If your moka pot is made out of aluminum (which it most likely is), then definitely never put it in the dishwasher. Soap/detergent causes oxidation (white spots) and degrades the surface of your moka pot. Moka pots made out of stainless steel are generally much safer to put in the dishwasher.
You might be too lazy or have no time to clean your moka pot as this needs to be done after each use and requires a deep clean every week, so why not put it in the dishwasher? I’m here to tell you why your idea might not be as great as you think it is. If you’re here after you’ve let your moka swim in the dishwasher then I have some methods you can try to undo the damage you’ve done to it.
Let’s get started.
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Can You Put A Moka Pot In The Dishwasher?
In general, it’s recommended to never put your moka pot in a dishwasher. The reason for this is that soap/detergent can cause oxidation and corrosion, which is not only bad for your moka pot, but also your coffee and even your health.
Moka pots should be cleaned by running hot water over them, rinsing each component of the pot thoroughly, and ending it by using a clean cloth to dry the moka pot parts. Keep in mind to do a deep clean once per week, which is definitely needed if your moka pot tastes or smells burnt.
But before we go further into this, it’s important to know that this applies only to aluminum moka pots. There are 2 types of moka pots, or rather 2 types of materials they use to make moka pots, which are:
- Aluminum
- Stainless Steel
Aluminum Moka Pots
Most moka pots in the world are made out of aluminum, it’s in fact so common that you should always assume yours is made out of aluminum. Unless you’re 100% sure what you bought is made out of stainless steel.
The aluminum material is the reason why you can’t put it in the dishwasher. Bare aluminum that is exposed to certain materials that can be found within soaps/detergents can discolor and oxidize aluminum.
Putting your moka pot in the dishwasher even once can come with negative effects.
First of all, dishwashing your moka pot will degrade the surface of your moka pot.
Besides this, it will wash off the coffee oils that coat the insides of the pot. The natural oils that come out of the coffee grounds during the brew cover the aluminum with a thin film. This film creates a barrier between your brew and the aluminum. This prevents a metallic taste and particles from getting into your cup of joe.
All of this means that you will get aluminum inside your body, which is definitely not recommended. Brewing coffee with aluminum particles and taste it not healthy nor does it taste good at all.
This is why cleaning your moka pot in a dishwasher is not as a good idea as you thought.
Here’s a picture on how your moka pot might look after putting it in the dishwasher, it will be significantly darker and might have white spots on it.
Stainless Steel Moka Pots
Less common moka pots are made out of stainless steel and usually have a different design than the aluminum ones.
Stainless steel moka pots are dishwasher safe since this material doesn’t have any problems with detergents, unlike aluminum moka pots.
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and at least 10% chromium. Then there are other elements like nickel, silicon, carbon, and manganese added to create different grades and types of stainless steel. Stainless steel forms a hard film of chromium oxide on the surface that protects the surface underneath.
Now be aware, because there are many different grades of stainless steel. Not all of them have the same resistance to chemicals and corrosion. But the fast majority of food grade stainless steel is perfectly fine to put in the dishwasher
Cleaning Your Moka Pot
A clean moka pot means excellent coffee. This is why it’s important to clean your pot after every use and do a deep clean once per week.
Luckily deep cleaning your moka pot is an easy process. Remember to NEVER use soaps/detergents or put them in the dishwasher as this will damage the pot over time and give you an unpleasant coffee taste.
Basic Cleaning Your Moka Pot After Each Use
After you’ve used your moka pot, it’s time to clean it.
- Rinse the moka put under hot running water.
- After it has cooled down, disassemble it by removing the funnel.
- Rinse each component of the pot thoroughly.
- Use a clean cloth to dry the moka pot parts.
- Reassemble the parts back together once they are completely dry.
Deep Cleaning Your Moka Pot Once Per Week
Besides the basic activity, it’s important to do a deeper clean once a week. This ensures that the moka pot is always in its full glory and always functions at its best.
Cleaning The Filter Plate of The Moka Pot
It’s recommended to check every now and then that the filter’s holes are free of any obstructions. If they are clogged, they can be cleaned using a toothbrush with delicate bristles. A needle works well too.
Cleaning The Bottom Chamber of The Moka Pot
Fill your boiler with water. Add 2 teaspoons of citric acid or vinegar. Reassemble the moka pot and, without adding any coffee powder, brew. Discard the abstained solution. Wash the moka pot with running water and proceed with the preparation of the coffee.
Cleaning of The Gasket
For effective cleaning of the gasket, simply remove it from the moka pot and wipe its entire surface with a cloth soaked in water.
How To Fix Your Moka Pot After Its Adventure In The Dishwasher
Perhaps you want to try and revive your moka pot after you made it swim in your dishwasher.
If this is your first time putting it in the dishwasher then you might only come across some discoloration, white spots, or some darkening on the pot.
Let’s have a look at the things you can try to fix that.
White Spots On Your Moka Pot
If you got white spots (aluminum oxidation) on your moka pot, then using an acid will help you get rid of them.
- Disassemble the moka pot and put the parts in a big pot.
- Cover the parts with water and add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Boil for 10 minutes, rinse with fresh water and then dry with a cloth. Don’t let the parts air dry.
Still Having White Spots? Try This
If you still have white spots or discoloration after the first method then you can try the next trick to try and get rid of it.
- Make a paste of baking powder and white vinegar.
- Spread the paste everywhere and let it stand for 5 minutes and wipe it off. (Don’t scrub with the steel wool, except for any spots that don’t come off easily)
- After removing any paste, rinse everything off and dry with a cloth.
Keep in mind that steel wool combined with the paste will do the trick but will also scratch the surface. So try to minimize using it as much as possible.
Brew a few batches of coffee after using the last method and throw them out immediately. This will give you a new layer of coffee oils to cover the bare metal. Sure we don’t like to throw out coffee but it will get rid of leftover baking powder and white vinegar. Either way, this should give you really good results again, but your pot might look a bit damaged.
The Bottom Line
If your moka pot is made out of aluminum (which it most likely is), then definitely don’t put it in the dishwasher as this can cause oxidation (white spots) and corrosion. But if you’re sure that your moka pot is made out of stainless steel then it’s much safer to do so.
It’s important to do a basic clean of your moka pot after each use and do a deep clean once per week. This will ensure you get excellent coffee every time.
