How Much Coffee Does a 6-Cup Moka Pot Actually Brew?

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If you’re new to moka pots, you might be wondering how much coffee they actually make. In this post, we’ll explore just that – how much coffee you can expect from a 6-cup moka pot and some tips for getting the most out of your brew.

A Bialetti Moka Pot On The Stove
A Bialetti moka pot | Photo by Robin Sharma on Unsplash

How much coffee does a 6-cup Moka Pot make?

A 6-cup moka pot makes around 9 fluid ounces or 270 milliliters of extremely rich coffee. A 6-cup stovetop espresso maker, despite its name, doesn’t make six standard coffee cups worth of coffee.

A “cup” in this context refers to the small espresso cups, aka “demitasse,” commonly used across Europe, which only hold a few ounces each.

If you like your coffee strong, almost like espresso, you can totally finish the entire 9 ounces all by yourself! But if you want to share, the yield is perfect for two people to split.

Note: A Moka pot produces super-rich coffee with an intensity of flavor that is similar to espresso.

Pouring Coffee From A 6-Cup Moka Pot
Pouring coffee from a 6-cup moka pot | Photo by Justus Menke on Unsplash

Stovetop Espresso Maker Sizes and Coffee Output: A Guide

Remember, these Italian Coffee makers produce strong coffee, like espresso. So keep that in mind when deciding which size to buy.

Here are the most common stovetop espresso maker sizes and how many ounces of coffee each can make.

SizeCoffee Produced (oz)Price
1-cup2 oz (1 shot of espresso)$30
2-cup3 oz$33
3-cup4.4 oz$33
4-cup5.7 oz$53
6-cup9.1 oz$45
9-cup14 oz$46
10-cup16 oz$54
12-cup22 oz$52
18-cup27 oz$47
Bialetti 6 Cup
A 2-cup Bialetti moka pot, aka, Cafetera | Photo by Rafael LeΓ£o on Unsplash

What size moka pot should I buy?

If you’re serving just yourself, a 1-cup or 3-cup is perfect, as it brews a single shot or a small cup of espresso-like coffee. If you’re serving one to two people, a safe bet would be a 4-cup coffee maker.

The size moka pot you should buy based on how many people you’ll be serving:

Number of people being servedSize
11-cup
1-22-cup
2-33-cup
3-44-cup
4-66-cup
6-99-cup
9-1010-cup
10-1212-cup
12-1818-cup

Note: The number of cups in a Moka pot tells you how much coffee it can make. If you have a 2-cup version, you can make enough coffee for 2 people.

If you have a 12-cup one, you can make enough coffee for 12 people. Each serving of coffee is around 2 ounces.


Moka Pots I Reccomend

Bialetti – $43

Bialetti has been making Moka Pots longer than most of us have been alive. Bialetti’s come in 14 different sizes, depending on your preference.

Buy on Amazon
6 Cup Bialetti Moka Pot Makes How Much Coffee

2-Cup Stelton – $117

This sleek moka pot by Stelton is inspired by the classic Italian coffee maker and allows you to make your perfect single, double, or macchiato. It works on all stovetops, including induction.

Buy on Hawkins NY
Stelton Espresso Maker

Manico Forato – $280

If you’re independently wealthy, then this is a drop in the hat. It’s so fancy it’s actually featured in the Museum of Modern Art.

Buy on Afternoon Light
9090 01 1

Moka Pot vs Other Coffee Brewing Methods

Unlike drip coffee, which is usually made using a paper filter, Moka pot coffee is brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. This method produces a more robust and flavorful cup of coffee with a thicker consistency.

Coffee made with a French press coffee has a richer taste compared to drip coffee, but it’s not nearly as intense as moka pot coffee.

Here’s a table comparing four different types of coffee brewing methods:

Coffee Brewing MethodGrind SizeBrew TimeTaste Profile
Moka potFine5-10 minutesRobust, flavorful, thick consistency
Drip coffeeMedium5-10 minutesSmooth, consistent, lighter body
French pressCoarse4-5 minutesRich, full-bodied, slightly gritty texture
Pour-overMedium-fine3-4 minutesClean, bright, delicate flavor

What Does Moka Pot Coffee Taste Like?

Moka pot coffee is really tasty and has a strong flavor that reminds you of chocolate, fruit, and nuts. If you’ve ever had a shot of espresso before, then you’ll know what to expect.

Taste Profile:

  • Strong
  • Bold
  • Rich
  • Intense
  • Concentrated
A Shot Of Moka Pot Espresso In A Demitasse Cup

The way it’s made with high pressure makes it thicker and more flavorful than regular coffee. The taste can differ depending on the type of beans used, how fine they’re ground, and how much water is used compared to coffee.

What are the best beans to use in a moka pot?

Choosing the right beans for moka pot coffee is crucial. Look for espresso or Italian-style beans, which have a more intense flavor.

Spirit Animal Coffee offers two great blends:

  • Dark Roast: a bold Espresso Blend with chocolate and caramel notes.
  • Light Roast: a smooth Bourbon Blend with fruit and nut undertones.
Spirit Animal Coffee Review
Spirit Animal coffee is my go-to when making stovetop espresso.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 6-cup moka pot make?

A 6-cup moka pot makes around 12 ounces or 350 ml of super-rich, espresso-like coffee. It makes enough coffee for 1-6 people.

How many shots of espresso does a 6-cup moka pot make?

A 6-cup moka pot makes six, two-ounce “shots” of espresso.

Is espresso stronger than moka pot coffee?

Espresso is stronger than moka pot because it is brewed under higher pressure, which extracts more coffee solids and oils.

How much coffee do you put in a 6-cup Bialetti?

You should put around 12 tablespoons or 72 grams of coffee in a 6-cup Bialetti stovetop espresso maker.

Can you partially fill a moka pot?

Yes, it’s possible to fill a moka pot partially, but you should be careful to adjust the amount of water and coffee accordingly. If you often find yourself filling a larger moka pot partially, I suggest buying a smaller one that suits your needs better.

What is the best coffee ratio for a moka pot?

The best coffee ratio for a moka pot is a 1:10 coffee-to-water ratio, or around 7-8 grams of coffee per 1 ounce of water.

Can you reuse coffee grounds in a Moka pot?

You can reuse coffee grounds in a moka pot, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Subsequent brews will have a weaker taste.

Do you fill a Moka pot with hot or cold water?

You should always fill a moka pot with cold water.

Why does my moka pot coffee taste watery?

Your moka pot coffee may taste watery if you use too much water or the coffee is ground too coarsely.

Conclusion:

Overall, a 6-cup moka pot is a great addition to any coffee lover’s kitchen. With its simple design and ability to produce delicious coffee, it’s no wonder that it’s become a staple around the world.

Avatar Of Kelsey Todd
Kelsey may not know everything about coffee, but after two decades as a barista in Seattle and Santa Barbara, he knows a thing or two. When he's not obsessing over the perfect cup, you can find him hanging out with his wife and daughter or sharing his java gems on this here blog.

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