Bialetti Moka Express Review

We purchased the Bialetti Moka Express so our reviewer could put it to the test in his kitchen. Keep reading for the full product review.

The Bialetti Moka Express was invented in 1933 and has remained one of the most popular brewing devices around the world ever since. Its design was simple yet revolutionary. In fact, the Moka Express that we know today is nearly identical to the ones found in Italian kitchens close to a century ago. I’ve owned a 6-cup model for four years and sum up my thoughts below. I cover a number of areas, including price, maintenance, and performance to help you decide if the Moka Express is worth purchasing. Read on for the full review.

Design: Simple and timeless

Before first using the Moka Express, I assumed it would require a learning curve. After all, it looks and works differently than most brewing devices. It's unlike a drip coffee maker or French press—the two coffee makers I was most familiar with at the time. But I quickly discovered how straightforward the device actually is.

It has three main parts: a bottom chamber for water, a filter for coffee grounds, and a top chamber where the coffee ends up. When placed on a stovetop (or over a fire for you campers), steam pressure builds in the bottom chamber and propels water up through the coffee grounds, resulting in the bold brew for which moka pots are known.

There are a couple small design issues I've come across, though. The first is avoidable and more of an error on my end than a defect, but I find it worth noting. When I use too fine of a grind size or let the Moka Express boil for too long, coffee grounds can end up in the top chamber and, from there, into my cup. To avoid this, I use a medium-fine grind and remove the Moka Express from the burner as soon as it starts gurgling. The other issue—and one that's unavoidable—is that the handle often gets hot to touch and can wobble a bit.

As for the aesthetic, I appreciate the touch of Italian coffee history the Moka Express brings to my kitchen. The stainless steel silhouette feels timeless, not antiquated. Plus, it’s compact enough to store in a cupboard if you don’t love the look of it. The item is available in sizes ranging from one to 18 espresso-sized cups (roughly 1.5 ounces per cup), and even the largest model won’t overwhelm your kitchen.

Performance: A versatile alternative to espresso

The Moka Express is often described as a "stovetop espresso maker." While it does brew richer coffee than, say, a drip machine, it does not make true espresso. There just isn’t enough pressure to replicate the body, aroma, and crema of espresso. I find moka pot coffee to be more like drip than espresso, but minor adjustments can make it lean one way or the other.

In this regard, I appreciate the amount of control I have over the coffee. I can use a finer grind, higher heat, and less water for an extra-bold punch of caffeine or a slightly coarser grind with more water when I’m in the mood for something closer to drip coffee. All in all, the Moka Express is surprisingly versatile. I've made "lattes" by substituting Moka Express coffee for espresso and they're satisfactory but not café-quality.

Keep in mind that there's a double edge to having this much control. Small differences in the brewing parameters lead to significant differences in the coffee, which makes the Moka Express a little finnicky, especially for new users. It can take awhile to figure out the brewing recipe you prefer and how to perfect it. Many different methods work, but here's what I follow for my 6-cup model:

• Grind 25 to 30 grams of coffee on a medium-fine grind, leaning more toward medium.
• Fill the bottom chamber with hot water to just below the valve. I learned late in the game that starting with hot water, around 205 degrees, works much better than cold water.
• Add coffee grounds to the filter basket. Make sure the grounds are level but don't tamp them down like an espresso shot.
• Place the Moka Express on medium heat and leave the lid open.
• Once the coffee begins to sputter (you'll recognize this immediately), remove the Moka Express from the burner and rinse the bottom chamber under cold water to stop the brewing process.

That's it. From there you'll be able to enjoy a strong cup of coffee with a lot of body. It should take around five minutes to brew, but if you use a finer grind and more coffee it could take up to 10 minutes.

Cleaning: Needs a quick rinse after every use

The Moka Express should not be cleaned in the dishwasher, so you’ll need to wash it by hand or at least rinse it after every use. This never takes me long. Sometimes it’s less than a minute because I simply wash off loose coffee grounds and leave the disassembled parts to dry, but cleaning a brewer every single time when it only produces a small amount of coffee may annoy some users. Before brewing, I will occasionally question if it’s worth the effort for a cup or two of coffee, and my mind may drift to another coffee maker I have around. This is one reason why I think the Moka Express is better suited as a complement to other home coffee makers instead of as your sole brewing device.

Now, there is a school of thought that the Moka Express doesn't need to be cleaned at all. Some experts and longtime users say the buildup of coffee residue actually enhances the flavor over time. The brand itself dispels this myth and recommends cleaning it after every use, but it advises against using dish soap. Water and a soft cloth is all you need to clean the item.

Price: Paying for the name

For such a simple and affordable device, I find the Moka Express’s value rather complicated. On one hand, it’s significantly cheaper than an electric espresso maker, and it’s similar in price to other non-electric brewers, like a French press or pour over. On the other, the Moka Express is more expensive than most moka pots on the market. Considering that moka pots have a universal design and are usually made from stainless steel, it feels like Bialetti charges more because of its brand recognition.

Another minor frustration is that the price of the Moka Express varies widely depending on the retailer. It makes sense that the price varies by capacity—a 1-cup model, for instance, is less expensive than a 12-cup model—but when retailers charge substantially different prices for the same size Moka Express, it imparts a feeling that you must hunt for a fair deal.

At the end of the day, you can always find a Moka Express at a reasonable price, but I don’t consider the item a true bargain. If you prefer the coffee it brews to an expensive drip machine or espresso maker, though, then it becomes a steal.

Long-Term Insights: No signs of slowing down

I have no major concerns about my Moka Express nearly four years after purchasing it. The top chamber still twists securely into the bottom chamber. The lid clasp and handle remain sturdy, and the gasket still seals well. I used the Moka Express regularly the first few months of owning it, but not as much now. That said, I think it would have held up just as well with heavier use over the same amount of time. The one downside I’ll note is that both chambers have minor coffee stains inside, but it personally doesn’t bother me much and is likely the result of lax cleaning on my part.

Bialetti Moka Expess vs. AeroPress Coffee Maker

The Moka Express and the AeroPress don’t share a similar design, but many coffee lovers may be deciding between the two for a few reasons. They are non-electric, sold at a similar price, and can brew coffee so rich it’s almost like espresso.

Our team has reviewed the AeroPress too and gave it a higher score than the Moka Express, with specific praise for its fast brewing and ease of cleaning, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically choose the former over the latter. Those who want a coffee maker with a larger capacity or one that doesn’t require paper filters may prefer the Moka Express. I've used both brewers myself and, purely based on taste, prefer the AeroPress. But, in the end, both are worthwhile options, so it all comes down to individual preference.