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How to Brew — Stovetop

Stovetop is a delicate way of brewing but once you’ve mastered it, this method yields delicious results that’ll have you coming back every day.

An Introduction to stovetop brewing

The stovetop coffee method, also known as Moka pot brewing, offers a convenient and traditional way to brew espresso-like coffee on the stove. Originating in Italy, the Moka pot has become a beloved household item across the globe. 

This method involves boiling water in the bottom chamber, which creates steam to force water through coffee grounds in the middle chamber, resulting in a strong and flavorful brew. While it may not produce true espresso, the Moka pot offers a rich and aromatic coffee experience that's perfect for espresso lovers on a budget.

What you’ll need

  • Stovetop brewer/Moka pot

  • Freshly ground coffee (medium to fine grind, or close to filter)

  • Hot water

  • Heating element or stove

  • Your favourite mug or a vessel for your brew

Picking the best coffee for stovetop brewing

For Moka pot brewing, selecting the right coffee beans is crucial to achieving a great brew. Opt for medium to dark roast coffee beans, as they offer the depth and richness needed to stand up to the intense brewing process of the Moka pot. Look for beans with a bold and full-bodied flavor profile, such as our espresso blends. A fine to medium-fine grind size is recommended to ensure optimal extraction and a smooth, velvety texture in your Moka pot coffee. Ultimately, experimenting with different beans allows you to tailor your brew to your taste preferences, creating a delicious and satisfying cup.

Recommended recipe

There are many sizes for a stovetop, but we find the following recipe to work well with a small stovetop. If you have a larger Stovetop, scale the following recipe while sticking to a 1:10 ratio of coffee and water.  

  • 17g medium/fine ground

  • 170g water (just off the boil)

  • 4-5 mins

Step-by-step guide for stovetop brewing

Step 1 - Fill the bottom chamber with hot water; just under the pressure valve. This helps to regulate the brew time and get the most out of the coffee.

Step 2 - Add your coffee to the upper funnel without packing it in. Tap your finger on the side of the funnel to let it settle, no tamping required.

Step 3 - Place the brew basket into the bottom chamber & screw the top chamber tightly to the bottom.

Step 4 - Place the stovetop onto a heat source with the lid open. Full heat for electric. If it’s gas, make sure the flames aren’t lapping up the side of the brewer.

Step 5 - Once the coffee starts to flow through to the top chamber, reduce the heat to medium and allow the top chamber to fill with coffee.

Step 6 - Once the top chamber is full and your water level has stopped rising, remove from the heat. Your stovetop brew is now ready.

Serve and enjoy!

Additional tips

  • If your total time is too long, your coffee may end up over-extracted and taste bitter or astringent. Coarsen your grind, and try again.

  • If your brew time is too short, your coffee will be under-extracted and can taste bland or overly acidic. Coarsen your grind, and try again.

  • For a stronger brew, try increasing the amount of coffee you are using.

  • As the water level drops listen for a spluttering sound and remove from the heat immediately. This will be the difference between an average brew and a delicious one!

Stovetop brewing FAQ's

How strong is stovetop coffee?

While stovetop coffee is not true espresso, it does taste similar to espresso in strength as it possesses the same rich flavour and texture created through the pressurised brewing process.

What grind size do I use for stovetop coffee?

For Stovetop we recommend a medium-fine grind size, somewhere between espresso and filter ground coffee. For more information, check out our comprehensive grind guide for all brew methods.

How many cups can I make with a Moka pot?

Moka pots are generally sized so that a 1-cup pot will produce 1-2oz of strong-tasting coffee intended for a single serving (a shot). a 2-cup pot will produce enough for two shots, and so on. It's important to note that you can't half-fill a moka pot so it's important to buy the correct size pot for your drinking habits.

How do you clean a Moka pot?

Most Moka pots are designed for minimal cleaning so you must never use soaps or other detergents as these can result in an unpleasant taste with your coffee. Instead, just disassemble your Moka pot after it has cooled and rinse each component thoroughly with warm water. Use a clean cloth to dry your Moka pot completely before reassembling it. This helps avoid oxidation.

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