How to Clean a Moka Pot with Water and Vinegar
If you also love the tasteof coffeeandespressoinside the moka pot, you probably use it often during the day. One way to ensure your moka pot lasts longer is to keep it clean, but how should it be cleaned?
How Often Should You Clean Your Moka Pot?
You can clean your moka pot completely every day and rinse it after each use, but to clean any coffee grounds that have built up over time, you should do a thorough wash occasionally.
It is usually recommended that if you live in an area with hard tap water, you should do this every month. Otherwise, if you don’t use your moka pot often, a thorough cleaning twice a year will suffice.
How to Clean Your Moka Pot Daily?
If you plan to clean your moka pot after every use, you can follow the steps below.
Separate the Moka Pot Parts and Empty the Coffee
First, you need to completely empty the coffee grounds from the moka pot. Then, separate its parts and place them in an area where they can air dry.
Complete Washing
Now, hold the moka pot and all its separated parts under running water. It’s better to use hot water. Rinse all parts to ensure that no coffee residue remains.
Drying
Now grab a clean cloth. Completely dry all the moka pot pieces and make sure no moisture remains inside.
Tips
- If you’re unsure what to do with leftover coffee grounds, you can add some to your potting soil to fertilize it.
- It’s best not to put either the moka pot or its parts in the dishwasher as the dishwasher is too harsh and may cause damage.
- Never scrub the inside with a scour pad to avoid scratching.
Deep Cleaning the Moka Pot
The water contains minerals that can flavor your coffee, but these minerals can build up in the moka pot over time, creating stains and deposits, so it should be deep cleaned periodically. But how should this be done?
Start with an Empty Moka Pot
First, fill the bottom of the moka pot with water, enough to cover the line and touch the bottom filter basket. The water level should be higher than when you want to brew coffee.
AddWhite VinegarAdd two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water.
Apple Cider Vinegaror a few drops of lemon juice can also be a good substitute.Reconnect the Moka Pot Parts
Now reassemble the moka pot parts and let the vinegar and water mixture sit for 2 to 4 hours; you can even leave it overnight. The mild acid from the vinegar gently dissolves minerals and removes fats without damaging the metal.
Use the Moka Pot
After a few hours, pour out some of the water from the moka pot. Then place it on the stove and let the acidic water flow through without any coffee grounds inside.
Cooling and Washing
Once the moka pot has cooled down enough for you to touch it, pour out the vinegar and water mixture. Separate the parts of the moka pot. Wash each piece under hot water and then dry it completely with a cloth.
Tips for Keeping Your Moka Pot Healthy
Never over-press coffee beans like you would with espresso. Excess pressure on the coffee beans inside the moka pot can cause them to grind too fine, making collection difficult.
- Be sure to regularly check the safe point of the cup, especially when cleaning, to ensure that no coffee grounds are stuck.
- Do not overfill the moka pot past the maximum line. There should always be some space between the maximum line and the water surface. Otherwise, excess steam pressure may escape.
- Moka Pot
