How to Brew Coffee in a Moka Pot on an Induction Stove
Induction cooking is becoming more popular as time passes. This is largely due to induction cooktops (often referred to as induction stoves or hobs) using direct induction heating instead of indirect radiation, convection, or thermal conduction, which helps heat the cookware faster, keep the heating more consistent, and improve thermal efficiency.
Induction cooking does have one rather significant downside – they only work with cooking vessels made of magnetic material.
This means if you have a classic aluminum Moka pot, you’ll be unable to use it on an induction stove directly.
Here are 3 ways of how to possibly solve this problem:
1. Get a Moka Pot for Induction Stove
Since induction cooking is so popular these days, many brands have come out with Moka pots for induction stoves, specifically.
These Moka pots are typically made from stainless steel and designed to brew between 4 and 6 cups of coffee.
This is because smaller surfaces are another problem with induction cooking – the stove might not react to them at all. Luckily, most induction stove manufacturers put that information on their website, so before purchasing one, you know exactly what size of cookware to use.
You could, of course, get a classic stainless steel Moka pot that’s not specifically for induction stove, but do pay attention to the size (don’t get a small one) and do confirm with the seller that they will work for induction hob.
Getting a Moka pot specifically designed to be used for this type of cooking is just all-around easier.
2. Get an Induction Adapter
If you don’t want to give up your classic aluminum Moka pot or want to keep utilizing your smaller Moka pot to brew coffee faster, you can get an induction adapter (you should get one anyway, if you have an induction stove).
These adapters are flat, made of materials suitable for induction cooking, and have long handles, resembling pancake pans. Heat them first – and then place the aluminum Moka pot on top. The adapter will pass the current and pass the indirect heat from the induction stove to the Moka pot.
Do keep in mind though that this will add time to the coffee brewing process and expand more electricity, so you’ll lose the main advantage of the induction stove in the process (the energy efficiency).
3. Use a Cast-Iron Skillet (or Something Similar)
Another way some people have tackled the problem is to use the cookware they already have instead of an adapter. They heat a cast-iron skillet or stainless steel pan over the induction stove – and then place the aluminum Moka pot inside.
This does have the same downside as the adapter option though, only amplified – it will take an even longer time for the coffee to brew, and energy expenditure will be rather high.
But you’ll get to enjoy a good cup of coffee in the end – so might be worth it.
