While both are classic and trusted coffee makers, there is a world of disparity between them. A Moka Pot uses steam where as Moccamaster incorporates a straight stream of water. But there are other differences too such as design, craftsmanship and price.

All about the Moka Pot

Since 1933, Moka Pot has been an Italian staple and a worldwide favorite for making coffee. Although invented by an Italian engineer, Alfonso Bialetti, its name comes from the city of Mocha in Yemen. Moka Pots are most often in homes throughout Latin America and Europe.

This works by pressurizing steam in a stainless steel or aluminum vessel through coffee grounds from heat produced on a stove or via electricity. Place the appropriate amount of water into the lower chamber and corresponding grounds into the basket. Use the stove or plug it in. The ensuing steam pressurizes and pushes through the grounds sitting in a basket.

This goes into the collecting chamber which produces a fantastic cup of coffee in about five minutes. What makes Moka Pot unique is that it solely uses steam, not straight water pressure. It comes in an array of sizes that can make a single cup of coffee or up to 12 cups.

All about the Moccamaster

Another great coffee machine, quite possibly inspired by the Moka Pot, is the Moccamaster. Hailing from the Netherlands since 1968, they design their brewing units under the strict standards of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as well as the European Coffee Brewing Center (ECBC).

A professional engineer makes each machine by hand. It comes with two heating elements that have the capacity to monitor the temperature within the brewing chamber. Therefore, the temperature will maintain a toasty 198°F to 205°F during the brewing process.

This precision factor is what has gained Moccamaster their world-wide fame. It offers the optimal control over coffee flow, immersion time and many other factors. This means coffee-lovers can set this to whatever parameters they like. Each machine can brew up to 10 cups of coffee within four to six minutes. But there are single-cup brewers available.

Compare ; Contrast: Moka Pot vs Moccamaster

When looking at a Moka Pot vs Moccamaster, both make an excellent cup of coffee. Both are European-based with credible histories of being solid machines that work in around five minutes. So, deciding will come down to how much you want to spend.

Moccamaster Is Expensive but Handcrafted

But Moccamaster is more modern and it’s from the workmanship of a professional engineer. Because of this, it’s very expensive and might be far too much outside the budget. For instance, a one-cup brewer begins at $245 dollars.

Moka Pot Is Affordable and Trusty

Moka Pot, on the other hand, can make an excellent and more affordable alternative to an espresso machine. While the coffee that comes out of this isn’t technically espresso, it is comparable to it. Plus, it’s manufacturing and materials are inexpensive, making it readily available for most people at around $30.45.

Steam or Water

That said, Moka Pots use steam to make a cup of coffee rather than straight, pressurized water. This is what sets these two machines apart. But, even with the Moccamaster, the design is such that it prevents grounds from entering into the drinkable portions of coffee.