Can You Clean A Moka Pot With Soap? A Deep Dive Into An Almost 100-Year-Old Tradition

I know this post is going to raise a few eyebrows and may even rub some the wrong way. We’re talking about how to clean a moka pot with soap – a highly controversial subject that has many in the coffee community divided. But as someone who believes in logic and science, I am open to a healthy discussion. There is no right or wrong here. While I try to remain as respectful as I can of any culture (being an immigrant myself), the logic-driven person that I am (sometimes emotional, but not in this regard) is willing to question the logic behind rituals to seek the ultimate truth, and this includes even defying centuries-old traditions.

So does Bialetti approve cleaning the moka pot with soap?

Short answer – NO. Bialetti does not approve. The Italians don’t approve. And pretty much every moka pot maker in the world does not approve. Bialetti and moka pot manufacturers around the world support the belief that coffee tastes different when the pot is washed with soap. But of course, I have my own reasons for why you must wash your moka pot with soap. If you own a Bialetti or want to learn their instructions to clean a moka pot, here you go!

Can you clean a moka pot with soap?

From a purist’s perspective, that is only centered on taste, this is an absolute faux pas. Traditionalists believe any change to the aluminum alters the flavor of the coffee, the reason why they do not wash moka pots with soap and stick to the daily water rinse. But I approach this problem from multiple viewpoints that not only looks at this issue from a safety and hygiene perspective, I believe not washing a moka pot thoroughly with soap can alter the taste of the coffee itself, and not in a good way. So yes, I believe you should wash a moka pot with soap.

Why do coffee purists frown on washing a moka pot with soap?

• With every brew, the pot develops flavor over time through the ripe combination of past brews, oils, ground coffee, and moisture.
• Aluminum is very delicate. Washing it could tarnish the pot and result in stains and corrosion of the material. This could, in turn, impart the corroded flavor into your coffee.
• It ruins the patina or finish that has developed over the years.
• An improper rinse can impart the flavor of soap in your coffee.

I clean my moka pot with soap. Here’s why you should too.

They romanticize a good cook as one with a lived-in kitchen bearing a number of stained and burn-bottomed pots. I disagree with this presumption. I believe that when you’re truly passionate about food, you must also care enough about the material you cook the food in to have the food taste consistently great every single time. I apply this philosophy to coffee brewing, too. If the flavor of coffee matters more, I wouldn’t mind a few extra steps just for a sanity check on all counts (safety, hygiene, and taste).

• For starters, any coffee purist can agree that brewed coffees go rancid after 1-2 hours. Imagine the build-up of coffee in the moka pot filter, which by the way, only gets rinsed under tap water for a quick second by most moka pot users. So all that oil buildup before the “deep clean” is actually just rancid, and you’re brewing fresh coffee in a rancid environment every time.
• It is common knowledge that a humid and moist environment creates the ideal condition to accelerate the growth of mold. A quick Google search will tell you that coffee residues from an improperly rinsed moka pot can lead to mold in the crevices and perforation holes of the filter that is unclear to the naked eye.
• Many YouTube and Instagram videos show you how to clean a moka pot, done the traditional way, where they simply rinse the pot with plain water. Not hot water. No removing the gasket. Just rinse and ploop! Done! Can you imagine the residues and bacteria accruing under the gasket?
• Some manufacturers recommend doing a deep clean once in a while with vinegar. While coffee enthusiasts everywhere are racking their brains on how to bring out the sweetness and make their coffee taste less acidic, here’s a “great” suggestion to make your coffee more acidic.

How I wash my moka pot with soap

Firstly, when I say wash your moka pot with soap, I must be explicit in the washing process itself, and no, I’m not talking about the British process for washing-up *looking at you Brits with raised eyebrows*. When I say wash, I mean hand washing all the parts of your pot with a quick scrub using a mild dishwashing soap/liquid/detergent, followed by a thorough rinse and pressure wash with your sink sprayhead, if possible, to ensure no residue of soap has infiltrated the holes on the moka pot filter.

With washing and rinsing out of the way, the next logical step is to dry your moka pot with a clean cloth. Not a paper towel because moka pots tend to attract minute paper fibers once they are in the last stages of drying. Once this is done, you can keep the pot in a dry place in your kitchen until further use.

Here’s a step-by-step method of how to clean a moka pot with soap

• Unscrew all the components.
• Remove the gasket using a spoon.
• Wash with a tiny amount of mild, unscented dish soap.
• Dry all the parts thoroughly using a clean cloth.
• Wait until they are fully dry. You may even air dry before putting all the parts back together.
• Ensure the gasket is placed properly and fully sealed to prevent pressure issues when brewing.
• Done!

I believe this method eliminates the problems of oil buildup, material corrosion, acidic coffee taste, and mold growth. The last being a very serious issue!

Who knew Moka pots had the power to cause friction in relationships?

I read a discussion on a Reddit forum from a while ago about a couple each holding their moka pot to different standards. This post is exactly what made me realize that a world that is united by great coffee can also be divided by the same, where moka pots are concerned. Who knew that cleaning a Moka Pot with soap is as big a discussion as pineapples on pizza?!

How can I clean a Moka Pot without soap?

As much as it hurts me to write this section, the deed must be done because, at the end of the day, I care about every cup of coffee made in this world. Life is too short to bicker over the methodologies of cleaning your moka pot. So here you go –

1. Unscrew all the components.
2. Use a spoon to remove the gasket.
3. Turn the water to the hottest setting you can handle.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Use a clean, soap-free sponge to scrub away.
5. Hit crevices and filter holes with a sink spray head, if available, or under the sharpest setting of your faucet to ensure a thorough clean.
6. Rinse again. Ensure you rinse every bit and leave to dry for a few seconds on a dish rack.
7. Use a clean cloth to make sure you dry every part really well. Additional pressure can also help wipe off excess oils that may have built up from a past brew.
8. Deep clean as per Bialetti or your moka pot manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Done!

What Not To Do When Cleaning A Moka Pot

While purists and traditionalists may add my blog to the list of “Do Nots,” now that we have established why my point of view is a strong DO, let’s look at some mandatory “Do Nots”, even for someone like me.

1. DO NOT put your Moka Pot in the dishwasher – The machines will strip your Moka Pot and corrode the material to the point of no return. 
2. DO NOT use metal scrubbers – While I want to keep my Moka Pot squeaky clean, I do not recommend using metal scrubbers as they not only scratch your pot but also alter the flavor of your coffee.
3. DO NOT descale often. It’s okay to have oxidation for some time. Do not use vinegar on your Moka pot too often. If you must, make sure you rinse thoroughly, followed by mild soap to remove any acidic flavor the vinegar might impart.
4. DO NOT use heavy-duty soap. Just a mild, unscented dish soap will do!
5. DO NOT use more than a drop or two of soap. Just a small drop will get the job done. 
6. DO NOT let your moka pot dry naturally. Always DRY immediately.

Nothing beats the loud, volcanic brew of a Moka Pot.

I use my Brikka often, the best Moka Pot to date. I am a coffee enthusiast and love switching it up between my contraptions and devices every now and then to experiment with brewing styles. I love a good debate and welcome your thoughts for a healthy discussion. While you’re still here, do check out my other blog post, which explores why the Brikka is still the Moka Pot I use, 5 years on. On a final note, a drop of soap will not hurt your coffee. Also, I love pineapples on pizza! Bye!

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Additional Notes on How to Clean a Moka Pot

My Moka Pot is Discolored. How do I get that off?

Discoloration of the Moka Pot happens, and it is totally normal to see spots and oxidation over time. Also, if you happen to have hard water, you will notice this sooner than a few weeks. This oxidation is harmless, and your Moka Pot is safe to use with discoloration. Bialetti recommends using a combination of citric acid, baking soda, and vinegar to get rid of discoloration.

Can you use vinegar to clean a Moka Pot?

Bialetti confirms this is a natural way to clean the Moka Pot on their website. There is nothing in this world that cannot be cleaned by the magic of plain old distilled vinegar. I like making a solution to clean random surfaces in my home, like shower doors, countertops, etc. All you need is 50% vinegar, 49% water, and 1% soap. Pour this into a spray bottle and shake well. Make sure the water is warm. Fill this solution in the bottom chamber of your moka pot. And let it sit for a few minutes or more, depending on the oxidation levels. Scrub with a mild scrub brush or sponge. No SOS or Brillo pads. Rinse. Dry immediately.