Moka Coffee 101: Common Problems & Solutions (Part 2)

 

As promised, here’s the concluding part of our rundown of several common problems and solutions with the classic moka coffee pot:

1) Coffee is escaping during the brewing process

This is one of the most common problems of all, encountered by most people getting to grips with moka coffee for the first time. In all instances without exception, coffee sputtering out of the pot during the brewing process is caused by excess heat.

Always remember that at no point are you supposed are allow the water in the chamber to reach boiling point – a gentle steaming simmer is what to aim for. If the water is too hot, you’ll lose most of the coffee during the brewing process and what’s left over will be bitter.

2) My moka pot is getting stained and tarnished inside and out

There’s technically nothing you can do about this, as it is inevitable with many types of moka coffee pots. As you use them, the heat and the coffee they’re exposed to can result in staining.

On the plus side, it’s not actually anything to worry about. Just as long as you are keeping your moka coffee pot clean and hygienic, discoloration attributed to heat or exposure to coffee isn’t really an issue.

3) The handle of my moka pot is too hot to hold

Moka coffee pots are designed in a way that should make them safe and comfortable to handle after heating. If the handle is becoming so hot that it is burning your hand, it suggests one of two things. It’s either that you are heating your moka pot excessively, or you are using a low-quality moka pot that’s poorly designed.

Keep an eye on your brewing temperatures and if this still doesn’t work, think about upgrading to a better moka pot.

4) My moka coffee always seems to come out bitter

If this is the case, it is most likely that you are heating the water to a temperature that’s two high for your coffee grounds. Again, you should be aiming for a temperature that never quite reaches boiling point. Of course, it could also be that you are not using coffee grounds of high enough quality to produce a smooth and enjoyable cup.

Moka brewing may be one of the simplest brewing methods of all time, but this doesn’t mean you’ll get away with low-grade coffee beans!

5) Why did my moka pot come out of the dishwasher black?

This is a common occurrence with aluminum moka pots, which as the manufacturer should specify must never be placed in the dishwasher. Aluminum moka coffee pots are made of anodized aluminum, which triggers oxidization when placed in a dishwasher and causes the material to turn black.

Once this has happened, there’s no going back and you will need to replace your moka coffee pot. Make sure the next time you buy something dishwasher friendly, or take the time to wash it by hand.

6) I find the moka coffee I brew is always too strong 

Last up, there’s are plenty of room for maneuver when it comes to experimenting with moka coffee. You can mix things up with different quantities of water, different amounts of coffee and you and even play with the coarseness of the grounds.

All of which will have a major impact on the resulting brew, enabling you to tweak things until you come up with your perfect recipe.

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