Brewing your first cup of coffee using a Moccamaster can be challenging. There are all these aspects like grind size and coffee-to-water ratio that you have to get your head around, and this can be quite frustrating.
To use a Moccamaster, you’ll need paper filters, medium-coarse ground coffee beans, and water. You place the filter onto the brew basket, add the coffee, and fill the water reservoir with water. Then you turn on the machine and brew. Within 4-6 minutes, your golden cup of coffee will be ready.
Now that you have an idea of how to use the coffee maker, let’s explore all these variables in greater detail.
Why Listen To Us? Well, because we KNOW coffee! In fact, we make our own coffee, coffee machine cleaners, and reusable capsules which we've sold to over 41 countries. Our team ouf experts include Tristan (an engineer), Claire (a food writer) and Richy (a barista). So, whether you're looking for a recipe or repair guide, we've got you covered 💚
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Is The Moccamaster Worth It?
In our opinion, a Moccamaster is totally worth it!
It’s made from a durable copper element that heats the water quickly, so you can have your cup of coffee ready within 4-6 minutes. And it’s also convenient. So, if you prefer to press a button and take a shower while the coffee is brewing, the machine offers you this advantage.
The Different Moccamaster Models
There are various Moccamaster models to choose from. The only thing you have to do is to choose the type that’ll suit your lifestyle. All the models are designed to brew a consistent fresh cup of coffee within 4-6 minutes. Here’s a brief explanation of each of these models.
Moccamaster KB
The KB model brews 1.25 liters (40oz) of coffee. It’s a manual brew with a drip-stop feature attached to the brew basket. The setting allows you to control the flow of your coffee into your carafe. There’s also a hot plate that gives you the convenience of controlling the holding temperature of your coffee between 175-185°F (79-85°C).
Moccamaster KBG
The KBG functions in automatic mode. The drip-stop feature automatically stops when the carafe is removed. The hi-lo hotplate switch allows you to control your holding temperature within the range of 175-185°F (79-85°C). It also has a brewing capacity of 1.25 liters (40oz).
Moccamaster KBGV Select
The KBGV Select brews 1.25 liters (40oz) of coffee. It’s a manual brew with a drip-stop feature attached to the brew basket. It also comes with a hot plate that gives you the convenience to control the holding temperature of your coffee between 175-185°F (79-85°C°C).
The power switch and hot plate automatically switch off after 100 minutes.
Moccamaster KBT
The KBT uses a thermal carafe that’s made of stainless steel. This ensures your coffee is hot for a full hour. It brews a 1.25 liter (40oz) pot of coffee, and it comes with a brew-thru lid designed to reduce heat loss, and a travel lid to keep your coffee hot for days when you’re on the go.
Moccamaster KBTS
Similar to the KBT, this model uses a thermal carafe made of stainless steel. It brews a liter (32oz) of coffee. It comes with a brew-thru lid to reduce heat loss and a travel lid to keep your coffee hot.
Moccamaster KBGT
The KBGT brews a 1.25 liter (40oz) coffee batch. It has an automatic drip-stop feature which stops the flow of coffee when the carafe is removed. It also comes with a brew-thru lid and a travel lid.
Moccamaster Cup-One
This model is ideal if you want a coffee maker for use in your personal office or when you won’t be brewing for a crowd. It brews 330ml (10 oz) of coffee. It has no automatic drip-stop or hot plate, but it automatically turns off after every brew cycle.
Moccamaster CD Grand
The CD grand is ideal for a household that consumes a lot of coffee, for use in large offices, or when you’re entertaining guests. It brews 1.8 liters (60 oz) of coffee, and it switches off automatically after 100 minutes. It has a hot plate feature and a glass carafe.
Moccamaster CDT Grand
The CDT Grand functions in manual mode – has a manual drip-stop. It brews 1.8 liters (60 oz) of coffee, and it’s optimized to brew a full carafe using a thermal carafe. It has a flat-bottom brew basket to cater to the amount of coffee brewed.
How To Make Coffee With A Technivorm Moccamaster
When brewing coffee using the Moccasmaster, it’s best to get acquainted with the features of the machine and to get an idea of how the grind size affects the quality of your joe. Read on to get a better understanding of your machine.
Moccamaster buttons
The two buttons on the Moccamaster serve two purposes. The one on the left is for turning on the coffee maker, and the one on the right sets the temperature for the hotplate. Powering the hotplate holds the temperature of the coffee for 100 minutes.
The buttons on the KBGV Select are quite different though. The one on the left is the power switch and the one on the right lets you choose between a half or full carafe.
Moccamaster ratio chart
The coffee-to-water ratio is an essential part of brewing a perfectly balanced cup of coffee. If you pour a lot of grounds into your brew basket, it can result in bitter coffee and coffee overflow.
If you pour too little, you’ll end up with a weak, dull coffee. The table below provides the ideal coffee-to-water ratio, so you can brew a satisfying cup of java.
| Water Volume | Coffee In Grams |
| 330ml/10oz Cup | 30-34g |
| 500ml/16oz | 34-38g |
| 1L/32oz | 62-68g |
| 1.25L/40oz | 70-78g |
| 1.8L/60oz | 99g |
Moccamaster grind size
For any Moccamaster model, you’ll want to use a medium coarse grind. This size resembles sea salt or rough sand. If you grind too fine, you might experience a case of over-extraction, resulting in a bitter coffee.
Too fine a grind also causes the filter basket to clog up and your coffee will sprinkle on the sides of the maker. If you grind too coarsely, then it reduces the contact time between the water and the beans, resulting in a weak, sour cup of joe.
Moccamaster brew time.
A Moccamaster typically brews coffee within 4-6 minutes.
How To Use A Moccamaster: Step-By-Step Guide
Using a Moccamaster is fairly simple. As long as you’ve nailed the grind size, you’re well on your way to brewing a great cup of coffee. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a Moccamaster.
What you’ll need:
- Paper filter
- Scoop
- Room temperature or cold water
- Medium coarse ground coffee beans (70-78g for 1.25 liter of water)
Method:
- Fold the perforated sides of the filter paper and lace it into the filter basket.
- Rinse the paper filter with tap water – this washes out any papery taste and allows the coffee to pass through evenly
- Pour the coffee grounds into the filter basket. See our brew ratio chart above to know exactly how much coffee to use!
- Place the basket into the brewer, and cover it with the lid.
- Slide the filter basket cover up to allow coffee to pass through the basket. We recommend only opening it to the first notch.
- Fill the water reservoir with fresh room temperature or cold water.
- Turn the power button on. Within 4-6 minutes, your coffee will be ready.
- Slide the filter basket cover down to stop the basket from dripping and making a mess everywhere. Pour yourself a nice cup of freshly brewed coffee.
- You can leave the machine on and leave the carafe on the hotplate to keep it warm for up to 2 hours!
TIP: Though not necessary, you can stir the bloom within the first minute of the brew. This agitates the slurry for even saturation.
Moccamaster Tips And Troubleshooting
There are many variables that come into play when making a golden cup of coffee. These include aspects like dialing in the grind size, techniques to achieve your desired coffee strength, the duration it takes to brew your coffee, and what to consider when brewing a half or full pot of coffee.
Here’s an explanation of each of these variables.
Dialing-In The Grind Size
Dialing in your coffee is the process of grinding your beans to size so you get the most out of your coffee. It’s the most essential part of brewing your coffee and once you’ve got it right, you can enjoy a cup of joe that’s not too sour or bitter.
Typically, when using a Moccamaster, you’ll want to aim for a medium coarse grind, but the determining factor is based on how strong you want your coffee (more on this below). Every grinder is calibrated differently, but when you’re grinding your beans, grind on a coarse setting.
If using pre-ground beans, ask the retailer for coarse sand or sea salt-like grind. These terms will serve as a guide for the grind size you’re looking for. Sometimes, you’ll get an idea of your grind size by observing the brew duration. If your coffee takes more than 6 minutes to come out of the basket, then it’s very fine. If it takes less than 3 minutes, it’s too coarse.
Coffee Strength
Experimenting with different grind sizes will give you your desired coffee strength. If you brew coffee and it turns out to be too sour, it means you have to grind finer. If you take a sip and it’s too bitter, then you’ll have to grind coarser.
When adjusting the grind, ensure you keep the coffee-to-water ratio the same. Also, dark roasts will yield a slightly stronger-tasting coffee because the water does extract more of the coffee compounds. With this in mind, use a scale to measure your beans, so you get a better accuracy that’s equal to the mass of a medium roast.
Brew duration
Depending on the amount of coffee you’re making, brewing a pot of coffee could take anywhere between 4-6 minutes.
Batch size
Most Moccamaster models give you the option to brew a half or full pot of coffee, so if you use the correct coffee-to-water ratio as stipulated in the ratio chart earlier in this post, you’ll be able to consistently brew a great cup of coffee.
Why Is My Moccamaster Overflowing?
Usually, basket overflow is a result of a mechanical problem or what you put in the basket. To verify which is the case, follow these steps.
- Remove any filters or coffee grounds from the brew basket.
- Fill the water reservoir with water.
- Turn the machine on.
- If the brew basket doesn’t overflow, then the coffee grind is the culprit. If it does overflow, then it’s a mechanical problem and you should send it in for repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much coffee do I put in the Moccamaster?
The amount of coffee you put in your Moccamaster depends on the cup size you want. Here’s a coffee-to-water ratio chart that serves as a guide to producing a golden cup of coffee.
| Water Volume | Coffee In Grams |
| 330ml/10oz Cup | 30-34g |
| 500ml/16oz | 34-38g |
| 1L/32oz | 62-68g |
| 1.25L/40oz | 70-78g |
| 1.8L/60oz | 99g |
Q. What do the buttons on the Moccamaster mean?
The two buttons on the Moccamaster serve two purposes. The one on the left is for turning on the coffee maker, and the one on the right sets the temperature for the hotplate. Powering the hotplate holds the temperature of the coffee for 100 minutes. The buttons on the KBGV Select are quite different though. The one on the left is the power switch and the one on the right lets you choose between a half or full carafe.
Q. Can I brew less than an entire pot of coffee?
You can brew less than an entire pot of coffee. The markings on the water reservoir give you an indication of how much water to pour for your preferred cup size.
Conclusion
Once you’ve nailed the grind size, making coffee using a Moccamaster is a relatively simple task. You’ll continuously enjoy a fresh cup of tasty coffee according to your preferred taste and strength.
The buttons on the machine are pretty straightforward as well. Once you’ve filled the reservoir with water and filled the brew basket with coffee, you just press the power button, and your first cup of coffee will be ready within 6 minutes.
Whether you’re brewing for one or a crowd, a Moccamaster will add an element of convenience to your morning brew ritual.
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