chamber with cold water, and then pure upper with coffee grounds, and the stovetop will do the rest.
This Moka pot is capable of making a silky smooth, consistent, and delicious cup of coffee in a few minutes.
Besides its advantages, there is some sort of drawbacks as well. One of them is that it can not be used on an induction stovetop and it is not dishwasher safe
The other drawback is that it’s not dishwasher-safe. This isn’t a deal-breaker in my opinion because it’s actually very easy to clean by hand.
The grounds holder and the gaskets come off easily, and all you need is to soap it and hold it under running water.
What’s the Bottom Line?
If you’re someone who wouldn’t go a day without coffee, then it’s crucial to invest in a brewer that’d brew it in a best-tasting way. Bialetti Moka Express is the first recommendation I have for you. Everything from functionality to quality and usage – it’s worth every penny.
Cuisinox Roma – Best Warranty Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
Only serious coffee lovers understand the importance of having a quality Espresso Stovetop that lasts for longer. If you are looking for a smart Moka pot for investment, then you must take a look at the Cuisinox Roma, top of a line espresso stovetop, made with 18/10 stainless steel with excellent mirror polish finish which looks attractive.
And, rather than waiting for longer, you could easily get the best-tasting espressos within 4-5 minutes in the comfort of your kitchen.
Because of the popularity of this Moka pot is available in different sizes 4 cups,6 cups, and 10 cups for everyone’s preferences.
One of the most important features, the base is induction ready and it works well on gas, radiant, halogen, ceramic, electric cooktops, and even ranges without stand without any issue.
Compared to other expensive Moka pots, these manufactures have solid confidence in Cuisinox Roma, that is why they provide an unbelievably long warranty of 25 years possible it will outlive you.
In fact, this Moka pot is dishwasher-safe that makes cleaning much easier and it is heavy and sturdy and promises longevity from the start. On the other hand, you will have no issue as you get an extra gasket and a reducer with the Moka pot.
Besides its price margin, please keep in mind that you must consider using cloth or gloves as it involves inducing heat. Otherwise, you’ll risk burning your hand.
What is the Bottom Line?
Even though Cuisinox Roma seems like an expensive espresso stovetop, but, it will pay off for many years to come and provides great value for the money.
Bialetti 06813 Kitty- Best Affordable Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
If you are one of the coffee snobs who could not think of a day without strong, full-bodied, and delicious Italian Espresso, then you should focus on Kitty as it can brew both coffee and espresso what you want in a less expensive way with little effort.
In fact, octagon shape Bialetti has been designed so elegantly and looks attractive as high-quality aluminum polished and it is capable of brewing strong, rich, and velvety Mocha coffee and it only takes less than 5 minutes to serve fresh coffee. And, there is a safety valve included with this Moka pot for pressure release if required.
Because of its popularity and high demand, the Bialetti is sold in every size imaginable. Since you would find this unit in either of 1-cup, 2-cup, 3-cup, 4-cup, 6-cup, 9-cup, and 12-cup versions. So, you would have no issue with picking out an exact size for your needs.
In this the latest model, it successfully overcame the two major gripes of Bialetti Moka Express.
Since this is a newer model, it has overcome the two major gripes of Bialetti Moka Express. And, this coffee maker is a smart addition to any kitchen as It’s compatible with all kinds of cooktops. On the other hand, you will have no issue with cleaning because this is made with standard quality material and dishwasher-safe
When you use kitty, you remember that you must serve coffee right after it’s brewed because the lid doesn’t fit snugly enough to seal off the aroma of coffee from escaping.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Bialetti brews full-bodied Italian espresso, is the number one player in the stovetop espresso that is why you will see the thousands of happy customer reviews on their Moka pots. Thus, it is worth investing in this coffee maker which will provide you great value for the money.
Tops 55704 Rapid Brew Stovetop Coffee Percolator
What happens if your electric coffee maker does not work for some reason like a power outage? This is when-this old-fashioned non-electric Rapid Brew coffee percolator can still make up to 9 cups which means you can obviously serve a flavourful pot to small to mid-sized groups without having any issue.
Sometimes people misunderstand the value of a product of quality but in reality, some appliances of lesser quality are sold on the market with high price tags. But, this coffee maker is an exception to this and the first and most important thing you will appreciate is its price considering what values you are receiving. Even though it looks like a pot out of your grandmother’s cabinet but it works perfectly.
It’s not the easiest to use either and has a learning curve to perfect your cup. You should neither overboil, nor overfill coffee grounds or the pot will start leaking. Once you get a hang of it, however, there’s no denying that it’d brew you a pot to challenge any electric brewer.
Another noticeable plus point is its flat bottom – which makes it compatible across all types of stovetops, including induction cooktops and ranges as well. However, you need to make sure that the burner is exactly the size of the bottom.
If not, the flame will escape the bottom, and end up boiling the water, handle and your hand in the process.
It’s made quite well, with premium 18/8 stainless steel. However, the top part contains glass and it offers a peek into the coffee being brewed. It’s lovely but it may break if you aren’t careful. The good news is that replacement tops are readily available for a cheaper price.
What’s the Bottom Line?
You no longer have to go without coffee on your adventures. Simply pack Rapid Brew Stovetop Coffee Percolator and you’d be good to go. Convenient to use, clean, and brew, this one is pretty affordable too.
Bialetti Elegance Venus 6 cup – Best Portable Induction Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
Bialetti has nearly 100 years of reputation for serving flavourful and rich aroma coffee as good as Italian coffee. For meeting the customer request, Bialetti released their latest top of the line models, Venus Espresso Coffee Maker, which is entirely made up of high-grade stainless steel that includes internal parts funnel & filter plate too and looks elegant. Thus, this appliance is built to last for longer.
The brewing capacity of this pot is 6 cups which enables you to make Italian-style coffee on any stovetop perfectly for a small-sized family or for ‘sippin’ stovetops’ with your best friends. So, you could easily impress your guests or family members.
Though they have improved previous version issues, Venus is still not dishwasher-safe. And, this isn’t a deal-breaker because cleaning becomes easy as the stainless steel parts are pretty easy to disassemble. So, hassle on cleaning it.
The popularity and demand of this coffee maker is everywhere because it can brew a pot of strong, flavourful, consistent coffee in a few minutes. In order to use it leak-free, follow the user manual instructions without a hitch
However, you need to make sure you follow the instructions without a hitch. Failing to do so will result in a leaking pot – serving burnt, bitter coffee.
As the stovetop coffee maker is portable, You can even go on camping trips without any issue and still enjoy the best espresso. However, if you’re using this over a campfire, be careful not to have the handle directly over the flame because it is made of wood.
But, you can use the insulated handle of the stovetop without having to worry about burning yourself when pouring because it can resist high temperatures.
If you are looking for a top of the line espresso maker under budget, then look no further, just go for it.
What’s the Bottom Line?
For making great testing coffee, if you are looking for a smart, classier, and more elegant design under an affordable budget than the Kitty, then Bialetti Venus would satisfy your needs.
Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
Due to the popularity of drip coffee machines, many of us have no idea how to make Moka pot brewing such a rich stovetop espresso. Even some people thought Moka pot is used by only old-fashioned minded people but in reality, the popularity of Moka pot is worldwide and there is nothing surprising if you find it in Kenya to Switzerland.
Since we are far behind in using Moka pot compared to the rest of the world, it is often harder not only for an amateur buyer but also for many coffee snobs to pick the best Moka pot. That is why read this information-packed buying guide which will guide you to find the best appliance under the budget and eliminate the risk of costly mistakes.
Manual vs Electric
There are both types of Moka pots available in the market and both have their pros and cons.
Manual Moka pots require your direct monitoring as you would need to carefully maintain optimum temperature and grind size and so you require some sort of experience or you would go through a learning curve.
Electric Moka pot, however, is easier to operate when compared with a manual Moka pot. For electric Moka pot operation, you just need to connect the plug with the correct rating power source and you can easily maintain temperature using a temperature regulator much like an electric kettle. So, you only have to ensure perfect grind size.
Stainless Steel vs Aluminium
When people are coming to buy Moka pot, they often become confused about which material Aluminum VS Stainless Steel is good for them. In fact, both are suitable for making delicious coffee, but the two materials have differences as well.
Since the material has a great impact on product quality, function, and durability, a lot to consider when deciding between a stainless steel and aluminum model to meet your expectations.
Most people, however, prefer stainless steel for their kitchen appliances as it is non-porous, non-corrosive, and more durable, unlike aluminum, hence it has prolonged life.
So, before buying confirm pure stainless steel models otherwise, stainless steel models do corrode.
Aluminum pots, on the other hand, are easier to shape the metal, faster, inexpensive, and more efficient in heat transfer. That is why they are better at conducting heat and take nearly half the time taken by stainless steel models to brew great-tasting coffee. But the flip side- Aluminum is a somewhat porous metal and has super tiny holes along its surfaces. Often, coffee particles and oils get stuck over time in the holes.
Stovetop Compatibility
When you come to choose a perfect Moka pot for your kitchen, ensure the appliance is stovetop compatibility based on which type of stovetops you have. Stovetops are from gas to radiant to halogen, ceramic, electric, and induction cooktops. Because all models have not been made with stove top compatibility.
It is better to confirm the brewer comes with a flat bottom and assurance from the manufacturer if you want to use it on the cooktop.
Capacity
Since every manufacturer does not follow a standard cup measurement, so it is not suitable to make decisions based on the number of cups advertised.
Let me explain.
The cup size advertised by Bialetti does not hold more than 2 ounces which is equivalent to one cup as per Italian standard but for most of us, one cup is 8 ounces.
If you do not want to be surprised with the measurement, do your math yourself as only you know how large a mug you use, and call it a cup!
Country of Origin
Only performance and quality are the criteria for choosing a perfect stovetop espresso but when it comes from Italy which gives more trust as Italians are known worldwide for their skills with espressos, and time and again they’ve proven a track record of making the best ones on the market.
Warranty
Warranty is one of the key factors to consider when buying a Moka pot as different models have different periods of warranty. In most cases, it is reasonable to expect a warranty of at least 2 years.
Cuisinox Roma, for example, is a relatively expensive unit but it comes with an incredible 25-year warranty. So, it eliminates qualitative doubt.
Cleaning
Stainless steel made coffee maker is generally dishwasher safe and easy to clean as
need only a rinse or two after each use.
Since Moka pots, aka stovetop brewers, have a bottom water chamber, middle ground chamber, and top coffee chambers and a gasket are placed between every two chambers, it is necessary to disassemble for perfect cleaning.
It seems a lot of work but it is easier to clean than that of a drip coffee maker.
FAQ: Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker
Can You Make Espresso In A Moka pot?
The same question may also be asked as does Moka pot a real espresso? Before going to answer this question, another question comes in my mind: why do people always ask this question repeatedly?
Moka pot is also known as Stovetop Espresso maker which is the reason behind many people becoming confused whether a Moka pot can make true espresso with cream or not.
Unfortunately, Moka pot can not brew real espresso but it can produce strong solid coffee reselbmes espresso.
In fcat, Moka pot makes coffee using high pressure and temperature to extract flavor from coffee grounds just following the same formula of espresso maker.
So, what makes Moka pot different from espresso maker is that Moka pot creates maximum pressure about 1.5 bar which is nine times lower than an espresso maker does. On the other hand, Moka pot has not been designed to build up pressure more than that pressure and an safety valve is included to release if excessive pressure builds up to prevent explod of Moka pot.
On the flip side, an espresso maker can build much higher pressure because it includes arrangement (pump) for developing higher pressure and it is capable of handling higher pressure without any risk.
In summary, Moka pot is a great coffee maker that is capable of brewing high quality espresso like coffee but could not produce real espresso.
How Does a Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker work?
Moka pot is a proven coffee maker that can brew excellent cups of coffee in a cost-effective manner.
There are three chambers consisting of a traditional Stovetop Espresso maker, namely the lower, middle, and upper chambers. The bottom chamber contains primarily water and the middle chamber stores coffee grounds and the top chamber is for the final product means brewed coffee.
It needs to use an external heat source to brew Moka pot coffee, either electrical or stovetop.
When this Moka pot is placed on the stovetop and starts heating water in the bottom chamber, water generates steam pressure with the temperature rise. Eventually, this pressure pushes steam and water up that bottom chamber, through the coffee grounds to extract the flavor of the coffee ground in the middle chamber to the top chamber to produce the desired delicious cup of espresso-like coffee.
In fact, the pressures develop maximum pressure around 1.5 bars which is nine times lower than what an espresso maker does and there is a pressure safety valve integrated with Moka pot to release pressure if excessive pressure builds up to prevent Moka pot from exploding.
Can You Use Moka Pots on Induction Hobs?
People often ask this question when going to buy a Moka pot for their kitchen. As you know, Moka pot is an old-school method of brewing coffee but it is still effective and capable of brewing espresso coffee.
Initially, no doubt the moka pots were made with aluminum and designed to work on gas stoves but this brewing method is getting more popular day by day and people love to use the Moka pot in the kitchen with different types of heat source.
Thus, the answer is absolutely yes! You can use Moka pot on induction hobs.
If you want to use a Moka pot on an induction hob in your kitchen, you must buy a Moka pot suitable for the purpose and the diameter fits for your kitchen, and pay attention to Moka pot material (It is supposed to be ferromagnetic steel).
What Do You Require For Making Moka Pot Espresso coffee?
Moka pot is an inexpensive alternative to an expensive espresso makers that can make espresso-like coffee with crema. Even better, it does not require many things to brew espresso at home. Here are the things you required
- Coffee Grinder (Manual or Automatic Burr grinder)
- Espresso cup
- Individual thermos
- Measuring cup
The 9 Essential Parts Of A Moka Pot
Like any coffee machine, Moka pot is also made up of various parts and performs different functions to help brewing great coffee. Here we’re going to see different parts of the Moka pot and know exactly what they do.
Water Tank
Water tanks basically store water which will be used during coffee brewing. There are small to large capacity water tanks available from different manufacturers.If you choose a large water tank, the water refilling frequency will be less.
Coffee Tank
Coffee tank is an reseouver stay on the top of Moka pot and it collects liquid coffee. Coffee tank size may vary based on Moka pot design.
Handle
All Moka pots considered handled with the Moka pot for comfortable handling means placing the Moka pot on stovetop or pouring hot coffee after brewing coffee.And, the handle is made of thermally insulating material so anyone can use the moka without the risk of burning.
It is important to pick the ergonomic design handle for easy handling besides insulation.
Cover
Cover is used to keep the coffee inside the Moka pot and the coffee could not come out of the moka pot. And, you can open the cover if you require to check if all the liquid has come out.
Safety Valve
The most critical element for the safety of the Moka pot is located in the water tank. The main function of this valve is to release excessive pressure to prevent explosion. Keep in mind that the water should be precisely filled in the water tank otherwise the safety valve will not work if the water is filled too far.
Knob
It is positioned above the lid and should be insulated and easy to grasp, enabling you to open it without the risk of burning.
Seal
Seals are usually made of rubber or silicone that acts as a separator between the filter and the funnel. And, seals need a change from time to time as seals leaks cause a poor taste of coffee.
Funnel
The funnel is the place where the ground coffee is placed. From the bottom, the water rises.
Filter
It’s one of the most important parts to ensure a great taste of the coffee. The filter is placed between the tank and the funnel to prevent the coffee grounds from mixing with the drink. However, if the filtration is bad, you can find grounds in your coffee cup.
A Few Final Words
Now, you have discovered the real power of using the best Moka pot that makes great-tasting coffee with little effort.
So do it right, mindfully choose the best stovetop espresso maker, enjoy your brewing and celebrate your newfound love!