How To Use a Moka Pot on an Induction Stove
Although induction hobs have been around since the 80s, they still only make up around 5% of stoves in the US, so many appliance manufacturers don’t consider it a priority.
Most moka pots can not be used on an induction stove without an induction adaptor, since most moka pots are made from non-magnetic materials (usually aluminum), and the induction process relies on electromagnetism to generate heat.
In this article, you’ll learn why most moka pots don’t work on an induction stove, how you can identify induction-compatible moka pots, and how you can use an induction adaptor to use your favorite moka on an induction hob even if it’s made from aluminum.
Can You Use a Moka Pot on Induction Stoves?
Induction stoves work by inducing a strong alternating magnetic field that interacts with the free electrons in magnetic metals to generate a current (and heat). In non-magnetic materials, this simply has no effect.
Most moka pots don’t work on an induction stove because they are made from aluminum, ceramic, copper, or non-magnetized steel. Each of these materials is non-magnetic, which means the electromagnetic field generated by the induction stove is unable to generate a current (and thus heat) in the moka pot.
It’s a similar process as microwaves use to agitate water molecules inside your food, but for metal instead.
Manufacturers typically make moka pots from aluminum to reduce the weight and cost of the moka pots. The best material for induction is iron, but this would be a bad idea for a moka pot because iron corrodes easily and is much heavier than aluminum.
Related: To get the best quality coffee out of your Moka pot, it is important to get the coffee ratio right. Check out our guide on Moka Pot Coffee Ratio to learn more.
Do Steel Moka Pots Work on an Induction Stove?
Magnetized steel moka pots will work on an induction stove, but non-magnetized steel won’t. Most stainless steel is unmagnetized so won’t work on an induction hob. If you have an unmagnetized steel moka pot, you can use it with an induction stove by using an induction adapter.
The best way to check if your steel moka pot is designed for use on an induction stove is to look out for the induction logo, which will be present on induction-compatible appliances.
The induction logo is made up of four loops and may also/alternatively be stamped with the words “induction ready”.
If there are no markings on your moka but it has a solid steel base, you can test if it’s compatible by holding a small magnet to the base. If it sticks, it will probably work on an induction stove. If it doesn’t, it won’t.
How To Know if your Moka will Work on an Induction Cooker
There are some moka pots that are specially designed for induction stoves. They will usually be magnetic or marked with the induction logo.
Here are four ways you can recognize an induction-ready moka pot:
1. Check for the Induction Symbol
Induction-ready appliances are usually marked with the induction logo. It’s easily recognizable and looks like a wire with four loops in it.
Any appliance marked with this logo has a magnetic base and will work with an induction stove.
2. Check the Bottom of the Moka with a Magnet
If you have a small magnet, you can test the bottom of your moka pot to check if it’s induction-compatible or not. If the magnet sticks to the underside of your moka, it will probably work on an induction stove. If not, you may need to use an adapter instead.
Any magnetic metal will work with an induction stove, but at the expense of weight and portability.
Some common induction-friendly appliance materials include:
- Iron
- Magnetized steel
- Nickel
3. Pick a Moka Made for Induction
There are some moka pots specifically designed to be used with induction stoves, but they are few and far between compared to regular mokas. If you’ve not picked your moka yet, make sure you pick one compatible with your stove!
By far, the most popular Moka manufacturer is Bialetti. Their induction offerings aren’t as varied as their regular Moka range. Still, they have a few products specifically designed to be used on an induction stove without the use of an adapter.
Looking for an induction moka? The Bialetti 7.9oz Induction Moka is a great option. Bialetti is the brainchild of Alfonso Bialetti, who was the original inventor of Moka pots in 1933. Their Induction Moka is available in multiple colors and sizes to fit any kitchen. My personal favorite is the red one, just like the one below.
The Bialetti Moka Induction is a revolutionary Moka pot compatible with induction hobs, melding an aluminum upper with a stainless steel boiler. Crafted in Europe by Bialetti, the creator of the original Moka Express, it features the iconic mustachioed gentleman emblem.
How To Use a Moka Pot on an Induction Stove
If you have an induction-compatible moka pot, you can use it on an induction stove just the same as you would on a gas or electric cooker. If your moka is made from aluminum or isn’t an induction moka pot, you can still use it but you will need an induction adapter.
For non-induction moka pots, you will need an induction adapter that works with your induction cooker.
The great news is that induction adapters are super simple and inexpensive. You can use any induction adapter, but there are some created specifically for moka pots.
To use your moka with an induction adapter, simply set the adapter on your induction cooker and turn it on as usual. When your coffee is ready, be aware that both the adapter and your moka pot will be hot.
Induction adapters aren’t as efficient as using an induction-compatible appliance, since you lose some energy transferring the heat from the adapter to the moka.
If you’re planning long-term, it might be a good idea to replace your old moka with an induction-compatible model.
To get the best-tasting coffee, you should season your Moka pot. The process is the same as you would for a regular Moka pot. For step-by-step instructions, check out our guide on how to season a Moka pot.
Alternatives to Using Moka Pots on an Induction Stove
If using your moka on an induction cooker isn’t an option for you, but you still want that full-bodied moka taste, here are a few alternative options for you:
1. Get an Electric Moka
Some mokas are designed to be used without a stove at all! Unfortunately, the trade-off with an electric moka is that the volume is usually lower than a stovetop option.
Check out the Bialetti Electric Moka 1 Cup as an example. Just like the stovetop version, it’s available in multiple colors, but as the name suggests it only makes one cup of coffee at a time. (The stovetop version makes six)
2. Use your Moka on a Portable Cooker
A portable cooker can use either electricity or gas to create heat, both of which are suitable for a standard moka pot.
It’s probably not worth going out to buy a stove solely for your moka pot, but if you have a gas stove in your camping gear it could be an easy way to get your moka fix without having to wait for an induction adapter to be delivered!
FAQs:
Does Coffee Taste Different When Brewed by Induction?
Induction does not affect the taste of your coffee in any way, all it does is change the method by which you heat up your moka pot to brew your coffee. Coffee brewed on an induction stove tastes the same as coffee brewed by an electric stove or a gas stove.
Can Induction Stoves Damage Your Moka Pot?
Induction stoves only work when there’s a magnetic material to be agitated by the generated magnetic fields.
Using a regular moka pot on an induction stove won’t damage your moka pot, it just won’t work. Since the bottom of the pot is non-magnetic, there’s nothing that can heat up. Most induction stoves will simply shut themselves off if there’s nothing on them.
Conclusion
To sum up, most Moka pots don’t work with induction stoves since induction appliances need to be magnetic to work, and most Moka pots are made from aluminum.
Luckily, an induction adapter is an easy-to-use, inexpensive workaround for aluminum pots, and there are even a few moka pots specifically designed for induction stoves, such as the Bialetti 7.9oz Induction Moka.
If you’re not sure if you’ve got an induction-safe moka pot, look for the induction logo somewhere on the appliance, or test the bottom with a small magnet. If it sticks, it will work on an induction cooker.
