All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More >
So you’re looking to step up your home coffee game, and you’ve narrowed it down to two of the most popular manual brewing methods: the Moka pot and the French press. But which one is right for you?
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to help you decide between these two classic coffee makers. I’ll compare how they work, the flavor they produce, their ease of use, and much more.
Whether you’re an aspiring home barista or just looking for a better morning brew, read on to discover the key differences between Moka pots and French presses.
What Is A Moka Pot?
The Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker, was originally invented by Italian Alfonso Bialetti. The coffee pot, first introduced in 1933, quickly became a style icon that has held its popularity ever since, particularly in the 1950s.
Known as “Bialetti Moka Express,” it is basically a three-chambered coffee maker that brews coffee by pushing heated water and steam through coffee grounds to produce a strong, concentrated brew resembling espresso.
The bottom chamber holds water which is heated until steam pressure forces the water up through the middle filter chamber filled with finely ground coffee (Moka coffee powder if you’re buying from your local store).
The coffee extracts into the top chamber as a dark, thick, concentrated brew.
Moka pots come in different sizes – from one cup to eighteen cups. The smallest size makes enough espresso-style coffee for one, while larger sizes produce enough brewed coffee to share.
Benefits of the Moka pot
- Produces a strong coffee that’s a rich, espresso-like brew
- Portable and compact
- No electricity is required, just needs a stovetop
- Portable and compact
- Lower cost than espresso machines
Some drawbacks
- Can make bitter, burnt coffee if brewed improperly
- Not as consistent or customizable as the espresso machine
- Requires more careful watching during brewing
- Hand washing recommended
Overall, Moka pots are an affordable way to make concentrated, espresso-style coffee at home without the complications and expense of a full-sized espresso machine.
What Is A French Press?
The French press, also known as a press pot or plunger pot, was invented in 1929 by Italian designer Attilio Calimani. A French press is, in simple terms, just a cylindrical glass or plastic beaker used to brew coffee.
Coarse coffee grounds are steeped directly in hot water before pressing down a filter plunger to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
To use a French press, you add coarse ground coffee to the empty beaker, then pour over hot water just off the boil.
After letting it steep for 4-8 minutes (brewing time can be more or less depending on your desired strength), you slowly press the filter down, which keeps the grounds at the bottom as the brewed coffee pours out.
French press pots come in many sizes, from single serving to 12 cups. The mesh filter plunger allows for more oils and sediment to pass through into your cup compared to a brewing process that uses paper filters.
It’s not uncommon to find coffee fines or “sludge” in the bottom of your cup.
Benefits of the French press
- Produces a full-bodied, flavorful brew
- Simple to use with hot water and coffee
- Makes 2-3 servings (more for larger sizes)
- Mesh filter lets flavorful oils pass-through
- Durable, low-maintenance, and portable
Some drawbacks
- Can have more sediment in brewed coffee
- Not ideal for large batches or hosting guests
- Hand washing required
- Coffee cools faster than drip machine coffee
Overall, the best French presses offer an unfussy way to get customizable, delicious coffee with minimal effort.
Moka Pot vs. French Press: Key Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each coffee maker let’s compare these two manual methods head-to-head across some key factors:
Brewing Coffee Method
- Moka pot: Uses steam pressure forced through finely ground coffee
- French press: Steeps coarse coffee grounds in hot water
The Moka pot’s pressure and the French press’s steeping time extract differently from the grounds, resulting in different flavors.
Flavor Profile
- Moka pot: Strong, concentrated, espresso-like coffee flavor
- French press: Full-bodied, multidimensional, nuanced flavor
Moka pots produce a powerful brew, while the French press is milder but brings out coffee’s inherent flavors.
Body And Texture
- Moka pot: Thick, syrupy body with foamy crema
- French press: Medium, smooth body with slight oiliness
Moka pot coffee has a velvety mouthfeel compared to the robust, sometimes muddy mouthfeel of the French press.
Brew Time
- Moka pot: 5-8 minutes on the stove
- French press: 4-8 minutes steeping time
Both make a cup of coffee in under 10 minutes, but the Moka pot requires monitoring on the stove during the brewing process.
How Easy Are They To Use?
- Moka pot: More involved with multiple parts, and the Moka pot uses pressure.
- French press: Simple and straightforward. Just press down the plunger for a flavorful cup of coffee.
The French press has fewer steps and pieces to manage than the three-chambered Moka pot. So brewing coffee in the French press tends to be easier, which makes it a popular option for home coffee brewing beginners.
Ideal Grind Size
- Moka pot: Fine espresso grind
- French press: Coarsely ground coffee
You’ll get great coffee with both the Moka pot and a French press as long as you’re using the correct coffee grind for each brewer.
Cleaning
- Moka pot: Challenging with multiple pieces
- French press: Easy with single parts
Moka pots require more effort to disassemble and clean thoroughly.
As you can see, Moka pots and French presses work quite differently and produce distinct coffee styles. Your taste preferences and brewing needs will dictate which is a better fit for your home brewing setup.
Here’s a table with a breakdown of the French press and Moka pot key differences.
Moka Pot | French Press | |
Brewing Process | Steam pressure through fine grounds | Steeping coarse grounds in water |
Flavor | Strong, espresso-like | Full-bodied, nuanced |
Body | Thick and foamy | Medium, smooth |
Brew Time | 5-8 minutes | 4-8 minutes |
Ease of Use | More involved (needs monitoring) | Very simple |
Grind Size | Fine | Coarse |
Cleaning | More challenging | Easy |
Cost | $$ | $ |
How To Brew Coffee Using A Moka Pot
I do have a complete guide on how to brew coffee using the Moka pot, which you can find here. But for a quick and easy brewing method on how to master Moka pot coffee, follow these steps for the best results:
- Grind coffee beans to a fine powder, like espresso grind.
- Fill the bottom chamber with cold water just below the pressure release valve.
- Put the ground coffee into the middle filter basket without compressing.
- Securely attach the top chamber.
- Place the pot on a stove burner on medium heat. Don’t let the handle touch the burner.
- Monitor it as it heats up. Remove from heat when the brewing noise stops.
- Pour the fresh coffee into mugs, add milk/sugar if desired, and enjoy immediately!
Tips for great Moka pot coffee:
- Use freshly roasted beans and grind them right before brewing.
- Play with grind sizes to find your ideal strength.
- Keep the lid on while brewing for optimum pressure.
- Control heat to avoid burning the coffee.
- Clean thoroughly after each use.
How To Brew Coffee Using A French Press
I also have an in-depth guide on how to brew coffee using the French press, which you can find here. But for a quick guide, follow these steps to make delicious French press coffee:
- Coarsely grind whole bean coffee, ideally with a burr grinder.
- Boil water in a kettle. Once boiled, wait 30 seconds for it to cool slightly.
- Put the ground coffee in the empty beaker. A good coffee-to-water ratio is 1:15 to 1:17.
- Pour the hot water over the grounds until there’s about 1 inch of space left.
- Let it steep for 4-8 minutes. Taste periodically to get your preferred strength.
- When ready, press the plunger straight down slowly to filter the grounds.
- Pour the brewed coffee into mugs and enjoy!
Tips for great French press coffee:
- Grind size matters – too fine leads to silt, too coarse under-extracts.
- Water just off the boil maximizes extraction.
- Plunge slowly to prevent stirring up the grounds.
- Clean thoroughly after brewing to prevent residue buildup.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Moka Pot vs. French Press: What’s Your Coffee Jam?
So should you choose a Moka pot or French press for your home brewing setup? If you’re scratching your head over whether to go with a Moka pot or a French press, let’s break it down.
Here are some factors to help you decide:
Coffee Taste: Into strong, punchy coffee that feels kinda creamy? Sounds like Moka pot territory. But if you’re all about that smooth, chill coffee vibe, the French press is calling your name.
Coffee Concoctions: Got dreams of whipping up lattes or cappuccinos at home? The Moka pot’s got the strong stuff you need. But if you’re into keeping things classic with a straightforward black coffee, the French press is your buddy.
How Much Are You Brewing?: Whether it’s the Moka pot or French press, both are champs for those 1-2 cup brew sessions. But if you’re brewing for the gang or having pals over, the French press kinda wins with its bigger sizes, saving you from playing barista with multiple Moka pots.
Learning Curve: If you’re just diving into the brew-it-yourself scene, the French press is pretty straightforward. The Moka pot? A bit trickier, but hey, with a couple of tries, you’ll get the groove.
The Cleanup: Moka pots are a bit needy – think taking apart, thorough cleaning, and the occasional parts swap. The French press, on the other hand, is more of a rinse-and-go pal.
Ascetic Appeal: It’s a toss-up between the retro coolness of a Moka pot and the sleek see-through style of a French press. Which one’s gonna make your kitchen counter pop?
Dollars and Cents: If budget’s on your mind, good-quality French presses are usually lighter on the wallet, especially the big ones. But there are some wallet-friendly Moka pots out there too.
In a nutshell, It’s all about what vibes with you, from taste to style and budget. Whether it’s the Moka pot’s intensity or the French press’s ease of use, it’s your coffee journey. Own it!
Conclusion
Whichever brewing method you choose – the Moka pot for bold, concentrated coffee or the French press for smooth, flavorful coffee – you can’t go wrong with these classic manual brewing devices to produce coffee.
They allow you to easily brew cafe-quality coffee in your own kitchen with relative ease. Consider factors like your taste preferences, ideal serving size, and maintenance to decide if an Italian Moka pot express or French press is the best fit.
But keep in mind that whichever you decide, both brewing methods let you fully customize and master the craft of coffee brewing at home.
You Might Also Like