If you are a lover of flea markets, like myself, it’s possible that you have encountered old-fashioned glass or steel coffee makers. Percolators were commonplace in kitchens during the 19th and a good portion of the 20th century until the automatic drip coffee maker came along and replaced them in people’s homes.
Despite a significant drop off in demand, there are still some producers who create percolators to this day. When searching online, you can find octagonal-shaped Moka brewers as well as short, plump coffee makers reminiscent of those you would discover at antique fairs. So, are these coffee makers the same? Let’s get to the bottom of the rivalry between the Moka Pot and the percolator and discover the truth!
Is Moka Pot and percolator the same thing?
In other words, percolation is a technique of passing a liquid through a permeable material and isolating a soluble element. A handful of coffee makers employ a process known as percolation to extract coffee, like siphon brewers, filter drip brewers, Vietnamese phins, and Moka Pots.
Although many coffee makers exist, not all are deemed percolators which are specifically engineered with exclusive internal parts.
Now that we understand the idea behind it, let’s discover how these classic coffee-makers operate.
How does a Moka Pot work?
In 1933, Alfonso Bialetti from Italy invented the Moka Pot. The traditional design is made out of aluminum, however, more up-to-date versions are available in stainless steel.
The Moka Pot consists of:
- The bottom chamber for water
- A metal basket for coffee grounds
- The top chamber for brewed coffee
Put water into the bottom reservoir of the coffee maker and place the grounds in the small metal filter that sits above the water in the middle part of the device.
When you place the coffee pot on a burner (or any other heat source), the temperature of the water increases, resulting in steam in the bottom chamber which causes the pressure to increase. It forces the water up through the coffee grounds. In conclusion, the coffee is placed in the top portion of the coffee maker.
When the liquid from the lower portion of the brewing apparatus reaches the top and the sputtering sound has ceased, the process is complete.
The Moka Pot is a popularly known brewing device that is used to create stovetop espresso. Although it does not produce espresso with its signature golden cream since it does not attain the same level of pressure that traditional espresso machines do, it is acceptable to refer to the coffee it makes as “espresso-like.” This machine allows you to produce highly strong coffee, and the amount you get is comparable to one cup of espresso.
How does a percolator work?
The current iteration of the percolator was first created in 1800. It was invented by an Illinois farmer Hanson Goodrich.
Despite appearing to be a single appliance from the outside, this device is made up of an interior system that facilitates the brewing of coffee.
The percolator consists of:
- Water vessel
- Tube
- Filter basket
- Water diffuser or spreader plate
To brew coffee using a percolator, add water to the vacant coffee maker. Put the tube with the coffee basket into the device, place the ground coffee in the basket, and cover it with the spreader plate. Put the lid on the percolator and put it over the heat.
When the base of the percolator is heated up, the water begins to boil. The water bubbles ascend the tube because of the pressure. The major distinction from percolators and Moka Pots comes from what takes place next.
When the hot water climbs up the pipe and reaches the pinnacle of the percolator, it cascades onto the pierced shield layer encasing the container with the coffee beans. The liquid permeates the coffee beans and filters into the container where it came from initially. There is no distinction between the new water and the prepared espresso, so the equivalent espresso re-circulates until the point when you take the espresso pot off the burner.
Moka Pot vs. percolator: which should you choose?
Moka Pots and percolators were made to quickly and efficiently create coffee. In the past, having a coffee pot on a stovetop that made coffee while you prepared breakfast was the best thing ever, and both of these coffee machines accomplished that. Are you interested and wanting to try making coffee with a classic coffee maker? A comparison of a Moka Pot versus a percolator will assist you in deciding which one is more suitable for you.
Ease of use
Moka Pots and percolators are low-tech gadgets. Your great-grandparents could use them easily, so you should find that making coffee with either of those appliances is quite easy. There won’t be any sophisticated clocks to alert you when your brew is done. You will have to use your senses of sight and sound!
Moka Pot
Working with a Moka Pot can be a straightforward process once you understand it, but it might take quite some time to master the technique of getting the best flavor. Many Moka Pots tend to be quite diminutive, which can make it difficult to warm them on larger range burners. The handles of the items are meant to be heat-proof, however, this is not always the case when put to use. It is advisable to use a potholder when taking the Moka Pot off the heat source, so as not to risk starting a blaze with the potholder.
An overflow of a Moka Pot is a possibility, particularly when filled with a greater amount of water than it is designed to hold. On a Moka Pot, there is a line visible indicating the maximum water level that should not be exceeded, which is just under where the pressure valve is. It can be difficult to recognize this truth within the minor models.
The Moka Pot works optimally when given medium-fine coffee grounds which may not be easy to come by in the supermarket. You should not use the excessively fine powder required for Turkish coffee. The buildup of residue from the coffee grounds on the metal filter will block the filter, prohibiting the flow of water through and around the coffee. Hence, attaining the ideal outcome can be accomplished by having a burr coffee grinder or procuring the already-ground coffee from a coffee specialist store which has been grounded at a suitable magnitude.
Percolator
Percolators were made to make a pot of coffee for a bunch of people or a family. Its size relatively compared to a Moka Pot is larger, making it simpler to fill both water and coffee grounds without making a muddle in your cooking area.
The optimal grounds for a percolator are a coarse grind like what is used for French press coffee. It is possible to make coffee using pre-ground coffee from the grocery store, though you won’t get the same freshly-ground aroma that you would with grinding beans just before brewing.
Moka Pot vs Percolator
What’s The Difference Between a Moka Pot and a Percolator?
There are five key differences between a percolator and a Moka pot:
#1 Ease Of Use
It is easy to use either a Moka pot or a percolator, depending on the type you select.
Just add water to the container, put the ground coffee in the strainer, and turn on the stovetop coffee machine to let it do its job.
No sophisticated time pieces or temperature gauges are necessary because both coffee makers emit a sharp noise when the coffee is brewed. These options don’t require paper filters, thus they are ecologically beneficial.
You will require nothing more than coffee, a pot, and a heat source to make it.
Certain types of percolators include a heating element, which simplifies the coffee-making process by reducing heat when the coffee is prepared.
#2 Price
When you make your coffee each morning, you are doing more than just giving yourself a caffeine boost. You’re having an enjoyable experience, and both percolators and Moka pots are contributing to it.
The cost of your coffee machine is set depending on multiple factors, such as its dimensions, make, as well as various impressive characteristics.
When compared to Moka pots of the same size, a stovetop percolator is often less costly. Even electric percolators are reasonably priced.
A Moka pot will also not break the bank.
Most Moka pots cost more than percolator pots. It is possible that the Moka pot is more specialized and has a few additional parts. Percolators are much more economical than Moka pots due to their uncomplicated construction.
It is possible that you might discover a percolator that is priced higher than a Moka pot. Despite this, Moka pots tend to be more costly than percolators.
#3 Mechanism
A percolator is a single device that combines the grounds and water for producing coffee in a single container.
Alternatively, the Moka pot consists of three separate parts that work in unison.
#4 Grind Size
In order to obtain the most delicious taste, you will require distinct coffee grounds depending on the brewing method you’re using.
For the best results when using a Moka pot, a very fine grind is needed.
Steam coming into contact with the coffee quickly necessitates a finer grind, otherwise the resulting cup of coffee will be lackluster and weak.
The percolator necessitates a rough grind since the coffee is steeped for an extended period, facilitating the bigger particles to slowly transmit its delectability, granting you a more delicious cup of coffee as time goes on.
If you’re using a more finely ground coffee, you will receive a strong and potentially bitter-tasting drink.
#5 The Brewing Process
Making coffee with a Moka pot is a process that can be followed anticipatedly and easily.
The brewer uses hot steam to craft an intense and flavorful coffee that is often mistakenly called “stovetop espresso”.
Begin by putting water into the lowest compartment, putting freshly ground coffee into the filter holder, and attaching all the parts of the device together.
The Moka pot is set on the stove top to heat up the water, thereby producing steam.
After 4-5 minutes, a sufficient amount of pressure will have been created, although it won’t be as great as that of an espresso machine, propelling the thicker coffee liquid up the tube and into the chamber at the top, where it will be kept.
When you’re done brewing, just take the pot off the stove and pour out the coffee.
#6 Coffee Taste
Particular emphasis is placed on the flavor evaluation by coffee aficionados.
Moka Pots of a good quality will provide you with a cup of coffee that is akin to an espresso – it is delectable and intense. You can drink it either black or with the addition of some milk and creamer.
These appliances are frequently referred to as “stovetop coffee makers.”
The downside of espresso is that it can be bitter; however, this can be remedied by including steamed milk to make a mocha or latte, or if you prefer an americano, adding some water.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You can easily clean both coffee machines; just unscrew their components, get rid of the leftovers in the filter and rinse.
Some models can be put through the dishwasher, but percolators require you to take out the basket inside the vertical tube, which can be challenging.
Occasionally, you must take the necessary steps to wipe out stains from your coffee maker.
Thankfully, unlike plenty of espressos machines, maintaining a Moka Pot or a Percolator won’t cost too much as it can be cleaned with standard household items.
The easiest way to effectively clean your equipment is to combine equal amounts of vinegar and water.
Pour the elements into the contraption, set it on the stovetop, and wait for it to create the vinegar.
If necessary, start over and then flush the system with plain water a third time. Rinse many times to remove the vinegar flavor.
Durability
Both the Percolator and Moka Pot are robust, although because of its simpler construction, the Percolator is usually the one that lasts the longest.
Only a forceful hit with a large object will cause them to shatter.
In comparison, glass percolators display a modern and stylish appeal but can be easily damaged.
Which One Should I Buy?
If you’re needing something mobile to make coffee with multiple people in mind, I would recommend purchasing a percolator.
The percolator can make a lot of coffee in one go while the Moka pot only creates a limited amount.
Alternatively, the Moka Pot is the way to go if you are looking for coffee that has a velvety, robust taste like cappuccinos.