Are you stuck between Brikka vs Moka Pot? Which Moka Pot should you buy? I’m breaking it down for all newbies of Moka Pots in this blog post! Here’s my in-depth Moka Pot review in comparison to the Brikka!
What is a Moka Pot?
Moka Pot is a simple stovetop brewing device invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti who named the Moka Pot after the Yemeni city Mocha. The Italians have cherished this device, and owning a Moka Pot is a time-honored tradition and staple of the Italian household.
Moka Pot Review
What is the Moka Pot made of?
Moka pots are made up of 3 main components – the top chamber for the brew, a perforated funnel basket for the grounds, and a bottom chamber to hold the water.
The base of the top chamber holds a safety gasket that ensures that the unit is tightly closed to allow pressure to build up in the lower section. A little nut inside the bottom chamber acts as an indicator for the amount of water to be filled.
The steam produced in the bottom chamber makes it into the basket, where it combines with the coffee grounds and is released into the top chamber due to the built-up pressure.
Moka Pot Review – How I got into Moka Pots
As a coffee enthusiast, I switch my coffee routine from time to time. We were doing the pour-over three months ago. 2 months ago, we rotated over to an espresso machine. Last month, we were back to brewing on stovetops.
When I bought my Moka pot a couple of years ago, my mind wavered between buying the Brikka or the Classic Moka!
The Moka is an affordable choice, while the Brikka looks incredibly better and claims to offer better crema. Purists everywhere didn’t write about the pitfalls of the classic Moka pot. They would much rather mock the brewing capabilities of the person making the coffee than bash their beloved Moka Pot!
Moka Pot Review – What I like about the Moka Pot
As someone who loves tradition but also loves to switch up gears when modern mechanisms prove to be simply better, I decided to invest in both for a complete experience. The coffee lover in me would not have it otherwise! Without further ado, let’s dig in and find out which one is better!
Economical – Firstly, Moka pots usually run anywhere between $20-$30, making it an affordable option as far as brew devices go.
Space-saving – I like that you can wash it and put it away once you are done with the Moka pot without taking up significant kitchen real estate.
Aluminum – The Moka pots are made up of an aluminum body that conduct heat very well! Although, this is also a reason for bitter cups if over-extracted than the given recipe!
Design – When the Moka pot was designed, it was way ahead of its time and still stands as a uniquely designed object to ever make it into the kitchen!
Portion – Because of its size, you can produce even and portioned out cups of coffee.
What I don’t like about the Moka Pot
Steps – As much as I personally enjoy brewing on the Moka pot, the number of small steps to brew some coffee in a Moka pot may not be something a regular coffee drinker might enjoy.
Ease of Use – There have been times when I have wanted to put the bottom chamber on medium heat and then go about filling the coffee basket with grounds to save time. Of course, screwing on the top chamber after this would be next to impossible because the bottom chamber would become extremely hot, making it challenging to handle, thereby not allowing an option to cut down on brew time!
Over-Extract – Moka pots have always been known to over-extract. Over-extraction is not for everyone as it can lend a very strong and sometimes bitter brew. While I thoroughly enjoy the more potent brews, drinkers of French press and Kalita Waves may not be a fan of over-extracted coffee! This is how the Italians have designed their devices to brew and is a rather personal choice!
Cleaning – If you’re a coffee enthusiast and don’t mind some extra cleaning steps, you might enjoy using the Moka pot or Brikka. Of course, this is not something everyone wants. So if cleaning is a deal-breaker, the Moka Pot may not be for you! Also, cleaning with soap is a topic for discussion another day!
How is the Brikka different from the Moka?
Brikka features a dual-pressure valve system that regulates the water pressure to produce a thicker, rich espresso. The Brikka also has a small opening on the lid, allowing air to incorporate into the brew, producing better results.
What I like about the Brikka
Speed – Brikka brews significantly faster than a classic Moka. The Brikka makes a cup in under 4 minutes which is a good and comfortable time for making coffee.
Design – I own the Brikka in Matte Black. It looks terrific on my stovetop. Moka pots tend to have a classic look, but the Brikka means serious business when it comes to design.
Texture – The Brikka brews a thicker and stronger brew than a classic pot. Also, I love the amount of crema that forms on top. There is only one second between the first large bubble that forms after the crema and the coffee getting burnt. You must stop before that first bubble for the best tasting brew! How you manage to stop before the first bubble is something you will figure out in time! The residual heat in the pot will continue to form a foamier crema, which we want when making lattes.
Caffeine – Because the Brikka tends to over-extract, you are looking at higher amounts of caffeine than the classic. If you prefer more caffeine, this is perfect!
What I don’t like about the Brikka
Parts – The classic is still the more popular and widely bought model of the Moka Pots. The parts for replacement are readily available for the classic over the Brikka.
Pressure Valve – The newer model of Brikka does not have the round safety valve of the older model, which was considered faulty and prone to explosions as is expected of a classic Moka pot too! This is more of a fear than a limitation that any device with pressure is prone to explosion and is something you must use with caution.
Which one should I buy?
Both the Brikka and Moka have their limitations and advantages. However, the ultimate decision lies with how you like to drink your coffee. If you are looking for strong espressos with rich crema, it is hands down the Brikka!
I am also personally biased to the Brikka as it produces rich crema, is stronger, and creates the perfect shot for making lattes and cappuccinos!
In terms of design, they are both nearly identical. They are also both functional and space-saving devices that have a similar brew process. One makes an authentic espresso, and the other is the founding father of Italian coffee. Choose the one that makes every brew worth waking up for!
PS: If you love reading about coffee, I strongly recommend this post on coffee slang.
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