Moka Pots are known as Stovetop Espresso makers because they use pressure to brew a strong and robust coffee. But this pressure also carries some risks and leads many people to ask if a Moka Pot can explode.
Although it’s a rare occurrence, it is possible for a Moka Pot to explode. This happens when the Moka Pot builds up a lot of internal pressure and is unable to relieve it. There are various reasons excess pressure can accumulate, but the risks of explosion can be minimized if the Moka Pot is well maintained.
To learn more about why Moka Pots explode and how you can avoid this, keep reading!
Can A Moka Pot Explode?
Like all pressurized devices, Moka Pots can explode if they build up enough pressure without being able to relieve it.
This usually happens as a result of:
- coffee grounds clogging your Moka Pot,
- a Moka Pot that’s overfilled with water or
- a limescale buildup is blocking the safety valve
Each of these scenarios occurs for different reasons, so we’ll focus on each one separately.
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- Moka Pot Mistakes To Steer Clear Of!
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Coffee Grounds Can Block Your Moka Pot And Make It Explode
Coffee grounds can become a problem if you don’t clean your Moka Pot often enough.
And since a Moka Pot is comprised of a few components, there are several places coffee grounds could clog up your brewer. Any one of these clogs could result in an accumulation of pressure and a possible explosion.
So, where do clogs normally occur?
Our favorite Coffees For Moka Pot
| Brand | Flavor Profile | Image |
| Coper’s Kenya AA ( Link To Cooper’s) | Medium dark roast with notes of honey Flavorful and strong with notes and Molasses |  |
| Volcanica Cuban Coffee (Link To Volcanica) | Dark roast with a bold flavor and chocolate and caramel notes |  |
| Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend (Link to Peet’s Coffee) | Dark Roast, full-bodied with rich flavor |  |
Coffee Grounds Could Clog The Moka Pot’s Funnel
Coffee beans that are ground too small can slip through holes in the filter basket and obstruct the funnel. When this happens, water won’t be able to flow through the funnel which will cause pressure to build and may result in an exploding Moka Pot.
To make sure your funnel isn’t clogged with grounds, check it as we’ve done in the image below.
Tamping Your Coffee Grounds
Tamping is when you firmly pack your coffee grounds into the filter basket.
If you tamp your grounds, you’re making it more difficult for the water to flow through the coffee grounds. This situation may create internal pressure that’s too great for your Moka Pot to handle and cause your Moka Pot to explode.
Take a look at the image below. On the left, you can see the coffee is packed tightly. On the right, the coffee is loose, making it easy for the water to flow.
(If you want to learn more about what happens when you tamp a Moka Pot, we’ve got a whole post on it! Check out Should You Tamp A Moka Pot?)
Coffee Stuck In the Safety Valve
It’s not unusual for small coffee grounds to fall into your Moka Pot’s lower chamber. When this happens, the coffee could easily end up clogging your safety valve which increases the chances of an explosion.
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Coffee May Clog The Spout
If your Moka Pot is in bad shape or isn’t assembled properly, coffee grounds could end up in the top chamber with your brewed coffee.
In this case, some coffee grounds may remain stuck in the spout and cause pressure to build in later brews.
The key to ensuring that water can flow freely through your Moka Pot is to regularly check these areas and clean out any coffee grounds you find.
In the image below, you can see coffee inside the spout on the left. On the right, the spout is completely clear. A clear spout is what you want to see.
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- Should You Use Hot Or Cold Water In A Moka Pot? Brewing Results!
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Water Can Block The Safety Valve And Cause It To Explode
Every Moka Pot has a safety valve in the lower chamber. This valve releases steam when the internal pressure is getting dangerously high.
However, if you overfill your Moka Pot with water and submerge this safety valve, there will be no way to relieve the excess pressure.
Overfilling your Moka Pot doesn’t guarantee an explosion. But if there’s any buildup of pressure due to grounds clogging the system, it’s a likely result.
A Limescale Buildup Can Block Pressure From Escaping
If you brew your coffee with hard water, you could end up with limescale clogging your safety valve as well.
Limescale is a white buildup that results from boiling water that contains calcium or magnesium (a.k.a. hard water).
Over time, this limescale (calcium carbonate) will eventually spread if you don’t clean your Moka pot thoroughly.
What Happens To A Moka Pot When It Explodes
Most often, when the internal pressure of the Moka Pot is too great, both halves of the coffee maker will come detached and shoot in opposite directions at high velocity.
The hot coffee and coffee grinds will also explode out in all directions, potentially burning anything they come into contact with.
I can’t stress enough how dangerous an exploding Moka Pot is. It’s very easy for someone to be hurt or for something to be damaged by flying metal and coffee.
Related Posts:
- Aluminum vs Stainless Steel Moka Pot ( Which One To Pick?)
- Do Moka Pots Works On Induction Stoves? Why Or Why Not?
- What’s The Best Induction Moka Pot ( Top 5 Picks!)
Coffee Can Explode From Your Moka Pot Like A Fountain
It’s also possible for the coffee in your Moka Pot to explode outward like a fountain. This happens when you forget to place the filter into place.
Although this is a different situation than when the Moka Pot itself explodes apart, a fountain of hot coffee can still be dangerous.
This generally occurs when people reassemble their Moka Pot after cleaning it. Since it’s easy to forget one or two components during assembly, the filter sometimes gets left out.
You’ll know that you’ve forgotten the filter because the initial coffee that comes out will be full of coffee grounds.
Signs To Look For During Brewing Process.
There’s usually no indication that your Moka Pot is going to explode before it happens. However, depending on what’s causing pressure to build, there may be some signs you can look out for.
Pay attention to:
- How long it takes your coffee to brew
- If steam is coming from the safety valve
Related Posts:
- Can You Use Milk In A Moka Pot? ( Here Are Our Results)
- Moka Pot Oxidation ( Why Are Black Spots In My Moka Pot)
- Moka Pot Size Guide ( What Size Moka Pot Do I Need?)
Pay Attention To The Brewing Time
First, pay attention to how long your coffee is taking to brew.
While a longer than average brewing time doesn’t mean something is definitely wrong, it could be an indication that the Moka Pot is blocked.
This is one of the reasons we recommend pre-heating your water, it makes your coffee brew much faster so you have more time to realize something is wrong.
(If you want to know more about pre-heating your water, we’ve got a whole post on it! Check out Should You Use Hot Or Cold Water In A Moka Pot.)
Check The Safety Valve
If steam is coming out of the safety valve, it means your Moka Pot is under too much pressure. It could be that you tamped your coffee grounds or that there’s a blockage somewhere.
Consider quickly running the Moka Pot under cold water to stop the brewing process. Then clean your coffee maker thoroughly to remove any blockages.
Moka Pot Check List To Avoid An Explosion
It’s a rare occurrence, but Moka Pots can explode under specific conditions. To prevent this as much as possible, make sure you do the following:
- Check that your Moka Pot’s safety valve works properly before every brew. To do this, press the valve from inside the pot. It should move outward and then return to its original position when you release it.
- Don’t use coffee grounds that are too small
- Don’t pour water above the safety valve
- Don’t tamp or overfill the filter basket with coffee grounds
- Make sure you regularly give your Moka Pot a thorough cleaning
- Replace parts of your Moka Pot if they’re worn out
- Don’t buy a cheap Moka Pot from an unknown brand
Cheers Coffee Lovers!
KEEP READING
- Is Arabica Or Robusta Best For Cold Brew Coffee?
- Why Is My Espresso Puck Wet? (The 6 Most Common Reasons)
- How To Make Cuban Coffee Without A Moka Pot? (3 Options!)
- Does Cold Brew Break A Fast? Things To Consider!
- Can I Use Coffee Grounds Twice? (Here Are Our Results!)
- What’s The Best Grind Size For A Moka Pot? Ultimate Guide!
- Does Espresso Have Milk? A Simple (But Complete) Guide
- Can I Use A French Press With Pre-Ground Coffee? Pros And Cons
- How Much Caffeine Is In Two Shots Of Espresso?
- Can You Brew Coffee With Milk? (4 Methods That Will Work!)
- Can You Make Cold Brew Coffee With Milk Instead Of Water?
- Can You Use Milk In A Moka Pot? (Here Are Our Results!)
Idalmis is co-owner of Coffee Break Lovers. She is a Cuban coffee enthusiast that is passionate about coffee and coffee culture.