When I heard that some of my friends carelessly put their Moka pots in the dishwasher, I found that a lot of them thought that they could be washed in the dishwasher.
Can you put a Moka pot in the dishwasher to clean it? Not entirely, how? We keep scrolling down to see.
Are Moka Pots Dishwasher Safe?
Generally speaking, Moka pots should not be washed in the dishwasher. When the machine operates, the alkaline detergent will react chemically with the Moka pot, the coating on the surface of the pot will be washed off, and the resistance to acid and alkali will be reduced, which will lead to staining and corrosion, and the Moka pot will lose its luster as a result.
What is "in general"?
When you purchase a Moka pot, you may find that Moka pots are not only made of aluminum, but also stainless steel Moka pots.
Stainless Steel Moka Pots
Stainless steel Moka pots will be harder than aluminum Moka pots and are non-porous metal. Stainless steel Moka pots will also be divided into different grades, it is recommended to choose edible grade 304 stainless steel, the metal is more stable and will not produce chemical reactions during the washing process. Daily detergents can be used.
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Aluminum Moka Pots
Aluminum is originally an unstable metal, porous metal, compared to aluminum Moka pots in terms of stability are worse than stainless steel. As mentioned above, aluminum Moka pots are prone to chemical reactions, such as white spots and dark surfaces, which can even lead to pitting and corrosion. Therefore, it should not be put into the dishwasher.
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How To Clean A Moka Pot?
So how should we clean the Moka Pot since it can't be put in the dishwasher?
#1 Washing after each use
This is the best cleaning frequency. You can start cleaning the Moka Pot after each use when it has cooled down. Disassemble the Moka Pot, rinse with warm water, and simply wipe away any remaining coffee stains with a soft rag.
Dry it with a dry rag and put it in a ventilated place. You need to wait for the moisture to dry completely before assembling the Moka Pot, otherwise, it will easily become moldy, especially in the area of the seal.
#2 Quarterly deep cleaning
All coffee machines eventually need descaling, and if you use your Moka pot regularly, it is recommended to do a deep cleaning once a quarter.
Cleaning preparation:
1. Make a solution of two parts water and one part white vinegar (do not use detergent), toothpaste
2. Clean with a soft cloth or sponge, cotton swab, paper towel, water basin, pliers
The cleaning process is also very simple:
1. according to the proportion of the solution, the Moka pot accessories were soaked for about 10 minutes
2. If it is a double-valve Moka pot, you can disassemble the pressure-reducing head of the upper pot (wrap it with a paper towel and pull it with pliers to prevent scratching the upper pot), unscrew it clockwise and then unscrew it by hand.
3. Wet the disassembled Moka pot accessories, dip them in toothpaste and clean them, the funnel part is narrower, so you can use cotton swabs to clean them.
4. After cleaning, wash it again several times with flowing water, without soaking. Dry the dry rag, then dry naturally, and finally assemble.
Notes: When assembling the pressure relief valve, pay attention to the position of the internal rubber ring and the liquid outlet, most products are installed in parallel. If it is not clear, please pay attention when disassembling. If installed incorrectly, it will lead to abnormalities in extraction, or even the inability to extract coffee.
How To Fix Your Moka Pot After A Dishwasher?
What if I mistakenly put the Moka Pot in the dishwasher and it starts to darken? First of all, I won't promise to be able to fully restore the original condition because aluminum Moka pots are not dishwasher safe. So what can we do to mitigate the damage?
1. Wash the Moka pot for the first time with a 2:1 ratio of white vinegar to water solution
2. Use a mixture of toothpaste and baking powder (add a little water to turn it into a paste) and wipe it on the areas where the stains are particularly bad and let it sit for ten minutes.
3. Wash off the mixture
4. Dry the Moka Pot and then dry it naturally to ensure thorough drying.
Note: Do not use harsh soaps and detergents, and do not use abrasive tools such as steel wool to scrub.
