If you own A Moka Pot chances are that the question of whether you can use a paper filter has already crossed your mind. There are several reasons why you might want to use a paper filter with your Moka Pot.
The most common reason is to avoid having coffee grounds in your cup. If you are a coffee lover then you know that there is nothing worse than taking a sip of your coffee only to have it ruined by the bitter taste of coffee grounds.
Once you learn how to use a paper filter with your Moka pot, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
Can You Use A Paper Filter With A Moka Pot?
The short answer is yes, you can use a paper filter with a Moka pot. In fact, paper filters can actually help to improve the quality of your coffee. They can remove the sediment from your cup, resulting in a cleaner cup of coffee.
However, you can only use a paper filter if you have a 3-cup size Moka Pot and above. This is because you will want to use AeroPress paper filters and their size only fits the larger Moka Pots.
AeroPress paper filters are made of food-safe polypropylene that will not only remove the coffee grounds from your cup but will also give your coffee a smoother taste.
You may get away if you have a smaller size Moka Pot by using a Chemex filter or a V60 filter. But we would not recommend it as the taste of your coffee will be significantly different.
If you want to try it though, you need to cut the filter to size so that it can fit in your Moka pot basket. You can do this with a pair of scissors or a blade.
Once you have the filter cut to size, wet it with some water and place it in the basket. Watering the filter will help to create an even seal and will also help to prevent the coffee grounds from seeping through.
As you can see, with a little bit of DIY, you can use a paper filter with your Moka pot. This will help to improve the quality of your coffee and will also save you from having to clean up a messy cup.
Suggested Read: How to Clean A Moka Pot?
How To Use The AeroPress Filter With A Moka Pot
Before you leave this post, (#sadface) you’ll want to make sure you know how to use the AeroPress filters with your Moka pot. After all, there is no point in using a paper filter if you don’t know how to properly use it.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here is a quick guide on how to use the AeroPress filter with your Moka pot.
1) Make sure you have a 3-cup size Moka Pot and above.
As we said before, you can only use an AeroPress paper filter if you have a 3-cup size Moka Pot and above. This is because their size only fits the larger Moka Pots.
2) Fill the bottom chamber with water.
Fill the bottom chamber of your Moka pot with water. You want to make sure that the water level is just below the valve. This is the recommended water level by the manufacturer (i.e Bialetti).
3) Put the AeroPress paper filter in the filter basket.
Wet the AeroPress paper filter with some water and then place it in the filter basket. Make sure that the filter is placed evenly in the basket. If you don’t place it correctly it might cause problems when you start heating the water.
4) Add your coffee grounds.
Add your coffee grounds to the metal filter basket. You will want to use around 15 – 20 grams of ground coffee for the 3-cup Moka Pot. If you have a larger Moka Pot, make sure to read our coffee to water ratio to find out how much coffee you should use.
5) Screw on the top chamber.
The final step before you place your stovetop espresso maker to the heat is to screw on the top chamber. Make sure that you screw it on tightly so that no hot water and steam can escape.
This step is crucial because you don’t want your Moka pot to start leaking.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Smaller Filters
Coffee filters come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but small coffee filters are some of the most versatile. They can be used in many different brewing methods such as the V60, the Chemex, and the Kalita Wave.
Small coffee filters are also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great option for budget-minded coffee drinkers. Whether you’re looking for a simple way to make a cup of coffee or you’re trying to save money on your coffee habit, small coffee filters are a great choice.
You can definitely use a small paper filter with your Moka Pot. In fact, we would recommend it if you have a small Moka Pot. This is because the small filter will help to filter the coffee oils and grounds better.
These types of filters are called size 1 filters, which are still relatively big, but you can cut them with a knife to fit your basket.
Bigger Filters
When we say bigger filters, we mean filters that are size 2 and above. These filters are meant to be used with larger brewing machines, like the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0, but they can still be used with your Moka Pot.
Wonder how this works?
Cut, cut, and then cut again! Yes, you found it! Again you need to cut the filter to a size that can fit your Moka Pot. You can try and do that again with a knife or scissors.
At the end of the day, you can use size 1, size 2, size 3, etc paper filters as long as you cut the filter to the proper size. If like buying in bulk, simply buy a pack with size 6 filters on Amazon so you can have them for a longer time.
Metal Filters
Your Moka Pot already comes with a metal filter, and if you haven’t ‘realized it yet it’s the filter basket that comes with your pot.
So, the question that now arises is, can you add a second metal filter on top of that?
The answer is no, and we don’t recommend it either. This is because the coffee grounds will have a harder time flowing through two metal filters. This means that your coffee will be under-extracted and taste weak.
Also, the extra metal filter will not stay in place and will move around while the Moka pot is brewing coffee. This can be dangerous since the water can stick with the coffee grounds and cause the Moka pot to explode.
What Are The Possible Problems With Using A Paper Filter?
Since adding an extra layer of filtering will undoubtedly affect the taste of your coffee, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you make the switch. There are also a few potential problems that you should be aware of before using a paper filter.
1) Longer Brewing Time.
You can expect your coffee to take a little longer to brew when using a paper filter. This is because the paper will absorb some of the water and slow down the brewing process.
That’s not bad news, necessarily, but it is something to be aware of if you’re used to the quick brewing time of the Moka pot.
So, your brew will probably take around 1-2 minutes longer when using a paper filter.
2) Less Flavorful Coffee.
We said that, and we will say it again, using a paper filter will result in less flavorful and sour coffee. This is because the coffee grounds will be filtered more thoroughly, and some of the oils and flavor compounds will be left behind.
Some people may enjoy this more well-rounded and less intense flavor, but if you’re used to the classic coffee taste made with a Moka pot, you might be disappointed.
3) Problems with Larger Quantities.
If you have the 12-cup Moka Pot, we would recommend not using a paper filter. This is because the coffee will take too long to brew, and the flavor will be significantly affected.
It’s best to stick with the metal filter basket that comes with your Moka pot when brewing larger quantities of coffee.
Since larger coffee pots take longer to brew, using a paper filter will only make the process take even longer.
What About The Moka Pot Competition Filter?
If you haven’t heard about the Competition Moka Filter, it’s a stainless steel filter that you can use instead of the metal filter basket that comes with your Moka pot.
The Competition Filter is designed to enhance the coffee extraction of the Moka Pot. And how it does that is by having smaller holes, which allows for a slower and more controlled brewing process.
It’s amazing, isn’t it? You will end up with a clean beverage with no sludge at the bottom of your cup. Also, the filter can fit in the 1 cup size Moka Pot all the way to the 6 cup size.
Don’t get confused, this isn’t like the extra metal filter we discussed previously. In this case, the metal filter will take the place of the filter basket entirely. So, if you want to give it a try, feel free to do so!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a coffee filter in a Moka pot?
Yes, you can use a coffee filter in a Moka pot. You will need to experiment with the size and shape of the filter to get the best fit for your pot. Keep in mind that the coffee filter will affect the taste of your coffee, so you may want to adjust your brewing technique accordingly.
What is the size of a Moka Pot coffee filter?
The size of the coffee filter will depend on the size of your Moka Pot. You can check Bialleti’s official page for more information on filter size.
Last Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict? Can you use a paper filter with a Moka Pot? The answer is yes – but there are some things you need to keep in mind.
If you want to try using an AeroPress filter with your Moka Pot, just make sure that the size matches up. As for the competition filter, it might be worth giving it a try if you’re not happy with the results you’re getting from using a paper filter. Thanks for reading!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
