How to Brew Stovetop Coffee at Home
We like a stovetop with a cigarette and some Jack Kerouac on a little balcony in Italy. But it’s good however you brew it.
The stovetop — or Moka pot — makes strong, rich and concentrated coffee with very little equipment. It’s closer to espresso than filter coffee, but really it’s a thing of its own.
The Recipe
Brew time: Around 3–5 minutes
Grind: Medium-fine
Coffee: Enough to loosely fill the filter basket
Water: Fill to just below the safety valve
Stovetops come in different sizes, so there’s no single recipe. Just fill yours to its intended capacity and follow the same basic method.
The Method
1. Grind Your Coffee
Grind your coffee medium-fine — finer than filter coffee, but a little coarser than espresso.
2. Add Your Water
Unscrew the stovetop and fill the bottom chamber with fresh, filtered water to just below the safety valve.
Don’t cover the valve.
3. Add Your Coffee
Fill the filter basket with ground coffee and gently level it off.
Don’t tamp it. The coffee should sit loosely in the basket.
4. Assemble
Place the basket into the bottom chamber and screw the top on securely.
5. Brew
Place your stovetop over low to medium heat.
After a few minutes, coffee will begin flowing into the top chamber.
6. Watch the Flow
You’re looking for a slow, steady stream of coffee.
When the flow starts to become lighter and begins to sputter, take the stovetop off the heat.
7. Pour
Give the coffee in the top chamber a quick stir, pour and drink.
Strong, rich and unmistakably stovetop.
Getting It Right
If your coffee tastes bitter, harsh or burnt, try a slightly coarser grind or lower heat.
If it tastes weak or thin, try grinding a little finer.
Small adjustments can make a big difference.
Stovetop Coffee FAQs
What coffee is best for a stovetop?
Most coffees will work well in a stovetop. If you like a rich, traditional cup, start with a coffee roasted for espresso.
What grind should I use for stovetop coffee?
Medium-fine. You want it finer than you’d use for filter coffee, but a little coarser than espresso.
Should you tamp coffee in a Moka pot?
No. Fill the basket loosely, level the coffee and leave it untamped. Tamping can restrict the flow of water through the coffee.
Is stovetop coffee the same as espresso?
No. A Moka pot uses pressure to make strong, concentrated coffee, but it operates at much lower pressure than an espresso machine. The result has some of the richness and intensity of espresso, but it’s a different brewing method.
Can you add milk to stovetop coffee?
Absolutely. Drink it straight or add hot or cold milk depending on how you like it.