Today, I will answer one of the most notorious questions among coffee lovers: what size Bialetti do I have? At first glance, it seems like a relatively simple matter: bigger is better; more water means more coffee. If you look at the details, it becomes clear that there are several factors to consider in your sizing decision.
Contents
What Size Bialetti Do I Have?
The size of Bialetti you have can be any of the following: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 cups. The smallest size of Moka pot is almost equal to one espresso cup, with a capacity of 1.7 ounces. The most popular Bialetti is the 3.4 ounces., often used in Europe. The 6.4 ounce Bialetti is the most well-known in America, however.
Bialettis are made in sizes widely known to specialty coffee brewers and drinkers worldwide. They come in amounts ranging from 1.7 – 26.2 ounces, as shown below:
| Bialetti Measurement (Base x height in inches) | Cup Size | Coffee Volume (oz.) |
| 2.4 x 5.0 | 1 | 1.7 |
| 2.6 x 5.5 | 2 | 3.4 |
| 2.8 x 6.1 | 3 | 4.3 |
| 3.2 x 7.1 | 4 | 6.4 |
| 3.7 x 8.0 | 6 | 9.1 |
| 4.5 x 9.6 | 9 | 14.2 |
| 4.7 x 11 | 12 | 22.6 |
What Size Stovetop Should I Get?
The size of the Bialetti stovetop you should get depends on your coffee volume needs. Small pots (1-3 cups) are ideal for making small portions of coffee. They’re great for singles, couples who live alone, and people who don’t eat much.
Medium pots (4-6 cups) are great if you’re looking for something that makes enough coffee to serve a small family, this is the size for you. They’re also perfect for people who have friends over occasionally.
Large Bialetti pots (9-12 cups) are ideal if you have a large family or want to entertain often—you can brew all your coffee at once!
Choosing the Right Size Bialetti
As you choose your pot size, I have to highlight that capacity does not affect brewing results. The only difference between these differently sized models is the amount of water they can boil at one time.
Know the Difference between the Cup and Cup of Coffee
As mentioned earlier, the classic Bialetti Moka Express comes in different cup sizes. The ‘cups’ refer to the amount of water in each model. It is not the “amount of coffee” brewed by each model. For example, if you’re looking at buying a 1-cup model, that means there are six ounces worth of water inside the pot (which equals one serving). Now a standard cup is 8 oz, and this is not the measurement that Bialettis go by.
How Much Time Do You Have to Make Coffee?
Another important consideration is how long it takes for your Moka Pot to brew coffee from start to finish. If you don’t have much time in the morning or evening, you should probably choose a smaller model instead of something large and cumbersome that takes ages to brew.
If you have plenty of time on your hands, I recommend going with one of the larger models to brew enough cups at once without refilling them again later on down the line.
What’s Your Brewing Method?
If you’re looking for a single cup of espresso-like coffee, then a small Moka pot will do the trick. These smaller pots also work well if you want to make some extra strong concentrated espresso shots for later use in lattes or cappuccinos.
If you’re looking for an easy fix without having to make an entire pot of coffee, then a large Moka pot will do just fine! You can even use it as an alternative to the French press brewing method because it produces similar results with less mess than paper filters.
How Do I Know What Size I Have?
Most Bialetti espresso makers come with their sizes marked on the bottom. However, you might find that your espresso maker doesn’t have any markings. In that case, use a kitchen scale to measure it. First, start by filling the pot with water and then weighing it. The weight of the water will give you its size.
Related Questions
How Long Does Bialetti Stovetop Espresso Take?
Moka pots take about 5 minutes to make coffee. When you factor in the grinding and prep time, it will take you an additional 10 minutes. This duration only includes making the coffee, so don’t forget to factor clean-up into your day.
How Does a Bialetti Stovetop Espresso Maker Work?
The maker works by combining water and coarsely ground coffee under high pressure as it boils in the bottom chamber. The hot water moves through the funnel, forcing its way over the middle chamber grounds and up into the top chamber!
Conclusion
Your coffee needs to determine the size of your Bialetti stovetop espresso maker. A small-sized coffee maker is perfect for one or two people, while for 4-6 servings, you will need a 9-cup Bialetti. The size of your pot will affect how much water it uses; however, this does not affect the brew quality.
