Moka Pot Brew Calculator
Select your pot size to get exact coffee and water measurements.
Pot Size (cups)
Stove Type
Starting Water Temperature
Coffee
27–30g
Fill basket level, no tamp
Water
300g
Fill below safety valve
Yield
~230ml
Brewed output
Grind
Medium-fine
Like table salt
Medium-low flame. Flame should not extend past the base of the pot.
Use freshly boiled water — careful, the boiler gets hot immediately!
⚠️ Golden Rule: Never Tamp
Fill the basket and level gently with your finger. Compressing the grounds restricts water flow and causes sputtering — moka pots operate on much lower pressure than espresso machines.
Visual Fill Guide
Proper fill levels prevent most brewing problems.
Boiler Chamber
Fill water BELOW the safety valve
⚠️ Never cover the valve
Filter Basket
Fill level with the rim
✓ Do NOT tamp
Collection Chamber
Leave lid open to watch
Step-by-Step Brew Simulator
Follow along with the brewing phases and learn when to adjust heat.
Your recipe: 27–30g coffee, 300g water
The simulator will guide you through each brewing phase with timing cues.
Troubleshooting Matrix
Click on your symptom to see where the problem originates and how to fix it.
Select a symptom above to see diagnostic details and fixes
Key Reminders
Water Below the Valve
Water must not go above the safety valve — otherwise pressure cannot be safely regulated and the brew will be watery.
Cold Stop After Gurgling
Run the base under cold water immediately after removing from heat when brewing finishes to stop the extraction.
Steam Pressure, Not Espresso
The moka pot (invented 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti) uses steam pressure to push water through coffee — much gentler than espresso's 9 bars.
Consistent Ratios
Use consistent coffee-to-water ratios: ~18-20g coffee with 200g water for 4-cup, ~27-30g with 300g for 6-cup.