Why your Moka pot tastes bad

[@michaelawesomebanks]

#1: dont grind your coffee too fine! #2: dont pack the grounds down! #3: dont go past medium heat! #4: leaving it on the burner too long! #5: not cleaning your moka pot!

[@chefofzen]

bonus tip : slightly open the lid while pouring to add some of the crema

[@patrickallard2520]

I'm not sure an aluminium pot is healthy, better use a inox one.

[@lisa6371]

@@patrickallard2520 Inox makes a much better cup off coffee too. I live in Italy and most sold are aluminum. Terrible!!!! I won't even drink out of it. I have my grandparents vintage Vev Vigano and it makes a huge difference. Or I use my inox or Le Creuset french press.

[@Johro66]

@@patrickallard2520 I have a stainless steel Bialetti, they are available, I much prefer it, I won't use aluminium.

[@Johro66]

@@lisa6371 Bialetti make a stainless steel moka pot too, I have one.

[@randompty]

Number one advice from me.....keep the burner at low to medium. All the other tips, you can mess up on. I never pre-boil. Never cool down. Just keep the burner down. And remove after it starts steaming. Don't worry about being perfect. All this obsession with the perfect cup....I've been brewing coffee for decades. Most important tip is to enjoy.

[@mikeyjsy]

100% agree. I use cold (or room temperature) water and use the lowest gas setting. Takes longer but comes out perfect every time.

[@loodog555]

More discussion on preheating water:kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U

[@switchstatement568]

@@loodog555 I just preheated it to try your theory, no difference. Actually it looks like it's watered down, at first I thought it was just a feeling, but it seems that preheating removes some flavor.

[@OG_ALviK]

@@switchstatement568 No wonder I've never heard of preheating water for moka. Because indeed it sounds like extra useless step and extra appliances that just fill the kitchen space for no reason. Either way, I'm gonna try this preheating methodology tomorrow morning.

[@switchstatement568]

@@OG_ALviK I agree with you, I am making a coffee not a full meal so there's no need to clutter the kitchen with another pan, but I have to say it does some difference, the result for me is basically a watery coffee with less flavour, please let me know your results after you try, another opinion would be good since it seems that a lot of people would debate over it.

[@breadyegg]

Mistake#4 was the one I learned most recently. When the coffee is coming out, after a while there will be a "surge" that is more pale and watery. That's the time to take it off the heat. I always used to keep it on until all the water had filtered through.

[@miguelarturopalomaresruiz]

not a mistake, also not a problem, it depends on time coffee starts burning (Giving off sour flavors) 3.5 minutes after it has started brewing (got in contact with hot water), as long as that water doesn't come 3.5 minutes after the brew started there's no problem on waiting for it to finish. but if you left the grinds on the fire for a long time is possible that it has already burnt

[@Gianfranco_69]

Pale and watery means you didnt fill the Grounds pan up and flatten it.... ignore this videos "dont pack it" advice ,you have to pack it if you like strong espresso... which ,to be fair,is what a Mocha pot is for

[@breadyegg]

Great tips. Thanks gents

[@miguelarturopalomaresruiz]

​@@Gianfranco_69 this is wrong and dangereous, mocha pot is not designed to withstand pressure as a espresso machine, that's not what mocha pot is designed for.

[@Gianfranco_69]

@@miguelarturopalomaresruiz oh....i dont 'tamp it down' like an espresso machine,just fill and flatten it...they are fool proof,they never explode (they have a valve) unless you make a rookie error and put grounds in the bottom and coffee in the top...which i have seen someone do

[@nishali3343]

i love bitter coffee sometimes, the taste lingers the whole day, sometimes well into the night.

[@louisbourbon8973]

I've never heard of boiling the water BEFORE putting it in the moka pot.

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

Me either!

[@Balmung812]

To boil it faster and to avoid sizzling the coffee grounds, you don't want them to taste bitter.

[@BosmanHa]

It just saves time. If you think about it, it makes sense to do so , because starting out with cold water will add nothing to the flavour. You're just making yourself wait longer.

[@robhulson]

@@BosmanHa yeah, but, doesn’t boiling some water first take time? 🧐

[@garygrinkevich6971]

@@robhulson I have an electric kettle it really does save on boil time vs the open flame on the stove in a cold perk, you can use the electric kettle to heat up your mugs as well so the coffee doesn't immediately go cold when you pour it, its really was a game changer to my coffee game.

[@peteraugust5295]

I love how the intro is precisely the story that probably brings 95% of the people to the video.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

I used to start with cold water, but a few days ago I read that it should be hot, so I tried freshly boiled water, and the result was much better, smoother and tastier. I also tried grinding less fine, and that also improved the result. And yes, taking it off the stove when frothing helped too. So I agree with your recommendations, wish I’d discovered this years ago. Tomorrow I receive a new burr hand grinder, having always used a blade coffee mill. Apparently the burr grinder will make a big difference, as the grounds will be a more uniform size.

[@loodog555]

Indeed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpiwXpKkhbV-ndk& burr grinders are necessity! I'm told you get much better quality for your dollar with a manual grinder, but I'm laaazy. You need that morning coffee to have the energy to operate a manual grinder, but you need ground coffee to get that morning coffee soooo,,,

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

@@loodog555 I’ve ordered a manual grinder, but I cannot fault your logic. Looks like I’ll need an ekectric grinder too so I can wake up enough to use the manual one. Oh shoot.

[@calahad]

This is all legit information. Once I started preparing my moka pot the way it's described in this video, the difference has been night and day compared with my years of wrong brewing method.

[@loodog555]

Awesome! Glad to be a help! That’s a pretty good yelp review! For even more tips, there’s my follow up video linked above and there’s this awesome video if you search “moka pot voodoo”, he’s also got some nice tips to try out.

[@creation_nono]

Legend has it, that behind this piano concert there is a guy ina distance talking something about the coffe.

[@loodog555]

Of all the comments annoyed with me for my mixing of sound levels, this is by far my favorite.

[@creation_nono]

@@loodog555 :) its a polite way of saying just eliminate the music. Less is more.

[@loodog555]

@@creation_nono Believe me, I know what the message is from the 40 (less witty) comments before you. Unfortunately, KZbin doesn’t let you just upload a new video to replace an old one, so we’re all stuck with it. I have made improvements on my newer videos.

[@fromtheflightdeck252]

Washing with soap is what they mean you dont need to do. Even Bialetti on their box says environmentally friendly as you just need to rinse off the oils under a hot tap and then dry off with a tea towel. That takes care of all the cleaning meeded. Best stored in pieces completely dry.

[@loodog555]

Hi thanks for the comment! Bialetti themselves specifies occasional washing with lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda: www.bialetti.com/it_en/inspiration/post/how-to-clean-the-coffee-pot-at-home-natural-and-effective-remedies

[@Old299dfk]

I just got a moke pot for Christmas... youtube knows this somehow. Although I have no privacy whatsoever, atleast I have good coffee now.

[@loodog555]

Hope the video helps you on the path to good coffee!

[@carles3316]

😔✌️

[@lainedauncey8578]

I don’t have one and I got recommended

[@shermanfirefly5410]

@@lainedauncey8578 I just thought of it in my mind, and then seconds later-- *Pop*

[@peternorthe1912]

Plot twist: I like sugar in my coffee so I add it to the Bialletti with the ground coffee and brew it in. I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but I seem to need less sugar when I brew it in.

[@loodog555]

Interesting! My prior roommate was Dominican and told me DR style was to put some sweetened condensed milk in the bottom chamber instead of water.... well, I just wound up clogging the connecting tube! Would NOT recommend. Solution to your query: do a blinded trial - make it both with a tsp of sugar during brewing and after brewing and have someone present the two cups to you. See if you can tell the difference. Expectations contribute A LOT to the experience.

[@oldcowbb]

i never tasted my moka pot, the coffee comes out of it tastes good tho

[@loodog555]

I deem this joke properly brewed.

[@samuele5931]

@@loodog555 my moka pot tastes of alluminum 😂

[@JoseRivera-rl3qv]

@@samuele5931 lol

[@Bash0382]

I never experienced a bad tasting coffee from my moka pot and i dont put hot water before it brews. I just put regular temperature water and let it boil on the stove

[@JoseRivera-rl3qv]

@@Bash0382 it never boils

[@Asdayasman]

I like the idea that some dumbass saw a washing machine and thought "fuck that looks delicious". It's tide pods before tide.

[@DJ.LakeSea]

Another good tip is to NEVER tap or bang the funnel when emptying the grounds, as it can distort the shape of the funnel and cause the pot to not seal properly. A lot of people think the sealing gasket is bad or they have a defective pressure valve when they get steam leaks, which may be the case, but it could also be the funnel is distorted.

[@loodog555]

I have not personally had this problem, but your mileage may vary! Certainly, aluminum in a thin layer is more malleable than most people realize!

[@DJ.LakeSea]

@@loodog555 I've also just recently realized that it is better to have your coffee grounds filled about 1mm BELOW the rim of the funnel. This is because the top strainer protrudes below the gasket and can 'move' the grounds while the top is being screwed on, this can cause the grounds to get caught in the seal or the thread.

[@susan8282]

How do you empty it?

[@sO_RoNerY]

@@susan8282 the funnel where the coffee goes? Turn it upside down, make sure the long funnel thing is not hot. Blow into it and 90% of the coffee grounds will fall out.

[@djambu]

Thanks for ur suggestion. I'll try this one out next time. Hopefully it turns out well.

[@leginspeg6051]

I put cold water in mine and wait until i can’t hear the bubbling and never had a bad coffee

[@Chris_Tinacan]

You do you. You're making coffee to please your taste buds, not anyone elses 😊

[@joeshapiro8365]

Mmmm im sorry to inform you every cup of coffee youve had tastes terrible

[@Chris_Tinacan]

@@joeshapiro8365 😂

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

Thats how i make mine but have i been wrong ?!,

[@FedoraSpunk]

Your coffee is probably fine, maybe even best, sometimes if you skin the cat from the other end it's better. But in this vase you're actually more closely following the manufactures instructions instead of getting cocky

[@SirenEklipso]

I don't even drink coffee. I'm just fascinated with the alternative coffee pot aesthetic. Edit: I now have a french press and a Moka pot

[@loodog555]

The art deco design of these things is iconic.

[@mygetawayart]

in Italy whatever you people use is literally alien.

[@nikolaisedov2295]

Yeah i enjoy the process every time and I like watching it erupt like a little volcano lol

[@gavinc.morrison1147]

@@nikolaisedov2295 facts

[@JOHNOSA]

moka is better in taest or french press?

[@billist4]

I've watched dozens of Bialetti Moka pots and this one is excellent. I appreciate the in-depth look at the history of the Moka pot and its inventor, too. Thank you!

[@loodog555]

Thanks, Bill!

[@Mar1983-x3c]

Thank you...

[@Handom1]

i always fill the sieve completely with powder, tap it lightly so that the powder is distributed and smooth it out. this is how you avoid channeling.

[@henningyoutube9563]

Fancy seeing you here 😅

[@loodog555]

I've never gotten channeling, though I've researched about whether you need to completely fill the basket: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac

[@Handom1]

@@loodog555 Thank you!

[@taitcarrillo8926]

I don’t drink coffee And I’ve never heard of a Moka pot Thank you sleep deprivation

[@loodog555]

I honestly didn't think this video would be remotely interesting to anyone who wasn't into coffee. How did you get here?

[@QianBing]

@@loodog555 youtube recommendations are weird as fuck

[@xscarletfields]

An italian died somewhere in the world

[@lisalisa-ge4ic]

I enjoy French Press coffee the most it is Rich and sweet

[@taitcarrillo8926]

@@loodog555 honestly my mans, I have no idea, but I like it

[@ScibyTravels]

There should be enough grounds to fill the basket to the top, there should be uniform depth but not packed as you said, just levelled off - any free space will let the grounds move about and allow under-extraction to occur.

[@loodog555]

Interesting idea. I actually discussed this in my new video, that leaving a bit of open space can be a solution to overbrewing. I agree with you that too much open space could cause an underbrew.

[@ScibyTravels]

@@loodog555 I think as long as you’re not packing, only levelling off, overbrewing shouldn’t happen. They built them to have the basket full, with the fill line, so I tend to follow their formula, and have had some moka coffee that rivals cafe-made espresso stuff

[@loodog555]

@@ScibyTravels I agree that their formula is generally a pretty good rule of thumb. I think I worked out the brew ratio to be something like 15:1 when you fill the basket and the water to the fill valve. That said, these little guys tend to overbrew rather than underbrew, so it's yet one more thing to play around with. Your mileage may vary and everyone should find a brew technique that makes them happy.

[@ang5798]

I can not imagine living a life where I don't clean the Moka Pot 💀

[@loodog555]

Talk to the Italians!

[@JamesPawson]

I was literally taught by an actual Italian (not an Italian-American) from Verona-- to do it all wrong! 20 years ago, when I was living in Germany as an exchange student, Alberto moved in with me... we became great friends, one of the few roommates I still talk to today... but oh boy, did he ever steer me wrong about using the Moka pot. Even now I associate the smell of burnt coffee with that residence room in Germany...! Through trial and error and research, I realized the proper way to use the Moka pot-- exactly as you described in this video. Your mention of aluminum is quite interesting... lots of industrialists from Northern Italy around Verona where he was from... I remember he had a box full of promotional beanies from his friend's father's aluminum factory... I still have that aluminum factory beanie sitting in my closet.

[@loodog555]

Hey, glad to have another person onboard with defying the peremptory authority of Italian grandmothers! If you're interested in the aluminum aspect of the moka pot, here's a video about whether your moka pot will give you aluminum poisoning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4eWhqZmgNB8g9E

[@JamesPawson]

@@loodog555 I will certainly check out that video, thank you! I am sure you must be aware of Adam Ragusea, who also goes quite a long ways in debunking some of the Orthodox wisdom of Italian grandmas, haha. I am not of Italian heritage at all, but I grew up in an Italian-Canadian neighborhood in Toronto called _Corso Italia._

[@99theanonymous]

Use low heat and put A LOT of coffe without packing it out, thrust me, I’m Italian

[@loodog555]

Hi Italian, thanks for your contribution. The two suggestions you you give are on the list of parameters are very which I discuss in my follow up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U I am also very much aware that I am doing this completely wrong from the Italian point of view, again, discussed in my follow up video.

[@loodog555]

Also, I will not take you up on your offer to thrust you!

[@99theanonymous]

@@loodog555 I’ll watch the video, maybe I’ll change mi mind! 😂

[@Onemore59]

Italian. French. South American. Cuban.

[@Valspartame_Maelstrom]

I will not thrust you.

[@namesurname4669]

Very bad mistake not mentioned: no free space should be left, because water wil create channels in coffee. Extraction would not be uniform

[@loodog555]

Well actually….kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac

[@MrDDiRusso]

I do everything wrong and I like my results. I use cold distilled water, electric plate on high, I use fine ground espresso roast coffee, and I pack the coffee in and slightly mound over the puck. This makes an extremely strong cup of coffee and I don't find it too bitter. I don't use sugar, only cold heavy whipped cream. I live at over 1 mile high so the water never reaches 212°F so it doesn't over heat the coffee. Anyway, that's how I do it.

[@loodog555]

Yeah, the more I research into Moka pot, there larger the number of expert opinions I find saying different things. I posted a link above to a video that completely contradicts much of my advice. At the end of the day, these are just ideas to play with and should come down to what *your* experimentation yields with your taste preferences. Don't take my word as gospel, for sure!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

If it tastes good, it's not wrong. )

[@fjrevoredo]

this makes it easy and simple. Most channels usually give you a 40 minute video on how to use a moka pot with a lot of unrelated garbage.

[@loodog555]

Hi, thanks! It's a balance between keeping it simple and including all the details. You can pour through these 1374 comments to see just how many people want to raise the detail to the next level. I basically wound up making another 10 videos for people who want to nitpick things like 1. Preheating the water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM 2. Filling the coffee basket up all the way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac 3. Using an AeroPress filter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKqUin6np7WMedk 4. The leftover water: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGLSl6WqndKljJo&pp=ygUJI3dvY2R1YmFp All that said, this short simple video is by far my most popular.

[@guguigugu]

the coffee should not gurgle/explode/bubble. it needs to ooze out slowly with just a bit of steam at the very end.

[@loodog555]

I have drifted more in a direction of turning down the heat to low once coffee starts sputtering. This does result in a more oozy and smoother coffee flow as you suggest. Anything to reduce the brewing temperature is a good thing!

[@guguigugu]

@@loodog555 yes thats how i do it. i have a glass electric stove, so i turn it off as soon as coffee starts coming out, and the residual heat of the coil is just enough to finish the brew. overall, everyone has to experiment for themselves until they find the right procedure.

[@molomono9481]

Nah, the dutch way: fine ground, pack it down add some more, keep it on till it starts spitting, never clean the heat sterilises it for you. The bitterness is the good morning turkey-slap in the face im looking for.

[@ItsNeverTooHot4Leather]

Damn straight. It's ESPRESSO, so it's going to be bitter! I don't know what all these people are expecting from espresso coffee. If they don't like the bitterness, then they SHOULDN'T DRINK ESPRESSO!

[@molomono9481]

@T B Its a joke, i learned ro drink coffee to meet deadlines while studying engineering. I agree propper coffee is better haha

[@gabriellperry]

I love that your channel is just about coffee. Such good explanations and curiosities, thanks so much!

[@Psykel]

Never seen anyone just half fill the filter with ground coffee before, only completely filling it without patting it down. Gonna try the filter half full method next time!

[@loodog555]

Well, it's about 80% filled, but it's something to try. It's not any more *right* or *wrong* than any other way. I wouldn't expect 50% to work out well, though! I think it wouldn't be enough resistance to get the coffee to extract sufficiently so my prediction is sour and weak coffee with 50%, but let us know!

[@mrgallbladder]

My 2 biggest problems with them is everyone tells you how much water to use, but no one ever mentions the amount of coffee to use, and second, it just takes way too long to get the coffee volcano going, even when you start with boiling water, like unreasonably long. You can brew 2-3 coffees in the same amount of time with literally any other brewing method.

[@loodog555]

I've found moka pot is as fast as any brewing method except AeroPress and certain much faster than a French Press, especially using the 8-minute James Hoffman technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2SqeKWbea2irbM

[@wilsonnetoms]

Between 1g of coffe per 16 mL of water (stronger) - 1g of coffee per 24 mL of water (lighter). That's the values you could use as base but there are no rules, give a try and see how it pleases you.

[@ilovepudding7873]

i measured how much grams of water fit in the base until the valve. divide that by roughly 10-11 and use that much grams of coffee.

[@adamfirst9321]

I brewed my first cup today.. from start of heating to finish, it took 3 minutes in a 2cup Pot. And it was very cheap. My electric kettle takes longer than that just to boil water.. and another 10 minutes to brew tea…. ….such that I’m thinking of getting a separate Moka Pot just for tea.. If you know a faster way to make espresso or tea, other than instant, teabags or microwave.. I’m all ears.

[@claudiaweber4564]

6# stir before serving to mix up tje very strong coffee with the weaker coffee in the end.

[@songyiworld]

I've been doing it all wrong all these months! THANK YOU!!!! can't wait to actually enjoy my coffee.

[@zorawarsingh9373]

is your moka pot coffee tasting better now

[@loodog555]

Awesome to hear!

[@songyiworld]

​@@zorawarsingh9373 yes, but i honestly feel like everyone just has to experiment and see what works best for their moka, their coffee grounds, their stovetop etc...and don't get too frustrated! i'm finally happy with my brew in the morning starting with room temperature water, grinding beans to a little coarser than fine, heat at medium. simple. i don't run my moka under cold water like in some videos. starting with boiling water kept giving me sour coffee. i stopped stressing, and started to just do what felt right, and yay delicious, rich moka pot brew!

[@Zacharia2025]

Please use cold water, that is the best way to get the best tasting coffee ever. Always use cold water. Good Luck,,

[@tyronos]

Covers all the bases. A must watch for anyone who brews Moka pot coffee

[@loodog555]

Hey, thanks for the review! Glad to be helpful!

[@SvensonGus]

I found give the final coffee a stir before pouring it into my coffee mug gives a more consistent flavour. Otherwise the second mug gets a stronger taste.

[@williamjosephblazkowicz2030]

Tip n 2: if you pack down the coffe or if you put to much in it, the moka will stop the brewing process in the middle of it. Remove the moka from the heat source and cool a little bit the bottom under runnig water. Put the moka back on the heat and whait

[@loodog555]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve never heard of this.

[@williamjosephblazkowicz2030]

Italian little secrets 😉

[@g3rzin]

Italian here. You made two mistakes. 1) You don't have to put hot, boiling water in it, but cold tap water and put the pot on the smallest flame possible. 2) You have to put way more coffee in it (without pressing it with the spoon), it has to look like an hill/mountain and it will be compressed a bit when you tighten the pot.

[@g3rzin]

It is also fundamental to stir the coffee with a teaspoon after you remove the pot from above the flame since at the beginning the coffee that rise is denser and more bitter while at the end it's more watery.

[@loodog555]

Hello there, my Italian friend. Thanks for bringing up these issues, as it lets me clarify a few more misconceptions: 1) You absolutely can use cold water and I've experimented around with both, but it does not affect the taste of the coffee, simply because the vapor does not start to dampen the beans until boiling anyway. However, since using an electric kettle is both more energy efficient (insideenergy.org/2016/02/23/boiling-water-ieq/) and faster, I just jump straight to it. 2) I would specifically advise *against* stuffing the filter in the manner you suggest. I've have experimented around with it a bit and I have found (a) it prevents an airtight seal with the gasket and (b) causes loose grounds to become embedded in that gasket. The result is that you do get a stronger cup of coffee, but you sacrifice brewing pressure. I've even found it makes less coffee! 3) Regarding your post below about stirring with a teaspoon, I agree.

[@g3rzin]

loodog555 I forgot to mention that to preserve the airtight seal and the pressure you simply have to tighten the pot so strongly that veins in your head start to pop :) Tip: if you all found out the coffee is getting stuck, like only 40% or less has risen up, just put the base of the pot under cold water ( you’ll feel some vibrations) being careful not to spill the coffee inside, and put it again on the flame. After few seconds the all of the coffee will magically rise.

[@loodog555]

@@g3rzin Hey Gerardo, happy to follow up! Of course, our expression here in America is "Your mileage may vary". Moka Pot is all about getting the best coffee that works for you and it seems everyone has a different favorite cup. However, for the sake of the collective coffee knowledge of humanity, I'd like to debug this a little bit and figure out why your results and mine have turned out so differently using the same technique. I definitely tighten the top to the point of the tolerance of the aluminum threads, which is pretty tight. The issue is that all the pressure in the world won't create a proper seal with the rubber gasket if there are obstructions to that seal in the form of the grounds (which is what happens when I have tried your "mountain" technique). A nice seal will happen without all that much pressure so long as the rim of the filter can mate smoothly to the gasket. So this leads me to my theorizing about what you're doing differently. My pot takes about 300ml of water and the filter holds about 20-25 g of coffee, depending on how coarse the grinds are. This is intentional design, as it creates a water:coffee ratio of about 15:1. My theory is that your overfilling is only an extra gram or so and the result is that you can still get a seal out of it. Can you be a bit more specific about how much "mountain" you're adding?

[@g3rzin]

@@loodog555 I think it's more than a gram :) Here's all the process: imgur.com/a/HLyVA42

[@richardflaherty2373]

You have to use the best coffee which is from Ethiopia. In Ethiopia there is the Harrenna Forest and located near the eastern boundry of this forest there is Mt. Batu. On the south slope of Mt. Batu, the soil conditions have a high concentrations of minerals that give the local coffee a special flavor which is deeply rich and robust yet, not bitter. About 1 kilometer south-east of the Mt. Batu, there is a very small village and there the local growers harvest the best coffee in the world.

[@Adam-vx6to]

There is no such thing as best coffee. Regions all over the world can produce high quality coffee. You must buy high quality fresh coffee if you want good coffee out

[@richardflaherty2373]

@@Adam-vx6to Yes Adam there is something called The Best Coffee in the Universe. It is coffee that brings a smile to your sleepy face.

[@norajohnson2841]

I think this is the very video I’ve been looking for. Thank you! My moka pot coffee every time spitters and taste absolutely awful, it doesn’t do that smooth rising like in this video and others and I am so heartbroken.

[@loodog555]

Start with medium heat, then immediately reduce to minimum heat once you start seeing coffee. The result is that it will come out slow and smooth and less burnt.

[@Dave_the_Dave]

I've found the best taste comes with running the burner at the lowest possible setting that will push the water through. And as soon as you start to get loose foam or sputtering, the brew is done. Quickly remove from heat and quench the bottom reservoir in cool water.

[@loodog555]

I agree with this. Minimum heat is the same technique recommended by James Hoffman, and Moka pot voodoo: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/q16zloybntaDgrc

[@BruceBoschek]

I like the fact that you use the stirrer from an Aeropress to smooth out the coffee! LOL Nice touch. All good advice. Thanks. I have at least 40 mokka pots, but only drink espresso. Cheers.

[@loodog555]

The more diligent will notice the little touches!

[@gastondoumerc7863]

Americano: Start with a clean pot, add cold/fresh water (I use bottled) to basin, use a good espresso but do not pack, twist on top for a tight seal, 3 minutes on a low-medium flame. Pour finished espresso into a cup, add 6 oz of boiled fresh water, creamer to taste. Always great.

[@loodog555]

Yeah, I ran some experiments on best water and I agree that bottled water works best: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jF7dopyfqbCIj8k I don't know about this "creamer" stuff, but live your best life. Make it how you like it!

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Thank you for sharing, I can't stand what passes the average American acceptable standards of "coffee" i.e anything pre ground, instant, burned, old, or worst of all a combination of all; paying 3$ for 4 hour old perpetual sludge from a 30 year old bunn coffee pot found in every chain establishment because the waitress/cashier/clerk isn't paid anywhere near enough to maintain the equipment let alone brew fresh coffee on the reg so they just top it off with water occasionally so its always a burnt, cigarette, watery combination, - you know who you are. Stay coffee snobby indeed.

[@loodog555]

Ha, you are literally the first person out of like 200 comments to appreciate my little tagline! Thanks, amigo. I hear ya for sure!

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

This read like a manifesto and I'm a convert

[@evilxeye]

The first time I tried coffee in Paris my mind was blown-“It can taste good?!”

[@WendellDiniz]

You can put a fine layer of water on the top part. Not much, just to cover the floor. This avoids the first drops of coffee from hitting the hot metal and evaporating, which causes it to burn and give that excessive bitterness.

[@loodog555]

That is a very interesting idea. Do you huge a large difference?

[@WendellDiniz]

@@loodog555 Yes, from my experience, it works well. I'll try next time to combine with the tips from this video.

[@emenemes5678]

I dont understand why u need to cool the chamber. Just pour it out immediately. That should stop the cooking.

[@loodog555]

Hey, good question! Simply removing it will not stop the brewing. Once it starts going, even removing the heat won't stop it. As for pouring it right away, I guess you could try, but my concerns would be that you're not going to pour it out fast enough and also, you might not want all of it in your cup at once, if it's a larger capacity device. But hey, don't take my word for it. Give it a try and let me know how the results work out!

[@emenemes5678]

Sorry its not directly directed to you but a general remark cos i see other people do this too. To me its just inefficient. For smaller moka, pour to your cup. For bigger moka, pour into serving pot.

[@christopherhiggins8238]

I look forward to trying your method. Thank you for your advice.

[@loodog555]

Hey, glad to help! You may also like my follow-up video with more details: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U& Also, wiredgourmet has a great video on some ideas to try that are a bit out of the box with regard to heating times, in their Moka Pot Voodoo video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q16zloybntaDgrc

[@AARNOLD9999]

this and your advice about sour coffee in comments really helped me out. this mornings brew is the best this far, and i honestly cant wait for tomorrows brew... cheers 🌴☕

[@loodog555]

Awesome! I'm glad all the COVID-era research I put into brewing is making the world a better coffee place!

[@essayess3]

I heard about brewing with the lid down for the gas to work some magic with the final product. Good idea to cool the bottom chamber 👍

[@loodog555]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I can't imagine how the lid being down does much besides keep out the light and preventing splatter.

[@essayess3]

@@loodog555 hahaa yeah, me neither, but it seems like everybody has some different story regarding this pot - such is life! Anyway, I enjoy mine. Cheers!

[@loodog555]

Golden rule of coffee brewing: if you like it, keep it!@@essayess3

[@gregs9726]

I came to this video for Moka pot tips and stayed for the music! What a lovely, spirited rendition of this Grieg nocturne - one of the most enjoyable I can remember ever hearing. Bravo from one pianist to another!

[@loodog555]

Aw thanks, man! All my other commenters seem to hate it!

[@gregs9726]

@@loodog555 I guess my opinion won’t be completely representative then, but this subscriber for one would gladly enjoy more music! Or perhaps you’ll share a video of just your playing for us all to enjoy while we sip an improved cup of Moka! ☕️👍

[@Trevolemina]

Add this pianist to the count. In fact I searched the channel for a video of the nocturne and was sorely disappointed.

[@reshbet]

I am a first year teacher, and brewing coffee is quickly becoming an art and hobby for me haha. Shalom!

[@nickspitzley8539]

I love mine. As soon as it gets noisy in the Brewing process I take it off the heat. Also I've had great results using cafe bustelo which is espresso ground coffee. So for every rule there is an exception to this.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

I think there are probably many 'combinations' of rules, or recipes that lead to a good cup of moka pot coffee. I have found that it's basically impossible to get a good cup of coffee from bad beans, though.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Bustelo si

[@miss_tech]

Oh, my dear fellow coffee enthusiast, I must kindly share my humble observation regarding the delightful brew you showcased in the video. It appears that the coffee, although prepared with care and diligence, possesses a rather delicate and watery nature. Alas, it seems that the filter basket was merely graced with a modest quantity of coffee grounds. Allow me to impart my cherished method of crafting a truly exceptional pot of Moka coffee. You see, my dear friend, the key lies in filling the filter basket to its utmost capacity with an abundant supply of finely ground coffee. Ah, but fear not! A gentle and artful toss is all that's needed to ensure the perfect balance. By adhering to this technique, your senses will be treated to a symphony of flavors that will enchant your taste buds tenfold. The coffee's delicate nuances will be elevated to an entirely new level of exquisite delight, leaving you utterly captivated by its irresistible charm.

[@loodog555]

ChatGPT, write my response in the style of a Jane Austen protagonist! Haha, thanks for the comment! Alas, you have found your way to my shortest, most popular video about moka pots. As many before you have suggested an abundance of things to try differently, I've been inspired to conduct research on those as well and created entire videos. Specifically, what's the effect of not filling up the basket all the way?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac

[@toddcamnitz6164]

Why your moka pot tastes bad: ...why are you tasting the moka pot? Just drink the coffee.

[@loodog555]

So that’s what I’ve been doing wrong! 😂

[@ethanbarclay6292]

now you have to convince me why I would EVER go to all this trouble.

[@loodog555]

Well it’s not a trouble if you enjoy doing it.

[@loodog555]

Hey you guys, thanks for all your comments! Before you launch the 200th comment at me about whether to preheat the water, check out my latest installment which addresses this specific question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U. Before you launch the 2000th comment about how much to fill up the coffee basket: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac Here's a paper claiming on the basis of physics and a 93C temperature extraction that you want to preheat your water to 70C: www.msc.univ-paris-diderot.fr/~phyexp/uploads/Moka/article1.pdf. So consider that too. There are subtle interactions between how much the initial air in the chamber expands and starting temperature of the water. I know, many of you are Italian and unhappy with what I've done to your brewer, like I’m coming along and telling you your culture is wrong! No worries, my friends. I mention this in the update as well. People bring up how much coffee to pack, what beans to use, it's all in that update and I welcome you so we can continue the conversation and CENTRALLY IMPORTANT TASK of making the world a better coffee place. Also, THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD! Sorry. I'm already making adjustments on my new videos and trying to be more considerate of how obtrusive some people can find it. All in all, don't take my word for it! Try it out on your own. MY best technique doesn't have to be the same as YOUR best technique, but wouldn't it be great if we collaborated and came up with the best principles for how to experiment with our beloved little Moka pots?

[@CapnSlipp]

93°C? In my Aeropress, I usually use water around 185°F/85°C going as low as 180°F/82° or as high a 190°F/88°C, depending on the beans. Anything above 190°F/88°C (measured with a digital thermometer just before pouring into the beans) always tastes burnt/bitter to me.

[@loodog555]

@@CapnSlipp The proper context on that number was that it was in an article in Scientific American written by Ernesto Illy who was discussing espresso extraction. Your numbers are curious, as I do my AeroPress at 195F/91C and I'm pretty happy. Maybe I'll try a lower temp. next time and see what it does.

[@RubyTwilite]

I thought maybe the taste was from the pot being aluminum and was looking to buy a stainless steel one. Also please do a percolator video. Thanks!

[@asharnygee]

Man I used that exact brand of stovetop expresso for years.

[@herberar]

Yes sir! A friend of mine makes all the mistakes and that's why I usually decline his cofee cup invitations.

[@lorvik]

send him this video saying, this reminded me of you!

[@loodog555]

@@lorvik I would be delighted to see someone use my video as a passive-aggressive insult!

[@royroblox]

Judging by how the pot nearly slipped when the top is being screwed on, I would not want to do that when the bottom is filled with boiling water (even with an oven mitt)! Boiling the water first is using two tools and two steps when you could do it in one anyway. I still enjoyed the video along with the researched intro, and going to try the quick rinsing cool-off trick you showed : ) Thanks for sharing!

[@loodog555]

Thanks for your comment. I do mention safety as a concern in my follow-up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U

[@GuillaumeB7]

Technically, you can also boil the water directly in the reservoir, before placing the grounded coffee and attaching the top.

[@jo0ls]

There is a fill line, opposite and a bit lower down than the valve.

[@gurumze8013]

Great video. One more thing I noticed improves the final taste is to give your coffee a stir after you pour it into the cup.

[@loodog555]

Sure, get it nice and even! Thanks for the tip!

[@RJYOUNG396]

I use hot water from the water cooler/heater, medium heat until it bubbles and turn off the heat and move it off the stove immediately. Pour into my cup and it's perfect every time. I've heard not to boil the water and that it should be slightly less than boiling, so the water from the water heater seems to be perfect. My first few times I over brewed both with too much heat and too long of a brew, so I know the bitter taste he's talking about. It was almost enough to put me off Mocha pots, but so glad I stuck with it!

[@loodog555]

The most specific advice Ive seen to preheat to about 70°C. Here’s why: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@lalopianalto]

Really cool... thanks Taxi Driver's DeNiro...

[@loodog555]

Are you talkin' to me?

[@stacia282]

Informational and helpful. I'll be sure to turn down the heat on my Moka pot. My only gripe is the tinky music. It's too loud and really not needed.

[@loodog555]

Thanks, for more info, be sure to check out my follow-up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U. Also, in the process of posting a couple videos that explain the official published physics papers about moka pots on my channel.

[@stacia282]

@@loodog555 Keep up the good work! I'll definitely check out your other videos and I look forward to your upcoming content.

[@williamjosephblazkowicz2030]

Tip n 3 : used grinded coffe is good for degrease nasty pots and pans 😉

[@EstrelSidus]

Very true!

[@glorgau]

The pre-boil is so that you don't walk away from the pot doing other things and come back after it has already bubbled over with that fizzy bitter end brew.

[@loodog555]

Actually, preheating helps with extraction temperature, in addition to making the brewing more timely. Here's a video I made about the topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@williammyers3213]

W.O.W. I had no idea you could get those results from a Moka pot! you have forever changed my morning routine...

[@loodog555]

Man, that is awesome to hear!

[@gregorykarimian3813]

Great video. What setting on the de’longhi do you have your grinder set to for Moka pot? Thanks! What coffee grinder should I buy to make moka pot with?

[@loodog555]

Hi Gregory! Thanks! My grinder has settings from 1 up to 18 (larger numbers being more coarse). I find I get results that I like by setting the grinder to "7", which is basically just pas, the range the machine has labeled as "espresso", so coarser than espresso. Your extraction time is pretty short so the grind needs to be pretty fine. The problem is most people go too far with this and get overbitter coffee. Good luck!

[@gregorykarimian3813]

@@loodog555 thanks for the reply. I appreciate it!

[@rogerangel4257]

Thank you! I come from a Hispanic family and they are religious with Moka pots. I’ve told them that boiling the water is crucial and that good coffee should come from good beans, fresh grinned, not too fine unlike bustelo. 🥴. People would be happier if they can properly brew from a moka pot. Cheers!

[@CosmicSeeker69]

coffee is a beverage. tea is an infusion. Never boil a beverage - always boil an infusion. (and never use aluminium!) PS - I did 21 years in catering

[@asharnygee]

There are several stages during extraction incl the chroma and caffeine release points. Needs to be cold water, to allow the slower release of steam! Never wash the pot. Even when it is gurgling and there is no longer a steady stream of condensate emerging, need to allow it to continue to force small amount of steam- this gives more or less of the 'burnt' roast taste. As a barrister and having used many different methods, the stovetop expresso is still the best and superior to some commercial coffee espresso machines I have used.

[@loodog555]

Hi, cold vs. hot water I find really doesn't matter that much, but the best evidence is actually for preheating: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@fsavoura]

Thanks for the great video. just to recap: 1) no need to grind the coffee too fine / leave it on coarse 2) no need to press the coffee / so water can penetrate easily 3) temperature better on medium and not too high 4) don't let coffee to overbrew, remove it before the last bubbly part starts to come out 5) clean the pot right after The truth is I was using cold water, so great tip on the warm / hot water in advance. I still find it challenging to clean the tank after I left it few times with the water in. I used dishsoap, I used vinegar and even the metal-wire to rub it. Ay tips would appreciated.

[@szkokee]

Im having a small Bialetti (2cups) so im cleaning it after every brew and having fresh brew every time. I used to have a bigger one(5-6 cups) and no matter what it left coffee stains because the coffee was sitting in there for two days. Now if u have a bigger moka just buy some contanier cup and pour out the fresh coffee there and A, immidiately wash the moka or B, rinse and fill the moka up with water until clean water is in there then worry about washing it properly later. The bottom and the filter part isnt really matter. Also once in a while replace the rubber ring in it. Take a picture of a fresh one the you can compare it to it how burned it gets after time.

[@miricostanti]

Don't clean it with soap! Only use hot water to clean the moka pot. Be careful about the water tank, there is a protective layer that goes away if you clean it with soap. Put the flame to the minimum possible, and as soon as you hear bubbling remove it! Before serving use a little spoon to mix the coffee inside the moka pot, it is more dense at the bottom and more "watery" (?) at the top. Putting the hot moka under cold water can damage it, only do this if your coffee does not go up (usually this means that the filter is clogged) Sorry for my english, i'm italian

[@mr.priman]

to clean it, you can try to use citric acid, it is sood in small packages for backing or for peackels (at least in my country). You need to put couple of packages into bigger pot, boil it an put moka pot inside. This is the same method as winegar, but without bad smell, so you can put any amount there

[@antc.4457]

@@mr.priman The Bialetti Moka is made of aluminum, and aluminum does not pair well with acids ... This is only if you want to ruin the coffee maker or want to find unwanted aluminum salts in your coffee. Instead, it might be possible with the stainless steel coffee pot.

[@mr.priman]

@@antc.4457 yes, good point, i didn’t think about that :)

[@aidenwhitt3523]

I’ve loved Moka coffee for a while now. I didn’t know about cooking it too hot or taking it off the burner and running cold water. Thank you very much.

[@loodog555]

Cool! Glad to be a help! For even more moka pot ideas, there’s my follow-up video in the description and if you search “moka pot voodoo”, there’s another guy who has some very worthwhile tricks to try out in his vid too!

[@johnkeepin7527]

One of the good things about them is that the spare parts are still available, in particular the rubber rings. I recently resurrected an old one that needed a new ring, which hadn’t been cleaned properly over the years.

[@MORAMAX]

Often my mother forgets the Bialetti Moka on the fire. A disaster happens ; -)) ... the handle melts. So I take apart all the pieces, rub it with the 3M scotch brite sponge and water abrasive paper 1000-1500 etc. then I go to buy all the spare parts. The most complex to change is the handle, you have to hammer the fixing pin with a nail, it is inserted by pressure. To clean the limescale, vinegar must be put in the boiler and left for a few hours. Greeting from Italy

[@darenbrett7366]

Forgot the metal disc once and resulted in an explosion lucky i wasnt in the kitchen but the coffee and grounds absolutely covered the the walls and ceiling

[@neilquinn]

What's the purpose of boiling in advance? I always just start with cold water and let it sit on low-medium heat within the moka pot.

[@joemamaisfat]

Heating the coffee grounds makes it taste burnt/stale/bad . If you start with cold water, you burn your grounds even before the water can go through it, resulting in bitter, burnt aftertaste. Starting with hot water is better because you don't have to heat the water up to temperature so your grounds arent sitting in a hot furnace without any liquid.

[@RobinDude]

From what i've heard, starting with cold water can cause the coffee to burn and come out bitter as it's over the open flame longer. Starting with hot water means less time over the flame.

[@loodog555]

See above.

[@loodog555]

Honestly, I haven't found preheating the water makes much a difference compared to more important tweaks like using an AeroPress filter, coarser grind, or removing from the heat at the right time, but probably you should preheat because the physics models show you'll extract at too low a temperature otherwise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@SniperMayer]

My grandma has brewed her coffee in a Moka pot for 60+ years with simple supermarket espresso, that's a fine ground AF. She not only pats the coffee down, she puts all her weight to it and fills the basket up again for another round of compression, so that that thing is PACKED! Then she brews it on a medium flame with a heat dispenser disk on the hub. It's hella strong, but still one of the best coffee I've ever tasted.

[@loodog555]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS2n2V5jbyNhac

[@troubauk]

Cold water, highest heat and it works fine for me

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

It it tastes good, it is good!

[@troubauk]

@@hxhdfjifzirstc894 it's the least bitter I get, when heat is at its highest

[@arjuna207]

There was a guy that tested various variables in regards to brewing a moka pot, with sensors and everything. In his tests using preboiled water didn’t give good results, i always used room temperature to start but i will try this method also.

[@loodog555]

Hi, thanks for commenting! It sounds like you're talking about the paper I explain here by Navarini et al (2009): kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJuvlXqfbNCdsM0&pp=sAQA though they never vary the starting temperature. The only paper I've seen that experiments with starting temperature and gives recommendations is the 2009 paper by Warren King, which I explain here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM&pp=sAQA If you really have found a different paper that varies starting temperature, I'd love a link so I can make a video on that paper too! Personally, I find the starting temperature of the water doesn't matter at all: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U&pp=sAQA so I found the whole debate kind of silly. An AeroPress filter, for example, is a much more important tweak to make: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKqUin6np7WMedk&pp=sAQA

[@NikoBellaKhouf]

Great video, straight to the point. But, it would have been better without the loud, distracting music.

[@brewman467]

Yes, just wanted to write exactly the same. Music too loud and distracting.

[@richpontone1]

I love my Oxo. A wide drip top attached your large coffee mug. Use medium ground coffee, and pour water that is just below the boiling point. The top with an organic paper coffee filter allows the water to pour into the mug during a 2 minute time period. The coffee is strong but not espresso strong and is never bitter. Costs about 15 bucks from Amazon. Clean up is simple.

[@loodog555]

Well Oxo describes a brand with an entire range of kitchen products. Sounds like you’re talking about some kind of pourover setup they make.

[@richpontone1]

@@loodog555 Yes I was. I believe Melitta has one too. A suggestion. A common trick is to put salt in the coffee before it is brewed in a drip machine to eliminate bitterness in the taste. Does that work in the Moka?

[@mattmactire3961]

Sharing a few tips here: I've never seen anyone boiling the water before putting it into the moka... the rest of the video is quite right, but you didn't put enough coffee, you should fill it up evenly and add a little bit more at the top. After that you have to close it tight and boil the coffee at low flame, if you do this you don't have to put the moka in cold water because the coffee will rise slower. At this point it's very common to stir the coffee inside the moka for a little bit. In certain parts of Italy, like Naples, they add some sugar during this step. Anyway, mokas need to be cleaned, you should never leave it dirty (mostly for hygiene, bleah) but you NEVER, EVER wash the interior with dish soap. Don't, just don't. Another tip is that "LA MOKA SI DEVE FARE", this means that the more you make coffee with a moka, the better it will taste, so it always tastes bad the first few times you make coffee with a brand new moka. Don't give up, it gets better! Source: italian addicted to moka coffee, fatto come si deve però, che sennò fa schifo, viene slavato e fa proprio cagare Ciao!

[@loodog555]

Hi Matt, thanks for your contribution. I personally don’t like to ever add milk or sugar, but of course people can do what they wills. Thank you for your contribution of cultural context! If you wanted to know why I preheat the water, there’s a much more thorough discussion in my follow-up video, which was mentioned in the description and stickied to the top, but I’ll post it again here anyway: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U

[@mattmactire3961]

@@loodog555 thanks man, I also watched the other video now :) I would like to clarify that my comment is about the traditional italian way to make coffee, and I don't think boiling the water before is wrong, it's just... different! Anyway it's always nice seeing passion for an important part of my country's culture such as the true italian coffee

[@loodog555]

@@mattmactire3961 What I’m learning from comments is that Italians just seem to not care about reducing the bitterness associated with 2,4-decadienal, 4-ethylguiacol, and 2,4-nonadienal. Which is fine, you can brew it however you prefer it, of course. It just means you’re not so oriented towards Third Wave coffee ideas with regard to the under extraction/over extraction model.

[@loodog555]

Why to use preheated water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@alfromwork]

Oh... I wait until the colour of the coffee is a golden, honey-like yellow. I didn't you know you could wait longer until the bubbles appear. That's probably why I get only a half output in the upper chamber.

[@mr.l6615]

Great video and well edited down to the pertinent info. Thanks, finally a video that gets right to the point!

[@StavrosSachtouris]

If you want a denser espresso you may want to try a fine, compressed grind that doesn't leave any corridors for steam to escape. The downside of this method is that you use more powder but only a part of it will be extracted, so some of the coffee goes to waste. It produces a very tasty, aromatic coffee though.

[@loodog555]

Sooo, I agree that grind size is an important variable. I discuss this in my update video. Smaller grind will definitely cause more extraction both because of surface area, but also resistance to the water flow. Based on this logic, I disagree with your claim that less will be extracted. I think quite the opposite. But don't trust my bullshit! Try it out and report back!

[@Ali-rz7er]

Hello! Thank you for this review! I'm wondering if you or anyone knows: If I get a 300ml pot, I assume that if I fill the chamber with coffee I'm making what's essentially a coffee with 3-shot intensity? (I've only really had cafe espresso - flatwhites and lattes, coz that's all anyone sells around here. No percolator or plungers.) Will the coffee chamber cope with being filled only a half/third? Must the water chamber be filled to the valve, or can I run the whole thing at less-than-full for both grounds and water on a lower burn?

[@deirdre108]

Although I'm late in seeing this video, I just wanted to say yes, you can half fill (in your case 150ml) the water chamber. You'll get a stronger brew by doing this.

[@stevendorries]

This all seems a lot more complicated than just pouring water into my Mr. Coffee and putting my grounds into a filter paper in the brew basket and pressing the brew button

[@loodog555]

And that all that seems more complicated than putting a pod into Keurig machine and pressing "brew"! I find that most people who are really like Moka pots enjoy the labor involved, the challenge of getting the taste just right, and the unique flavor profile that comes out of a Moka pot. Obviously, you can do whatever you need, so long as you drink your coffee!

[@Luke_dgs]

i'm italian and i'm dead inside watching this! You have to put cold water and create a little grinded coffe mountain inside the funnel than close it tight and wait for the magic happen! ah and minimum heat, high heat mean burnt coffee!

[@joeroche552]

Snap! I’m Spanish and my granny would slap me silly if I put hot water also if I wash the pot with detergent

[@loodog555]

Oh yes, people told me I would be angering the Italians! I have made a follow up video that talks a bit about this being not the Italian way to do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U Welcome your feedback!

[@jousis_]

@@loodog555 we don't need the italians anymore, they lost the war of coffee. Long live the city roast and the 3rd wave ! 🤣

[@Luke_dgs]

@@loodog555 oh don't worry! i'm not angry with you! XD i know you like mud water instead of moka coffee!! :D but i know also that they are different and can both be a good hot beverage...

[@Luke_dgs]

@@jousis_ i hope you are not talking abou 3rd pandemic wave, nothing to laugh about that....

[@lauramonzonstorey]

Thanks, this is great. An Italian lady once told me to just rinse the expresso maker, not wash. In any case, how would you wash it? Dishwasher certainly not! By hand with or without dishwashing liquid? Many thanks.

[@loodog555]

Hi and thanks for the comment and your excellent questions! People say don't push it in the dishwasher and..... they're right. I've tested it myself. The problem is that the dishwasher works too well and cleans off the protective layer of aluminum oxide that prevents the aluminum from reacting too much with your coffee and leaching into it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4eWhqZmgNB8g9E The manufactured says "hand wash with mild detergent" and I'd say this advice is well heeded. Yes, most of the time I just use some hot water and a brush. Also, one thing I'd get a bit overly semantic on is calling it an espresso maker. Some people refer to these machines as "stove-top espresso machines" (including one physics paper: prokofe.ru/files/public/1545073434_16273_FT107421_the_physics_of_a_stove-top_espresso_machine_warren_d_king_king2008.pdf) but strictly speaking, it's not making anything like espresso but something like an espresso-drip coffee hybrid.

[@lauramonzonstorey]

@@loodog555 Semantic R Us! When I wrote this last night, I actually had to think what to call it. Some just say 'the Bialetti', which is a little non-inclusive if your [insert name here] is of a different brand. The thing is, we call this beauty 'la cafetera' (Spanish for 'the coffee maker'), which suits 'her' perfectly! Where I live, 'mocca' (double C) refers to a (Starsbucks-style) drink with coffee, milk and chocolate (not my cup of tea!), so 'moka' is out of the books for us. Greetings.

[@ro63rto]

I and all my Italian ancestors have NEVER filled a Moka pot with boiled water nor have they ever removed it from the hob half way to run it under cold water. We have never had horrible tasting coffee. The only thing that is worth doing here is cleaning your Moka pot properly including under the filter plate.

[@loodog555]

Haha, someone told me that I would be pissing off a lot of Italians! If you watch my follow up video, I do mention that my advice is contrary to “authentic Italian” method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U

[@tinto717]

Great to learn some italian tradition from you. however, I don't see why things have to be italian tradition to be worth doing?

[@GhostRider659]

that‘s an awfully hot coffee pot

[@jacobrobinson6863]

Marshal Mathers thanks you😁

[@lucasb409]

Seen a few people talking about using the mocka pot. You however, have the most informative, yet, concise, video out here. Thanks for making this, saving me from watching a dozen videos and my morning coffee ritual.

[@loodog555]

Thanks for commenting! It’s good to know this has been helpful.

[@ChIGuY-town22_]

Always good to learn about the history, you did a nice job of explaining it. I use a press, I'm lazy. I will get a moka pot now though, thank you. איך אָפּשאַצן דיין שווער אַרבעט און דעדיקאַציע צו גרויס קאַווע.

[@fatmajacob4327]

Oh finally one talk abotu yemen and coffee history.. 🌸 ❤

[@juankyyutu]

I saw another post and adding hot water (not boiling) to the process prevent to overheat the coffee beans. It should taste better

[@loodog555]

Well, heated water (as opposed to room temp.) prevents the water being too cold for good extraction, but definitely 70C is better than boiling for the same reason. Warren King did a great paper on this, which I discuss in my follow-up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM

[@secretwpn]

Now the question that was confusing me regarding similar tutorials - if I pour coffee out of the pot immediately after taking the pot off the stove - is there still any point in cooling the pot under cold water right before pouring?

[@TovaHolmberger]

If you want to clean it out as soon as possible which is ideal, then yes.

[@loodog555]

Hi, this has been asked before below and the answer is "yes". The coffee will continue to brew from the stream pressure after heat is removed, even as you're pouring, since you're not going to get all the coffee out in the next 2 seconds. This may even cause the coffee to brew *more*, since the steam isn't pushing against gravity anymore. Applying cold water stops the brewing process. My prediction would be that your coffee would still be overbrewed, but don't take my word for it! Try it out and see what happens!

[@dj1NM3]

I don't see how it would be physically possible for the coffee to overbrew if that isn't cooled: mostly because the already brewed coffee is in a sepparate chamber (the top reservoir that you pour it into your cup from) to the coffee grounds (still trapped in the basket by the mesh screen inside the moka pot). The only reason I can see for cooling the base is to make clean-up easier by filling the empty top reservoir with water and using vacuum pressure to suck water back through the basket and forcing the grounds to pack back into to it, so that the grounds all come out as a puck when you tap the basket out into a bin.

[@loodog555]

@@dj1NM3 thanks for this comment. Great question! The coffee does become separate once it has brewed through. You are right about that. The issue is not that any little drops of coffee overbrew, but that the grinds themselves continue to be extracted past the desired point. Imagine one little grain of coffee. If 20% of it has already dissolved from the water, then hitting it with any more water will result in getting the undesirable bitter pieces. I’m not quite sure I follow you about applying cold water for easier cleaning. By the time you are starting to clean your moka pot, I am sure the base is far too cold to get a significant vacuum effect. Cooling the base for me is about stopping the over brewing.

[@loodog555]

@T B Hi T B. Thanks for your comment, but there a few things to clarify: 1) The idea that a moka pot doesn't brew until the water is boiling is a very common one, but it surprisingly turns out to not be true! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKXc3x-Yp5-iqM. 2) The idea that coffee overbrews because it's being heated belies a misconception about how coffee extraction works. I think the terminology of "overbrewing" is misleading you here. Unlike baking or cooking, the process of chemical change is not brought about by heating. Brewing doesn't happen because the water is cooking the grinds or because the coffee is being heated; extraction happens as the water comes into contact with coffee grinds and the grinds partially dissolve into the passing water. So, while many people believe a moka pot can't overextract because each drop of water only passes through once, the truth is that you can easily overextract a given granule of coffee because you've run too much water past it, dissolving the coffee past the magical 22% mark and then you start getting past those sweet sugars and into the bitter stalky fibers of the plant. This is why any pourover recipe has a recommended ratio (usually around 16.67:1) so that you don't try to keep extracting out of beans that are already spent. The reason you stop the brewing when you hit air bubbles is that the beans are not only optimally extracted by then, but instead of sending water through the grinds, you're now sending water mixed with superheated 120C steam, which dissolves A LOT more of the beans than you want for good flavor. Navarini et al. demonstrate this in their 2009 paper, which I explain here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJuvlXqfbNCdsM0

[@lucashart9668]

There is an alternative if you would like to do an espresso to make latte. You do fine grind and pack it down tight if you want traditional concentrated espresso shot. You would then use 1 ounce of your brewed concentrate as one shot of espresso which is great for an 8 ounce or a 12 ounce latte. And two shots or 2 ounces for a 16 ounce latte. You can do steamed milk or an Americano which would be hot water.

[@loodog555]

Hey, thanks for the comment! Moka pot coffee is not espresso and, even packing it down, there's a limit to how concentrated you can get it. If you truly want a latte, you're going to have to bit the bullet and get an espresso machine!

[@Chris_Tinacan]

I saw the advice about a coarser grind before in another video but the coffee just tasted weak when I tried it 🤷

[@loodog555]

Definitely don’t go too coarse either. I made a video about grinders that could be a helpful instruction on this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpiwXpKkhbV-ndk

[@keve8586]

amazing video, thank you! should you take the Moka pot off the stove AS SOON as you seen the bubbling begin or after its about half full? there should be enough vapor pressure once its start bubbling to push all the water through correct? thank you again

[@loodog555]

Hey thanks for the praise! Great question! What matters is the *color* of the coffee produced; don’t get hung up on what quantity of coffee made. Once you’re getting pale bubbly stuff, you’ve run out of accessible water and are now brewing with superheated steam (very bad for flavor!). I explain the physics of this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJuvlXqfbNCdsM0

[@keve8586]

@@loodog555 thank you and cheers

[@leonardobulgarelli9256]

I am Italian, I am a chemist, i brew my coffee with moka three times a day since i was a teenage. And I guarantee, this video is wrong in so many ways I can't even explain

[@loodog555]

Thanks for your input! My intent was not so much to piss off half of Italy, but rather to give people some basic guidelines if they want to know what they can play around with! Please check my follow up video for more discussion if you would like to get into the details: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTKfph6eaaHY9U If you are a chemist, you might be interested in the physics paper by Warren King where they model the process numerically and show, among other things, that coffee initially extracts before any water is even boiling.

[@loodog555]

Also, maybe as an Italian chemist you can comment on why Italians don’t care about the bitterness that comes with 2,4-decadienal, 4-ethylguiacol, and 2,4-nonadienal. I guess they’re just used to it?

[@PollonPollow]

you should do the little mountain when putting the coffee

[@loodog555]

Italian, huh? 😹