Do you like your coffee strong and bold?
Both a moka pot and an AeroPress can give you what you want.
But which one is better?
After hours of research, I’ve got to admit that there’s no easy answer to that question.
In this article, I’ll go over how these brewers work and how their features compare.
So without further ado, I present to you the ultimate AeroPress VS moka pot showdown.
What Is An AeroPress?
The AeroPress is one of the newest coffee brewing methods on the scene.
It was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a retired lecturer at Stanford University. As a true coffee addict, Adler tried all kinds of brewing methods, from the espresso machine to pour over brewers, but none of them were to his liking.
He wasn’t content with the amount of control these brewing methods gave him. Especially over parameters such as brew time or water temperature. So, he took things into his own hands, and that’s how the AeroPress was born.
Nowadays, the AeroPress coffee maker is popular because it’s a fast and convenient way of brewing a cup of full-flavored coffee.
It combines steeping and pressure methods to give you the perfect cup every time.
Using an AeroPress is a piece of cake. There are many different ways you can do it, but here’s one method you can try that I find to be the easiest:
- Heat water up to 205F.
- Push the plunger out of the chamber.
- Put the filter in the filter cap, and twist it onto the chamber.
- Place the whole thing onto a mug and put one scoop of coffee grounds into the chamber. Shake to level.
- Add water up to the Level 1 indicator on the chamber.
- Stir for around 10 seconds.
- Insert the plunger and press gently. If you feel resistance, pause for a few seconds. Do this until you’ve pushed the plunger all the way down.
It might sound confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. And once you do, you can experiment with different methods and tweak the process to get your coffee just how you like it.
Related reading: 7 Best Portable Espresso Makers
NOTE
For super tasty Aeropress coffee try a simple, repeatable, and quick recipe by James Hoffmann.
What Is A Moka Pot?
The moka pot, otherwise known as a stovetop espresso maker, is a coffee maker that’s been around for a lot longer. It dates way back to 1933.
It was invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti, and it wasn’t long before it became a staple in kitchens all over Italy. In fact, the design is so iconic, you can find it in industrial and design museums all over the world.
The original moka pot is made of aluminum, but nowadays stainless steel is another popular material of choice. This three-chambered pot is designed to be used on a stove.
The fact that the design barely changed over almost 100 years of existence speaks volume of its simplicity and practicality.
A moka pot is a percolating device. This means it uses steam to force water through the filter and into the upper chamber.
As a result, you get a concentrated cup of coffee that resembles an espresso.
Here’s how to brew coffee using a moka pot:
- Fill the bottom chamber with water up to the safety valve.
- Put ground coffee into the filter. Then, place the filter on top of the bottom chamber.
- Screw the top chamber on to assemble the whole thing.
- Place the moka pot on the stove on medium heat.
- When you hear a gurgling sound, that’s your cue to remove it from the stove and serve.
Make sure never to overfill the bottom chamber. The safety valve should always be above the water level. If you pour too much water in, the whole thing could explode.
And you wouldn’t want hot water and metal flying around your kitchen, now would you?
AeroPress VS Moka Pot
We’ve gathered here today to witness the battle of the brewers.
They both give you a flavorful espresso-like cup of coffee, but which one performs best?
Let’s put them side by side and compare their features to see where each brewer shines.
Taste
Both of these coffee brewers will make a nice cup of full-bodied java that’s similar to espresso.
It won’t be the same, simply because neither of these brewing methods can put out the kind of pressure an espresso machine does to make real espresso.
In both cases your coffee will be flavorful, but moka pot coffee is a significantly stronger brew. In fact, as you might know – a moka pot is actually commonly referred to as a stovetop espresso maker.
Moka coffee will taste different to AeroPress coffee. That’s mainly because they use different types of filters.
The moka pot uses a metal filter, which lets some small particles and oils into your coffee. As a result, you get a rich, dark taste with some texture.
AeroPress, on the other hand, uses paper filters. As you probably know, these things don’t let any particles through, leaving you with clean and bright coffee.
Which one is better?
Well, that comes down to your own personal preference. Do you prefer your java to be bolder and textured? Or would you rather drink a lighter, sediment-free cup of coffee?
Winner: Depends
Ease Of Use
You don’t need a PhD to master either of these brewing methods.
With a moka pot, you just have to pour in water and ground coffee, assemble the thing and leave it on the stove. Once it starts gurgling, your coffee is ready to be served.
An AeroPress requires you to be a bit more active. You need to weigh your coffee, time the brew, and push the air out to extract the coffee.
It’s not “giving birth” pushing, but it requires some effort and focus nonetheless.
And to be frank, that’s the last thing I want to be doing early in the morning when I’m already struggling to keep my eyes open.
So when it comes to ease of use, a moka pot definitely wins.
Winner: Moka Pot
Brewing Time
Setting up a moka pot doesn’t take more than a minute. You just need to pour in some water and ground coffee and assemble the chambers.
But, you need to wait for the water to boil and then some more for the coffee to brew.
All in all, that’s around 10 minutes of your time.
An AeroPress also requires hot water. But once you boil it, it won’t take you more than 2 minutes to brew your coffee.
So even when you add up the time it takes to boil the water and brew the coffee, it’s clear that an AeroPress is the winner in this category.
If you’re always in a rush, the AeroPress is probably a better option for you.
Winner: AeroPress
Capacity
An AeroPress comes in a fixed capacity of 8 ounces, which equals a standard mug.
But since it’s a fast brewing method, you can make multiple cups in a short amount of time, given that you’ve boiled enough water.
Nowadays, moka pots come in a variety of sizes ranging from 1 to 18 cups.
One thing to note though – a single moka cup equals 2 ounces. So for a standard mug, you’ll need a 4 cup version.
Still, if you want to brew lots of coffee at once, the 18 cup moka pot lets you make 4 full mugs and then some..
It goes without saying that a moka pot wins by a large margin when it comes to capacity. There’s a model for everyone’s needs.
Winner: Moka Pot
Durability
Moka pots are designed to sit on top of a stove. For that reason, they’re made of heat resistant materials, such as steel and aluminum. Both of these materials are sturdy, so you can rest assured a moka pot will last you a very long time.
Heck, you might even pass it down to your kids.
The same can’t be said for the AeroPress.
This coffee brewer is made of polypropylene. While it’s a durable type of plastic, it’s plastic nonetheless.
No matter how well you take care of it, it will wear down over time. We’re talking years, not decades like with a moka pot.
Well done, moka pot – you’re the clear winner in terms of durability.
Winner: Moka Pot
Portability
Both of these coffee brewers are easily portable, which makes them great for camping and traveling in general.
You can put a moka pot over the hot coals of a campfire and make your coffee in the middle of nowhere. But if you have a pot to boil water in, you can also do the same with an AeroPress.
In terms of weight, an AeroPress is a lighter and more compact option.
You can store it practically anywhere – even in the side pocket of your backpack.
Being made of metal, a moka pot is somewhat heavier. Still, since aluminum is a light metal, moka pots are still pretty lightweight.
Bottom line – when it comes to portability, the AeroPress wins, but not by a large margin.
Winner: AeroPress
Maintenance
A moka pot is made of either aluminum or stainless steel, so the body gets quite hot while it’s brewing.
What that means is that before you start cleaning it, you have to wait for it to cool down first.
Once it’s cold to the touch, simply unscrew it, throw away the coffee grounds and disassemble the parts. Then, rinse them in your sink using only water (no soap!) and pat them dry with a clean cloth.
Cleaning an AeroPress brewer is just as easy. Just throw away the clumped grounds and rinse all the parts under hot water.
Both of these brewers are simple to clean. But since you need to wait for a moka pot to cool down first, the AeroPress takes the win in this category.
Winner: AeroPress
Affordability
Nowadays, moka pots are made by different companies, meaning they have a large price range. With that being said, the original moka pot itself is rather affordable.
Since AeroPress is a single brand, the affordable price it’s sold at is fixed. But for around the exact same price, you can get a high-quality moka pot too.
Winner: Tie
The Final Verdict
As you can see, both the moka pot and the AeroPress do a pretty good job at making amazing coffee without breaking the bank.
And to me, there’s no clear winner.
Instead, it depends on the characteristics that are the most important to you.
Looking for a brewer that gives you the freedom to experiment with your coffee?
An AeroPress might be what you’re looking for.
Want something that will last you a lifetime?
Then a moka pot is the right choice for you.
But whatever you choose, you’ll get a brewer that makes darn good coffee.
Not sure where to start when buying coffee for your AeroPress or Moka Pot? Check out our review of the Black Rifle coffee brand and find out if this up-and-coming roaster fits into your cup of joe.
