My grandma gave me a 20 yr old Cuban stovetop coffee maker (moka pot) when I went to study abroad. It served me well for 7 years but I had to throw it away a few months ago as it was starting to break down. I was wondering whether to “upgrade” to an espresso maker - but decided to stick with moka pots because I actually quite enjoy making coffee in the morning in it, it’s become a ritual. Yes, it’s slower, but not everything in life has to be fast and convenient… I bought a Bialetti:)
I have four, I have a very small aluminum one for travel, a regular sized one, and two of the stainless steel Venus pots, one for home, one for camping. I just love them.
What generally goes wrong with moka pots is that the rubber seal start leaking - especially if you aren't super careful to take it off the heat the second it's done. You can get more life out of the seal it by peeling it off with a butter knife, rinsing it off under the tap, & putting it back the other side up. You can also replace them for a lot cheaper than a new pot.
you are right. I bought my Bialetti moka pot in a Covid times but... I bought it because I wanted good coffer in a small, portable (I take my moka pot in all my vacations and longer trips), with guaranteed good outcome, which requires no maintenance and replacement for years to come. I am happy with my Bialetti. Coffee break for me is not a rush... It is really a break, have a break, enjoy the process of making coffee, enjoy the coffee... I am loving it.
I was introduced to the Moka pot by my Cuban-American girlfriend and we love it. It's incredibly versatile and portable and works great at home or while camping. One thing that's got me excited about the future of the Moka pot is that Cuban coffee has gotten a bit of a surge of popularity lately on TikTok, and Cuban coffee can only really be made with a Moka pot.
Woah, didn't know Cuban coffee is becoming popular on TikTok, that's super exciting! Glad you're a part of the moka pot gang, thanks for sharing here!!
My ex husband bought one of these years ago, but the coffee we were making in it would always turn out horrible. Turns out he left it when moving out. I learned how to use it from this video 😂 and the coffee is so good. I'm gonna stick with it now. Thank you. I can't believe I bought two or three coffee machines while I had this thing sitting in the closet.
Fun story about these coffee pots: When I lived in Australia, my friends got me one for my birthday. Well I quickly googled how to use one and then proceeded to use one for the next few weeks. Over this course of time I started sleeping horribly, getting really anxious, and just generally feeling really unwell. One day it finally occurred to me... I had been drinking 4-5 coffee sized cups of this per day. If it was normal coffee, coffee that a savage American would be use to it wouldn't be an issue. But because it's practically espresso, I had been having an absolutely absurd about of caffeine every. single. day.
It's just general caffeine sensitivity. Moka Pot is not even close to real espresso. My '4 cup' Bialetti requires 15g of coffee as supposed to most espresso double shot requiring 18-20g.
it’s crazy when you start to somewhat track and keep an eye on your daily intake huh? i recently got an apple watch after many years of analog watches, (had to throw that in there to show that i am of culture, and not swine), and i realized that by the end of the day i was consuming roughly 600-800mg of caffeine per day through various sources. i never feel jitters or anything except maybe once in a while, but i drank that much because i was a full time student, had two jobs, and STILL had time to be out with friends and enjoy my hobbies. i was LIVING. we’ll anyways, now i got a pretty good job working from home; moving up the bracket of financial well being, have a son, a wife, and just really just enjoy my music and time with family. so no more hard labor from me. i began to take notice of my health by tracking sleep, water intake, and caffeine intake and that’s when i really backed off the caffeine and only drink two cups a day, which would be around 390mg of caffeine. and i’m feeling the right amount of energy, and drinking more water. this was just a little story about opening your eyes to caffeine and thinking, goddamn!! and dialing it back a bit lol
Although aluminum is the traditional material, I prefer the stainless steel ones for two main reasons. 1) When water sits in the aluminum pot, it creates some sort of scum or gel-like goo if you don't get it dry or clean in a timely manner. Since you have to wait for the pot to cool down, this can be problematic if you forget until the next time you intend to use it. 2) Stainless steel works on an induction cooktop while aluminum will not. Some induction cooktops really give you total speed and control of temperature. Another upgrade is to use silicone gaskets instead of the old rubber gaskets. It's a mess if you burn the rubber accidentally while the whole thing got too hot or left on the stove too long.
Plus I don't have to worry about soap with the stainless steel one. I don't really know if that whole "no soap for aluminium moka pots" thing is a myth or not, but it's definitely not a problem for stainless steel.
I learned to make coffee with a moka pot in 2012, while in Italy. It has been my favorite brewing method since then. I am a bit of a coffee snob (though definitely not a pro like James Hoffman) and I have tried several home brewing options, including aeropress and french press. Moka pot makes my favorite coffee and is the most enjoyable ritual in my opinion.
I am from the Dominican Republic, and the Bialetti stove coffee maker is part of our tradition. I particularly own two. One that produces one cup, and a bigger one for whenever I have people coming over to my place.
Moka pots seem to be versatile appliances. We all appreciate the amount of visible dedication and hard work you’ve all exerted on all of your videos so far. May God bless you all the way.
@@john.premose No. The operation is totally different. The Moka pot is pressurized and thus extracts more oils, etc. in a fashion similar to an espresso machine.
Always use the lowest possible heat setting to brew your coffee but pay attention because the sound of the bubbles will be much lower when it is done. Takes more time and but the slower the process more flavor is extracted. And never leave the top part totally dry when brewing, it will overheat and the first coffee drops will kind of burn leaving a bad taste. Just a few drops of water are enough, I just rinse mine before using.
Thumbs up and all correct Hot tip, when Cleaning it out i turn the basket upside-down and let the tap water run through the nozzle into the upturned basket, this helps push out the used grounds, oh and then right side it running water through yet again to break down the grounds in the sink...winner winner chicken dinner. Key take aways, use low heat and keep it from overheating, keep it clean
Almost every Italian household I know uses a Moka. It's much more common than having an espresso machine at home. Since (espresso) coffee is ~ 1€ and widely available on almost every corner, there seems to be no need to have a big machine at home. The Moka is good enough for most Italians.
I bought one while staying in Italy earlier this year. I stopped drinking coffee from my fully automatic machine. It takes more time but is wayyyy more fun and I drink a lot less coffee (which is kinda good for me, too). Love my bialetti!
Haha yes I actually love that the process requires some effort. When I have a hard day, I often weigh in if it's hard enough to move my ass and make another batch of coffee.
Can confirm, Moka pots are easy to use and, while it involves a few steps, it is well worth it. Especially, if you combine it with some fresh beans that you buy from a boutique shop. The aroma is out of this world good. 1st type of coffee I make at home where I don't feel the need to add any sugar or cream.
I have 3 Bialetti Moka pots. One was my wife’s grandmothers we inherited after her death, another called the Crema model which has a built in plunger screen as the top to create that crema top of a traditional espresso, and a large moka pot for making more coffee at one time. Love these pots!
The first time I saw a Moka Pot was when I was at my Aussie friends house. Theirs was a variation of the Moka Pot that didn’t make use of the pot but had the spouts decanting the freshly brewed coffee directly into two ceramic espresso cups. The brewing process is always fascinating to watch as it is literally a mini stovetop coffee fountain show. Whenever I visited this lovely family, I’d always ask for a cup of coffee, mainly to watch the spectacle. My obsession with their Moka Pot made them gifted me a new one when they returned from their hometown down-under. It’s not the same as theirs as it was the traditional one that came with a pot. Still, I love it and it is one of the best few gifts that I’ve received. One seemingly magical thing about brewing with a Moka Pot is the aroma that accompanies the searing drips. Every time I use it my mom would not fail to praise the fragrance that filled our little apartment. I have tried French press and drip coffee but brewing with a Moka Pot seems to be the only way that makes the coffee sings.
I was never a big coffee drinker but would have a cappuccino if asked. I started to get cappuccino’s and was running to Starbucks almost daily. Once I realized how much it was costing I got a moka pot, hand grinder and frothed for the house. I spent less than $200 and noticed the savings instantly. I can now make a cappuccino in under 10 min and the results are way better than Starbucks because I’m using better coffee - mostly Lavazza’s Espresso blend, which I keep in a vacuum sealed canister. What I made was so good my wife wanted in on the act. At first, I made two back to back then I bought a larger moka pot so I can make a double batch at one time. Anyone what wants really good coffee doesn’t need an expensive machine. They can simply buy the right tools and a moka pot is definitely one.
The quality comes from how you make it not from a brand on a bag. I use the cheapest coffee from walmart and it tastes like starbucks sithout tne green watery bint on the cup.
I love my Bialettis because they actually offer replacement parts. How many coffee makers really offer that? I have 3 sizes of the Moka Express and cant imagine going with anything else, but it does take some effort to really nail your recipe down.
Great video! I'm a huge james hoffman fan, so I'm glad you didn't start beef with one of the most wholesome youtube creators :D Moka pot is honestly the best for making iced coffee. btw, if you start to hear gurgling, you left it on the heat for too long. You almost want to anticipate the gurgle and take it off just before for the best cup, otherwise you might get some coffee fines in your drink.
Bad gurgle had honestly ruined moka pots for me since before I got into learning more ab coffee. Always tasted burnt to me. I still need to try making a proper moka pot at some point tho, I'm curious to see what younger me was missing out on lol
All things considered, the Moka pot is probably the ideal way to make coffee at home. It is cheap, it lasts forever, the coffee product can be used to make all sorts of coffee drinks (probably the best way to make iced coffee), there is no waste (gardens love the coffee grounds) and there is a wide range of coffees you can buy that taste great and are not expensive. I can't think of any negatives. Every other method has negatives. Oh, if you are making coffee for a large party the Moka pot won't work.
Thanks for the video; it is very well-researched, presented and accurate. You have captured a fundamental concept many fail to identify and grasp about Italian culture: it is about elegance, the multi-sensory experience, a small, seemingly meaningless ritual you can enjoy at any time of the day in the privacy of your home either by yourself or joined by family, friends or guests. For me, brewing coffee with my Bialetti Moka pot in the morning is a sacred moment, and I would not trade it for the world; it effuses an invisible thick cloud of aromas that lingers in my kitchen for hours, which is simply divine. I often travel for work, and what is the first thing I pack in my luggage? My Bialetti Moka, my favourite espresso cup, Pellini or Illy coffee grounds and a small electric hot plate. Also, FYI: another reason Starbucks is rather unpopular in Italy is that Italians usually do not drink coffee on the go. We may drink water, soda or a milkshake on the go, but not coffee. It does not feel right to do so, I wish I could explain why! But I guess that is just another quirk of us crazy Italians!! Keep up the great work!
@@BM-rd4ms same. Pour over is my daily coffee. But yes I agree. The Moka pot is a lot of fun to use and it’s enjoyable to make some stovetop espresso for my friends :)
I absolutely LOVE my Bialetti! It's one of those items that you buy once and it gives you joy your whole life, as long as you take care of it. You'll have to change the rubber seal all 5-6 years and it'll be as good as new. Also NEVER wash your aluminium Bialetti with soap, it will destroy it! Only rinse it with cold or lukewarm water and you will be fine. The coffe stains in the Bialetti act as an insulation from the aluminium and you shouldn't worry about them. You can use a paper towel to get rid of them, but you don't need to and it won't effect the taste or hygiene of your coffe. If you first buy a Bialetti you also have to "cook it in", meaning you have to throw away the first 6-10 cups you cook, as they will tast of aluminium and won't be great at all. I only had to replace mine once, because my roommate decided to make a mokka and forgot about it.....half an our later the ground coffe inside turned to ash and the Bialetti was FUBAR. You should all get a Bialetti, it's the cheapes, most sustainable and most delicious way to make you coffe at home. After owning one for about 12 years, I even prefer it to coffe from really expensive espresso machines.
In Ukraine almost everybody has a moka pot kinda thing. We have 3: one old soviet, a cheap one we bought cause my husband forgot ours on the stovetop and the handle melted off, and finally we upgraded to a bialetti! It honestly makes the best coffee.
Great job researching the articles & info, the old ads, and timelines about this iconic coffee maker and putting this video together! Made me laugh a few times. :) I love my Bialetti and use it for that caffeine boost in the later part of the afternoon. It’s easy to use and have tried all the other “contraptions” like you said. Been to Italy many times and the Moka Pot is as ubiquitous as having a clock in the kitchen!
I have a small collection of both the Bialetti Moka and old Brikka pots. Initially I was going to use the Moka pot as a kind of stepping stone to an eventual Espresso machine. I couldn't afford the machine I wanted, so I've stuck with the Moka pot. Very happy with the coffee it produces, I will probably stay with the Bialetti. Use a heat diffuser, if using a gas stove. It prevents scorching the coffee and the resulting bitter taste. I've never had a bad coffee from the Bialetti.
Could you elaborate on the heat diffuser? I actually got an aeropress because my moka wasn't tasty when using my camping stove. Do you think I could just put my moka pot on a cast iron frying pan to diffuse the heat? Thank you
@@ginaslevinsky8906 Hello Gina. This is the very same heat diffuser I use: th-cam.com/video/0LDhC9wnKzc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=Rusty78609 The other advantage of using one, is it makes the Moka pot more stable by giving it a platform. Rather than trying to balance the pot on the trivet. This is a worse problem, when the pot is only a small 2 or 3 cup pot. The only disadvantage, is it does take a bit longer to make a cup of coffee. You could use an iron pan, but it will take a very long time to cool down and you could risk cracking it. A heat diffuser is very light weight, and once you remove the heat, it doesn't take that long for it to cool down. When I go to wash out the Moka pot, I first dry it with towel, then I heat the diffuser up for about 10 to 20 seconds, TURN OFF THE HEAT .... then place the Moka pot disassembled on the still-hot diffuser. The radiating heat, dries out any residual dampness in the pot. My theory is, it helps to prevent corrosion starting. Heat diffusers are very cheap to buy.
@@channelsixtysix066 Thank you so much for your reply! I'll look into getting a heat diffuser for myself. Great tip for quick drying of the moka pot too
got introduced to the Mokka pot while living in Italy can say it's really apart of the culture there. Just sitting down around the table with friends and family with an espresso and talking. It really felt like something that was used to encourage spending time and talking, while compared to the UK where we would just sit around a tv or playing games.
I bought a moka pot on a whim trying to make cuban coffee. I usually used a Keurig at the time and after a week of trying and failing at making Cafe Cubano i fell in love with my moka pot and I tossed the Keurig. I have found my way and all my family loves coming to my house for a cup or ask if I can bring my pot to their house when we have get togethers.
In south India, we have a similar coffee culture. It’s called filter coffee. We have stainless steel or brass brewers that are made of two compartments that fit on top of each other. The top vessel has tiny holes to let the coffee steep down. You just out your grounds in and pour hot water and wait 10-15 mins to brew. Similar to the mocha pot, you can choose any beans and grind them. There is no waste generated. It’s absolutely perfect.
funny you mention that, but in Italy,specifficaly Napoli, they have a cafettiera that looka exactly like that, calles cogoma. Now did it come to Italy from India or vice versa I don’t know.
I grew up with these little mashines, I was introduced to the wonderful taste and its still my favourite way of making coffee :) Can beat these things! They are easy to use, durable and stylish. Pure bliss
LOL I love that I came here to hear the tea(or coffee? hehe) about moka pots, as I have one sitting in my online cart, and I'm now leaving this video to purchase said moka pot.
I like the Moka pots. Better result, no waste, parts easy to replace . The coffee pods taste peculiar. I can make a good french press coffee but it takes 10 minutes plus and is fiddly to make sure undissolved grounds dont end up in your cup. These days i must restrict caffeine to one a day and coffee is a social thing to do so i drink most of my coffee out from the espresso machines in coffee places . Fortunately South Australia has a good coffee culture ( starbucks failed here) . Our tradition is Italian.
I’m obsessed with Bialetti and have over 50 of these. My very first, purchased in the 90’s has a date stamp of 1969. I swear the coffee out of this one tastes amazing!
No electronics, no moving parts. 'Nuf said. I've been daily driving a Bialetti for the last 25 years. We have a 6 cup for wifey and I and a 12 cup for the whole fam. I've replaced the odd gasket because I burnt it (too far away to hear the gurgle). And I once snapped a handle opening the big 12 cup. PSA, don't twist it from the handle. Other than that, it's been bomb-proof.
I have a Bialetti coffee pot and I love it. I'd had enough of espresso machines breaking down and this bad boy has given me zero issues in all the years I've owned it. The process is at least half the fun.
Yes!! I've been waiting for this, I love my morning ritual with my Moka pot! Having tried every which way of consuming coffee over the years (I had my own coffee shop) I STILL come back to my old faithful shiny thing of beauty. She has never failed me ❤
Right? I have tried pretty much every method, I even own a couple french presses and an expensive espresso machine, but if you ask me how do I brew coffee every morning the answer is my trusty and reliable Bialetti Moka Pot.
I have a 3 cup one, and I have a question. do you add water to the final product or drink what it makes? I feel like I want more to drink. Not that it’s not satisfying i just feel like it’s done so fast :(
@@omarmiranda6370 yes similarly to the way water or milk is added to espresso to make other drinks (though it's not as strong) Put some of your brewed coffee in the cup then fill the rest with water, voila! Adjust the ratios to suit your taste, add as much milk as you like.. don't be a heathen and add sugar though haha
@@arturoescorcia exactly! These things are as comforting as a grandmother's hug and would survive an apocalypse.. so thank goodness we'll still have good coffee when we're fighting off zombies
@@omarmiranda6370 I think a 3 cup is very small, but that depends on your own needs. If you add water to your cup you can convert your drink into a very well brewed americano
My daughter and I drink coffee everyday. I bought one of these Bialetti pots about a year ago. I bought the brand name Bialetti one unknowingly but knowingly bought a large one. I had no idea of it’s history. I just needed something after my French press broke. I like the Bialetti pot since it didn’t need electricity. The problem was (until I accidentally came across your channel) there was no instructions in the box when I bought it. So it’s sat in the closet for a year. So thank you for this video so I will be able to use this pot.
This is awesome, we're stoked our video could help ya out! It not needing to be plugged in is such a perk. Glad you're getting some use out of that thing now 😁 Thanks for sharing!
I bought a moka pot about 10 years ago now and it became my favourite way to brew coffee I like moka pots a lot! So much so that I have given them out as gifts to friends that like coffee
I have so many coffee makers. I have two moka pots, a big one and a small one. I have multiple pour over drippers, a Vietnamese Phinn, multiple french presses, a nice automatic drip machine, an aeropress, and an espresso machine. I also have a nespresso machine that a friend gave me. I like coffee.
Moka pot - always. I have 3 in various sizes. I wouldn’t bother using anything else to brew coffee. They’re inexpensive (mine are unbranded supermarket models, rather than Bialettis) They last forever, just needing the neoprene seals replacing occasionally. Personally I prefer Lavazza Rosso ground coffee - I have tried others, but Lavazza offers good value, is readily available, and I’ve always liked the flavour.
They're unbeatable! We're into supporting local roasters in our area, but we understand that's not always the most affordable option. Thanks for sharing, Simon, we love getting input in the comments 🤗
@@rk28984 totally agree with you on Illy - I did buy it occasionally when it was on special offer, but I find the flavour a little meh. Kimbo isn’t readily available where I live, but I enjoy it when I find a coffee shop that sells it. Same for ‘local roasts’ there aren’t any! It’s instant, Costa, Starbucks or McDonalds around here - which is why I’m always glad to see Lavazza at my local supermarket!
Get a grinder and beans. Much better than grounded coffee also in the moka pot. Even a 30€ grinder is a noticeable upgrade. And even cheap beans are a noticeable upgrade.
I absolutely love bialetti moka pots and the ritual that comes with it. The only downside to me is that you can't make less or more than the format of your pot allows. Stopping your brew earlier = very strong coffee (ristretto). If you need more coffee, you need to wait for it to cool down before you can make another pot, so you need to buy different sizes for when you're alone or have visitors
Here in Italy Bialetti is mostli known for the moka, I never ever saw a Bialetti pod (the Nespresso ones are pretty widespread). I recently changed my moka for the new one which is induction compatible, but my old one is decades old and functional.
I had a moka pot (that is a called in France a cafetière à l'italienne) when I moved out my parents place. Then I bought à Nespresso machine, then an expresso one. Ten years later I have just realized that is the best way to make coffee and I went back six months ago to my first moka pot. It has no disposal, it is easy to clean and the coffee is so good. Love it
Bialetti makes a plug in travel size (1/2 person) electric Moka as well (at least in Europe, 220-240 volts). A little slow if you don't fill with pre-heated water, but otherwise recommended. Other companies probably also make similar electric units.
My son has one of these and it has a timer so starts up for him in the morning. He loves waking to the smell. He admits it tastes a bit different than the true moka but I couldn’t tell the difference.
I was transported back to college and early post-college life, where I'd frequent a friends house. Her, now deceased, mom usually made us coffee made on one of these, but I'd forgotten about them until now. Unironically and with a lot of kindness: Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Also unironically, this is about a good as an ad for these as I can imagine haha. I kind of want my current coffee machine to break in order to get one of these.
Truly enjoy your channel and down-to-earth approach. its helped me avoid fads, save money and argue on the relevance of so many purchases. to this day i don't understand why people buy rice cookers !!! I'm a fan and subscribed. Keep up the good work
I got a moka pot last year and I haven't used my traditional coffee maker since. My pro tip - get the stainless steel option. It's a bit more expensive and doesn't look as cool as the traditional one, but it's much easier to clean.
Also aluminum isn’t necessarily the healthiest thing. I understand that it can be toxic, which I believe because I was personally feeling really sick using the aluminum version. When I switched from aluminum to stainless after about a year or so of use, the sick feeling went away.
@@ellanina801 Aluminum is generally agreed uppn to be food safe in the scientific world. There was a while where they were worried about increased levels in the brain of people with, I believe it was alzheimers, but that was found to be coorelative not nescessatily causitive. With that said the general concensus may have changed since I last looked.
Get stainless steal for health is what we have heard. Aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s apparently. Acid plus aluminum is nasty. If trues, and it seems to be, why it’s legal is a wonder.
@@ellanina801 yes, we have heard that too. Our family has been searching for affordable stainless. Apparently, aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s, mental problems, and more. Aluminum plus acid is apparently worse, Why aluminum for the Moka pots is legal is hard to comprehend.
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact th-cam.com/users/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
I'm Irish so I never seen a moka pot until i was introduced to it by my friend in Edinburgh. I ADORE my Bialetti and use it daily and genuinely it's in my top 10 essential items 😅
I gave up the lukewarm drip coffee maker about 15 years ago and switched to a Bialetti. I now have 3. I started with a 6 cup, upgraded to a 12 cup when my kids started drinking coffee, and as empty nesters, we got a 9 cupper. I love the coffee it makes and it's part of my morning ritual. I've gone through dozens of replacement gaskets and even replaced a few handles that my kids snapped off trying to unscrew the top.
These are great items to get from trift shops. They're everywhere, cheap as dirt, built like a tank, and it's really obvious if there's anything wrong with one. Give an experienced one some love instead of generating more waste by buying new!
The perk to going with a BIALETTI and not an off-brand is the the gaskets are readily available. My original BIALETTI has a slightly melted handle which I just discovered you can even replace those! _(Don't ask, camping... Fire pit.. you get the picture.)_
I'm from Cuba and the moka pot is the default coffee maker. Mainly cause it's one of the cheapest ways to make coffee. It's nice and brews fast but since coming to the US I've gotten used to regular American coffee, because I don't feel the need to put as much sugar in it, and also because I can put it in an insulated cup and enjoy it for a longer period of time.
Use the Bialetti to make an Americano-one shot from the Bialetti, equal part hot water and drink it like a typical cup of American coffee. You can put it in an insulated cup, drink it later, etc. Add a little bit of whole milk and it is even better. No need for sugar.
When the pandemic hit my favourite coffee shops closed. Locked down, stuck at home I needed my coffee fix. I looked on ways to brew coffee at home. The Moka Pot cost me $50 CDN. A good cup of coffee might cost me $2 to $4. I coffee was $15 for enough to make 25 cups then the cost of buying 25 cups of coffee would be around the same price as a Moka Pot and a bag of coffee. Gave it a try with the help of a few TH-cam videos. Not bad. Continued to refine it (went full blown James Hoffman on it) as the pandemic dragged on. I would definitely recommend trying a Moka Pot if you want to brew your own coffee at home. Fun, not too hard and very inexpensive.
I switched from a Moka pot to stainless steel because Moka pots are made from aluminum, which can leach into coffee when heated. Research suggests aluminum exposure may contribute to neurological issues, including potential links to Alzheimer’s, and can accumulate in the body over time. Stainless steel avoids these risks.
It was tested that using aluminum to just boil water dont leach anything in the water. This is not true in pots and pans as you physically scrape the surface and on pans subject to high heat. Although i am with you on the stainless as it better for controlled brewing temperature and generally dont overheat making the coffee more smooth with less of that harsh unpleasant bitterness. And not blame you for negating any potentially reactive metals. I personally have only stainless and glass containers negating any plastic.
I haven't used one of these in years. I loved the coffee it made but now I'm concerned about aluminum poisoning. Are there any studies done on Moka pots? I'd love to get another one ☕
I tried two different kinds of Moka pots, one of them was the classic design while the other had a pressure valve. Returned the normal one the next day. For all the Moka pot lovers here, try the one with the extra pressure valve. It's amazing!
@@ninetendopesaitama2107 lol... what's a fake crema! if you are able to get more volatile stuff from the coffee powder then it will "increase the taste" anyways. technically speaking instead of 1.1atm you can get 1.3-1.5atm, which in pure numbers isn't a lot, but can you tell the difference? I sure can!
@@pia31415 it means the crema lives around 10 seconds before it dissapears bc its not the crema you get from the co2 in the coffee from an 9-11 Bar espresso machine. Therefore its like the doublewalled basket you get in beginner espresso machines. Fake baskets are for old grounded coffee to have a fake crema. ☮
@@pia31415 i can tell the difference. The brikka gets too hot imo and the taste is not improved by 0.3 Bar more at all. You just get a lot of fake crema from the brikka and you think the overheated extraction is more volatile stuff from the coffee imo. ☮
The initial conception of espresso is wildly different to what we think of as espresso in modern times. Originally, there was no super-fancy way to use steam pressure to make a foamy coffee rich in flavor and crema. It was all about making a strong cup of joe on the fly. Moka pots create that kind of coffee. Therefore, what comes out of a Moka pot is nearly espresso (brew temperatures and pressures are a bit different and a little finicky to get right, though).
Ironically, my pedantic "um actually" is in the conflation between modern espresso and the first espresso in the B roll. The first espresso was much more akin to a moka pot coffee than it is modern espresso. Modern espresso uses significantly higher pressures, and achieves a significantly higher concentration of dissolved coffee than both moka pot coffee and the coffee that was first called espresso.
Hmmm this is actually super interesting, thank you for letting us know! We'll keep a better eye on the b roll we're using to convey certain terms moving forward, thanks again Noah ☕😁
I've gotten into the nitty gritty of coffee recently after getting real tired of Keurig, and while I have been made well aware that coffee from a moka pot isn't actual espresso... if you think I'm spending $500+ on an espresso machine at home when I can get what is basically 95% the same thing from a ~$40 aluminum pot, you're sorely mistaken. if I desperately want real espresso, I'll just find a coffee shop. but making lattes/cappuccinos/macchiattos with a moka pot tastes almost identical to (sometimes better than) coffee shop drinks and I think it's the perfect way to make quality coffee at home.
We agree 100%, for _most_ home coffee consumers, the moka pot is the best option - not sacrificing taste and quality while not breaking the bank either. Thanks for sharing, we appreciate you! ☕
What comes out of a moka pot is really closer to the very early espresso machines that solely used steam pressure and operated at much lower pressures than a modern pump driven machine
I have two primary coffee-making devices at home: a Bialetti Moka Express pot, and an old La Pavoni lever espresso machine. I think I have Italian coffee pretty well covered!
I've been to Italy twice. How did I only learn about the moka pot this year? My neighbor was given a moka pot and we had some after dinner coffee. It was delish! Just a little trouble falling asleep...I did buy a 5 C coffee pot with reuseable mesh basket and it works great. Happy to ditch bland coffee pods.
We’ve got the bialetti moka in our house from ny grandma, i think its like 50 years old or something, but it still males coffee every damn day and just works!
Great video! Every Italian home has a Moka here in Italy. Most prefer the aluminum still over the stainless steal. Just remember never wash the moka! Only rinse with water and dry until used next. Also never put in the dishwasher. 😢
I love moka pots. Easy to use and clean. When I will be able to drink coffee again (stomach issues), I will need a new stainless steel one as my aluminium one does not work on induction stoves. I vastly prefer the taste from it than any other methods I've tried so far (and I experimented a LOT especially as I worked in a coffee and tea shop). It feels pretty cozy too when you have a small one.
This is peak first world, we Dominicans make coffee just like this, it cost less than 10 dollars for us to get into coffee 😃. Great Video about coffee, never knew the origin of the coffee pot.
Yes, after having several finiky espresso machines, I discovered the Moka. It makes great coffee, it’s cheap and never breaks. Takes up hardly any space. What’s not to like?
as a cuban with the breville espresso maker I can confirm that daily fresh ground coffee beans from an indenpendant grower is some of the best cups of coffee youll ever have and even thinking of going to a chain coffee shop that will use preground coffee thats been sitting in a bag for week or months just sounds gross. yes you can absolutly taste and smell the difference, there are some coffees that taste and smell like chocolate or cherries just by the quality type of bean,
I've long been more of a filter coffee person, brewing my coffee in a Chemex or V60. I didn't really enjoy espresso all that much (probably because my introduction to it was through Starbucks), so i generally avoided it except in the form of milkies like lattes, flat whites, or cortados. I assumed the moka pot wouldn't be for me, but I ended up getting one as a holiday gift this year, and I was absolutely blown away by the result. I'm now a huge proponent of the moka pot, and it's a category of coffee that is going into my insanely nerdy repertoire.
Having grown up in Miami and being of Cuban descent, I’ve known about these my entire life. There may not be a Cuban or, now, Cuban-American household in Miami that doesn’t have at least one of these. BTW, the only correct coffee to brew in these is Bustelo or Pilón, and both are stronger and better than espresso, IMHO. Let the flaming begin. 😂 BTW, $30? Really? You can buy no-name versions of this in any grocery store in Miami for less than $10.
My son brought this back home after studying in Spain for a semester . my only regret is that it took this much of my life to discover the best way to make coffee. I need to make up for lost time.
I remember when keurig and nespresso was being marketed everywhere and the pod idea pissed me off… I learned about moka pots and I got one, this and French press is all you need!!! It does make a bit of a mess in comparison to pods but no garbage.
Do get a Bialetti tho. Turns out other manufacturers can't figure out the pressure levels in their design. Love my Moka pot. I have 3, of different size for 1 - 2 or 6 people
The best ones here in Europe have a glass top half so that you can see when the espresso is finished. I really prefer that to the metal top where you can only go by sound to tell if the espresso is finished or not.
My grandma gave me a 20 yr old Cuban stovetop coffee maker (moka pot) when I went to study abroad. It served me well for 7 years but I had to throw it away a few months ago as it was starting to break down. I was wondering whether to “upgrade” to an espresso maker - but decided to stick with moka pots because I actually quite enjoy making coffee in the morning in it, it’s become a ritual. Yes, it’s slower, but not everything in life has to be fast and convenient… I bought a Bialetti:)
I have four, I have a very small aluminum one for travel, a regular sized one, and two of the stainless steel Venus pots, one for home, one for camping. I just love them.
Cafécitos are never quite right if it's not in a Moka pot.
I am not sure whether I use my Moka Pot for the coffee or the ritual. Though I don't use Bialetti because I use an induction stove top.
Good move. If you don't melt it, it will outlast you.
What generally goes wrong with moka pots is that the rubber seal start leaking - especially if you aren't super careful to take it off the heat the second it's done. You can get more life out of the seal it by peeling it off with a butter knife, rinsing it off under the tap, & putting it back the other side up. You can also replace them for a lot cheaper than a new pot.
you are right. I bought my Bialetti moka pot in a Covid times but... I bought it because I wanted good coffer in a small, portable (I take my moka pot in all my vacations and longer trips), with guaranteed good outcome, which requires no maintenance and replacement for years to come.
I am happy with my Bialetti. Coffee break for me is not a rush... It is really a break, have a break, enjoy the process of making coffee, enjoy the coffee... I am loving it.
Anywhere that rushes coffee is not a healthy place to live! :P
I was introduced to the Moka pot by my Cuban-American girlfriend and we love it. It's incredibly versatile and portable and works great at home or while camping. One thing that's got me excited about the future of the Moka pot is that Cuban coffee has gotten a bit of a surge of popularity lately on TikTok, and Cuban coffee can only really be made with a Moka pot.
Woah, didn't know Cuban coffee is becoming popular on TikTok, that's super exciting! Glad you're a part of the moka pot gang, thanks for sharing here!!
@@FutureProofTV There is a place called Cuban Coffee Queen in Key West Florida, it's really really good.
Un cafecito!
Cuban coffee is delicious and turbocharged 😅
YES!!! I learned to love the classic cortadito while living in Miami Beach💝☕️ Along with the late night medianoche😋
My ex husband bought one of these years ago, but the coffee we were making in it would always turn out horrible. Turns out he left it when moving out. I learned how to use it from this video 😂 and the coffee is so good. I'm gonna stick with it now. Thank you.
I can't believe I bought two or three coffee machines while I had this thing sitting in the closet.
Fun story about these coffee pots: When I lived in Australia, my friends got me one for my birthday. Well I quickly googled how to use one and then proceeded to use one for the next few weeks. Over this course of time I started sleeping horribly, getting really anxious, and just generally feeling really unwell. One day it finally occurred to me... I had been drinking 4-5 coffee sized cups of this per day. If it was normal coffee, coffee that a savage American would be use to it wouldn't be an issue. But because it's practically espresso, I had been having an absolutely absurd about of caffeine every. single. day.
'savage American'...hee hee!
No, that’s totally wrong.
@@tombryant4518 were you there
It's just general caffeine sensitivity. Moka Pot is not even close to real espresso.
My '4 cup' Bialetti requires 15g of coffee as supposed to most espresso double shot requiring 18-20g.
it’s crazy when you start to somewhat track and keep an eye on your daily intake huh? i recently got an apple watch after many years of analog watches, (had to throw that in there to show that i am of culture, and not swine), and i realized that by the end of the day i was consuming roughly 600-800mg of caffeine per day through various sources. i never feel jitters or anything except maybe once in a while, but i drank that much because i was a full time student, had two jobs, and STILL had time to be out with friends and enjoy my hobbies. i was LIVING. we’ll anyways, now i got a pretty good job working from home; moving up the bracket of financial well being, have a son, a wife, and just really just enjoy my music and time with family. so no more hard labor from me. i began to take notice of my health by tracking sleep, water intake, and caffeine intake and that’s when i really backed off the caffeine and only drink two cups a day, which would be around 390mg of caffeine. and i’m feeling the right amount of energy, and drinking more water. this was just a little story about opening your eyes to caffeine and thinking, goddamn!! and dialing it back a bit lol
Although aluminum is the traditional material, I prefer the stainless steel ones for two main reasons. 1) When water sits in the aluminum pot, it creates some sort of scum or gel-like goo if you don't get it dry or clean in a timely manner. Since you have to wait for the pot to cool down, this can be problematic if you forget until the next time you intend to use it. 2) Stainless steel works on an induction cooktop while aluminum will not. Some induction cooktops really give you total speed and control of temperature.
Another upgrade is to use silicone gaskets instead of the old rubber gaskets. It's a mess if you burn the rubber accidentally while the whole thing got too hot or left on the stove too long.
Plus I don't have to worry about soap with the stainless steel one. I don't really know if that whole "no soap for aluminium moka pots" thing is a myth or not, but it's definitely not a problem for stainless steel.
Dishwasher powder should not be used on aluminium articles as it corrodes it.
there is evidence that aluminum is also a contributing factor in dementia and Alzheimers AGRRR!
I'm from the Dominican Republic and it's the only kind of coffee maker we use. It's still the best! ☕
I learned to make coffee with a moka pot in 2012, while in Italy. It has been my favorite brewing method since then. I am a bit of a coffee snob (though definitely not a pro like James Hoffman) and I have tried several home brewing options, including aeropress and french press. Moka pot makes my favorite coffee and is the most enjoyable ritual in my opinion.
I am from the Dominican Republic, and the Bialetti stove coffee maker is part of our tradition. I particularly own two. One that produces one cup, and a bigger one for whenever I have people coming over to my place.
Moka pots seem to be versatile appliances. We all appreciate the amount of visible dedication and hard work you’ve all exerted on all of your videos so far. May God bless you all the way.
Wow, thanks so much for the support! We appreciate your comments always, Sophia 🥰
Isn't the moka pot just a glorified percolator like the ones they used to put on a wood burning stove in the old days?
@@john.premose No. The operation is totally different. The Moka pot is pressurized and thus extracts more oils, etc. in a fashion similar to an espresso machine.
Always use the lowest possible heat setting to brew your coffee but pay attention because the sound of the bubbles will be much lower when it is done. Takes more time and but the slower the process more flavor is extracted. And never leave the top part totally dry when brewing, it will overheat and the first coffee drops will kind of burn leaving a bad taste. Just a few drops of water are enough, I just rinse mine before using.
ah that makes sense, I'm going to try putting a couple of drops of water in the top of the moka next time!
Thumbs up and all correct
Hot tip, when Cleaning it out i turn the basket upside-down and let the tap water run through the nozzle into the upturned basket, this helps push out the used grounds, oh and then right side it running water through yet again to break down the grounds in the sink...winner winner chicken dinner.
Key take aways, use low heat and keep it from overheating, keep it clean
@@thediddly Putting grounds down the drain will clog the drain. Use the old grounds around your Azalea plants.
Almost every Italian household I know uses a Moka. It's much more common than having an espresso machine at home. Since (espresso) coffee is ~ 1€ and widely available on almost every corner, there seems to be no need to have a big machine at home. The Moka is good enough for most Italians.
I bought one while staying in Italy earlier this year. I stopped drinking coffee from my fully automatic machine. It takes more time but is wayyyy more fun and I drink a lot less coffee (which is kinda good for me, too). Love my bialetti!
Haha yes I actually love that the process requires some effort. When I have a hard day, I often weigh in if it's hard enough to move my ass and make another batch of coffee.
I really liked the simplicity of this story versus the crazy multinational twists and turns of others!
We did too 😊 thanks for joining us here, Pratik
Can confirm, Moka pots are easy to use and, while it involves a few steps, it is well worth it. Especially, if you combine it with some fresh beans that you buy from a boutique shop. The aroma is out of this world good. 1st type of coffee I make at home where I don't feel the need to add any sugar or cream.
I have 3 Bialetti Moka pots. One was my wife’s grandmothers we inherited after her death, another called the Crema model which has a built in plunger screen as the top to create that crema top of a traditional espresso, and a large moka pot for making more coffee at one time. Love these pots!
The first time I saw a Moka Pot was when I was at my Aussie friends house. Theirs was a variation of the Moka Pot that didn’t make use of the pot but had the spouts decanting the freshly brewed coffee directly into two ceramic espresso cups. The brewing process is always fascinating to watch as it is literally a mini stovetop coffee fountain show. Whenever I visited this lovely family, I’d always ask for a cup of coffee, mainly to watch the spectacle. My obsession with their Moka Pot made them gifted me a new one when they returned from their hometown down-under. It’s not the same as theirs as it was the traditional one that came with a pot. Still, I love it and it is one of the best few gifts that I’ve received. One seemingly magical thing about brewing with a Moka Pot is the aroma that accompanies the searing drips. Every time I use it my mom would not fail to praise the fragrance that filled our little apartment. I have tried French press and drip coffee but brewing with a Moka Pot seems to be the only way that makes the coffee sings.
I was never a big coffee drinker but would have a cappuccino if asked. I started to get cappuccino’s and was running to Starbucks almost daily. Once I realized how much it was costing I got a moka pot, hand grinder and frothed for the house. I spent less than $200 and noticed the savings instantly. I can now make a cappuccino in under 10 min and the results are way better than Starbucks because I’m using better coffee - mostly Lavazza’s Espresso blend, which I keep in a vacuum sealed canister. What I made was so good my wife wanted in on the act. At first, I made two back to back then I bought a larger moka pot so I can make a double batch at one time. Anyone what wants really good coffee doesn’t need an expensive machine. They can simply buy the right tools and a moka pot is definitely one.
The quality comes from how you make it not from a brand on a bag. I use the cheapest coffee from walmart and it tastes like starbucks sithout tne green watery bint on the cup.
I love my Bialettis because they actually offer replacement parts. How many coffee makers really offer that? I have 3 sizes of the Moka Express and cant imagine going with anything else, but it does take some effort to really nail your recipe down.
the aeropress offers that too :) and well, many other brewers already only have one single part, like the V60
@@marilialiriod Oh yeah, I know :). I have all of those. Not the biggest Aeropress fan, but my Hario is my second after my moka pot.
Bingo
@@marilialiriod See if replacement parts are available for your aeropress 50 years from now. If your aeropress even lasts that long.
Great video! I'm a huge james hoffman fan, so I'm glad you didn't start beef with one of the most wholesome youtube creators :D Moka pot is honestly the best for making iced coffee. btw, if you start to hear gurgling, you left it on the heat for too long. You almost want to anticipate the gurgle and take it off just before for the best cup, otherwise you might get some coffee fines in your drink.
He is SO wholesome 😂 and yeah we just learned about the bad gurgle, thanks for letting us know!!!!
Bad gurgle had honestly ruined moka pots for me since before I got into learning more ab coffee. Always tasted burnt to me. I still need to try making a proper moka pot at some point tho, I'm curious to see what younger me was missing out on lol
All things considered, the Moka pot is probably the ideal way to make coffee at home. It is cheap, it lasts forever, the coffee product can be used to make all sorts of coffee drinks (probably the best way to make iced coffee), there is no waste (gardens love the coffee grounds) and there is a wide range of coffees you can buy that taste great and are not expensive. I can't think of any negatives. Every other method has negatives. Oh, if you are making coffee for a large party the Moka pot won't work.
There are big Moka pots! But yes, over 10 people is tough
I think they sell a 16ish moka pot on the bialetti website..
Thanks for the video; it is very well-researched, presented and accurate. You have captured a fundamental concept many fail to identify and grasp about Italian culture: it is about elegance, the multi-sensory experience, a small, seemingly meaningless ritual you can enjoy at any time of the day in the privacy of your home either by yourself or joined by family, friends or guests. For me, brewing coffee with my Bialetti Moka pot in the morning is a sacred moment, and I would not trade it for the world; it effuses an invisible thick cloud of aromas that lingers in my kitchen for hours, which is simply divine. I often travel for work, and what is the first thing I pack in my luggage? My Bialetti Moka, my favourite espresso cup, Pellini or Illy coffee grounds and a small electric hot plate. Also, FYI: another reason Starbucks is rather unpopular in Italy is that Italians usually do not drink coffee on the go. We may drink water, soda or a milkshake on the go, but not coffee. It does not feel right to do so, I wish I could explain why! But I guess that is just another quirk of us crazy Italians!! Keep up the great work!
I'm certainly a coffee nerd and I do like the moka pot. It's classic! It's not my go-to coffee prep method but I like it when guests come over.
Coffee nerd approved! 🤩🤩
What's your go-to, if I may ask?
@@sarahrosen4985 I'm a beanie wearing pour over person for the most part.
@@BM-rd4ms same. Pour over is my daily coffee. But yes I agree. The Moka pot is a lot of fun to use and it’s enjoyable to make some stovetop espresso for my friends :)
I absolutely LOVE my Bialetti! It's one of those items that you buy once and it gives you joy your whole life, as long as you take care of it. You'll have to change the rubber seal all 5-6 years and it'll be as good as new.
Also NEVER wash your aluminium Bialetti with soap, it will destroy it! Only rinse it with cold or lukewarm water and you will be fine. The coffe stains in the Bialetti act as an insulation from the aluminium and you shouldn't worry about them. You can use a paper towel to get rid of them, but you don't need to and it won't effect the taste or hygiene of your coffe. If you first buy a Bialetti you also have to "cook it in", meaning you have to throw away the first 6-10 cups you cook, as they will tast of aluminium and won't be great at all.
I only had to replace mine once, because my roommate decided to make a mokka and forgot about it.....half an our later the ground coffe inside turned to ash and the Bialetti was FUBAR.
You should all get a Bialetti, it's the cheapes, most sustainable and most delicious way to make you coffe at home. After owning one for about 12 years, I even prefer it to coffe from really expensive espresso machines.
In Ukraine almost everybody has a moka pot kinda thing. We have 3: one old soviet, a cheap one we bought cause my husband forgot ours on the stovetop and the handle melted off, and finally we upgraded to a bialetti! It honestly makes the best coffee.
Great job researching the articles & info, the old ads, and timelines about this iconic coffee maker and putting this video together! Made me laugh a few times. :)
I love my Bialetti and use it for that caffeine boost in the later part of the afternoon. It’s easy to use and have tried all the other “contraptions” like you said. Been to Italy many times and the Moka Pot is as ubiquitous as having a clock in the kitchen!
I have a small collection of both the Bialetti Moka and old Brikka pots. Initially I was going to use the Moka pot as a kind of stepping stone to an eventual Espresso machine. I couldn't afford the machine I wanted, so I've stuck with the Moka pot. Very happy with the coffee it produces, I will probably stay with the Bialetti. Use a heat diffuser, if using a gas stove. It prevents scorching the coffee and the resulting bitter taste. I've never had a bad coffee from the Bialetti.
Could you elaborate on the heat diffuser? I actually got an aeropress because my moka wasn't tasty when using my camping stove. Do you think I could just put my moka pot on a cast iron frying pan to diffuse the heat? Thank you
@@ginaslevinsky8906 Hello Gina. This is the very same heat diffuser I use:
th-cam.com/video/0LDhC9wnKzc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=Rusty78609
The other advantage of using one, is it makes the Moka pot more stable by giving it a platform. Rather than trying to balance the pot on the trivet. This is a worse problem, when the pot is only a small 2 or 3 cup pot. The only disadvantage, is it does take a bit longer to make a cup of coffee.
You could use an iron pan, but it will take a very long time to cool down and you could risk cracking it. A heat diffuser is very light weight, and once you remove the heat, it doesn't take that long for it to cool down.
When I go to wash out the Moka pot, I first dry it with towel, then I heat the diffuser up for about 10 to 20 seconds, TURN OFF THE HEAT .... then place the Moka pot disassembled on the still-hot diffuser. The radiating heat, dries out any residual dampness in the pot. My theory is, it helps to prevent corrosion starting. Heat diffusers are very cheap to buy.
@@channelsixtysix066 Thank you so much for your reply! I'll look into getting a heat diffuser for myself. Great tip for quick drying of the moka pot too
@@ginaslevinsky8906 Thank you, Gina. Please, don't ever forget to only heat the diffuser momentarily for drying.
My Moka pot + cafe bustelo = happiness. Also that James Hoffman joke had me rolling with laughter lol
got introduced to the Mokka pot while living in Italy can say it's really apart of the culture there. Just sitting down around the table with friends and family with an espresso and talking. It really felt like something that was used to encourage spending time and talking, while compared to the UK where we would just sit around a tv or playing games.
I bought a moka pot on a whim trying to make cuban coffee. I usually used a Keurig at the time and after a week of trying and failing at making Cafe Cubano i fell in love with my moka pot and I tossed the Keurig. I have found my way and all my family loves coming to my house for a cup or ask if I can bring my pot to their house when we have get togethers.
In south India, we have a similar coffee culture. It’s called filter coffee. We have stainless steel or brass brewers that are made of two compartments that fit on top of each other. The top vessel has tiny holes to let the coffee steep down. You just out your grounds in and pour hot water and wait 10-15 mins to brew. Similar to the mocha pot, you can choose any beans and grind them. There is no waste generated. It’s absolutely perfect.
funny you mention that, but in Italy,specifficaly Napoli, they have a cafettiera that looka exactly like that, calles cogoma. Now did it come to Italy from India or vice versa I don’t know.
It's basically another version of pour over coffee, except the filter is a metal thingy with holes at the bottom lol.
i want to try it but i have ceramic induction stove.. so not sure if it works?
@@fly89 there are ones made for induction
Is it something like Vietnam coffee?
I grew up with these little mashines, I was introduced to the wonderful taste and its still my favourite way of making coffee :)
Can beat these things! They are easy to use, durable and stylish. Pure bliss
LOL I love that I came here to hear the tea(or coffee? hehe) about moka pots, as I have one sitting in my online cart, and I'm now leaving this video to purchase said moka pot.
Hell yeah, we always spill the beans 😂
@@FutureProofTV 😂😂😂
I like the Moka pots. Better result, no waste, parts easy to replace . The coffee pods taste peculiar. I can make a good french press coffee but it takes 10 minutes plus and is fiddly to make sure undissolved grounds dont end up in your cup.
These days i must restrict caffeine to one a day and coffee is a social thing to do so i drink most of my coffee out from the espresso machines in coffee places . Fortunately South Australia has a good coffee culture ( starbucks failed here) . Our tradition is Italian.
Moka pot is just amazing. You get a strong delicious coffee perfect for milk drinks. Its not expensive and easy to clean.
I’m obsessed with Bialetti and have over 50 of these. My very first, purchased in the 90’s has a date stamp of 1969. I swear the coffee out of this one tastes amazing!
With that number, I think it's fair to say to call it a museum :-D. Do you have one with a ceramic upper part?
No electronics, no moving parts. 'Nuf said. I've been daily driving a Bialetti for the last 25 years. We have a 6 cup for wifey and I and a 12 cup for the whole fam. I've replaced the odd gasket because I burnt it (too far away to hear the gurgle). And I once snapped a handle opening the big 12 cup. PSA, don't twist it from the handle. Other than that, it's been bomb-proof.
I have a Bialetti coffee pot and I love it. I'd had enough of espresso machines breaking down and this bad boy has given me zero issues in all the years I've owned it. The process is at least half the fun.
I’ve been using a Bialetti Moka pot for years. Have the timing down so I can set it up, go do 2 things, & return just before the noises start.
Yep. For me it is getting my pills ready.
Yes!! I've been waiting for this, I love my morning ritual with my Moka pot! Having tried every which way of consuming coffee over the years (I had my own coffee shop) I STILL come back to my old faithful shiny thing of beauty. She has never failed me ❤
Right? I have tried pretty much every method, I even own a couple french presses and an expensive espresso machine, but if you ask me how do I brew coffee every morning the answer is my trusty and reliable Bialetti Moka Pot.
I have a 3 cup one, and I have a question. do you add water to the final product or drink what it makes? I feel like I want more to drink. Not that it’s not satisfying i just feel like it’s done so fast :(
@@omarmiranda6370 yes similarly to the way water or milk is added to espresso to make other drinks (though it's not as strong) Put some of your brewed coffee in the cup then fill the rest with water, voila! Adjust the ratios to suit your taste, add as much milk as you like.. don't be a heathen and add sugar though haha
@@arturoescorcia exactly! These things are as comforting as a grandmother's hug and would survive an apocalypse.. so thank goodness we'll still have good coffee when we're fighting off zombies
@@omarmiranda6370 I think a 3 cup is very small, but that depends on your own needs.
If you add water to your cup you can convert your drink into a very well brewed americano
My daughter and I drink coffee everyday. I bought one of these Bialetti pots about a year ago. I bought the brand name Bialetti one unknowingly but knowingly bought a large one. I had no idea of it’s history. I just needed something after my French press broke. I like the Bialetti pot since it didn’t need electricity. The problem was (until I accidentally came across your channel) there was no instructions in the box when I bought it. So it’s sat in the closet for a year. So thank you for this video so I will be able to use this pot.
This is awesome, we're stoked our video could help ya out! It not needing to be plugged in is such a perk. Glad you're getting some use out of that thing now 😁 Thanks for sharing!
don't drink the first and second coffee you brew... If the pot has sit in a closet for a year, the first couple coffees will taste bad.
You never thought to Google how to use one, even watch TH-cam videos on them? LOL
There’s a fantastic James Hoffman video explaining how to get the best results with a moka pot
@@venom5809
Actually after buying it I did. Gesh
I bought a moka pot about 10 years ago now and it became my favourite way to brew coffee
I like moka pots a lot! So much so that I have given them out as gifts to friends that like coffee
I have so many coffee makers. I have two moka pots, a big one and a small one. I have multiple pour over drippers, a Vietnamese Phinn, multiple french presses, a nice automatic drip machine, an aeropress, and an espresso machine. I also have a nespresso machine that a friend gave me. I like coffee.
Moka pot - always. I have 3 in various sizes. I wouldn’t bother using anything else to brew coffee. They’re inexpensive (mine are unbranded supermarket models, rather than Bialettis) They last forever, just needing the neoprene seals replacing occasionally. Personally I prefer Lavazza Rosso ground coffee - I have tried others, but Lavazza offers good value, is readily available, and I’ve always liked the flavour.
They're unbeatable! We're into supporting local roasters in our area, but we understand that's not always the most affordable option. Thanks for sharing, Simon, we love getting input in the comments 🤗
Lavazza is fine. If you can try some Kimbo or even better Pellini. Never use Illy, it tastes like utter shit and is way overpriced. ;)
@@rk28984 totally agree with you on Illy - I did buy it occasionally when it was on special offer, but I find the flavour a little meh. Kimbo isn’t readily available where I live, but I enjoy it when I find a coffee shop that sells it. Same for ‘local roasts’ there aren’t any! It’s instant, Costa, Starbucks or McDonalds around here - which is why I’m always glad to see Lavazza at my local supermarket!
Get a grinder and beans. Much better than grounded coffee also in the moka pot. Even a 30€ grinder is a noticeable upgrade. And even cheap beans are a noticeable upgrade.
I would rec the Lavazza Qualità Oro, it is usually as available as the Qualità Rossa and only a bit more expensive, but worth it
I absolutely love bialetti moka pots and the ritual that comes with it. The only downside to me is that you can't make less or more than the format of your pot allows. Stopping your brew earlier = very strong coffee (ristretto). If you need more coffee, you need to wait for it to cool down before you can make another pot, so you need to buy different sizes for when you're alone or have visitors
Here in Italy Bialetti is mostli known for the moka, I never ever saw a Bialetti pod (the Nespresso ones are pretty widespread). I recently changed my moka for the new one which is induction compatible, but my old one is decades old and functional.
James Hoffmann's channel and tips for how to use a Moka pot correctly a game changer for me!
The thing that sticks out the most to me in this case is what an absolute genius feat of engineering it is 😮
I had a moka pot (that is a called in France a cafetière à l'italienne) when I moved out my parents place. Then I bought à Nespresso machine, then an expresso one. Ten years later I have just realized that is the best way to make coffee and I went back six months ago to my first moka pot. It has no disposal, it is easy to clean and the coffee is so good. Love it
Bialetti makes a plug in travel size (1/2 person) electric Moka as well (at least in Europe, 220-240 volts). A little slow if you don't fill with pre-heated water, but otherwise recommended.
Other companies probably also make similar electric units.
My son has one of these and it has a timer so starts up for him in the morning. He loves waking to the smell. He admits it tastes a bit different than the true moka but I couldn’t tell the difference.
I was transported back to college and early post-college life, where I'd frequent a friends house. Her, now deceased, mom usually made us coffee made on one of these, but I'd forgotten about them until now. Unironically and with a lot of kindness: Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Also unironically, this is about a good as an ad for these as I can imagine haha. I kind of want my current coffee machine to break in order to get one of these.
I got my Mocha pot from my SIL. And it's awesome!! These things are a beast.
My friends and I call the little gurgling sound “The sound of happiness” ❤
Truly enjoy your channel and down-to-earth approach. its helped me avoid fads, save money and argue on the relevance of so many purchases. to this day i don't understand why people buy rice cookers !!! I'm a fan and subscribed. Keep up the good work
9:27 It's so sad that they almost went bankrupt because their product lasts too long
I got one a few weeks ago and it's a game changer. Delicious coffee.
I got a moka pot last year and I haven't used my traditional coffee maker since. My pro tip - get the stainless steel option. It's a bit more expensive and doesn't look as cool as the traditional one, but it's much easier to clean.
Plus it does not only survive conventional but also nuclear wars and asteroid impacts :-D.
Also aluminum isn’t necessarily the healthiest thing. I understand that it can be toxic, which I believe because I was personally feeling really sick using the aluminum version. When I switched from aluminum to stainless after about a year or so of use, the sick feeling went away.
@@ellanina801 Aluminum is generally agreed uppn to be food safe in the scientific world. There was a while where they were worried about increased levels in the brain of people with, I believe it was alzheimers, but that was found to be coorelative not nescessatily causitive. With that said the general concensus may have changed since I last looked.
Get stainless steal for health is what we have heard. Aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s apparently. Acid plus aluminum is nasty. If trues, and it seems to be, why it’s legal is a wonder.
@@ellanina801 yes, we have heard that too. Our family has been searching for affordable stainless. Apparently, aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s, mental problems, and more. Aluminum plus acid is apparently worse, Why aluminum for the Moka pots is legal is hard to comprehend.
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact th-cam.com/users/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
Man you're good at your job, I literally just ordered one while watching this video 🤣. Hope they're as good as they seems
I'm Irish so I never seen a moka pot until i was introduced to it by my friend in Edinburgh. I ADORE my Bialetti and use it daily and genuinely it's in my top 10 essential items 😅
These are the BEST ESPRESSO MAKERS!!!
I have a 9 shot Bialetti Espresso Pot.
I bought a Moka pot a few years ago as an impulse buy and I still use it nearly every morning.
Such an easy way to make decent coffee.
I gave up the lukewarm drip coffee maker about 15 years ago and switched to a Bialetti. I now have 3. I started with a 6 cup, upgraded to a 12 cup when my kids started drinking coffee, and as empty nesters, we got a 9 cupper. I love the coffee it makes and it's part of my morning ritual. I've gone through dozens of replacement gaskets and even replaced a few handles that my kids snapped off trying to unscrew the top.
These are great items to get from trift shops. They're everywhere, cheap as dirt, built like a tank, and it's really obvious if there's anything wrong with one. Give an experienced one some love instead of generating more waste by buying new!
Definitely a good item to thrift! We always recommend buying anything second hand before purchasing new if possible 😊
The perk to going with a BIALETTI and not an off-brand is the the gaskets are readily available. My original BIALETTI has a slightly melted handle which I just discovered you can even replace those! _(Don't ask, camping... Fire pit.. you get the picture.)_
I'm from Cuba and the moka pot is the default coffee maker. Mainly cause it's one of the cheapest ways to make coffee. It's nice and brews fast but since coming to the US I've gotten used to regular American coffee, because I don't feel the need to put as much sugar in it, and also because I can put it in an insulated cup and enjoy it for a longer period of time.
Use the Bialetti to make an Americano-one shot from the Bialetti, equal part hot water and drink it like a typical cup of American coffee. You can put it in an insulated cup, drink it later, etc. Add a little bit of whole milk and it is even better. No need for sugar.
1:15 - "and fine coffee grounds" _Shows coarsely ground coffee_ 😁
When the pandemic hit my favourite coffee shops closed. Locked down, stuck at home I needed my coffee fix. I looked on ways to brew coffee at home. The Moka Pot cost me $50 CDN. A good cup of coffee might cost me $2 to $4. I coffee was $15 for enough to make 25 cups then the cost of buying 25 cups of coffee would be around the same price as a Moka Pot and a bag of coffee. Gave it a try with the help of a few TH-cam videos. Not bad. Continued to refine it (went full blown James Hoffman on it) as the pandemic dragged on.
I would definitely recommend trying a Moka Pot if you want to brew your own coffee at home. Fun, not too hard and very inexpensive.
I switched from a Moka pot to stainless steel because Moka pots are made from aluminum, which can leach into coffee when heated. Research suggests aluminum exposure may contribute to neurological issues, including potential links to Alzheimer’s, and can accumulate in the body over time. Stainless steel avoids these risks.
It was tested that using aluminum to just boil water dont leach anything in the water. This is not true in pots and pans as you physically scrape the surface and on pans subject to high heat. Although i am with you on the stainless as it better for controlled brewing temperature and generally dont overheat making the coffee more smooth with less of that harsh unpleasant bitterness.
And not blame you for negating any potentially reactive metals. I personally have only stainless and glass containers negating any plastic.
I haven't used one of these in years. I loved the coffee it made but now I'm concerned about aluminum poisoning. Are there any studies done on Moka pots? I'd love to get another one ☕
Though harder to find, there are all-glass versions
@@picklepirate Thanks for the info. I'll look for one. I loved mine . 🙂
@@ScottFoster482002 Good luck searching! I'm looking for a good one as well!
I tried two different kinds of Moka pots, one of them was the classic design while the other had a pressure valve. Returned the normal one the next day.
For all the Moka pot lovers here, try the one with the extra pressure valve. It's amazing!
Got a link?
Its just fake crema. Who cares?
@@ninetendopesaitama2107 lol... what's a fake crema! if you are able to get more volatile stuff from the coffee powder then it will "increase the taste" anyways. technically speaking instead of 1.1atm you can get 1.3-1.5atm, which in pure numbers isn't a lot, but can you tell the difference? I sure can!
@@pia31415 it means the crema lives around 10 seconds before it dissapears bc its not the crema you get from the co2 in the coffee from an 9-11 Bar espresso machine. Therefore its like the doublewalled basket you get in beginner espresso machines. Fake baskets are for old grounded coffee to have a fake crema. ☮
@@pia31415 i can tell the difference. The brikka gets too hot imo and the taste is not improved by 0.3 Bar more at all. You just get a lot of fake crema from the brikka and you think the overheated extraction is more volatile stuff from the coffee imo. ☮
The initial conception of espresso is wildly different to what we think of as espresso in modern times. Originally, there was no super-fancy way to use steam pressure to make a foamy coffee rich in flavor and crema. It was all about making a strong cup of joe on the fly. Moka pots create that kind of coffee. Therefore, what comes out of a Moka pot is nearly espresso (brew temperatures and pressures are a bit different and a little finicky to get right, though).
Ironically, my pedantic "um actually" is in the conflation between modern espresso and the first espresso in the B roll.
The first espresso was much more akin to a moka pot coffee than it is modern espresso. Modern espresso uses significantly higher pressures, and achieves a significantly higher concentration of dissolved coffee than both moka pot coffee and the coffee that was first called espresso.
Hmmm this is actually super interesting, thank you for letting us know! We'll keep a better eye on the b roll we're using to convey certain terms moving forward, thanks again Noah ☕😁
@@FutureProofTV Check out James Hoffman's channel if you want to go deep down the rabbit hole regarding coffee, extraction, and methodologies.
I discovered these in Toronto in the 1970s. I've tried everything else along the way but I'm back to the Bialetti.
I've gotten into the nitty gritty of coffee recently after getting real tired of Keurig, and while I have been made well aware that coffee from a moka pot isn't actual espresso... if you think I'm spending $500+ on an espresso machine at home when I can get what is basically 95% the same thing from a ~$40 aluminum pot, you're sorely mistaken. if I desperately want real espresso, I'll just find a coffee shop. but making lattes/cappuccinos/macchiattos with a moka pot tastes almost identical to (sometimes better than) coffee shop drinks and I think it's the perfect way to make quality coffee at home.
We agree 100%, for _most_ home coffee consumers, the moka pot is the best option - not sacrificing taste and quality while not breaking the bank either. Thanks for sharing, we appreciate you! ☕
I even think the more oils and fines from a moka pot are delicious for milk drinks. Sometimes using aeropress papers like in the Hoffman method.
What comes out of a moka pot is really closer to the very early espresso machines that solely used steam pressure and operated at much lower pressures than a modern pump driven machine
Exactly.
I have two primary coffee-making devices at home: a Bialetti Moka Express pot, and an old La Pavoni lever espresso machine. I think I have Italian coffee pretty well covered!
I've been to Italy twice. How did I only learn about the moka pot this year? My neighbor was given a moka pot and we had some after dinner coffee. It was delish! Just a little trouble falling asleep...I did buy a 5 C coffee pot with reuseable mesh basket and it works great. Happy to ditch bland coffee pods.
Yay to ditching the pods!! Glad your coffee pot works well for you, thanks for sharing 😉
We’ve got the bialetti moka in our house from ny grandma, i think its like 50 years old or something, but it still males coffee every damn day and just works!
in Puerto Rico we call it a "greca" and its basically the essential household coffee machine
Great video! Every Italian home has a Moka here in Italy. Most prefer the aluminum still over the stainless steal. Just remember never wash the moka! Only rinse with water and dry until used next. Also never put in the dishwasher. 😢
I love moka pots. Easy to use and clean. When I will be able to drink coffee again (stomach issues), I will need a new stainless steel one as my aluminium one does not work on induction stoves. I vastly prefer the taste from it than any other methods I've tried so far (and I experimented a LOT especially as I worked in a coffee and tea shop). It feels pretty cozy too when you have a small one.
Just an FYI : Bialetti makes an induction ready steel plate with a handle and etched outlines for the various sizes of pots. Love mine.
This is peak first world, we Dominicans make coffee just like this, it cost less than 10 dollars for us to get into coffee 😃. Great Video about coffee, never knew the origin of the coffee pot.
The time you take to make your coffee in a mokka.. the process… reminds you life can be nice sometimes, with nothing else ❤
Sometimes, it can be nice.
Yes, after having several finiky espresso machines, I discovered the Moka. It makes great coffee, it’s cheap and never breaks. Takes up hardly any space. What’s not to like?
as a cuban with the breville espresso maker I can confirm that daily fresh ground coffee beans from an indenpendant grower is some of the best cups of coffee youll ever have and even thinking of going to a chain coffee shop that will use preground coffee thats been sitting in a bag for week or months just sounds gross. yes you can absolutly taste and smell the difference, there are some coffees that taste and smell like chocolate or cherries just by the quality type of bean,
As Italian the phrase “metto su un caffè?” Is the best thing you can hear when you’re at someone’s house.
Starbucks in Italy. Somehow that feels tragic.
0:05 why is he pouring coffee from chemex into hario cloth dripper ? that doesn´t make sense
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I've long been more of a filter coffee person, brewing my coffee in a Chemex or V60. I didn't really enjoy espresso all that much (probably because my introduction to it was through Starbucks), so i generally avoided it except in the form of milkies like lattes, flat whites, or cortados.
I assumed the moka pot wouldn't be for me, but I ended up getting one as a holiday gift this year, and I was absolutely blown away by the result. I'm now a huge proponent of the moka pot, and it's a category of coffee that is going into my insanely nerdy repertoire.
Having grown up in Miami and being of Cuban descent, I’ve known about these my entire life. There may not be a Cuban or, now, Cuban-American household in Miami that doesn’t have at least one of these. BTW, the only correct coffee to brew in these is Bustelo or Pilón, and both are stronger and better than espresso, IMHO. Let the flaming begin. 😂
BTW, $30? Really? You can buy no-name versions of this in any grocery store in Miami for less than $10.
My son brought this back home after studying in Spain for a semester . my only regret is that it took this much of my life to discover the best way to make coffee. I need to make up for lost time.
I got my grandma's (and later my mom's) Moka Pot as a housewarming gift when I moved to my apartment, it's great
Love that! Multigenerational coffee brewing ❤️
Here in Miami all the Cubans have these.
I’m such a geek I have a $400 grinder to make coffee in a $23 pot…. Love my Moka pot
I remember when keurig and nespresso was being marketed everywhere and the pod idea pissed me off… I learned about moka pots and I got one, this and French press is all you need!!! It does make a bit of a mess in comparison to pods but no garbage.
Started using “mocha” 30 years ago in Spain. Now I have 2 but made of stainless steel because do not like aluminum.
Do get a Bialetti tho.
Turns out other manufacturers can't figure out the pressure levels in their design.
Love my Moka pot. I have 3, of different size for 1 - 2 or 6 people
Hey man, just wanna say real good content, and love your character in the vid too bro
Octagonal: Greek word, stemming from the words octo (eight) and gonia-gonies (corner-corners)! Very nice presentation, friend!!
The best ones here in Europe have a glass top half so that you can see when the espresso is finished. I really prefer that to the metal top where you can only go by sound to tell if the espresso is finished or not.