Moka pots and manual brewers make coffee at home without an electric machine. The range covers stovetop moka pots from Bialetti and Maestro, plus the plunger-style AeroPress. It suits anyone who wants strong, espresso-style coffee or a fast single cup with little equipment.
How to choose a moka pot or manual brewer
Brewing method. A moka pot sits on a hob and pushes hot water up through the grounds, giving a concentrated cup that is close to espresso in strength. An AeroPress works by immersion and pressure from a plunger, so it makes a cleaner, smoother cup and suits one person at a time.
Size. Moka pots are sold by the number of cups, and one cup is a small espresso-sized serving of roughly 50 ml. A 3-cup pot is enough for one or two people, while larger pots make sense for a household that drinks coffee together. Pots are designed to be filled to the safety valve, so a pot that is too big for your usual batch will not brew well.
Material and hob type. Aluminium moka pots heat quickly and are light, but they do not work on induction hobs. Stainless steel pots with a magnetic base do, so check this before buying if you cook on induction. Gas, electric and ceramic hobs suit both materials.
Spare parts and cleaning. The rubber gasket and the filter plate wear out over time, and most moka pots allow them to be replaced. An AeroPress is easy to clean because the used coffee puck pops out in one piece. Aluminium pots should be rinsed by hand rather than put in the dishwasher.
Your grinder. A moka pot needs a medium-fine grind, finer than for filter coffee but coarser than for espresso. An AeroPress is more flexible and accepts a wide range of grind sizes. If you buy beans rather than pre-ground coffee, factor in a grinder as well.
Brands we carry
- Bialetti: the Italian company behind the octagonal Moka Express, first made in the 1930s, and by far the largest brand in this category.
- AeroPress: maker of the plunger-style brewer that uses paper microfilters and brews a cup in about a minute or two.
Also in our range: Maestro, Camry, Taurus and Krups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a moka pot and an AeroPress?
A moka pot brews on a hob using steam pressure and produces a strong, concentrated coffee. An AeroPress needs no hob, only hot water and a plunger, and gives a lighter, cleaner cup. The moka pot suits a stronger drink and larger batches, while the AeroPress is better for a single serving and for travel.
Can I use a moka pot on an induction hob?
Only if the pot has a magnetic base, which usually means stainless steel. Traditional aluminium moka pots do not work directly on induction. Some people use an induction adapter plate, but a steel pot is the simpler option.
What grind should I use in a moka pot?
Use a medium-fine grind, somewhere between filter and espresso. Too fine a grind can clog the filter and taste bitter, while too coarse a grind gives weak coffee. Fill the basket level without pressing the grounds down.
How do I choose the right size of moka pot?
Pick the size by how much coffee you drink in one go, not by the number of people at home. A moka pot brews best when the basket is completely full, so a pot that is too large for your usual batch will give uneven results. A 3-cup pot is a common starting point for one or two people.
