At Home with James Bailey - MoccaMaster Brewing Tips

[@nadea2645]

This is more infirmative than any other video about moccamaster that i have watched..thank u

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Our pleasure, Nadea. Keep your eyes peeled for another in the coming weeks.

[@KarlElvis]

You’ve covered exactly the tricks I’ve come to with 20+ years of brewing with a moccamaster. Good job. 👍🏻 I love my moccamaster. It’s indestructible and brews a great cup.

[@peytonsd1]

Just got a moccamaster and this was the most helpful and informative video! Thank you so much! I truly appreciate this!

[@alpsskiman]

Informative video. Thanks for the tips. I've had my MoccaMaster for 5 years now and love it.

[@miles267]

Ordered one. Love it. Perfecting brew daily. Went thermal carafe. Don’t regret it. Glass prone to breakage and become more brittle over time; also lack heat retention. Didn’t want a hot plate under carafe to expedite flavor loss. Best decision made. Wish I had bought one sooner.

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Brilliant to hear, Jason. We're glad you found this useful.

[@glowilk5377]

Technivorm does make a thermal model; you should have asked me, maybe investigated different shopping sources ?

[@jimconnell5747]

I also own the Moccamaster KBGT. I prefer the thermal carafe because it keeps the brew hot and keeps the flavor from deteriorating from the heat from a hot plate.

[@TJDawgs72]

Been doing this method on my 8 cup Moccamaster since I purchased it a year ago...Always a great cup of coffee.

[@Dorito230]

I like the Moccamaster filters.

[@slam854]

I am new to the Moccamaster but my first experiences have been fantastic. Previous brewing was with a Bonavita BV1900. Coffee was very good but over 6yrs the thermobloc lost some of its punch. I did a long descaling and rinsing revealing temp okay but slow. Enter Moccamaster, name says it. Coffee was not as strong but much more delicate and detailed. i can adjust.

[@slam854]

I use your Pour Over Style like did here. The KBG741 was chosen because the glass carafe is so much easier to clean over the thermal carafe. I use re mineralized RO water commercially available for its great flavor and low scaling character. Technivorm has added that float/switch combo that shuts off the heater before running the heater dry. This further reduces scale. Brilliant design!

[@nycjake4553]

James, thanks for posting your video. You have confirmed what I've been doing. I start with shutting down the valve on the filter in order to allow an accumulation of water to cover the grounds. Then I stir the grounds to assure they are all wet for extraction. After stirring I open the valve to allow the coffee to flow into the carafe. I have stirred the grounds again and the end and I've also brewed the coffee without stirring the grounds at the end. Perhaps it's my taste buds, but the coffee taste the same to me whether or not the grounds are stirred for a second time. The coffee is excellent although it is not as strong as the coffee made in my old Alessi 9090 Stovetop Coffee Maker. YMMV but the Technivorm Moccamaster works very well for me. I enjoy my Moccamaster - in my humble opinion it's great. As for the critics they are entitled to their own opinions. Perhaps those who submit the negative comments are merely rationalizing because they are unable to afford a Moccamaster.

[@armandonavarro5608]

You are awesome!

[@andreinvictoria]

I have a thermal craft and like to rinse it with hot water right before I brew. Especially on a cold morning. I don't bother string at the beginning or end anymore. I don't find any discernible difference in taste. Leaving the cover off just lowers the brew temperature. (My kitchen is cold in the morning)

[@stevedavis8329]

I also have gotten to the point where I'll give the coffee a little stir while it's in the filter basket. The one weakness of that arm is that towards the front of the basket, there's a kind of damp "crust" that forms and I think stirring helps make sure all the coffee grounds are being used in the extraction. 28.5 grams for 500 ml (which is right at the 4 cups mark), ground a couple clicks down from french press on my grinder, and I get the best stumptown decaf I could wish for.

[@kyliepax3214]

This was helpful, cheers!

[@BobRooney290]

i think that cover over the filter is meant to keep the temps consistent.

[@sellitman]

It will get up to a higher temperature if you leave the top onto both sides of the brewer as the maker intended.

[@zorkabaljak3919]

I'm looking forward to sampling a variety of coffee, teas and cocoa.

[@KallMeKG]

I learned the way the top is in the pot, that funnel, no need to stir after brewing.

[@chrisl2285]

I have a KTBS model and I've never gotten a decent cup of coffee from it, much less a good one. And this with a Virtuoso grinder. Since cooler weather is upon us, I may have to get it out and experiment some more with it.

[@DIsmayedConfuse]

Perhaps you should check the water temperature with a digital cooking thermometer. Mine brews at the proper temperature, but your unit may be off.

[@marcustiplea9297]

I love that frosted mug. Where did you find that?

[@garyhare8902]

For a second I thought I was sat in your kitchen. Great video.

[@glowilk5377]

Does anybody wet the filter ? I do. And, I do use the lids. Yes. I don’t want anything flying into my water, thanks. Think dust. Also, the steam from the water to the fresh ground beans ( yes, grind your own, learn how) assists the process of brewing. Last, buy the thermal pot model & stop stressing about hot coffee. Wash everything at once including the pot at once. With soap. Coffee has oil. My Moccamaster is spotless .

[@Pendulaura]

Thank you! Great tips. I'm curious - what grinder do you prefer?

[@elganpowell9552]

I always take the brew basket out and give it a vigorous swirl to flatten the bed after the water has stopped flowing. Evens out the extraction and prevents any sour and bitter flavours from channeling!

[@workshopcoffee9001]

An excellent addition to the MoccaMaster brewing technique. A stir, tap or swill can really help induce an even draw down and create a flat bed, which - as you say - prevents any unwanted channelling in the final portion of the brew.

[@moses7313]

Is that after you wet the filter? Or after you brewed the batch? I’m asking because I barely got mine lol

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

Well done.

[@rickyburton4642]

Thank you for the tips! 😃☕️👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@MrBobHaley]

Just another tip. Close the filter basket valve in the beginning of the brew, and let it fill untill the coffee grounds are submerged. Turn the mocca master off for 30 sec and in the meantime take a spoon and make sure all the coffee grounds are submerged under water. After the 30 sec open the valve to 50% and start the mocca master again. Cheer's

[@fredbloggs6080]

I don't believe this version, or the new ones, have a filter basket valve you can turn off without taking out carafe, let alone 50% setting.

[@heatherdouglas-palumberi8297]

The manual one does, I believe. Just (6/2023) got a select with auto stop (stops if glass carafe is removed). Was on the fence re: getting manual version (comes only in brushed steel?) because wanted the half and full pot flow rate button options. The manual version (KBT?) does have full, half and closed lever functions in the basket.

[@glowilk5377]

I don’t have the option of “ off / on “on my thermal model. Bummer.

[@orrinbelcher6593]

Great video fun and informative thank you

[@evanhirsch6940]

Nice video, but - given the importance of the grind size - loses a lot for me in that you don't actually show the ground coffee. Saying "coarse" well, that is pretty open to interpretation. I guess I can just fool around with my Comandante and see how it tastes, but it would be nice to have a visual idea of what you suggest as a good grind size.

[@upscalebohemian5372]

When Moccamaster talks about "cups" the closest we have that matches their expectation are small after dinner coffee cups as one finds with fine china patterns. It's about 4 fluid ounces/18ml. A little bigger than a typical espresso cup.

[@stevedavis8329]

I think, without looking, that 4 "european" cups equals roughly 500 ml. At least, I'm pretty sure that's how I worked it out, before I became jaded and just said "meh, I'll do it by eye."

[@aftamathmatix]

Very helpful video, thank you. Ive decided to order one (5 year warranty, its a no-brainer) A question though: could you start the water flowing but remove the carafe for say around a minute and then replace it to allow the coffee to start pouring through. Would this achieve a steep and release phase? I know that's possible on the KBT/KBTS model where you can close the valve by half or completely to reduce/stop the flow of water.

[@workshopcoffee9001]

That's correct, Samiullah - there is a different version which allows you to close a valve under the brew chamber, but with this model you can simply remove the carafe and if won't drip through, as was demonstrated in rinsing the filter paper. Great option to do a steep and release if you're brewing a smaller batch in this model. Thanks for the kind feedback and we hope you enjoy the Moccamaster.

[@Woolmouse]

Do you have a video showing how to properly clean it. Or even cleaning it with the lemon like you said?

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

Moccamaster has a cleaning product (along with descaling product) works very well, they also have some good videos on their website.

[@DennisKooimanGomes]

Another perfect review …..I have a 1zpresso-JX PRO. Do you have a preferred grind setting for this grinder when using the Moccamaster?

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Hi Denis - thanks very much for watching. Unfortunately we don't have any experience with that grinder, but we'd generally recommend aiming for a coarse, granular consistency.

[@nycjake4553]

James, again thank you for your video. I thought I would add an additional comment. I have the thermal carafe that you obviously cannot see through. More than once unfortunately I made coffee and inadvertently neglected to pour the hot water I had run through the Moccamaster in order to wet the filter. I was multi-tasking early in the morning cooking, or heating my half and half or grinding my beans etc. So now, in order to avoid wasting good coffee beans by brewing coffee into a partially water filled thermal carafe, I simply wet the filter with water from the faucet. This comment may be helpful to owners with the thermal carafes.

[@cynthiagaudino9272]

thank you. question please, if you only make a few cups, can you leave pot out to stop flow and allow coffee to saturate and stur then put pot back to allow water to then flow into pot?

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Yes! That is a great hack if you want to start a semi-immersion style brew. Just be aware if there is too much liquid in the brew basket that when you add the jug the flow can be quite fast and it could spill, so ease the jug in gently.

[@johnhalsey6546]

It the coffee maker able to achieve the needed temp with the cover removed from the basket during operation? I know that manual pour over like Chemex and V60 don’t use a cover, but water is being poured directly from the kettle. Thank you for posting this video! Looking forward to making a pot of coffee with these modifications. Take care

[@workshopcoffee9001]

HI John - thanks for watching and for the kind words. yes, the brewer is able to achieve the required temperature with the cover removed from the basket. As we recommend a few stirs during the brewing process, we often leave it off for the duration.

[@glowilk5377]

Use the lid. It’s no big deal. You close the car door when you drive, right ?

[@Pilot964]

Great video! I am not comfortable with the hot liquid passing through plastic. Is this a valid concern? Thank you!

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Thanks for your question, Chris. The plastic in the brewer is BPA free, and we have no concerns about it ourselves, but if you’re still tentative then you could look at alternative options with metal baskets or removable baskets where you can add your own brew cone, made of ceramic for example.

[@Pilot964]

@@workshopcoffee9001 Thank you. Do you know of any auto drip makers where that would be possible? Have you tested the Ratio Eight?

[@traal]

@@Pilot964 the Sage (Breville) Precision batch brewer has an adapter kit for V60 or other third party cones!

[@JamSW91]

I already desperately wanted one of these before watching this video 😩😂

[@garrettbernstein5991]

I've had two, and I'll say that the experience is a bit underwhelming. With US current, the brew cycle is apathetic - with the water weakly coming out. Brewing 1.25 liters, the top outer grounds are definitely not as saturated as the grounds in the middle. Now a quick stir mid-brew solves that and makes a world of difference in the flavors. But my bonavita made as good a cup of coffee without the need to stir, which makes me wonder what all the fuss is about. Well perhaps the beautiful design, because lets face it, it is a looker. And there was certainly a time when MM was the only consumer grade coffee maker capable of brewing in the 195 - 205 range. But that's not much of a brag anymore. So keep your expectations in line....

[@waveaddict2271]

@@garrettbernstein5991 I agree. Coming from a Chemex and an Aero press the MoccaMaster Is fairly pathetic. The "spray nozzle" only wets half the basket and requires stirring. The whole point of buying a machine was the idea of less tending to. An expensive mistake. Also, even with a stir, the coffee is not nearly as good as the other methods i've used.

[@Smellslikegelfling]

@@waveaddict2271 I agree, if you have to baby sit and fidget so much with a $300 machine it kind of defeats the purpose. Especially when you can get better coffee for the same amount of effort and way less money with a Chemex or V60.

[@execatty]

@@garrettbernstein5991 which bonavita

[@garrettbernstein5991]

@@execatty The Bonavita BV1902DW. That was while ago - I have settled on my favorite drip brewer to date - the OXO Brew 8 cup, an SCA brewer that I believe is best of class under $300.

[@baraBober]

Just ordered one, should arrive in a few days. If I want to heat up cold coffee, do I just flick the power switch without any water in the container?

[@workshopcoffee9001]

That's correct, Sasha. Flicking the switch on will keep the hot plate warm for up to 45 minutes.

[@Fireworxs2012]

You would have been better off with a Bunn... I've had both & the Bunn kicks ass and cost 1/3 as much..

[@glowilk5377]

Thermal model, maybe. ? Reheating coffee ? Does the re-heat make it bitter ? Make the fresh, yum.

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

@@Fireworxs2012 That's why Burn has won all those perfect brew and flavor awards.

[@paulmillerick4092]

How many grams of coffee yo your 750 ml of water? Thanks for this helpful video

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Thanks for watching, Paul. We'd recommend 45g of coffee to 750g of water.

[@nigelmelville2473]

do you switch only 1 switch on or both?

[@calcuttr1]

Hi James, do you have a recommendation for a good water filter to use with the MM? Thanks

[@elganpowell9552]

Anything from BWT - makes hard water produce bright, acidic, fruity flavours

[@workshopcoffee9001]

For accessibility, ease of use, consistency and price, we recommend BWT's filter jug: workshopcoffee.com/collections/hardware/products/bwt-water-filter-jug

[@neilbaltes3469]

What do you recommend for a just two cups of coffee per morning? Is this machine overkill?

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Hi Neil - it works very well for for 2 cups (or around 500-600ml of coffee) on a daily basis. In fact, Moccamaster's newer model, the Select, has a switch that allows you to adjust water flow. This allows you to get just as much out of smaller batches of coffee as larger ones. We've a video on this specific product here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXXJdnSXeJd-Ztk

[@glowilk5377]

Not over kill ! Think of treating yourself every morning with a quality brew. Learn to grind your own beans and be transported to everyday bliss with that first coffee. Endorphins arise !

[@neilbaltes3469]

@@workshopcoffee9001 Thank you!!

[@ESW206]

Can someone help me? So I fill it up to “6” on the water line. I do about 3 full scoops of the beans to grind, using the scooper that moccamaster provides. Does this sound about right? I don’t need it to be 100 percent perfect, just 90 percent is good Enuff for me. Thx!

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

6 is about half full so use 4 of the 2 tablespoon scoops.

[@cmaur811]

Looking to buy one .. but I don’t think i have the time to keep stirring with a spoon.

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Hi Carol - you needn't implement these steps to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. These are just extra steps you can take to get even more from your brew. Thanks for watching.

[@glowilk5377]

Stirring the grounds assures the mix is incorporated; you have the time: 5 - 8 seconds ? Better flavor is assured ! Enjoy !

[@RyanF91W]

Online it says these have a pre immersion feature. How does this work?

[@workshopcoffee9001]

This is more true of the Select, which is a newer model than the brewer featured in this video and offers different flow rates for different batch sizes. It doesn’t look as though it actually works like a ‘pre-infusion’ but takes more time to add the water when you’re just brewing half a litre, for example. We've a detailed video on the MoccaMaster Select coming soon.

[@RyanF91W]

@@workshopcoffee9001 thanks for the reply. On the website it states this for all models “Pre-immersion drip-style system ensures the perfect coffee bloom” not sure how it achieves this.

[@georgemullen8890]

Hi James, really great vid thanks for sharing! What setting were you using on the Uniform btw? Just a couple of suggestions... Even a cheap mic should make a massive difference - sounds like you're using the on board camera mic? Also it would be great to see some other angles of the process, particularly of the grind. Just livens up the video a bit. Thanks again, great to see you guys making videos like this!

[@shimmyjimmy88]

Hi George, thanks very much for the kind words! For this size brew on the Moccamaster I'd try around 34 on the Wilfa Uniform to start with. I appreciate your feedback, especially on the sound! I'm very new to this whole video malarky and it took a few goes before I realised I had the Røde mic set up incorrectly. As we make some more I will ensure it is set correctly, and am now backing up audio with a zoom mic h6, so you should see a gradual improvement on the sound in the new slew of videos 🤞 - I also intend to prepare a whole video comparing grind sizes with more visual references, as it is often the hardest information to convey. Best, J

[@workshopcoffee9001]

We're working on it and hope you've noticed some steps on in sound in recent weeks. Our commitment to the ongoing cycle of quality is true not just in our approach to coffee, but video production too.

[@Tnapvrvideo]

Nice presentation! Why do they use a plastic filter holder on the KBG Moccamaster? Won't that impact the flavor after it passes through the paper filter?

[@fredbloggs6080]

After a short time they become coffee flavored.

[@glowilk5377]

I wet the filter with water first. It DOES make a tremendous difference. Try it once, you will see. 👍😉

[@gigglybeast]

Aren’t you losing heat and lowering the water temperature by not putting the cover on the brew basket?

[@glowilk5377]

No. Try both ways & decide. I prefer the lid on, trust the lid. It helps the grounds bloom releasing the CO2 from the roasting process. It’s a great read about the science of coffee brewing.

[@gigglybeast]

@@glowilk5377 - This is a weird reply to my question. Are you saying you don’t lose heat with the lid off? That doesn’t make sense to me. Why does the lid on help the grounds bloom if it isn’t retaining more heat?

[@EuroBedouin]

I actually found the Melitta filter paper better than the Technivorm ones 🤔

[@gigglybeast]

How is it better?

[@glowilk5377]

Are they less expensive?

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

Don't ya just love a these fact filled statements?

[@martincerda784]

How many grams of coffee I didn’t catch that.

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Hi Martin - for this recipe, which used 750ml of water, we recommend 45g of coffee.

[@glowilk5377]

Try your own ratio; it’s only a suggestion.

[@glowilk5377]

His ratio; start there and adjust to you. You do, you 😊

[@Smellslikegelfling]

If you have to pay so much attention and fidget with the brew process on a $300 machine, it seems like you could just do pour over and get the same or better results for less money.

[@workshopcoffee9001]

@@gr7485 As G R says, this video's offering a way of getting even more from your MoccaMaster, rather than an entry level brew guide. You'll get delicious results from simply adding coffee to the brew basket, filling up the reservoir and pressing the on switch.

[@jm3725]

Hi ! Enjoyed the vid. My moccamaster is coming tomorrow, can’t wait. Have you got any tips on water to coffee ratio? Also will there be a massive difference between a coarse grind vs a fine grind? Thanks

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Thanks for watching and very glad to hear you enjoyed it. Try out 45g coffee for 750g water and adjust up and down if necessary with the ratio of 60g per litre. Be sure to use a coarser grind for larger brews.

[@glowilk5377]

Do not use RO water in your Moccamaster. 3 years later . It ruins the internals. By now you are on your #2 pot ?

[@smecik1]

It's my first WS videos with James and I'm disappointed with James not having his baseball cap :)

[@shimmyjimmy88]

Haha! I have many in my collection 😉 will pop another on for today's filming. J

[@juts89]

I'd feel a lot better about buying one if they had a decent shower head.

[@traal]

The new model has an improved shower head!

[@debbiegeorge5292]

Good Lord, what a production....no no...not as simple as pushing a button.

[@glowilk5377]

Go with Keurig then, be happy. Enjoy the stale coffee pods.

[@sbellosa]

"It LOOKS about right"?

[@justraymond3182]

I thought the lid for the grounds would help retain heat/steam. I can see how the water lid is more useless...

[@fredbloggs6080]

The water tank lid might prevent dust from getting in the tank when not in use.

[@alexandermhamelhamel3662]

Fuck a lid, I do the same shiet

[@tycho157]

A colleague asked me once how I decide on the amount of coffee I have to put into the filter, and I just had to say "It’s not something I decide, I just start putting it in, and then when I am correct, my ancestors come to me and say to me “My son, that’s enough”

[@Fireworxs2012]

This is a lot of bullshit to go through to get a decent cup of coffee out of a machine that costs $350.00...

[@workshopcoffee9001]

Hi there - it would be if the MoccaMaster didn't make an excellent cup of coffee without requiring any of these extra steps being taken. However, as we mention at the start of the video, and in the description, all of these tips are suggestions on how to get even more from your coffee when using this automated brewer.

[@glowilk5377]

Harsh comment; chill and let me make a cup as dude suggests, you will feel better.

[@Thekoffrekup]

Stirring the grounds was cringy and goes against coffee snob law

[@glowilk5377]

No. It doesn’t. There’s a method for you, the Keurig from Walmart. Not a snob, but someone who does not like icky coffee.

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

Actually it is true snobbery.