Bialetti has been a leading brand when it comes to Moka pots. Traditionally, it has made and has been known for their Aluminum Octagon shaped Moka Express Pot, which only works with traditional Gas cook tops. With the introduction of newer cook tops like electric and induction, Bialetti has introduced a new line of Stainless steel moka pots that work with all kind of cook tops, these pots include the Musa, Venus and Kitty Moka Pots.
As a buyer, you must be wondering, is there a difference between these 3 stainless steel stove top moka pots?
What I found in my research
– All are dishwasher safe, but still, Bialetti encourages hand washing only
– All feature heat-resistant handles with extra wide reach to avoid any accidental touching while the pot is hot.
There’s a difference in stovetop compatibility, which is an important deciding factor if you use an electric or induction stovetop.
Keep reading to find which of these moka pots is the right one for you.
Bialetti Moka Pot Comparisons
The Main Differences
There is no real difference between them (Except for stovetop compatibility).
All three models work the same way and provide the same quality of coffee. The only difference is in the design and shape of each pot.
While all can provide you with the same quality of coffee, you’ll want to pay attention to stovetop compatibility.
Stovetop Compatibility
Although all of these moka pots are stainless steel, only Venus and Musa are compatible with induction hobs. The Kitty model is quite outdated, it does not have the magnetic stainless steel base to make it work on an induction. If you like that particular model, though, you can make it work on induction by using bialetti’s adapter.
Bialetti Venus vs Musa
For the most part, Musa and Venus are the same. They are both made of stainless steel material with heat-resistant plastic handles. The lid designs are slightly difference, but it’s only an aesthetic difference.
Design Features
Available Sizes
- Bialetti Musa is available in 2-cup, 4-cup, 6-cup and 10-cup capacities.
- Bialetti Venus is available in sizes 4-cups, 6-cups and 10-cups, which is equivalent to 8 oz. 12 oz and 20 oz.
Available Colors
- Bialetti Musa is only available in full silver stainless steel
- Bialetti Venus is available in silver, blue/silver or copper/silver combinations
Bialetti Venus vs New Venus
You’ve probably noticed some newer Venus pots labeled as ‘New Venus’. Which will naturally make you wonder, what’s the difference between old (dates back to 2013) and new Venus pots (2020 and newer)?
The new Venus moka pots feature some minor design differences like a new lid and handle, and the base of the new Venus is induction ready, and can be used on other stovetop types, too.
Lastly, new Venus is also available in colors like Blue and Copper in addition to the stainless steel one.
Bialetti Venus vs Kitty
Bialetti Venus and Bialetti Kitty are both made of the same stainless steel material. The difference is in the shape, design and available sizes of each model.
Design Features
Handles
While both Bialetti Venus and Kitty have heat resistant plastic, Kitty’s handle has a wider curve and is farther from the moka pot’s body.
Lid Design
Bialetti Kitty has a similar lid design to the new version of Bialetti Venus. It’s more ergonomic and gives you a better grip when pouring out the coffee.
Available Sizes
- Bialetti Kitty is available in a 2-cup and 4-cup capacity
- Bialetti Venus is available in 4-cups, 6-cups and 10-cups
Available Colors
- Bialetti Kitty is only available in polished stainless steel.
- Bialetti Venus, especially the new Venus, is available is stainless steel, blue and copper combination.
Stovetop Compatibility
- Both Bialetti Kitty and Venus are suitable for induction cook tops.
Overall, the differences between Bialetti Venus vs Kitty are purely aesthetic. When it comes to functionality, you’re getting the same experience from both moka pots.
Bialetti Venus vs Moka Express
There’s a difference in the design and materials of these two moka pot models. [read the full comparison of bialetti venus vs moka express here]
Design Features
Moka Express is Bialetti’s iconic classic design. It’s where it all started and keeps going! The Moka Express is pretty much the first even moka pot to be made, and other brands followed.
Bialetti Venus, on the other hand, has a modern design. So if you want a moka pot that’s not your classical octagon design, Venus is a great choice.
Materials
Bialetti Moka Express is made of aluminum, which is what moka pots are traditionally made of. Aluminum as a material is harder to keep clean (they’re not dishwasher safe), but according to traditional Italian methods, they never wash them with anything other than water. They like how the aluminum holds on to some of the coffee’s oils, which makes your next pot taste better!
Bialetti Venus is made of stainless steel. It’s easier to wash and maintain. Although technically, it can go into the dishwasher, Bialetti advises against this and recommends handwashing, too.
Stovetop Compatibility
Bialetti Moka Express works on all stove hobs, except for induction. If you want to use it on an induction hob, you can buy the Bialetti Induction adapter with it. Alternatively, there’s the Bialetti Moka Induction model, which is compatible with induction hobs and has a similar design to the Moka Express.
Venus is induction ready. It works on all other stove hobs, too. No adapter needed.
Bialetti Brikka vs Venus
When you use a moka pot to brew coffee, you’re probably looking at the closest thing to espresso without the need for a machine. However, moka pot’s coffee isn’t exactly espresso. It is less concentrated and it lacks the crema layer that an espresso machine produces. Enter Brikka..
Bialetti designed Brikka with a special valve and column that promises to make you a brew with espresso crema. In fact, it is the only moka pot (as of the time of writing) capable of doing this. So if you want a more authentic espresso like coffee, the Brikka would be a good choice for you.
That’s the difference between Bialetti Brikka vs Venus as well as other Bialetti moka pots.
Please note that Bialetti Brikka is aluminum, and not stainless steel like Bialetti Musa, Venus or Kitty models. It will work on gas, electric or ceramic stovetops but will NOT work on an induction top. There’s a Brikka induction version available on Bialetti’s website. Alternatively, you can use it with the induction adapter.
Related Comparison: Bialetti Brikka vs Moka Express
Bialetti Moka Pot Sizes Explained
The measurement used by Bialetti is 1 cup = 2 oz. This is because traditionally, Italians enjoyed (and still enjoy) their daily coffees in a smaller espresso cup servings. That’s an important factor to keep in mind when choosing the correct size for you.
| Model | Capacity (fl oz) | Ideal Serving Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 2 oz | 1 Espresso Shot |
| 3 Cup | 6 oz | 2 Espresso Shots |
| 6 Cup | 12 oz | 3 Espresso Shots |
| 9 Cup | 18 oz | 6 Espresso Shots |
| 12 Cup | 24 oz | 8 Espresso Shots |
How To Choose the Right Bialetti Moka Pot For You?
Between these stainless steel moka pots, the Venus, Musa and Kitty – here’s how to pick your moka pot:
Pick according to stovetop compatibility
If you are using an induction hob – that takes Kitty out of the race because it’s not compatible. Unless you want to use it with an adapter. Otherwise, Musa and Venus are better picks that will work on any type of stovetop. Other suggested models are Brikka and Moka Express (both made of aluminum, won’t work on induction without an adapter), which you can find a comparison of below.
Pick the right size for your daily use
It’s important that you decide how much coffee capacity you want to make with your Moka pot before you buy it, this helps you choose the right size for your daily use. Moka pots are supposed to be filled fully when preparing. While it’s not impossible to make half a moka pot, it’s not easy with all models.
Design
This, in my opinion, is the last thing to weigh on. Of course, you want a moka pot that will look nice on your stovetop or kitchen, but what’s more important is that you ensure you go for a model that will work on your stovetop and get the correct size. Once you’ve decided on those… you can pick aesthetically.
Although each of the Venus, Musa and Kitty are nice in their own way, they’re not that different. If you want your stainless steel moka pot with a touch of color, Venus is the only model that offers that (you’ll find available colors below).
This is the most popular Bialetti
Out of the stainless steel models, Venus is the most popular purchase with over 14,000 positive reviews on Amazon. My guess would be because the Venus checks all marks, it’s available in popular size choices, it works on all stovetop types and it looks nice.
Bialetti vs Espresso Machine
Is a Stovetop Espresso the Same as the Espresso Machine?
Bialetti and espresso machines are two popular methods for making coffee, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
A Bialetti, also known as a moka pot, is a stovetop coffee maker that uses steam pressure to brew coffee. Espresso machines, on the other hand, use high-pressure water to extract coffee from finely ground beans.
Bialetti vs Espresso Machine – Ease of Use
One of the main advantages of a Bialetti is its simplicity. It is easy to use and requires no electricity, making it a great option for camping or traveling. Additionally, it is relatively inexpensive and can produce a strong, flavorful cup of coffee. a Moka pot doesn’t require any special skills, you’ll have to try out your perfect dose as first, but it doesn’t come with a big learning curve like an espresso machine.
Espresso machines, on the other hand, offer greater control over the brewing process. They can produce a wide range of coffee drinks, from a simple espresso shot to a latte or cappuccino. Additionally, they can produce a consistent cup of coffee with a rich crema, which is a hallmark of a well-made espresso. However, they can be expensive and require a significant amount of counter space. Additionally, they require electricity, which can make them less convenient for travel or outdoor use. Most importantly, espresso machines, especially manual or semi-automatic ones, require a lot of learning until you can get the extraction and milk steaming done correctly.
Espresso Quality of Bialetti vs Espresso Machine
In terms of taste, the two methods produce different results. A Bialetti brews coffee with a strong and bold flavor, similar to an espresso shot, but with a slightly different taste profile due to the brewing method. The coffee produced by an espresso machine is typically smoother and less bitter than that produced by a Bialetti. Additionally, espresso machines can produce a crema, which is a layer of foam on top of the coffee that is prized by coffee aficionados.
So while a Moka pot is considered to be an inexpensive way to make espresso, it’s not real espresso. It’s only an ‘alternative’ to espresso shots. To make a real shot of espresso, you have to use an espresso machine.
Does Moka Pot Brand Matter
While Bialetti is the most famous brand for moka pots, it’s not the only brand out there. Does the brand of a moka pot make a difference when it comes to the quality of coffee?
The brand of the moka pot matters for the longevity of the moka pot and how well it’s going to work for how long. Also, you want to make sure that it is made of high quality materials, especially with a good safety valve, since moka pots work with pressure and a bad valve can make it explode.
This is where you can trust a brand like Bialetti, the original creator of the moka pot. This doesn’t mean that other brands are bad, but this one is renowned and well trusted.
Other brands I would recommend are: Alessi and Grosche.
Common Questions About Bialetti Moka Pots
What Is The Best Grind for Bialetti? Or (Moka Pot in General)
If you’re grinding your coffee fresh, which is the best thing to do for a great cup of coffee, by the way, then you’ll want to grind your beans as fine as possible. About the same grind you’d use for Espresso. If you want to use pre-ground coffee, then you’ll find moka-pot ready packages, or anything that says ‘for espresso’ would work, too.
Why Is My Bialetti Coffee Bitter?
There are a few factors that contribute to bitter coffee, in general:
Old, stale coffee – over extraction (brewing the coffee for too long) or over heating.
So make sure you’re using fresh coffee, that would be a good start. If you’re grinding your coffee at home, you can try adjusting the grind. Making your grind a little coarser would result in less bitterness.
Overheating and over brewing could come hand in hand. Sometimes the water takes too long to reach boiling temperature, which means the coffee percolates longer than it should. Other times, the heat is higher than it should, so it boils faster but the coffee is under brewed. What do you do, then? You can try two things:
A simple solution would be to adjust your heat and see how that goes. Medium heat should be enough.
Another tip you can try is to bring your water to near boil separately, then add it to the moka pot. This will bring down the time it requires for it to boil and will require less heat.
Should I Wash My Bialetti Moka Pot?
You might have heard that a Bialetti moka pot shouldn’t be washed. Which sounds strange, but here’s the deal…
This refers to aluminum moka pots only. The tradition goes that you shouldn’t wash the pot using detergent. Rinsing it with water would be enough. Why is that? Because you’ll want the coffee aromas and oils to stick to the aluminum, which apparently makes your coffee taste better every time you use the pot.
When it comes to stainless steel though, it’s not the same. Stainless steel is nonstick, detergent isn’t as harsh on it as aluminum, so you can use it if you wish. You can use polish on the exterior, too, to keep your stainless steel moka pot looking new.
How Do You Clean Bialetti’s Musa, Venus or Kitty Moka Pots?
These models, which I talk about at the start of this post, are all stainless steel models. So just like previously stated, you can wash it regularly as you wish, either by just rinsing or by using a mild detergent. Liquid chrome polish can be used to shine the exterior of the pots.
Bialetti’s aluminum pots are not dishwasher safe. You can read full cleaning tips here.
Is Bialetti Still Made in Italy?
Unfortunately, no they are not. You might find some of the older aluminum models to be still made in Italy, but the majority of their manufacturing has moved to different parts of the world. Some are made in China, India or some Eastern European countries. However, that does not mean that are not as good. All of Bialetti’s products are made to their Italian standards using high quality materials.
Related Posts
Moka Pot Buying Guides
- Best Induction Moka Pots
- Bialetti Induction Moka Pots
- Is Alessi Better than Bialetti Moka Pot?
- Best coffee for moka pot brewing
Moka Pot How-To
- Can you Make a Latte in a Moka Pot
- Can You Make Regular coffee in a Moka Pot
- Moka Pot Turned Black in Dishwasher – How To Fix
- How To Make Half a Moka Pot
- Moka pot with milk – how to do it
- How To Use Any Bialetti Moka Pot on Induction hob
- Can you reuse coffee grounds in a moka pot
- Can you reheat coffee in a moka pot
