What is a Moka Pot?
The moka pot is a stovetop brewer that utilizes steam pressure to brew coffee. Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti invented the moka pot in the 1930s in response to Italians’ desire to experience the deliciousness of espresso from the comfort of home.
While it can’t replicate true espresso, it does produce a rich, concentrated brew you can enjoy without needing to invest in an espresso machine.
Why the Miir Moka Pot
The Miir New Standard Moka Pot’s sleek matte black design offers a fresh take on the classic moka pot without sacrificing the design elements that have made the brewer a household name for the better part of a century. Its stainless steel construction and post-consumer recycled components make it both easy to clean and more environmentally responsible.
Stainless Steel vs. Traditional Aluminum: What's the Difference?
While traditional moka pots are typically made from aluminum, the Miir New Standard Moka Pot stands out with its sleek stainless steel construction. This brings a few key advantages:
- Durability: Stainless steel is more durable and resistant to dents and scratches compared to aluminum, ensuring your Moka pot lasts for years to come.
- No Metallic Taste: Some users find that aluminum moka pots can impart a slight metallic taste to the coffee, especially if not properly seasoned. Stainless steel eliminates this concern, delivering a purer coffee flavor.
However, there's one potential downside to consider:
- Heat-Up Time: Stainless steel generally takes slightly longer to heat up than aluminum. This means your brewing time might be a bit longer, but the difference is usually minimal.
Overall, the stainless steel construction of the Miir Moka Pot offers a combination of durability, flavor purity, and modern aesthetics, making it an attractive option for those seeking a long-lasting and high-performing moka pot.
Miir Moka Pot Review
We tested the Miir New Standard Moka Pot, which makes approximately 10 ounces of espresso-strength coffee.
How to Use the Miir New Standard Moka Pot
The Miir New Standard Moka Pot is designed to brew approximately 10 ounces (300ml) of coffee.
- Pre-heat the water: Use a kettle to bring about 10 ounces (300 ml) of water to a boil. This speeds up the brewing process and prevents the moka pot from overheating.
- Grind your coffee: Aim for a medium-fine grind, similar to table salt. You'll need approximately 20 grams of coffee for this Moka pot size.
- Fill the base: Unscrew the top chamber from the base and remove the filter basket. Fill the base with the hot water up to just below the safety valve.
- Add coffee: Fill the filter basket with the ground coffee. Level off the top without tamping or pressing down.
- Assemble and brew: Place the filter basket into the base and screw the top chamber on securely. Place the Moka pot on your stovetop over low-medium heat.
- Keep the lid open: This allows you to monitor the brewing process.
- Listen for the gurgle: After a few minutes, you'll hear a gurgling sound as the coffee begins to fill the top chamber.
- Remove from heat: As soon as the gurgling starts, remove the Moka pot from the heat. This prevents over-extraction and bitterness.
- Serve and enjoy: Carefully pour your freshly brewed coffee into cups and savor the rich, concentrated flavor!
Quality of the Coffee
The New Standard Moka Pot makes rich, concentrated coffee that’s impressive given how simple both the brewer and process are. It’s important to note that because it can’t apply the same pressure a true espresso machine would, the coffee won’t possess the same distinctive crema and syrupy body of espresso.
For our review, we paired the brewed coffee with milk and a little maple syrup for a quick and tasty quasi-iced latte.
Ease of Use
We found the New Standard Moka Pot to be a simple and forgiving brewer. While Moka pots have a slight leanring curve, the following tips can help you achieve optimal flavor and consistency.
Tips for Brewing the Perfect Cup with Your Miir Moka Pot
- Water Quality Matters: Use filtered or bottled water to avoid any off-flavors affecting your brew. Learn more about the best water for coffee.
- Don't Overfill: Fill the bottom chamber with water just below the safety valve. Overfilling can lead to leaks and weak coffee.
- Grind Right: A medium-fine grind is generally recommended for Moka pots. Experiment to find the perfect grind size for your beans and taste preferences.
- No Tamping: Avoid tamping the coffee grounds in the filter basket. A light leveling with your finger or the back of a spoon is sufficient.
- Gentle Heat: Start with low-medium heat and gradually increase if needed. Avoid high heat, as it can scorch the coffee and create a bitter taste.
- Listen for the Gurgling: Once you hear a gurgling sound, it's a sign that most of the water has been pushed through the coffee grounds. Remove the Moka pot from the heat promptly to avoid over-extraction.
- Enjoy Immediately: Moka pot coffee is best enjoyed fresh. If you're not drinking it right away, transfer it to a thermos to keep it warm.
With a little practice, you'll be brewing delicious, espresso-style coffee with your Miir Moka Pot in no time!
The Miir Moka Pot is also dishwasher safe though Miir advises that the funnel and gasket should be hand washed.
How Much Can You Expect to Spend?
The Miir New Standard Moka Pot retails for $59.95.
Miir Moka Pot Pros and Cons
Pros:
The New Standard’s stainless steel construction is both attractive and easy-to-clean. If a matte black moka pot made from responsibly sourced materials fits your aesthetic, look no further.
Cons:
The moka pot requires monitoring during brewing and gets quite hot so caution is needed when handling. The $59.95 price point is higher than other moka pots on the market and it’s only available in the 10 ounce size, which Miir says makes six 50 ml servings.
Should You Buy a Miir Moka Pot?
If your goal is an easy and more affordable way to make quasi-lattes at home, the Miir New Standard Moka Pot is a great choice. Pair it with your favorite milk and syrup and when you’re done brewing, the New Standard will add a modern flair to your countertops.
Alternatives to the Miir Moka Pot
Bialetti Moka Pot
Bialetti, the originator of the moka pot, offers an aluminum moka pot in varying sizes.
Read our full Bialetti Moka Pot review →
AeroPress
If you prefer a brewer with more versatility and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, the AeroPress is capable of brewing both coffee similar to espresso and your regular drip.
Read our full AeroPress review →
Ready to Elevate Your Miir Moka Pot Experience?
The Miir Moka Pot deserves exceptional coffee beans. Try brewing with our freshly roasted coffee beans. Their rich flavors and aromas will perfectly complement the strength and depth of your Moka pot brew. Find the perfect match for your taste and brewing style today!
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