Which stovetop espresso maker is best

The reason there has been so little change to the design and functionality is a tribute to the simplicity of the brewing alongside the unique flavour profile that stovetops produce. My first experience with a Moka coffee maker was while I was working on a farm in Australia, sharing a room with a couple of Italians.

Moka pots work by adding water to the bottom chamber before resting a funnel-shaped basket on top-loaded with ground coffee. The upper chamber is then screwed on tight so no water can escape. When the coffee has finished pouring into the upper chamber the mechanism is removed from the heat and the rich, velvety coffee can be enjoyed.

If you want to learn more about how to make a Moka pot then check out our guides. The design of some Moka pots make them great for electric hobs. Robust and hard wearing, Moka pots are perfect to take camping.

Just a couple of things to keep in mind first There are normally two choices in the material of Moka pots: Aluminium or stainless steel. The original Bialetti Moka pot was made of aluminium while still today it is cast in anodised aluminium, many others are made from stainless steel.

There are pros and cons of each, aluminium is light and conducts heat but it is also corrosive and will stain easily. Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean but is heavy and often costs more. Cup sizes in Stovetop coffee pots are normally measured as 50ml per cup this does vary with the brand and model. Make sure the Moka pot that you purchase will work on your heat source.

Check Price on Amazon. The undisputed champion of stove top coffee pots is Bialetti and rightly so they invented them. Today the Bialetti Moka Express is very similar to what it was when it was invented. The famous octagonal base and the aluminium body has been caffeinating the world for the best part of a century. Based on what you are looking for in a Moka pot will depend on whether the Bialetti is right for you. If you are a purist and the heritage and traditions of Moka coffee really float your boat then a Bialetti Moka Express is for you.

The Moka Express is also non-compatible with induction hobs. However, the simplicity and the history behind the Moka Express is definitely a selling point. If you do own an induction hob and you have your heart set on one of these then there is now the induction heat saucer that will act as a traditional electric stove.

Does the Bialetti tick your boxes? Check price on Amazon. Capacity : 1 Cup 70ml , 3 Cup ml , 6 Cup ml , 10 Cup ml. Stove Compatibility : Gas, Electric, Induction. He wanted to give the coffee maker something different that other stovetops lacked and to work on the issues that others faced. First of all the style and design of this stovetop is different from others.

The large base allows for maximum heat and stability on your hob. The pourer is designed not to drip and one of the most impressive features is the lever lock handle that secures the Moka pot into place. The last point is particularly significant because screwing most Moka pots together is certainly a source of frustration for home coffee brewers.

Because of the heat and pressure needed to make a stovetop coffee the parts need to be screwed together extremely tight. Some recipes also call for water to be added to the bottom chamber hot which is always a tricky manoeuvre. The Alessi solves this problem by using the handle which also functions as a clip that secures the chambers together tight enough with ease. At a fairly high price for a Moka pot, you are paying for something a little different and the robust structure. Capacity: 4 Cup ml , 6 Cup ml , 10 Cup ml.

Although it sells at a higher price point that the Bialetti, it appears to be built to last even longer. Our third moka pot is also a Bialetti I told you they were known for these! The Venus is their newer, sleeker model that is slightly more expensive but built from stainless steel instead of aluminum. Despite its new design, this moka pot does not lose any of its ability to produce high quality coffee, brewing an espresso-like beverage that is every bit as good as the original Bialetti moka pot.

If the classic Bialetti is the workhorse of moka pots, the Alessi Espresso Maker is the king. This moka pot has a minimalistic, modern design and is built from stainless steel. The design is so famous that is has been enshrined in the Museum of Modern Art! This moka pot makes 6 full espresso cups of coffee at a time.

Owing to its superior construction and stronger seal against its edges with a snapping, locking mechanism that a twisting one, this moka pot produces a much cleaner, richer cup of coffee than does any of the previously discussed moka pots. The superior stainless steel construction also ensures that the body will never rust or corrode like its aluminum counterpart. However, the moka pot is also not your typical plain Jane coffee either, being much stronger and more potent.

The brands that make pre-ground coffee for Moka pots, such as Lavazza and Segafredo, are the same ones that produce espresso blends. Although the coffee that comes out of a stovetop percolator can sometimes lack a bit of depth and flavor, it can be improved by following these small hacks:. When the o-ring starts cracking or gets too disgusting it should be replaced. Generally speaking, however, darker roasts work best to get the strong flavor most people look for from a Moka pot.

This is primarily because these roasts have less acid. The quick brewing used in espresso can make the taste too bright and sour if you use a lighter roast. Espresso refers to the process used for brewing, not the coffee itself. Aluminum is the traditional metal used in Moka pots.

This was largely out of necessity; Italy had an embargo on stainless steel when Bialetti was designing his invention. Coffee measurements can be confusing. The number of cups listed on a stovetop espresso machine is not equivalent to the US measurement. Demitasse cups are the small cups used to serve espresso in coffee shops. Table of Contents. Bellemain Espresso Maker. Primula Aluminum Espresso. Author: Jessica Simms.

Updated: October 1, Top 20 Stovetop Espresso Makers. Bellemain Stovetop Espresso Maker. Key Features:. Octagonal shape provides more even heat Sturdy aluminum build No metallic taste Safety valve prevents overheating Easy to use and clean Lightweight for its size. More Details:. Brand: Bellemain Weight: 1. Elegant design with beautiful chrome finish Durable stainless steel construction Multi-use functionality Safety valve and heat-resistant handle Dishwasher safe.

Brand: Bonstato Inc. Weight: 2. Lightweight aluminum construction Flip-top lid with temperature-resistant knob Pressure release valve Easy and safe to use and pour Compact design. Brand: Primula Weight:. Bialetti Express. Brews in less than 5 minutes Patented Bialetti safety valve Traditional octagonal shape Comfortable handle gives your hand more space 2-year warranty. Brand: Bialetti Weight: 1.

Grosche Milano Stovetop. Made in Italy Attractive design Large handle minimizes the risk of burns Italian-style safety valve Silicone gasket maintains pressure and prevents leaks.

Brand: Grosche Weight:. Ridged handle more comfortable to pour Cool-touch bakelite handle and knob Super portable design Durable, lightweight aluminum construction Can be used on any stovetop. Primula PES Comfortable oversized handle Knob allows one-handed pouring Can use on both gas and electric stovetops Durable build Dishwasher safe.

Brand: Primula Weight: 1. Narce Stovetop Espresso. Includes safety valve and burn guard Beautiful finish and accents Fits most cooktops, including camping stoves Octagonal top for better taste Soft touch silicone handle.

Brand: Narce Weight: 1. Ilsa Stovetop Espresso Maker. Wide berth between handle and pot Allows for one-handed pouring Can be washed in the dishwasher Long-lasting Silicone gasket prevents leaks Made in Italy. Godmorn Stovetop Espresso. Sanded handle with an ergonomic curve High-density filter minimizes grinds in your brew Resists rust and corrosion Dishwasher safe Beautiful high-polish exterior Easy-pour handle and knob.

Brand: Godmorn Weight: 1. Vremi Stovetop Espresso. Attractive black finish Quick-brewing Wide ridged handle Can be used even on small burners and cooktops Easy-grip handle. D'Ottavio, by the way, won the UK Brewers Cup competing against all manner of manual brewers, so don't think these humble little devices aren't every bit as capable as any pour-over, drip, or press out there.

It turns out that for all but induction stovetops, aluminum is the most convenient, with the concession that it's not dishwasher safe, and it is corrosive so you'd better clean it. We asked D'Ottavio to instruct us on exactly how to use a Moka pot as flawlessly as possible and what to look for to confirm we'd achieved the right results: an even, steady delivery of coffee somewhere around to degrees Fahrenheit 70 to 75 degrees celsius.

In our testing, we tried out six different devices and brewed coffee with each three times. Each time, we noted the following:. Ease of use: Using every Moka pot was fairly easy, though we noticed that the threading on stainless-steel models made them a little tougher to put together than that on the aluminum ones.

Consistency: As well as stainless steel might work on induction stovetops, it was much more difficult to get a quick and predictable cup brewed. Aluminum was fast as can be, and after getting used to dialing the stovetop setting, which can vary based on the thickness of the aluminum and the size of the Moka pot, we were able to achieve what we wanted with reasonable consistency with every model we tested — something you might have a lot harder of a time achieving with an espresso machine.

We considered how difficult it was to have the coffee brew at the right temperature and pace so that it wasn't completely burned or spewing all over the place. Quality of materials: All in all, the Moka pots we tested performed fairly similarly, but the quality of the materials varied, which will impact longevity. While thinner, cheaper aluminum models work very well, it's easy to bend the funnel and filter that holds the ground coffee. We also took note of the handles of each model we tested and were not impressed with how many models included cheap and all-too-easy-to-melt plastic.

We leaned toward higher-quality materials in recommending our overall pick but made a concession with our budget pick because, as we stated above, we came across many popular options that were essentially of the same quality. We also took note of the gasket, which creates a seal between the coffee collector the upper chamber , the filter basket or funnel, and the boiler or heating vessel at the bottom and creates pressure.

There are two common materials used for these, but we learned from D'Ottavio that a silicone seal is preferred to a rubber one because it creates a better seal and lasts a lot longer. The most important thing to look for is whether the pot is made from aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum conducts heat faster and brews faster, but it's not corrosion-resistant, nor is it dishwasher safe. Still, it's D'Ottavio's preferred material for gas and electric stoves thanks to its speed and relative ease of use.

On the other hand, stainless steel is dishwasher-safe, but it takes a while to heat up and retains heat for a much longer time which can lead to burnt grounds. Other considerations you'll want to take into account are the handle plastic or heat-resistant metal or silicone and the gasket rubber or silicone. If you're the type of person who tends to neglect things on the stove for even a minute or two, a plastic handle might not last long in your kitchen.

And if you use your Moka pot regularly, consider models with a silicone gasket as opposed to a rubber one, which is going to give way far quicker. One thing you'll need to make the Moka pot shine, as with any brewing method, is a good burr grinder or a nearby barista willing to freshly grind your beans for you.

While both coffee-brewing methods rely on pressure, espresso occurs somewhere between five and 10 bars of pressure depending on whom you ask and the pressure a Moka pot achieves is, optimally, somewhere between one and one-and-a-half bars of pressure. Because of this, the grind size for Moka pots is typically a little coarser, and, according to Matteo D'Ottavio , the UK Brewers Cup Champion, should be between espresso very fine and drip coffee medium-fine grounds.

He wouldn't give us a particular size, measured in micrometers or microns, but we find somewhere around microns will do the trick with a medium-roast coffee. Along with D'Ottavio, we also recommend you go up in size for dark roast and down in size for light roast. Note: These are general guidelines, and different coffees may require adjustment depending on your palate. The imperative thing is to get it dry and keep it dry after use. According to UK Brewers Cup champion Matteo D'Ottavio, the best way to clean a Moka pot is to take apart the entire thing, including the screen and gasket, and soak it or wash it with water and a little white vinegar.

If it gets really bad as in, if you find you've left grounds or water in it for days or longer on end , fill a large bowl with some mild dish detergent, disassemble the whole thing, and soak it until things loosen up. Once it's clean, keep everything apart and store the parts loosely piled atop each other to prevent mold and allow for airflow. Filter plate: The metal filter that goes between the gasket and the coffee collector, or the top part.

Gasket: The silicone or rubber piece that goes between the filter cup and the metal filter to create a seal for pressurizing. Safety valve or purge valve: The opening in the boiler that allows excess pressure to escape. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here.