Tips and facts before starting your brew
- Wash all parts in warm (not soapy) water.
This will eliminate any chemical residue left on the unit as a result of the manufacturing process. Don’t use soap, as this may interfere with the coffee’s flavor. - Get your coffee ready.
Ground Coffee -- Look for coffee grounds specifically for Moka pots. A simple search for "Moka Ground Coffee" will return some good results.
Coffee Beans -- Grinding coffee beans fresh before use gives you the best results. You should look to grind your coffee "medium fine", just slightly coarser than the consistency of table salt. This is coarser than espresso grind, which is a similar consistency to flour. - Stovetop power level.
We recommend using a medium or low power level on induction and electric stovetops. When using a gas stovetop the flame must not go beyond the circumference of the base. Use a gas ring reducer if necessary. - Remove the pot immediately once brewing is complete.
Leaving the pot on the heat source to continue heating after the brew may cause oxidation/discoloration in a short amount of time. - Throw away your first 1-2 brews.
Building up a thin layer of coffee oils on the inside of your unit will seal the stainless steel surface. It should prevent you from experiencing a metallic taste that is commonly associated with a new unit.
How to brew
Step 1: Fill Bottom Chamber with Water. Unscrew the base of the unit and fill the lower chamber with water. For best results, pre-heat the water in your kettle first. This will speed up the process and improve the taste of your coffee.
You must fill the bottom chamber with enough water, so that the level is just below the steam release valve (the gold nut with a hole in the middle). This is to ensure enough pressure can build up to push the water up through the funnel.
Step 2: Add Ground Coffee to the Filter. Use a coffee scoop or teaspoon to fill the filter with your
ground coffee. Be sure to fill the basket, but do not pack the coffee down tightly, as the coffee needs room to expand. Simply level off the coffee with your finger at the end to remove any loose grounds.
Place the funnel back on top of the water-filled lower chamber.
Important! Packing the coffee down tightly will cause too much pressure to build up in the machine, which can be dangerous.
Step 3: Screw the upper and lower chambers together. Twist both chambers together until a tight seal is made (If you pre-heated the water in a kettle, make sure you use a hand towel to do this). Failure to do this adequately will prevent the pressure build-up needed to brew your coffee.
Step 4: Place Espresso Maker onto Stovetop. Place the unit onto the smallest burner on your stovetop, and turn on low-medium heat. Keep an eye on the brewing process by flipping up the lid occasionally to see if the coffee has started seeping into the upper chamber. Once this starts to happen, you know you are about 1 minute from enjoying your freshly brewed coffee. When you start to hear a gurgling noise, the brewing process is complete. Remove the pot from the stovetop and run the base under the cold water tap to stop the brewing process. This will prevent the coffee from over-brewing, which produces a bitter taste.
Step 5: Serve Up. Your coffee is now ready to be served. Pour 50ml into a cup for a single shot, or 100ml for a double. Top off with hot water or steamed milk as preferred.