Moka Pots are a simple and classic way to make coffee. However, they can be challenging to clean if not done correctly.
This blog post will discuss two easy and quick methods for cleaning a Moka Pot. So, whether you’re a beginner or an expert Moka Pot user, these tips will come in handy!
The Importance of Cleaning Your Moka Pot
The coffee oils and sugars that have gathered on the surface of your coffee maker oxidize and melt. And, despite common opinion, burnt coffee can differ from the flavor of freshly brewed coffee.
Should You Clean Your Moka Pot?
After you finish brewing your coffee and want to clean your Moka pot maker, you should rinse it with hot water and then wipe it with a clean cloth. Avoid using soap or a sponge to clean the Moka pot.
A dirty Moka pot or the use of soap/sponge for cleaning can affect the overall taste of your coffee, making it more bitter or even having the taste of a dishwashing liquid.
But First!
Before making your first brew, ensure you have everything you need.
If this is your first Moka Pot experience, make several practice brews and remove the coffee. The coffee oils seal the aluminum base, preventing a metallic flavor of your coffee.
The Moka Pot Ceremony!
If your stovetop is entirely new, you’ll have to undergo a little ceremony before getting your first taste! Both of the pieces should be washed in hot water. While drinking some espresso, brew 2 to 3 pots – a great reason to get rid of any old beans.
What’s the last time you made 2-3 pots without cleaning your coffee maker? That’s right! Zero! So make this change!
Read Also: 6 Cup Moka Pot
Aluminum Moka Pots
Aluminum Moka pots can be difficult to deal with, and to a newcomer, they can be quite a nightmare if not careful! They are high-maintenance and require your full attention when cleaning them after each use.
You should never put them in the dishwasher for cleaning and should always handwash them, but only when they are dehydrated so that you can avoid breaking them! They are a great choice if you are on a budget.
How to Clean Your Aluminum Moka Pot
Do not use soapy water or a hard sponge to rinse your Moka cup. Remember these beautiful espressos you created and the special oils they left inside the pot? You don’t want the taste of dishwashing liquid to ruin it.
After every use, rinse it with hot water and wipe it down with a cotton towel. Alternatively, it would help if you hung it to dry for a while.
Use Filter Water
Your Moka pot should be cleaned with filtered water and dish soap from time to time if the water in your region is exceptionally rough. It’s always a good idea to do it now and again to save the Moka’s Pot filter from being clogged.
The steam produced by Moka pots creates a lot of pressure. If the filter is clogged, the tension in the boiling chamber can rise. The valve, though, will stop if your water is rough.
As a result, there’s yet another purpose to sanitizing. The steam would not be able to escape if you filled the valve with regular water.
Use White Vinegar And Baking Soda
Use vinegar and baking soda to clean the Moka pot.
You shouldn’t need advanced tools to keep your Moka pot in top shape, whether made of steel or aluminum. To keep it clean, you only need a few natural products like vinegar and baking soda: here’s when and how to apply them.
Baking Soda
Load the boiler with water and a teaspoon of baking soda for daily washing, then add another teaspoon of baking soda to the filter and place the device on the stovetop as if you were making coffee with the Moka pot. Baking soda is a powerful cleaning and deodorizing agent.
White Vinegar And Lemon Juice
Use a combination of water, vinegar, and lemon juice to disinfect the inner of the Moka pot. Load the above mixture into the container, then fit all of the sections as if you were making coffee, but without the coffee grounds.
Enable all the solutions to boil and transfer into the coffee filter basket by placing them on the stove over low heat. Please turn off the heat and let it cool until the solution has gathered. Repeat the procedure with only water once more.
Read Also: Moka Pot Mistakes
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Stainless Steel Moka Pots
You can do all the steps from above, but just because steel is a bit harder to get cleansed, you can also use a stronger detergent in a powder form that will clean it perfectly.
Dissolve a teaspoon of the powder of your choice, or trust our favorite and cheap Miele Cleaning Tablets for Coffee Machines in warm water to make a cleaning bath for the Moka pot.
Make sure to rinse everything very well (as detergents are harmful if we inhale or consume them) with lots of plain water and repeat it!
Read Also: Moka Pot Sizes
Detailed Washing
If you use your Moka pot regularly, we suggest cleaning it deeply monthly.
To begin, unscrew it and examine the separate pieces: the filter must not have any tiny stuck holes (you should use a pin to fix this if necessary), and the filter should still be loose; alternatively, it’s time to repair it.
How to Clean The Outer Part of My Moka Pot?
Is your Moka pot scratched and stained? Mix at least three teaspoons of bicarbonate into a hot water bottle to disinfect the exterior.
You may also add a splash of vinegar to make the mixture much more effective. Then rinse it well with a rough sponge before washing it under warm water.
In any situation, note the common-sense rule after scrubbing it: make sure the Moka pot is completely dry before letting it sit, as any moisture left on the device can allow grayish lines to show.
Read Also: Bialetti Brikka vs Moka Express
How Can You Wash A Stainless Steel Coffee Pot That Hasn’t Been Used in A While?
The Lemon Juice Method
And what if you’ve spent in a home espresso maker but suddenly crave a cup of coffee made with your old buddy, the Moka pot?
A procedure identical to the one described above can be used to clean a coffee pot that isn’t used for long. Load the boiler halfway with hot water and 1/3 of a cup of white vinegar, and two tablespoons of a cup of fresh lemon. Mix products in a 2 (water) :1 (vinegar-lemon) ratio!
In Aluminum Moka pots, the lemon, which contains citric acid, is not the best, so add only some drops!
Be sure it’s not in the dishwasher!
After an unpleasant soak in super-hot water with harsh detergents, it will lose its slickness and protective layer and become cracked and no longer functional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did My Moka Pot Crack by Itself?
Storage is an important part. Please ensure your Moka pot is fully dry on the inside before putting it away in the drawer. Cracking is caused by moisture and appears as grayish patches that resemble crusty development.
Can My Moka Pot Get Moldy?
If you mistakenly stored it in a humid environment and now find it in this condition, you’ll have to rinse it out with warm soapy water, which will remove the coffee oils somewhat.
In addition, if you don’t use it often enough, the oily coffee surface can get moldy. It should be washed with hot soapy water and scrubbed with a soft rag. After a proper rinse, you’re ready for action.
Tried All Steps Without Results?
You should look for replacement parts if you’re having trouble washing your Moka pot or if it’s made of aluminum.
If your filter becomes broken or rusty, all you should do is repair it, and your pot will be as good as new! Just replace the missing pieces of your coffee maker – it’s efficient and cost-effective. Keep your Moka pots in excellent condition.
Wash it after each use, and also don’t leave coffee inside. I hope you succeed and create plenty of delicious coffee!
Last Thoughts
Once you’ve figured out the finer details, the only way to work it out and get familiar with the methods of this little coffee brewing device.
When making coffee, don’t overtighten the pot because this will allow the rubber seal to stretch out faster. However, if you don’t secure that enough, it could leak when on the burner, which you don’t even want!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
