Do you ever worry that your Moka Pot will explode while it’s on the stove?
Moka Pots are designed to withstand high temperatures and pressure, making explosions very unlikely. However, if the Moka Pot is not used following the proper instructions, there is a small chance that it could blow up.
You might be thinking about how you could use your Moka pot improperly and cause it to explode.
In this article, we will go over some of the things you should avoid doing with your Moka Pot to prevent it from exploding.
Moka pot explosion possibility
A Moka Pot can explode if the conditions are right (or wrong, in this case). If you take the time to think about how a Moka Pot works, everything will make sense.
A Moka pot is a coffee maker that is placed on a stovetop. The heat from the stovetop will build up pressure and force the water from the bottom chamber to the filter basket and then to the top chamber where the coffee will be waiting.
It is an espresso machine that uses steam and pressure to brew coffee, without the fancy price tag. Espresso machines use around 9 bars of pressure to brew a shot, while Moka Pots only use 1-2 bars.
1. The pressure
A Moka Pot can explode because of the pressure that builds up inside of it. If the Moka Pot is not put together correctly, the pressure will continue to build until it explodes.
When we say “boom,” we mean that the pressure will cause the top of the Moka Pot to fly off, spraying boiling water and coffee grounds everywhere.
2. The grind size
If you use a grind that is too fine, it will block the filter basket.
If you grind the coffee beans too finely and the water can’t get through, the pressure will start to build until the Moka Pot explodes.
What would you do? What would you do if you had a car with no working brakes? You will go fast, and eventually you will crash. If the grind is too fine, the water can’t get through–just like you can’t stop your car.
I know this may soundcrazy, but we have seen it happen before. The grind you use for your coffee beans is important for making a good cup of coffee in a Moka pot. Use a medium to fine grind, and if you’re not sure, make it a little bit coarser.
3. The tamping
It’s important to tamp your coffee grounds when making coffee with an espresso machine. The Moka Pot can cause more harm than good. We use an espresso machine to tamp our coffee grounds to help ensure an even extraction.
If you tamp your coffee grounds with a Moka Pot, it can actually block the filter basket and the pressure will build until it explodes.
While tamping is a good method to ensure all coffee grounds are extracted, you don’t want to overdo it with a Moka Pot.
The coffee grounds should be lightly tapped to help level them out.
4. The safety/ pressure valve
If the pressure gets too high, the safety valve will release it. The safety valve is a crucial part of the Moka Pot. If it’s not working correctly, or is damaged, the pressure will build until the Moka Pot explodes.
Make sure to check your older Moka Pot’s safety valve every now and then to ensure it’s still working properly. You may need to replace the valve or get a new Moka Pot if it is not working properly.
5. Getting a cheaper alternative
The original Moka Pot, designed by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, is a coffee maker that is favored by coffee fanatics. If you are one of those fanatics, you probably already know its history. You may not be aware that there are now numerous companies that produce their own Moka Pot.
Some of the alternatives to the Bialetti Moka Pot are not made with the same quality as the original. This is not to say that the alternatives are not good, but you should be aware of the difference in quality.
Cheap materials and bad design can have a significant negative impact. Do your research before you buy a Moka Pot.
If you want to make sure you’re making great coffee, your best option is to go with a classic Bialetti coffee pot. If you can’t find one or you’re working with a limited budget, there are other options available.
6. Putting the filter upside down
Not everyone prefers to use the classic filter basket that comes with their Moka Pot. There are other types of coffee filters, like the Competition Moka Pot filter, that are designed to better extract flavors and aromas from your coffee.
You should ensure that the filter is placed correctly in the Moka Pot if you are using one. If you don’t do this, your pot may explode in some cases.
Avoiding Moka pot explosions
Moka pots seem to explode sometimes. I see them as two different types. The first is the standard Moka pot explosion.
I’ve had this happen a lot when the hot water or coffee comes out of the spout on the collection chamber and hits the countertop or stove.
In my house, we actually encourage explosions. When I get my Moka pot out, my kids get excited and ask if I’m making coffee that will explode and if they can watch. The author suggests that the staff at Starbucks are not helpful when trying to find the perfect cup, as if they are hoping the author’s quest is unsuccessful. These kids are weirdos.
The Moka pot usually just causes a small explosion, which is annoying but unavoidable. The two main issues that cause explosions are, in my experience, incorrect wiring and overloading. If you don’t put coffee in the basket, it will fail. The most common mistake people make when using a Moka pot is not boiling the water first. It seems like the most basic part of making a Moka pot, but it still happens.
If there was no coffee to slow down the water, it would come out quickly and with a lot of heat. If you want your pot to explode, the best way to do it is to leave it unattended.
If you allow your coffee pot to stay on the heat for too long, the coffee will squirt out of the top. The water will damage your surfaces if it gets on them. If the worst happens, you or your family could be seriously hurt by the boiling liquid.
The regular Moka pot explosions are a cause for worry, but they don’t compare to the danger of the rarer, more severe Moka pot explosions. People report seeing these explosions, but there is no video evidence of them, which is similar to the situation with bigfoot.
I saw some footage of the aftermath of an explosion, and it looked pretty serious. But what would make a Moka pot explode? This is a question that can be easily answered.
The heat creates pressure, and the pressure can make things explode. But how can this happen? What about the pressure release on the bottom chamber?
So many questions, and I have the answers. The pressure valve may not be a guaranteed way to prevent an explosion, as it could become blocked with old coffee grounds or a build-up of mineral deposits from your water.
If the valve is not working, the pressure will increase until the pot bursts. Other issues could include coffee that is tamped too tightly or heat that is too high. You don’t need to tamp the coffee in the basket. Simply fill to the top.
If you press the coffee too tightly when you’re filling the Moka pot, it can stop the water from flowing through the coffee and into the other chamber.
If the heat is turned up too high, steam will be produced at a rate that the pressure valve can’t keep up with, causing a buildup of pressure with no release.
When a Moka pot explodes, it can cause a lot of damage. Stoves can be broken, boiling liquids can be launched across the room, and glass can be shattered. To avoid Moka pot explosions always:
1. Load your coffee the right way
Tamp the grind to the specifications of your particular model. The coffee must allow the water to flow.
2. Check your pot
Periodically, inspect your pressure value for any potential issues. Does it look clogged, broken, or otherwise damaged? Do you think there has been a change in the way your device is working?
If your Moka pot is old, deformed, or suspicious for some reason, it may be time to get a new one.
3. Use a timer to prevent overheating
If you are a beginner with the Moka pot, it is easy to forget about it and let it boil for too long. This is a surefire way to cause an explosion.
If you’re worried about forgetting to turn off your coffee maker, you can set a timer on your phone or use the timer feature on your stove. It is recommended that you brew the tea for 3-5 minutes, so set your timer for 4 minutes to be safe.
4. Use fresh distilled water or bottled water
The lifespan of your coffee maker is also affected by the water you use. If you only use tap water with your Moka Pot, the minerals and chemicals in it will eventually build up and clog the pot.
This can be prevented by using only distilled water or bottled water. This water is mostly pure H2O and won’t cause any build-up in your coffee maker.
Distilled water can make coffee taste less intense since it gets rid of all the minerals. If you want to maintain the flavor in your coffee, use bottled water rather than tap water. It’s up to you to decide.
The benefits and limitations of a Moka pot
There are many benefits to using a Moka pot to make coffee, and very few drawbacks.
The benefits to the Moka pot are:
Small footprint
This pot is very small, measuring only 3.5 inches wide and 7 inches tall. My wife informs me that I need to put it away in the coffee drawer, which is the perfect size for it.
It could really find a home anywhere, though. This text is suggesting that people store things in drawers and cabinets, and on the fridge if storage is an issue. The Moka pot is a treasured design.
You can leave that bad boy out on the counter or centered on the stove. A Moka pot is something to show off.
No moving parts
I see my Moka pot as a coffee maker that will last forever. You can throw this object off a roof or out of a moving car, and it will not be damaged. Because it has no moving parts, it is very resilient. Nothing wears out. Nothing grinds away. It just keeps brewing.
Only requires heat.
This text is saying that there are no plugs, no replacement filters, no electricity, and no mice on spinning wheels. If you have water, beans and heat, you can make a cup of coffee from a Moka pot.
Go camping with a Moka pot. You can take your Moka pot with you to the beach or to your favorite music festival. Very few coffee makers can rival this ability.
Inexpensive
Moka pots are cheap. The Moka pot is a small investment that can be used for generations.
Your kids are going to be impatient for your Moka pot. They will just go get their own. Allows you to use any beans you like. If you purchase a pod machine, you will be locked into their ecosystem forever.
You’re going to say that you use your own beans and a refillable pod.
Many people make grandiose claims but don’t follow through on them. It’s too inconvenient. You can use whatever beans you like with a Moka pot, whether they are whole or ground, and from a single origin or a blend.
An added benefit of being able to store coffee beans is that it helps support local roasters and bean suppliers.
It’s fun coffee science
When you make a drink with a Moka pot, it’s always a science experiment. The coffee always comes up to the top compartment, and I’m still amazed every time.
What kind of magic can make water defy gravity to push through coffee and make a drink? It’s called capillary action! It pleases me and I don’t think the novelty will ever go away.
Okay. Okay. The Moka pot is great, but it has some drawbacks. The one thing I would change about coffee is the amount of time and attention needed to brew a cup.
The process of making coffee using a coffee grinder and a heated stone can take a few minutes and requires your attention throughout. If you get distracted and leave the coffee on the stove, it will either get burnt or cover the stove.
I like that moka pots are not “set it and forget” coffee makers.