BIALETTI MOKA EXPRESS REVIEW: STILL A STOVETOP CLASSIC

Bialetti’s Moka Express was the original Moka pot, and nearly 100 years later, it’s still going strong!

Brewing espresso at home can be very rewarding, but it can also be expensive and complicated. A great alternative to a fancy espresso machine is an old-school Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker.

This easy-to-use and time-tested device makes a strong shot of coffee that approaches the intensity and body of espresso – with none of the associated challenges.

The Bialetti Moka Express was the first Moka pot, and in my opinion, it’s still the best. In this Moka pot review, I’ll tell you what to expect from this iconic Italian brewer and why it’s one of my favorite ways to make coffee at home (and on the road).

The Full Bialetti Moka Pot Coffee Maker Review

The Bialetti Moka Express was invented way back in 1933, and it remains a beloved classic. Today, you’ll find one in nearly every Italian home, and it even has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most popular coffee maker (1). It’s easy to see why; it is simple to use, brews fantastic coffee, and is a bargain to boot.

What Is The Bialetti Moka Express?

The Bialetti Moka Express is a stovetop espresso maker. In fact, it’s the original stovetop espresso maker, invented by Alfonso Bialetti to make espresso at home more accessible to the masses (2). 

It consists of three parts. A lower chamber holds water, a filter basket of ground coffee sits above it, and an upper chamber fills with brewed coffee. When placed on a stovetop, steam pressure builds and drives the heated water through the coffee grounds, a concept similar to an espresso machine.

The coffee it brews will never match the signature espresso flavor and consistency because it lacks adequate pressure. An electric espresso maker uses a powerful pump and dense coffee puck to hit 9 bars of extraction pressure, while the steam pressure in a Moka pot only hits about 1.5 bars. Even the Bialetti Brika, which adds an extra pressurized valve, still can’t achieve true espresso status.

This is not a critique. I happen to love Moka pot coffee on its own merits. I just want to make sure you go in with your eyes wide open so you’re not disappointed when your Bialetti doesn’t live up to the espresso shots from your local coffee shop.

How To Use The Bialetti Moka Express

Moka pots have a reputation for producing bitter or burnt coffee, but in my experience, that has more to do with the method of brewing coffee than the design of the device.

You can find all the details in our how-to article, but here’s a quick primer on how I brew with my 6 cup Bialetti:

1. Add filtered water to the bottom chamber to the level of the safety release valve, then cap it with the filter.
2. Add 30 grams of freshly ground coffee beans to the filter. I use finely ground coffee, just slightly coarser than I would when making espresso. There is no need to tamp the coffee.
3. Screw on the top chamber, and place the Moka pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
4. I like to brew with the lid open. Once I see coffee start to emerge, I cut the heat on the burner. A gurgling sound indicates the coffee is ready. 
5. Remove the Moka pot from the stove and pour the coffee immediately.

The Moka Express is a wonderfully forgiving coffee maker, which is part of its appeal. Unlike espresso or pour over, you don’t need everything perfectly dialed in. When I take my Moka Express camping, I just scoop pre-ground coffee to fill the basket and set it on the camp stove. It might not be quite as good as the cups I make at home, but it’s still tasty coffee.

Does The Moka Express Work On An Induction Cooktop?

The more common aluminum Moka pot doesn’t work on induction cooktops, but Bialetti sells a stainless steel version of the Moka Express that does. So make sure you shop accordingly. Alternatively, the elegant steel Bialetti Venus Moka Pot also works on induction stoves.

Don’t Skip The Cleaning And Maintenance Needs

A pervading myth about Moka pots is that you shouldn’t clean them with soap and water. Perhaps your grandmother told you that it was important to “season” your Bialetti with old coffee residue. This isn’t true. 

You can get away with just rinsing your Moka Express some mornings, but I suggest giving it a proper soapy scrub at least a few times a week. One downside to that beautiful ridged design is that it can be a challenge to get all the coffee grime out of the corners, but your effort is worth it. Rancid coffee oils do not make for good “seasoning,” I promise.

For Bold Coffee Lovers Only

The Bialetti Moka Express makes coffee that falls somewhere between traditional drip coffee and espresso. Expect a full-bodied brew with a ton of flavor, similar to coffee from a French press

If you find the coffee too strong, do as I do and dilute it with a bit of hot water (or warm milk), as if you were making an Americano.

What’s The Best Coffee For A Moka Pot?

Because Moka Express brews such a flavorful cup, it isn’t the best choice for brewing acidic light roasts. The same coffee that tastes bright and fruity when made as a pour over might taste overly sour when prepared in the Moka pot.

I’d recommend sticking to sweeter medium and dark roasts. I usually look for coffees with tasting notes like chocolate, caramel, or nuts. Given that the Moka pot is a traditional Italian brewer, consider trying a retro-style Italian coffee blend like Illy.

A Style Icon Like No Other

The classic octagonal design of the Moka Express is instantly recognizable, distinguishing the Bialetti brand from a host of imitators. 

As one of few coffee makers (along with the Chemex drip coffee maker) to hold a place in the Museum of Modern Art, it’s certainly worthy of a prominent display spot on your coffee bar (3). It’s available in an ever-changing array of colors and patterns, so you can find the perfect one to match your decor.

Quality Materials And Italian Expertise

Bialetti has been manufacturing Moka pots since 1933, so they have a pretty good grasp of the process. These made-in-Italy devices are beautifully put together and virtually indestructible. The eventual fault point is the inevitable breakdown of the rubber gasket between the two chambers, which can easily be replaced.

As I mentioned earlier, the Moka Express is available in aluminum or stainless steel, and each has pros and cons. 

The aluminum version is the original and remains my personal favorite. It’s lightweight and inexpensive, and after considerable research, I’m confident it poses no risks to my health (4),(5).

The best reason to buy the stainless steel espresso maker is if you have an induction cooktop. But you might also consider a steel Moka pot if you’re concerned about the health effects of aluminum.

The Size Options And What They Really Mean

The Bialetti Moka Express coffee maker is available in more sizes than any other brand of Moka pot – everything from a tiny 1-cup option to a massive 12-cup behemoth. Keep in mind that “cups” here do not refer to an 8-ounce baking cup or a 5-ounce coffee cup. A Moka pot “cup” is 2 ounces, essentially a double shot.

When I’m brewing a single serving with a Moka pot, I generally use my 3-cup model to make 6-ounces of coffee, which I then dilute with another 2 ounces of hot water to make an Americano-style drink.

Is The Bialetti Worth Its Price?

The Bialetti Moka Express isn’t the cheapest Moka pot on the market. You can expect to pay around $50 for a 6-cup model. I’ll admit, I think you’re paying somewhat of a premium for the brand name. But you’re also paying for a high-quality product made in Italy by a company with a century-long legacy of making Moka pots. In my opinion, that’s probably worth spending a bit more to avoid a budget brand mass-produced in China.

Setting aside comparisons, $50 is an excellent deal for a brewer that quickly and conveniently makes a delicious cup of coffee (6). The quality of the coffee it produces easily surpasses other coffee machines at this price. 

Don’t Buy The Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker If…

• You want a hands-off Moka pot: Making the best coffee with the Moka Express requires you to be present at the stove. If you just want a brew that you can set and forget, consider an electric Moka pot like the DeLonghi EMK Alicia Moka Pot. It brews your coffee then automatically switches to a keep warm mode while you finish your other morning tasks.

• You want something more affordable: Cheap Moka coffee pots are everywhere, and most of them aren’t even worth their low price. But the Grosche Milano is an exception, making it my pick for the best budget stovetop pot of the year.

• You prefer a cleaner cup: If you want a strong cup of coffee similar to a Moka pot but with the lighter body of a paper-filtered brew, turn to the Aeropress. Like the Moka pot, it uses pressure to create a more robust cup, but the paper filter and milder brewing conditions yield a less intense coffee.

• You want to make real espresso: For stovetop espresso that actually hits the pressure required to pull a real shot of espresso, check out the unique Bellman Stovetop Espresso Maker. It includes a tiny boiler and even an integrated steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos.

The Verdict

The Bialetti Moka Express stovetop coffee maker is a great way to introduce espresso coffee and cafe-style coffee drinks to your home without blowing your budget on a serious espresso machine. After all, the millions of Italians who use one every day can’t all be wrong!

I love the Bialetti Moka Express for its wonderfully flavorful coffee, simple operation, and affordable price point. The fact that it’s a cool piece of modern art to add to my kitchen is just the cherry on top.

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