If you drink filter coffee, the Moccamaster is the name to know. Handmade by Technivorm in the Netherlands since the 1960s, the Moccamaster KBG Select, Polished Silver is one of the few filter coffee machines certified by the Specialty Coffee Association.
Why it’s so good
The secret is temperature. A copper heating element brings water to the ideal brewing temperature quickly and keeps it there throughout the brew, so coffee extracts evenly and tastes sweet and clean rather than flat or bitter. A full 1.25 litre jug brews in around six minutes.
Design and build
Moccamasters are simple, sturdy and designed to be repaired. There’s very little to go wrong, and the machines come in a huge range of colours.
Which Moccamaster should you buy?
- Moccamaster KBG Select, Polished Silver – the classic with glass jug and adjustable brew basket.
- Moccamaster KBGV Select, Black – the same, in black.
- Moccamaster KBGT Select with Thermal Jug, Off-White – with a thermal jug that keeps coffee hot without stewing.
- Moccamaster Cup-One, Matt Black – brews a single perfect mug.
Getting the best from your Moccamaster
- Use freshly ground beans at a medium-coarse grind.
- Start with 60g of coffee per litre of water.
- Rinse the paper filter before brewing.
- Descale regularly, especially in hard water areas.
For grinding, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Flat Burr Grinder and Wilfa Uniform Burr Grinder are ideal. Try light roasts such as Roast Shop Kenya Peaberry Coffee Beans, 1kg.
What’s the ‘Select’ in KBG Select?
The Select switch lets you choose between a full jug and a half jug. For half jugs, the machine brews a little more slowly so the coffee still extracts properly, which is a thoughtful touch many filter machines miss.
Brewing tips
- Use about 60g of coffee per litre, or 30g for a half jug.
- Grind medium-coarse, a bit like coarse sand.
- Stir the grounds once early in the brew for a more even extraction.
- Remove the jug from the hot plate once brewed and pour into a thermos if you’re not drinking it straight away.
Moccamaster vs pour-over
Pour-over with a Hario V60 Pour-Over Starter Set or Chemex Hand-Blown Coffeemaker with Wood Collar, 5-Cup gives you more control and is great for one or two cups. A Moccamaster gives you consistent, excellent coffee for the whole household with no effort. Many coffee lovers use both.
Is it noisy or slow?
The Moccamaster makes a gentle bubbling sound while brewing and makes a full jug in about six minutes, which is quick for a filter coffee machine.
Warranty and repairs
Moccamasters are known for their long warranty and repairability. Parts are available, and the simple design means they often last for decades.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Moccamaster worth it?
Yes, if you drink filter coffee regularly. It brews at the right temperature every time and lasts for many years.
Moccamaster vs Ratio?
The Ratio Six Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel is more design-led with a bloom phase. Moccamaster is simpler, faster and more proven.
Glass or thermal jug?
A thermal jug keeps coffee hot for longer without a hot plate, which avoids the stewed taste.
See every Moccamaster coffee machine.
