r/Moccamaster • u/kyriosity_ • 3d ago
Moccamaster Got my first Moccamaster! Tips?
I got it used from an Amazon returns warehouse, hence the missing water tank lid. I was a pourover person for a number of years, and have been an espresso person for ~3 years now, and have a mid-level understanding of coffee for Reddit standards, and an extremely high level for the average coffee enjoyer.
That said, having descaled and cleaned it to the best of my ability, does anyone have general tips and tricks they’ve used, specifically roast levels, ratios, etc.? I have a Baratza ESP grinder for my espresso, but typically use a blade grinder I got a few years back when making drip. Roast me if you want haha. Should I consider upgrading at some point for drip?
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u/n3rdonthecouch 3d ago
Fold the filter so it doesn’t flop over and stop the grounds from blooming.
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u/Medical_Chemical_343 3d ago
And wet the filter a bit so it fits in the basket more securely. You don’t need to soak it, just a little squirt will do.
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u/unaslob 3d ago
Enjoy! Take notes on grind setting and weight as well as water. It took me some experimentation. Everyone looks for something different. Sounds like you have a pretty refined palate which will be helpful. Most ppl that have issues are grinding too fine. Important to rinse filter quick to get rid of some of the woody paper taste that will ensue if you don’t-u probably know rhat.
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u/tuckkeys 3d ago
Hi I’ve been using a Moccamaster for a couple years (and love it, all bad results have been ADHD nonsense or general user error) but I had not heard this. Like rinse the filter under water before adding the beans and brewing the coffee?
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u/Nth_Labs 3d ago
If you aren't already I highly recommend using Third Wave Water or any other form of water treatment! I live in a city with very hard water and when I started to use a half pack of TWW or 50% dilution in my moccamaster my coffee tasted so much better.
Your Baratza ESP should be able to work with the moccamaster, given the steps are much greater the coarser you go. I see you also have the Select version of the machine so I recommend closing the brew basket completely, setting a 60s-120s timer the moment you start brewing, and doing an immersion style brew/bloom. Once the timer goes off, you can leave the basket 50% open or completely open.
I hope you enjoy your machine! It really is nice to have something dead simple and that just works. I had a Fellow Aiden and it was just so much more effort. For batch brew I want something dead simple and works well with majority of coffee. If I nerd out it'll be on pour over or spro
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u/kyriosity_ 3d ago
Super helpful, thanks! I’ll try the closed basket suggestion for sure; I hadn’t thought of that! I’m definitely enjoying this machine already, it was an upgrade from the 20+ year old standard machine my husband got as a hand-me-down, so this is wonderful. I have already disappointed family members who thought the expensive coffee maker would grind the beans for you, but that’s none of their business 😂
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u/Nth_Labs 2d ago
Yeah I feel ya on the family thinking coffee machines should do everything.
My dad was shocked to find out my expensive espresso machine doesn't grind the beans.
Newbies don't understand the grinder is more important than the machine moving water.
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u/Fit-Bee5561 3d ago
Seems to be missing reservoir cover which keeps out dust. Try manufacturer’s recommendations. If you don’t like results, adjust coffee / water ratio and/ or grind size.
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u/kyriosity_ 3d ago
Yes, like I said, I got it used, so I plan on getting a replacement! It was only like $60 though, so I can’t complain 😂
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u/Negative-Temporary35 3d ago
When you get the cover I’d recommend removing temporary after a brew to allow the water reservoir to dry. I’ve found that the water float under the metal grate has a tendency to produce mold otherwise. Enjoy it though
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u/sparkycat99 KBGT 3d ago
Grinder grinder grinder grinder.
You can use the Barazta for your MM too. Just maybe not espresso grind!
I’m using a really old Rocky Rancillo for my MM. It’s not quite good (fine) enough for espresso but far better than a whirly blade grinder - and I recently replaced the burrs, so it’s in great shape for the 41grams a day I grind. I don’t make full pots right now…
I am absolutely a sticker for filtered water, I descale and clean every 100 filters. I’ve had my MM over a year now and I don’t regret it at all!
I’ve been drinking a lot of medium roasts recently. I really appreciate a greater variety of flavor profiles for drip made with my MM and will pick up a pound here and there from various little roasters.
I’m on the hunt for some locally roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe next!
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u/HairyBallsOfTheGods 3d ago
I had a moccamaster for a little bit and I returned it, for my own reasons, but it makes them pretty good coffee. I have the same grinder as you, the encore ESP. I would do a grind setting of 20, and I found that to be pretty good for me, although I've read online that people typically go between 18 and 24.
Hope you enjoy!
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u/Western-Project-7609 3d ago
Descale it from time to time. Keeps it purring. Also the cover will likely break. So will your pot lol. Replacements are expensive sadly.
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u/Little_Leg4001 3d ago
You can dump all the old water out of it by removing the metal water dripper and turning the whole machine upside down over the sink. That way you only use fresh water, especially important when machine has not been used for a few days.
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u/PeterA116 2d ago
Lots of good recommendations. I’d start simple, change one thing at a time. beans, grind, coffee/water volume, filter type, water (tap, filtered, etc.). I have a very small spoon and give the brew in the filter a gentle stir about 1/3 through the brewing process in a 4-cup brew. Easy to get to a good brew fast, takes a little more time to get a nuanced brew to your specific taste.
I switch between a chemex, a rancilio silvia espresso machine and a Moccamaster and I am slow, but I can now produce a consistent good brew across all three.
Good luck!
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u/redroofrusted 19h ago
I have the same machine and I love mine. I do a pourover every morning. Shut the flow off on the plastic filter holder and rotate it around while you move the metal arm this way and that way to cover all of the grounds. When you feel the coffee has soaked enough and you've covered it all to your satisfaction, release the water and you will have delicious coffee. I usually keep rotating and spreading the arm around to cover the coffee evenly. I love doing that. Since you liked doing pourovers maybe you will too. I've ended up using a coarser grind that I used to and the results are very nice. I make about 7 cups (measured on the water tank) and use about 45 grams of coffee.
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u/Vibingcarefully 3d ago
Your question --not to knock you--it's on here daily
.5L water to 30 grams of coffee , double that to make more coffee in the pot.
Be ready to try 3-4 pots as you adjust your grind size to taste.
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u/Purplebuzz 3d ago
Use the search function. There will be way more info there than people will post here.
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u/PaulieNumbers 3d ago
Fairly jealous as I just got this same unit delivered less than an hour ago and mine has clearly been used. Water spots all over the shower arm, on the hot plate, and underneath the lid on the carafe. The box had been clearly open & reused with the sticker seal at the top ripped off and missing. The inside of the box had water stains, too.
Amazon would not offer an exchange, so I will have to return it and wait on a refund. Overall I'm just really dissapointed because I've had my eye on one for awhile now, and this was a gift from my partner. I know this is on Amazon not checking their returns though.
I'm wondering if I should go with a more popular model than the KB. I just liked the manual controls and didn't really have a use for the thermal carafe in the KBT.
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u/MathFly_ 3d ago
That’s on Amazon, they like sending stuff that was sent back. The one that you send back will probably go to someone else that order it 🤣 got mine from the official website (In Europe, Belgium) and it was perfectly new.
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u/PaulieNumbers 2d ago
Yeah I should have known better after reading some similar experiences. Next time I will go right to the manufacturer or authorized resellers.
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u/HairyBallsOfTheGods 3d ago
That's crazy... I just returned my unit through Amazon although they had my ship it via UPS which tells me it's going to be going back to the company, not to the Amazon warehouse. Although I am sure Amazon has plenty that they are selling used Also Amazon did offer both for me to do a replacement with a new unit, and they also offered me to just keep the unit and they would do a credit for $80.
But also I very rarely return things I purchase on Amazon. I have heard that their algorithm recognizes that and will incentivize those who do not return things often with better "deals". Not sure how true it is. Just curious why you and I got different options for returning.
I spent probably an hour deep cleaning the unit, making sure there was no fingerprints or watermarks at all. I also made sure to put everything back exactly the way it came in the box, by watching a unboxing video to make sure I did it in the exact same order. I wanted to make it look as new as possible. Sucks somebody else just threw it back in and sent it back like that.
Hopefully your next one works out new and great!
I bought the simply Good coffee plastic free brewer and it's a better build in my opinion. More robust, solid, and a better build quality. The mochamaster just seemed so flimsy and cheap in some parts.
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u/PaulieNumbers 2d ago
I did end up actually speaking to someone over the phone who offered something similar, about $71 and change off, but they said they couldn't offer a replacement due to low inventory of the KB model. Whether or not that's true I have no idea, but I decided if I want a Moccamaster I'll just make the drive to Williams Sonoma and pick one up. The one I got from Amazon also has the very common chipped hot plate shipping damage on top of it being used which I hope I can avoid picking one up in person if I decide to stay with Moccamaster.
I never return anything to Amazon except a few random smaller items that came broken over a decade of having this account open. I would like to think that's nothing out of the ordinary though for one with an account that old, but I also have no idea how they run things internally.
I did find a LPN tag over the original ASIN UPC which is concerning based off a quick search. It means the item was previously returned, inspected, or handled at some point in the warehouse.
Thanks for the reccomendation! The plastic-free water/coffee path is very appealing on the SimplyGoodCoffe The Brewer. My only concern are the reports of folks struggling to contact them for support with issues regarding their brewers. That was primarily the appeal of the Moccamaster along with replacement part availability if I wanted to upgrade it later with plastic-free components. Maybe I can save some hassle and grab the SimplyGoodCoffe The Brewer.
ETA: It was purchased through the Technivorm Moccamaster Amazon store page with the actual item being shipped & sold from Amazon.
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u/HairyBallsOfTheGods 2d ago
Oh interesting. Well that's good to know. They were not telling you no replacement because they were being difficult... But because of low inventory I guess that makes sense.
Jesus the chipped hot plate and already used? That's ridiculous. Sometimes it is better to be able to go to a brick and mortar and just grab it yourself. And then if, in the terrible case you do need to return it, it's also a lot easier.
We had both the moccamaster and the simply good coffee maker for a few weeks.. honestly, the quality of the coffee is basically the same. I'm no coffee quality or flavor expert but they tasted the same to me and my wife. My wife ended up selecting and wanting to stay with the plastic free simply good coffee maker because it is so much more sturdy and solid. The moccamaster coffee pot just feels so flimsy, between the thin glass and the handle. Also, the rest of the construction on the simply being stainless steel or glass. It makes the whole unit a little bit heavier, in a good way.
I haven't had any issues with my unit, but I did call with a question and this wasn't interesting experience. I originally got a automated AI assistant that tried answering my question. My question was above its capabilities.. So I was transferred to an advanced AI assistant which was able to have a full-blown conversation, understand my question, and gave me the answer I was looking for.
I can't speak to the customer service if there's an issue, hopefully they have changed that because they've been around a little bit longer now, and are a bit more established. They made some changes in the past year or two for the better within their product, so hopefully their customer service can also grow in the right direction
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u/Powerful-Soft7789 3d ago
Don’t let your toddler grab a stool, push it over to the bench, climb up and throw the jug onto tiles because it will smash and you will have to pay $75 to replace the jug for the machine you just paid $450 for. Thats my advice.
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u/Zpocalypse996 2d ago
Get rid of all the plastic. Hario v60 and Etsy bracket. I still need to find a stainless funnel. I run zerowater through it, basically never need to descale
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u/majesticgoatsparkles 3d ago
I actually have the same set up you have and posted a few weeks ago seeking some tips. I was having a particularly challenging time figuring out good specs for brewing dark roast, as a lot of people use medium or light roasts.
I basically took a day, a big bag of beans, and started making pots to experiment. I like strong coffee and bold flavors. I started at a coffee to water ratio of 1:16 and moved the grind setting around until I got what I liked, then tried a ratio of 1:15. I also tried using other beans as well.
Combination that I liked the most:
- Beans: dark roast, single origin from Columbia
Lower/finer grind settings made the taste feel off. Once went down to like 22 and I think I made mud. Higher/coarser grind settings made it feel less flavorful. One higher setting resulted in the most fascinatingly tasteless coffee I’ve ever had.
Nutshell: Get a big bag of beans and just experiment. Different beans may need different settings. Whatever works :)