Aeropress VS Moka Pot: Which Is Best For You
Aeropress VS Moka Pot differences stem from their different brewing mechanisms. This results in variation in terms of taste, brewing methods, and a multitude of other factors.
Therefore, making a choice between Aeropress and Moka Pot is pretty challenging. This begs the question, which brewing gear suits you the best?
As an owner of both the Aeropress and the Moka Pot for the past 8 years, I have found some distinctive pros and cons of both the brewing gears.
In this blog post, I will deep dive into the 10 core differences between Aeropress VS Moka Pot to help you choose the perfect brewing gear for yourself.
Disclosure
Some of the links here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks!
At a glance: Aeropress VS Moka Pot
What Is An Aeropress?
Before comparing Aeropress VS Moka Pot, we first have to know what an Aeropress is.
The Aeropress is a brewing device that employs a brewing technique combining both immersion and percolation techniques.
Simply put, coffee grounds are immersed in hot water and then forced through a filter with the use of a plunger.
For those unfamiliar, this brewing device is an invention of a retired Stanford University lecturer, Alan Adler, who also is an American inventor. With the growing frustration of having bad coffee wherever he goes, Alan sought to create his own coffee brewing gear.
Under his company brand name, Aerobie, the first ever Aeropress was presented to the world in the year 2005.
Today, the Aeropress is an extremely popular brewing gear and brewers from all over the world compete annually at the World Aeropress Championship!
What Is A Moka Pot?
Next, we have the Moka Pot.
The Moka Pot is a brewing method that uses the percolation concept for coffee brewing. This fancy-looking equipment is divided into three main parts:
3 Main Parts Of Moka Pot
Bottom Chamber: This is where you fill fresh water for coffee brewing.
Connecting Chamber: This section has a metal filter that holds your coffee grounds.
Top Chamber: Hot water from the bottom chamber will pass through the coffee grounds and end up here.
By tracing the origin of the Moka Pot, you will find yourself in Italy in the year 1933. The inventor of this unassuming device is an Italian engineer, Alfonso Bialetti. Until today, the brand model “Bialetti” is still the hottest selling and they produce some of the best Moka Pots!
Unlike the Aeropress, the brewing mechanism of a Moka Pot uses the percolation technique which I will explain further below.
With over 100 years of historical use, the Moka Pot is surely a contender against the Aeropress.
Aeropress VS Moka Pot: 10 Differences
Now that we have established the definition of the Aeropress and Moka Pot, let us move on to the differences between these brewing devices.
Here, I am going to present and compare 10 distinctive differences between the Aeropress and Moka Pot.
1. Taste And Flavor
In terms of taste and flavor, both the Aeropress and Moka Pot produce great full-bodied coffee. However, none of this is comparable to the potency of espresso shots.
Starting with the Aeropress. Coffee from Aeropress tastes clean, full-bodied, and delicate. Additionally, the flavors of natural acids present in the coffee beans are more pronounced here.
Comparatively, coffee from Moka Pot is relatively oily, stronger, and bolder with a heavier mouthfeel.
The taste and flavor differences stem from the difference in the brewing mechanism.
With the Moka Pot, boiling hot water forces its way through the bed of coffee grounds due to the steam pressure at the bottom chamber. As a result, the high extraction power from the hot water will draw out more of the coffee’s oil and flavor compounds.
2. Coffee Grind Size
Coffee grind size is a very important factor when it comes to brewing. This is because a slight increase or decrease in coffee grind size will result in a varying rate of extraction.
When it comes to coffee grind sizes for Aeropress and Moka Pot, the difference is pretty small.
For the Aeropress, you should aim to use a coffee grind size between medium to medium fine. With the Moka Pot, a coffee grind size between medium fine to fine works best.
However, this rule only serves as a general guide.
If you do feel that your coffee is over-extracted (too much bitter flavor), feel free to use a coarser grind size. On the contrary, if your coffee feels under-extracted (sour-tasting with no depth), you should grind your coffee a little finer.
Author’s Note: One problem that most Moka Pot users face is the bitterness of the brew. To reduce the bitterness, you can try reducing the coffee grounds or increasing the coffee grounds’ grind size.
TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Coffee Grinder
With the TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder conical burr, say goodbye to inconsistent grind size.
On top of that, there is a 36-step adjustable grind size setting for you to tweak your brew to achieve perfect extraction.
3. Brewing Method
Both Aeropress and Moka Pot adopt fairly different brewing methods. The Moka Pot uses a percolation method while the Aeropress is a combination of both the Immersion and Percolation methods.
If none of these words makes sense, here’s a quick definition of both the Immersion and Percolation brewing methods.
Immersion Method
As the name suggests, the Immersion brewing method involves the immersion of coffee grounds in water for coffee extraction. The first coffee brewing gear that comes to mind is the French Press.
Percolation Method
Percolation method on the other hand involves passing water through a bed of coffee grounds and a filter. In this case, pour-over brewing gears like V60, Kalita and Clever drippers are some perfect examples of the Percolation brewing method.
Normally, Percolation brewing will result in a comparatively cleaner and brighter cup of coffee in comparison to the Immersion method.
However, since the Moka Pot uses a metal filter coupled with pressured hot water, this causes higher extraction of coffee oils and fine sediments. This results in a rich and intense cup of coffee although not as strong as a true espresso.
Author’s Note: To help get better coffee clarity with a Moka Pot, you may add a paper filter to the Moka Pot’s connecting chamber. This helps filter out fine sediments and coffee oils.
4. Brew Time
As both the Aeropress and Moka Pot use completely different brewing methods, the total brew time differs as well.
This factor is especially important if you care about how much time you need to spend brewing your coffee.
The short answer is, the Moka Pot takes up to 10 minutes to brew coffee. On the other hand, Aeropress can yield you a decent cup of coffee in under 2 minutes.
However, most of the brewing time for a Moka Pot can be attributed to the time it is sitting on top of the stovetop. So, the preparation time with a Moka Pot is shorter in comparison to Aeropress.
With the Aeropress, you have complete control over the brewing time depending on your recipe. Only this in case, you have to boil the water externally before brewing.
5. Brew Capacity
If you are eyeing an option that can make you more coffee in a single brew, the Moka Pot is a better option. This is because the Moka Pot comes in various sizes. From a one-cup version to an 18-cup version, there is surely a size for everyone.
Note that a single cup of Moka Pot coffee means 2 oz of coffee liquid which is about the volume of a double-shot espresso. So if you want a standard cup of coffee (6 oz), a 3-cup Moka Pot version is best for you.
On the other hand, the Aeropress has a fixed brewing capacity of 8 oz (237 ml). This volume is only enough for a single serve. However, you could brew a coffee concentrate with an “Aeropress For Two” recipe and dilute the coffee for two servings.
Therefore, the final verdict here is that the Moka Pot has a more flexible brew capacity compared to the Aeropress.
6. Ease Of Use
Although the Aeropress is extremely beginner friendly, the Moka Pot still trumps it when it comes to ease of use.
With a Moka Pot, you simply have to load the bottom chamber with water and the middle chamber with coffee grounds. Set the Moka Pot on a stovetop or induction plate and you can forget about it for 10 minutes.
The Aeropress on the other hand requires a few more steps for coffee brewing.
Not to mention the variation of Aeropress brewing recipes floating around the Internet.
Here’s a quick “How To Brew” section for Aeropress VS Moka Pot.
How To Brew Coffee With An Aeropress
Prep Work: Boil a kettle of water and grind 15 grams of the coffee beans of your choice.
1. Fit the filter cap along with a pre-rinsed filter paper onto the Aeropress main body.
2. Place the Aeropress in a standard position on top of your server.
3. Pour the coffee grounds into the Aeropress chamber.
4. Wet the coffee grounds with 50 ml of water and allow it to bloom for 15 seconds.
5. Proceed to pour the remaining 175 ml of water.
6. Give the coffee and water mixture 3 gentle stirs and let the mixture steep for 30 seconds.
7. Secure the Aeropress plunger and press it till the end over a period of 30 seconds.
How To Brew Coffee With A Moka Pot
Prep Work: Grind your coffee beans of choice.
1. Fill the Moka Pot’s bottom chamber with water up to the safety valve level.
2. Pour the coffee grounds into the connecting chamber
3. Connect and screw the bottom and top chambers of the Moka Pot.
4. Place the Moka Pot onto a stove top or induction plate to heat it up.
5. Wait until you hear a bubbling sound from the Moka Pot which indicates that your coffee is done.
6. Remove your Moka Pot from the heat source and serve.
Barista tip #1: Always use fresh whole coffee beans instead of ground coffee. This allows you to make coffee that retains most of the natural flavors and aroma of the coffee beans!
Barista tip #2: Although both brewing methods uses hot water, you can easily turn the Aeropress coffee into a icy cold coffee treat by plunging the brew over ice!
7. Portability
Portability is an important factor if you love making your own coffee anywhere you are in the world.
Both the Aeropress and Moka Pot are great to carry around for your travels. However, if I had to choose one, I would say that the Aeropress wins in terms of portability.
The Aeropress is comparatively more compact and lighter. This alone is an ultimate factor when it comes to traveling and hiking trips. All you need is a source of hot water for your coffee brewing.
With the Moka Pot, it is bulkier and will certainly take up more space in your backpack. Furthermore, you will need an external heating source such as an open fire, stove top, or induction place. Under some circumstances, these may not be readily available (like hotels).
8. Durability
For the durability comparison of Aeropress VS Moka Pot, without a doubt, the Moka Pot is superior.
This is mainly due to the materials that make up the Moka Pot which comprise steel and aluminum. Since the Moka Pot has to withstand high temperatures from open flames and induction plates, the body of the Moka Pot has to be structurally strong.
Conversely, a durable type of plastic (polypropylene) makes up 95% of the Aeropress body. Only the plunger head is fitted with a rubber seal. But this does not make the Aeropress any less durable!
That said, with proper care, both the Aeropress and Moka Pot can last for a reasonably long time.
9. Cleaning And Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance is part and parcel of coffee brewing with all equipment. This ensures that old coffee residues do not affect the taste of the coffee.
For both the Aeropress and Moka Pot, cleaning and maintenance are fairly simple. However, the Aeropress is much easier to clean and maintain in comparison to a Moka Pot.
Cleaning an Aeropress is as simple as just rinsing it with water after use. Occasionally, you will need to perform a deep clean to remove some stubborn coffee stains. The only part which requires concern is the rubber plunger which is relatively cheap and easy to replace.
With a Moka Pot, the cleaning procedure requires you to wait for the Moka Pot to cool first. On top of that, there are more parts that require cleaning. Fortunately, the cleaning process too only requires clean water rinsing.
Furthermore, more parts and compartments mean more maintenance costs. Over time, degradation due to wear and tear might render your Moka Pot unusable. However, the top-notch quality of Bialetti’s Moka Pot can last you a long way!
10. Price
The discussion of Aeropress VS Moka Pot will not be complete without comparing the cost factor.
For the sake of fairness, we will compare the products from the originator itself; Aerobie for Aeropress and Bialetti for the Moka Pot.
The price of an Aerobie’s Aeropress sits at $39.95 while the Bialetti’s Moka Pot is priced at $49.99 at this time of writing. This makes the Bialetti’s Moka Pot a slightly pricier option compared to the Aerobie’s Aeropress.
However, there are now many companies out there that have their own version of the Moka Pot. Safe to say, these prices are comparatively cheaper than Bialetti’s Moka Pot.
That said, both of the coffee gear’s prices are reasonably affordable and will go a long way before you need a replacement.
Other Recommended Reads On Coffee Gear Comparison: Moka Pot VS French Press
Aeropress VS Moka Pot: Which Should You Choose?
Both the Aeropress and Moka Pot are great coffee brewing equipment. Hence, I’d understand if you may be torn apart to choose one over the other.
To help you make a choice, I’ve laid down some of the reasons to choose an Aeropress or the Moka Pot.
Reasons To Choose An Aeropress
1. Love experimenting over different Aeropress brewing recipes.
2. Prefers a cleaner cup of coffee with bold and crisp tasting notes.
3. You have time to manually brew your coffee.
4. You usually make coffee only for yourself.
Reasons To Choose A Moka Pot
1. You just want a simple cup of coffee. No fluff.
2. Prefers a stronger and bolder cup of coffee.
3. Do not have the time to brew your coffee.
4. You will be brewing coffee for a few people.
Aeropress Original Coffee Maker
Highly reliable and durable coffee brewing device.
This manual coffee brewing device uses a combination of pressure and immersion to produce a consistent smooth, full-bodied coffee.
Excellent for beginners!
Bialetti’s Moka Pot 3 Cups
Nothing beats the Moka Pot from the founding company itself. With this, be prepared to get great rich and bold coffee every morning!
Bialetti’s Moka Pot 3 Cups version is perfect for one or two person.
FAQ On Aeropress VS Moka Pot
Is A Moka Pot Or Aeropress Better?
Choosing between Moka Pot and Aeropress is all based on personal preference. Ultimately, the Moka Pot makes a stronger brew, while the Aeropress produces a comparatively cleaner cup. If you prefer strong, bold coffee, you should go for the Moka Pot. Otherwise, the Aeropress is perfect if you prefer more delicate tasting coffee.
Why Is Aeropress So Hard To Push?
The main reason why your Aeropress is hard to push is because the coffee grounds are too fine. These fine coffee grounds will restrict water flow and increase the Aeropress chamber’s internal pressure when you try to push it down. If the pressure inside the Aeropress becomes too great, it will resist the pushing action.
Is Moka Pot As Strong As Espresso?
No, Moka Pot is nowhere near as strong as that of a standardized espresso machine. This is mainly due to the coffee extraction pressure. In a Moka Pot, the extraction pressure exerted by the steam caps at 2 bars. Comparatively, an espresso machine extracts espresso at a pressure of 9 bars.
Does Moka Pot Make Crema?
Moka pots don’t produce crema as the extraction pressure is fairly low. Crema formation is unique to espressos from espresso machines due to the high extraction pressure (9 bars). When the high pressure water hits the coffee grounds, it emulsifies the coffee oils and carbon dioxide gas to form crema.
Closing Notes
And this concludes the comparison between Aeropress VS Moka Pot.
With each having their own pros and cons, it is quite difficult to choose one over the other.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and how each of these gears can find their place in your daily routine. Furthermore, the distinctive differences between the Aeropress and Moka Pot presented here would have helped you make the choice easier!
If you find this piece of article informational and have taught you a thing or two when comparing Aeropress VS Moka Pot, please share it with your fellow friends. baristas and home brewers!
Happy brewing!
