If you’re shopping for a premier coffee maker, you may have considered a Moka pot. That said, you need to know the correct cup size for your stovetop espresso maker. For example, do you live alone, or do you have a multi-person household where everyone needs a morning cup of coffee? Luckily, we can help. Read this guide to learn what size Moka pot to get for your home or office.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- A Moka pot is a stovetop coffee maker that brews espresso-like cups of coffee.
- While sizes vary, most Moka pot manufacturers offer a 3-cup to 12-cup brew chamber.
- Go with a coffee chamber that is slightly larger than your average needs. That way, you won’t find yourself without extra coffee for a surprise guest.
How Many Cups of Coffee Should My Moka Pot Make?
Depending on how many coffee drinks you want per day, you need a Moka espresso machine to meet your needs. While you can brew coffee multiple times for more servings, stovetop coffee makers aren’t the most convenient source of delicious coffee.
Insider Tip
Go with a Moka pot that is one size above what you plan on typically serving. That way, you won’t need to brew multiple rounds to serve a guest or two.
That said, manufacturers measure a Moka pot in espresso-style coffee sizes or two ounces of coffee. So, for example, when you see a stovetop brewer with a 6-cup pot, know it makes about 1.5 traditional cups of coffee.
Understand that you can still make exceptional coffee even without all the supplies. For example, read this guide on how to make coffee without a coffee filter.
Standard Sizes of Moka Coffee Makers
Some people wonder why coffee makers are so big. Still, the reality is, manufacturers offer Moka pots in a variety of sizes. While there are 50-cup models, most Moka pots come in five common sizes: 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12-cup capacities. We recommend going with one size above what size Moka pot you think is necessary. That way, you won’t run out of coffee when a guest or two visits your home.
Warning
Coffee residue does not make your brew taste better or “season” the Moka pot. In fact, the debris is likely rancid and will ruin even the highest-quality beans.
F.A.Q.S
What’s the difference between Moka pot coffee and espresso?
While a Moka pot offers espresso-like coffee, it isn’t a true shot of espresso. For actual espresso, your coffee maker needs 9 bars of pressure on the coffee beans. Unfortunately, a Moka pot only offers about 1-1.5 bars.
How do you know when your Moka pot has finished brewing?
Once you hear a gurgling sound from the upper chamber of the Moka pot, you know the pot brew is finished. Take the coffee pot away from the heat source and run the base under cold water to lower the water temperature and stop the brewing process.
Should I start with cold or hot water?
Start with boiling water before placing your Moka brewer on the induction stove. Adding cold water to any coffee-brewing method will slow it down, and you might burn the coffee beans in the filter basket as the unit heats up. Burnt grounds produce a bitter coffee, especially if you’re brewing with dark roast ground coffee.
Why is my Moka pot coffee bitter?
The secret to a fresh coffee taste is high-quality bags of beans. In addition, you want to use a coarser grind size than you would in a drip coffee maker. Lastly, ensure that your Moka pot is clean before every brew because flavorful coffee is only possible in a well-maintained machine.
STAT: A survey from the Journal of Nutrition found that current or former smokers drink 15% more coffee on average than never-smokers. (source)
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