The ideal temperature for a moka pot is around 93°C / 200°F —similar to all coffee brewing methods. Unfortunately stove tops cannot be set to a target temperature — so achieving 93°C / 200°F is improbable. Instead, we recommend you set your stove to a low-medium heat — not too hot, not too cold.
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It’s worth noting that you could achieve the ideal temperature using a precision induction hob with a temperature probe — but these cost more than an very good espresso machine!
How to approximate the right temperature in a moka pot
If you’d like to improve the taste of your moka pot coffee —you can get closer to the ideal temperature by doing a couple of things.
Fill the bottom chamber with hot water
Boil water in a kettle or on the hob, then carefully pour it into the bottom chamber before assembling the rest of the moka pot.
Typically, a moka pot begins to brew well below the boiling temperature of water. Filling the bottom chamber with hot water starts the brew process at a higher temperature: less of your coffee will be brewed at a sub-optimal temperature
Run the bottom chamber under cold water once the brew is complete
Once your coffee is brewed, run the bottom chamber carefully under cold water. This quickly stops the brewing process, preventing the coffee from burning and resulting in a nasty astringent taste.
Why a low-medium heat?
Every stove top is different. Too many factors exist to provide a definitive answer regarding the correct heat setting. It’s best to err on the side of caution.
- Using a
highheat increases the chance of burning your coffee. - Using a
lowheat simply takes a longer time.
