Why is My Moka Pot Leaking And How to Fix It

By Evelina •  Updated: 07/09/22 •  7 min read

The Best Answer:

If your Moka Pot is leaking, apply some vegetable oil to the screws and twist the top on and off multiple times before wiping clean with a clean cloth. This creates a softer surface and, in most cases, prevents leakage. It is much simpler to clean your Moka pot on a constant schedule; in that manner, you won’t have to struggle with a clogged device and leaking issues!

Why is Your Moka Pot Leaking?

coffee makers

The number one reason your Moka pot is leaking is that the rubber gasket isn’t sealing properly. Over time, the gasket will become harder and won’t create a proper seal. This will cause the hot water to seep out of the pot and make a mess.

The second reason your Moka pot leaks is that the water chamber is clogged. If you don’t clean your Moka pot on a regular basis, the coffee grounds will build up and eventually block the water from flowing through properly. When this happens, the water will leak out of the pot.

Another important reason your Moka pot might be leaking is that the screws are loose. If the screws are loose, they won’t create a tight seal, and water will leak out. Make sure to check the screws on your Moka pot regularly and tighten them if necessary.

Tips To Prevent Moka Pot Leakage

stovetop espresso maker

Now that you know and understand the reasons behind Moka pot leakage, let’s take a look at some tips that will help you prevent it.

1. Clean your Moka pot on a regular basis.

The first and most important tip is to clean your new Moka pot regularly. If you don’t clean it, the coffee grounds will build up and eventually block the water from flowing through properly. When this happens, the water will leak out of the pot.

2. Apply some vegetable oil to the screws.

If your Moka Pot is leaking, apply some vegetable oil to the screws. This will help to seal the pot and prevent the water from leaking out.

3. Use distilled water.

If you live in an area with hard water, it’s best to use distilled water in your Moka pot. Hard water can cause mineral deposits, which can eventually lead to a leakage problem.

4. Clean Your Moka Pot with Lemon Juice.

If your Moka pot is starting to show signs of mineral buildup, clean it with lemon juice. Lemon juice is naturally acidic, which will help to break down the minerals and prevent them from building up.

5. Check The Safety Valve.

If your Moka pot has a safety valve, make sure that it’s working properly. The safety valve is there to release the pressure if it gets too high. If the valve is not working properly, it can cause the Moka pot to leak.

Read Also: Are Aluminum Moka Pots Safe

6. Coffee-infused water can help to clean and descale your Moka pot.

If you notice that your Moka pot is starting to leak, you can try using coffee-infused water to clean it. Coffee is a natural descaling agent, which means it will help to break down the minerals that are causing the problem.

Read Also: Common Moka Pot Mistakes

Try A Quick Water Brew Experiment

brewed coffee

Attempt brewing 1 cup of water in the Moka pot, using freshwater, but still no coffee – and listen for the “regular” Bubbly noises it produces.

If it continues to leak, there is something wrong with the pot. Examine the seal. It is likely that it’s too weak and isn’t making any touch with the bottom section. Examine the connections on both surfaces.

If I Pass The Water Experiment Then…

If the device runs properly with just water and the seal is coming into contact, try coarse coffee grounds. Typically, this will result in unappealing caramel-colored water with little chance of leakage or clogging.

Additional Examination If The Moka Pot Looks Fine

Is the cover seal sleek and unbroken? Check out more things!

Broken screws, either from the manufacture, cross-threading, or heating up on the cooktop, will almost certainly leak, at a minimum if the seal isn’t functioning properly.

Is it conceivable that the whistling you heard was caused by the pressure cylinder? The water is going to heat so there is a regular sound, but it’s not whistling.

Choose The Best Coffee Grounds!

good coffee grounds

How will the coffee grounds look after you uncover the lid of your Moka pot?

Fine grinds, in most cases, may have gathered into a flat layer where they were raised onto the upper chamber; if this is the situation in your application, it could be blocking / too thin.

Medium-fine grounds, as well as selective brewing, are more probable to flow into the bottom filter basket.

What Happens When Your Moka Pot Is Leaking?

brewing coffee

There are a few things that can happen when your Moka pot is leaking. First, you may notice that your coffee isn’t as strong as it usually is. This is because the water is leaking out of the pot, so there’s less water to extract the coffee oils from the grounds.

Second, you may notice that your coffee tastes burnt. This is because the water that does manage to stay in the pot gets hotter and releases more bitter flavors from the grounds.

Finally, when you brew coffee with the Moka Pot, you may find that it makes strange noises or even spits hot water out of the top.

This indicates that there’s a serious problem with your Moka pot and it should be taken to a professional for servicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

coffee maker leaking

Is It Better To Use Hot or Cold Water In A Moka Pot?

The directions for a Moka pot will almost certainly suggest pouring cold water; this is for safety purposes.

If you are using ice water, you’ll definitely need to use extra heat until the reservoir’s water shoots higher; this extra heat will do nothing for your coffee beans. Use hot gloves when handling the pot.

How Do I Stop My Moka Pot From Spitting?

Sputtering occurs when enough steam is forced via the grounds and then into the pot at a high speed. Use an intense temperature to begin the coffee going, then lower the heat to maintain an equal flow into the top of the device.

Can I Use A Moka Pot to Boil Water?

Of course, you can! Apply every step and just don’t use coffee at all. Load the Moka pot to the line marked with water. Place the filter into the bottom chamber of the Moka pot and replace the lid. Heat the Moka pot to a boil on the burner.

Last Thoughts

Using a Moka pot to have your caffeine dose will surely provide you a fuller brew, but it may be fairly annoying at times if you have issues and don’t understand what’s producing them, leakage is a very widespread issue.

The heating and rising air in your pot are what force the water up via the coffee grinds and into the sealed end, where it is prepared for you to serve.

The idea that it is the air that pushes is important since it implies that there must be some air in the container to spread in the first place.

If none of the preceding solutions have worked, try using coarser coffee grounds. We hope this list helps you or even our tips might help with any leaking issue!

Be careful and good luck with everything Coffee Surfers!

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.

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