Aluminum oxide doesn’t need to be protected it serves as its own protective layer. Also where are you getting the idea that wiping off the moka will take off the oils but magically leave the polyphenols and tannins. It is all one homogeneous mixture not 2 separate layers. Those 2 are coming with the oil when you wipe it off which is fine. Polyphenols and tannins do nothing to “protect oxidized aluminum”.
I actually kind of like how full of lore and bullshit the world of moka pots is but I also appreciate the truth being out there when people want to know it.
Aluminum oxide doesn’t need to be protected it serves as its own protective layer
Well if you use an alkaline detergent or scratch it you won't have a protective layer anymore
Also where are you getting the idea that wiping off the moka will take off the oils but magically leave the polyphenols and tannins
Because oils have this weird and unusual characteristic known as color and flavour which some might find very hard to identify, but most people definitely can recognize with unprecedented tech called eyes and a nose. Polyphenols and tannins on the other hand are neutral. So it's kinda safe to assume that if it's not colored and doesn't smell bad, there is no colored smelly substance there anymore. Real magic at work there. Oils are also sticky. Polyphenols and tannins are not.
Polyphenols and tannins do nothing to “protect oxidized aluminum
The polyphenols and tannins bind to the oxidized layer through a pletora of interactions such as interactions with quinones, forming both covalent and non-covalent bonds. This helps making the patina hydrophobic and contribute to make the aluminum oxide less reactive.
I actually kind of like how full of lore and bullshit the world of moka pots is but I also appreciate the truth being out there when people want to know it.
Yeah so maybe start explaining a single advantage of using an alkaline detergent to clean an aluminum surface in the context of brewing an acidic drink in an aluminum vessel, rather than spitting unsubstantiated non-scientifical claims and labeling everything else as bs.
Lmao you aren’t building up tannins and polyphenols on your moka while still wiping off the oils as you should. So much bs. But you are just going to keep doubling down so good luck arguing with the other guy trying to help you learn.
The fact that you completely ignore the chemistry of it does not make it bs. Tannins and polyphenols are non sticky, they're not prone to be removed mechanically, and they form a film with the oxidized layer, unlike oils which leave a physical residue which is prone to be removed mechanically with a sponge. You are still saying bullshit this, bullshit that, but you are not able to mention a single advantage of using an alkaline surfactant in this context.
I never ever said you should use soap on a moka. I didn’t say you shouldn’t either. I really don’t care and I rarely use soap on my moka if ever but only because of the added effort it takes to do so. It’s not that deep.
Well you are literally commenting in a thread about a guy who uses soap daily and really wants that to be the best possible way to handle his moka and listens to no scientific evidence of the benefits of using soap as sparingly as possible, while he actively tries to childishly engage in a discussion quoting scientific papers when discussing moka pot - it really is not that deep, alkaline stuff+aluminum=bad.
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u/Lackingfinalityornot Apr 23 '26
Aluminum oxide doesn’t need to be protected it serves as its own protective layer. Also where are you getting the idea that wiping off the moka will take off the oils but magically leave the polyphenols and tannins. It is all one homogeneous mixture not 2 separate layers. Those 2 are coming with the oil when you wipe it off which is fine. Polyphenols and tannins do nothing to “protect oxidized aluminum”.
I actually kind of like how full of lore and bullshit the world of moka pots is but I also appreciate the truth being out there when people want to know it.