Start 2025 right, Get into Stovetop Brewing by Domtron

Why would anyone brew a Stovetop in today’s day and age? It just seems so out of date, so simple, so rudimentary.

The whole brewing process and result just doesn't make sense, or does it?

Call it the machinetta, or Moka pot, these days more commonly tagged the stovetop, this style of brewing coffee is often compared to traditional espresso, this is for many reasons. First, there aren't many coffee brewers that produce a short cup of black coffee with the strength and ease that is possible from a stovetop brewer. The second reason is the texture, because the stovetop does not use a paper filter like a pour over because the coffee has more body to it, so many of the coffee's oils and compounds are more easily transferred through the metal basket filter into the cup with this brew style.

I actually prefer stovetop to espresso, yep thats right, i prefer it, in my own home i would never have a traditional espresso machine, the noise of the machine, the heat, the cost to run and service the thing, wow…. Apart from looking like an italian piece of art on my kitchen bench, and that's if you own an expensive one, i just cant justify the loss of space and the mess, oh the mess!

My description of the flavour experience:

• A stovetop brew typically produces a coffee that’s closer to espresso in strength but without the intense bitterness. The Moka pot extracts more oils and flavors from the coffee grounds than a filter method, making the coffee richer and bolder. Commonly without the crema however.

• Because it doesn’t use paper filters (like in drip coffee), a stovetop brew retains more of the coffee’s natural oils, resulting in a fuller flavor and a smoother, less acidic cup compared to filter coffee.

Why Pay More?

• Moka pots are generally much less expensive than espresso machines, especially the high-end espresso machines, a decent home espresso setup purchased from a household retailer starts at $500. A good stovetop coffee maker will last a lifetime with minimal maintenance, truth be told i have never even replaced a gasket on mine, and have had it for over 20 years. Now that value is unheard of in today's world of planned obsolescence. 

• Traditional espresso machines, especially automatic or semi-automatic ones, can be very costly. While stovetop brewing doesn't give you the exact same espresso experience, it can produce a very similar, rich coffee for a fraction of the price.

  

Convenience is KING

• Brewing with a stovetop is relatively straightforward, just water, coffee grounds, and heat. It doesn’t require as much precision or nearly the same level of cleaning as an espresso machine or filter coffee setup.

• Stovetop coffee makers are typically small and portable, making them a great option for travel or when kitchen space is limited. You can brew a great cup of coffee almost anywhere with a stove.

Brew the coffee of your Dreams

• You can adjust the grind size, the amount of coffee, and the brewing time to suit your preferred flavor profile, even being strategic with the dose can transform a stovetop coffee into something more like a batch brew strength if you so desire. 

• Because stovetop brewing doesn’t have the same pressure requirements as espresso, it’s easier to experiment with different types of beans, grind sizes, and brewing times to find what you like best, on this point, i often brew espresso roast and filter roast coffees on my stovetop with amazing results, this is much more difficult to achieve for many people in almost any other brewer out there.

Nostalgia and Tradition

• For some, brewing coffee on the stovetop is a nostalgic or culturally significant ritual. For almost any person with Italian heritage I have ever met, for example, the Moka pot is a classic coffee-making tool, and many people enjoy it for its connection to the traditions and culture of their people. 

• The process of brewing coffee on a stovetop can be more engaging than pushing a button on an espresso machine. The tactile, hands-on nature of stovetop brewing is a rewarding part of the coffee experience.

How much, that is the question?

The amount of coffee and water for a stovetop coffee maker depends on the size of the pot. Moka pots come in a variety of sizes, usually measured by the number of "cups" they brew. However, the "cups" in Moka pot terminology don't refer to standard 8-ounce cups but rather small 30ml servings of espresso-style coffee.

There are so many stovetop designs out there and this guide may help you with understanding how much coffee and water you will need.

Moka Pot Sizes and Their Coffee & Water Measurements

How to Brew

1. Fill the bottom chamber with water just below the safety valve.

2. Add coffee grounds to the filter basket, leveling it off but not tamping it down.

3. Assemble the Moka pot: Place the filter basket into the bottom chamber, screw on the top part tightly, and place it on medium heat.

4. Once the water heats up, it creates steam pressure that pushes the water up through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber.

5. Listen carefully: When you hear a hissing or bubbling sound, the brewing process is almost complete. Remove the Moka pot from the heat right away to avoid burning the coffee.

Adjusting to Taste

• If you want a stronger brew, you can slightly increase the amount of coffee. Conversely, for a milder brew, reduce the coffee amount a little. However, make sure not to overload the filter basket, as this can block the water flow and impact extraction.

This should give you a flavorful, espresso-like brew, but keep in mind that the Moka pot produces a stronger cup than regular drip coffee—more like a concentrated espresso, but without the crema.

Final Thoughts

In Australia we are coffee crazy, there are cafes on every corner, even under your building where you live. The coffee shop is now the daily way of life for Australians, where the order of the day is wake up, coffee first, then anything else and yes this coffee is always enjoyed at the local cafe which at the heart and soul of every cafe is an Italian espresso machine.

So espresso is almost seen as the ultimate way of drinking coffee by many Australians, next time you think about coffee, why not try a stovetop, you can buy great coffee at almost every cafe these days. It will be just like the cafe experience, maybe better.