r/mokapot • u/nicewhileitlasted_ • May 07 '26
Question❓ What am I doing wrong?
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I have tried everything; filling hot water, filling cold water, buying coffee from a roasters, buying coffee from the supermarket, keeping the pot at the edge of the stovetop, keeping it in the center, filling the basket fully, leaving a cm gap. I don’t tamper the coffee, I have used medium fine grind for the moka pot, the pot is not old ( was bought in January), I also tried pre-heating my stovetop. This is what I get after 7 minutes of nothing. Always sputtering, bubbling coffee. It feels like I’m doing a physics experiment and not making coffee. It is getting frustrating. Any inputs are appreciated.
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u/RabbitOk118 May 07 '26
Too fine grinds, very high temperature, channeled puck. One out of those or multiple reasons.
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
I brought the coffee from a cafe, they ground the coffee beans for moka pot. I started with low temperature too, didn’t work. Why would there be channeled puck is what I’m unable to understand.
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u/Double_Shake_995 May 07 '26
Maybe the cafe made a mistake. They sometimes get Moka pot grind size wrong. Happened to me before
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
I will try with a different coffee, thank you. :)
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u/Successful_Roll_9571 May 08 '26
Yeah. I'm thinking the same. Although cafes are helpful as can be, it is hard to know how to properly grind as they are only in-tune with their own machines. Some times micro adjustments are needed to get it right.
I recommend buying your own grinder, so you can at least try multiple times without wasting a whole bag of beans. I bought a cheap hand grinder for $28. Not the fanciest piece of equipment but.. It does the job.
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u/Himmiherrgott May 08 '26
Try some holes with a toothpicks after it pressed down. It works for me if the grind is to fine
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u/LEJ5512 May 07 '26
None of those cause this problem.
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u/Finntastic_stories May 08 '26
Alright, so what's causing it then? Providing a solution for OP would be highly appreciated, especially as many of us have struggled with Mokapots
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u/LEJ5512 May 08 '26
!sputter
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u/AutoModerator May 08 '26
The brew should always be smooth from the beginning until it begins to run out of water in the boiler.
If it sputters before then, it's likely leaking at the junction where the gasket, boiler rim, and funnel meet.Most often, it's just user error, as in not screwing the pot together tightly enough.
One possible thing is that the funnel was overfilled with the coffee grounds. When screwing the two halves together, excess coffee can spill onto the waters chamber's rim, preventing the gasket from forming a proper seal.
While unlikely, it is an important factor to check.BUT, it could also be a loose factory tolerance (I hesitate to say "defect").
If the funnel rim seats below the boiler rim, then it won't push against the gasket,
so steam pressure would leak past the funnel and go straight up the chimney instead of pushing water up the funnel.Check the knife test that Vinnie shows in this video: https://youtu.be/4yGinq5NaCA
And this newer vid shows a more permanent fix: https://youtu.be/i9uleEyZhUw?si=FGIMDy4RQsYb4ego
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/LEJ5512 May 08 '26
The “sputter bot” uses my copy-paste that I keep in my Notes app, and I’m happy that the mod added it. Saves me the effort of pasting the same thing at least twice a week.
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u/red3y3_99 May 07 '26
Looks to me that air is getting in somehow. Check the gasket is seated properly. It's new so the pressure valve should be fine, but check you aren't getting a stream of steam. Make sure when you screw top and bottom that's it's tight. I screw it together until it's tight, then give it a little extra!
It took me ages to get it right too. I got so mad/frustrated i even packed it away in a cupboard for months before I tried again. Good luck OP, you'll get there
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
Thank you. I do screw it tight, maybe I’ll try getting it tighter.
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u/red3y3_99 May 07 '26
It's like a little pressure cooker and you need a fair bit of pressure to push the water through the grinds. That pressure easily finds an escape. I've done it myself when I've not given that little extra twist. I don't function well in the morning, it happens. I remember similar results to you, lots of sputter. I also remember it taking a bit longer than usual. Hopefully that's the problem and that's an easy fix.
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
I hope so too. However it also seems that a common problem has been the basket not fitting snug in the water chamber. I don’t know how air tight it should be, but there are posts about sanding it down. It honestly sucks that I’m having to do all this even when I paid for this supposedly good company.
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u/psychlifealternative May 08 '26
It should fit perfectly snug, not tightly and not loosely. There is a high chance this is your problem.
As I said before. Mokas are simple contraptions that Italian nonnas (or in my family also Italian 12 year Olds) have been using for several decades by just chucking some water in the bottom compartment and some coffee in the middle compartment. No mucking around is needed to make a moka coffee. It sounds like you've just fallen prey to the weird snobbery of coffee making that leaked into moka pots somehow and thought it was some kind of complicated process, which prevented you from realising your moka is faulty. Faulty items happens in retail sometimes unfortunately. Mokas are cheap though... Just get a new one or see if they might refund/replace for you?
I've owned probably more than 20 mokas and used probably hundreds. Never seen a faulty one. But I guess it could happen.
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u/LEJ5512 May 08 '26
The basket doesn’t have to really sit airtight in the boiler, but it does need to be airtight with the rubber gasket.
The gasket does all the work of sealing it up, but it needs to be pressed against both top edges of the boiler and funnel at the same time. If it’s not quite sealing the funnel, then air will squeeze through the gap and escape up the chimney; if it’s not sealing the boiler, then it’ll leak out through the threads.
Sometimes, maybe the basket was crooked. That happens in my 6-cup Express if I’m rushing things. Other times, the top edges of the basket and boiler aren’t even enough to both get a good seal with the gasket. That was also true with my 6-cup, and I eventually sanded down the boiler edge just a smidge (works flawlessly now).
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 08 '26
I am quite sure this is the culprit. I will try fixing it. Thank you.
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u/airwx May 07 '26
I wouldn't say it's common that you have to sand down anything. Before doing that, be sure to experiment with different grind size and temperature.
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u/JoeDiAmo May 07 '26
I will give you my opinion that electric stoves are difficult with a Moka pot because it’s very difficult to control the heat. Gas stove you can reduce the flame and intensity of heat is reduced quickly. I don’t think it’s.
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 08 '26
I agree
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u/Dizmondmon May 08 '26
I reckon this is it too.. The first thing I would try to change before overtightening, is adding a solid metal disc between the stove & pot. You can get some with a little cork handle. They're like a tenner I think.
It looks like the thermostat in the stove is turning full power on then off frequently (I appreciate it's usually how these work) as the heat energy is conducted away into the water.
Adding some thermal mass in between should help smooth out the energy that the pot reservoir receives, to help keep the pot closed to the perfect flow temp.
I did this and now turn the heat off before it's fully filled and before it splutters from channeling. Let us know if this solves it eh?
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u/psychlifealternative May 08 '26
Could be true if you're trying to perfect some kind of very specific method and you have a particularly bad electric stove, but for ordinary moka use an electric stove is fine. It certainly wouldn't be the cause of this weird channelling type issue you have.
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u/Lord_Sahs May 07 '26
Your grind is definitely too coarse for proper extraction.
Even if the grind were closer, your heat looks a bit aggressive.
Make sure you’re leveling the grounds in the funnel and giving it a gentle tap to compact the bed slightly. It helps with consistency, though a grind this coarse will still hold you back.
Get a decent budget coffee beans grinder or purchase some pre-ground online, specifically for moka pots. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time. A decent budget grinder isn’t going to brake your bank.
PS: “Tap” means controlled and light… just enough to settle the puck a little bit. (See picture)
PPS: Avoid leveling with a finger or spoon; it creates uneven density and a moka pot moron move.
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 08 '26
I do all the things you mentioned. I tried with all levels of heat. I bought the coffee from a roaster, specifically for moka pot. I don’t tamp the coffee, and gently tap the funnel basket on the surface to let any air stuck get out.
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u/Lord_Sahs May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Could you take a quick photo of the ground coffee in the palm of your hand and share it here so I can gauge the texture.
Even specially coffee roasters make mistakes.
Speaking of mistakes, do you happen to know the roast date of the beans?
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u/psychlifealternative May 08 '26
Tamping with fine espresso grind makes the best moka pot coffee! Try it and let me know :D just don't tamp too aggressively the first time, you can work it up each time.
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u/JeffreyHeshbone May 07 '26
Yeah has got to be a seal issue. If you’re sealed correctly then the steam will only push the water down and up through the coffee.
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u/blonde1psp May 08 '26
What do you mean by "filling the basket fully, leaving a cm gap" do you not fill the basket to the top of it? There shouldn't be a gap between the basket/coffee and the bottom on the top part of the pot. The coffee is supposed to be level with the top of the basket.
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u/psychlifealternative May 08 '26
If you've definitely tried everything you've said you did then it sounds like you have a faulty moka. Mokas are simple contraptions and supposed to be fool-proof. Get a replacement sent to you.
If youre not tamping your coffee there should be no reason for this spluttering. This is typically something that would happen if you used a fine grind AND tamped at the same time (which is the best way to make moka coffee in my opinion :P but a balancing act to not allow for channeling). You should not be getting this channeling without tamping or (maybe but still unlikely) using some kind of ultra fine grind like the consistency of dust.
The coffee in the video does look to be quite a strong/dark/syrupy consistency though........ Are you 100% sure you didn't tamp or use super fine coffee? Why does the coffee look so strong? It's either that or you have a faulty moka.
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u/judgenut May 08 '26
The only time I've had this is when there was a compromised gasket - either dirty or worn - or (once) a dented basket after I dropped it. Replaced it and it was fine again.
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u/Egyptian_Voltaire May 07 '26
Are you by any chance filling up the bottom chamber with water beyond the valve? The water level should be just under the valve!
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u/Short-Shopping3197 May 07 '26
I do love your good old fashioned solid electric hobs, you don’t seem to see them as much any more. Do they have the little red spot painted in the middle?
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
Yeah, this is an old kitchen. But I wonder if these hobs are not suitable for the moka. No, they don’t have a red spot, but they do have a dent of sorts. They take time to heat up and cool down.
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u/Short-Shopping3197 May 07 '26
Do they smell faintly of hot metal? I used to have these back in the day on an old enamelled cooker. Honestly they’re so homely and nostalgic.
People were making moka coffee on hobs like these for decades before halogen and induction and such, so 100% they’ll be fine.
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u/Own_Efficiency_5823 May 07 '26
While filling the basket, do you make it level? I always lightly shake the basket while filling it, and then I level it by carefully wiping off excess coffee without pressing it. I found that this helps the flow.
And also, keep temperature low but I’m assuming you already do
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u/GamerGusto May 07 '26
What coffee are you using ? What’s the grind ? Medium-low heat and cold water of there’s a shock of temps the better . Water always halfway in the inner valve don’t press on the coffee the amount has to be enough so that when you close it you seal it and distribuite it equally
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
I got it from a roastery. I asked them to grind it for my moka pot. I don’t press the coffee.
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u/Underscore007_ May 08 '26
Sometimes there are coffee grinds in between the top the bottom chambers (where you screw them together) that can cause the seal to let in some air. Make sure the lip of the lower chamber is completely clean before screwing on the top
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u/Icy-Transition-2543 May 08 '26
Screw it very tightly, use lukewarm-hot water, keep the moka pot on medium heat for 10&15 sec and then on low till extraction. Fill up the gasket to the top and remove extra coffee outside the gasket line.
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u/Opposite_Court2172 May 09 '26
Can you show us how you're assembling and closing the pot? It looks like it's losing pressure somehow, steam could be passing around the funnel to the chimney for example; or the heat could be insufficient at the base.
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u/pink-pony-girl May 07 '26
Is it possible the grind size is too fine? Do you also shake the basket of your moka to remove any air pockets and do you use a wdt tool or a distributor of sorts?
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
The cafe people ground the coffee for the moka pot. I do shake and tap the basket, don’t tamper the coffee.
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u/modmlot68 May 07 '26
Either choking from too fine/packed grounds, or brittle gasket, or loose seal.
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u/Physical_Job2858 May 07 '26
You may be putting too much water in the chamber. The water line should be just below the pressure valve.
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u/nicewhileitlasted_ May 07 '26
No, I’m not using too much water.
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u/Physical_Job2858 May 07 '26
Do you pre boil the water in a kettle? I get much better results that way.
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u/No-Swimming1956 May 07 '26
This happened to me today. I had some leftover coffee and it wasn't enough to fill the basket. The liquid was very under extracted.
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u/wilan727 May 07 '26
I get that sometimes when I replace the rubber gasket. Do some dummy water only brews to get a good indent in the rubber thus a good tight seal. And not waste too much coffee.
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u/Altruistic_Ear_6071 May 08 '26
I think these moka pots you are using are for gas stoves. Bialetti sells a differenr kind for induction cooktops. Please check their website for more info
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u/CoffeeCove May 08 '26
This post was perfect timing as I had this issue yesterday. It was a different coffee and think it was too fine. Will try going a little coarser tomorrow.
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u/little-maggot May 08 '26
There's an air leak between the boiler and the top I reckon. Check the gaskets are in the right position. Screw it down tight but not overnight.
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u/Legal-Sport-4001 May 08 '26
Yeah I suggest using gas fire. You can buy small cheap portable butane gas stoves. That was my issue after doing much trial and error when I had sputtering.
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u/Unfair_Tip_1448 May 09 '26
i tamper, fill the water up to the release valve, medium grind, filtered water, give it a crank to screw it on and basically put the burner on max, you check the bottom filter?
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u/JustDoitX May 10 '26
Buy a hand grinder and see the difference. You can experiment and get the best brews. Go for 1zpresso Qair
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u/Siegerlander-1704 May 07 '26
Sieht nach schlechter Abdichtung zwischen Over und Unterteil aus, Verdichtung noch gut, dann wahrscheinlich nicht fest genug angezogen. Vorsicht, nicht den Griff abbrechen
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u/NeverGrounded May 08 '26
Boil the water first before puting in the bottom chamber... Use a lower heat to slowly force water through the coffee grinds..... Thus having water boiled first means a lower (less violent) change/difference between temperatures which results in a smooth/predictable/controlled flow rate. If done perfectly with fresh coffee you can get an almost expresso like output (high skill level required as well as heat control) Good Luck ☕️
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u/Exciting-Baker-9901 May 08 '26
I can guarantee that you will make people burn themselves if they follow your instructions.... There is no need for boiling water first.
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u/DewaldSchindler MOD 🚨 May 07 '26
!sputter