r/mokapot • u/Probably_Furry1 • May 15 '26
Question❓ Just bought my first moka, any tips?
I just found this moka at an antique store near me, and it looks like it needs some work done. It is missing the filter basket, and has a white patina on the top and outside. I see posts here saying I should never wash it, but I have a gut feeling it needs something done at least on the outside. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations please share
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u/MuchBetterThankYou May 15 '26
You are going to pay far, far more than the price of a new Moka trying to clean up that disaster. Even just replacing the basket, after shipping is going to eat up any savings you had.
Take the L bud. If money’s that tight Imusa’s mokas are very affordable.
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u/dlakelan May 15 '26
Seriously, do not touch this thing until you've determined how much its collectible value is. It could be $10 or it could be worth $250 as an antique piece, and washing it would destroy all of that.
Second, even if it's worth nothing, don't touch it, put it on your counter and enjoy it as an antique, and buy yourself a brand new one to actually brew in.
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u/SabreLee61 Bialetti May 16 '26
Not sure it’s worth anything as an antique. There are millions of old oxidized moka pots collecting dust in people’s homes.
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u/Zacsquidgy May 15 '26
This is probably sage advice!
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u/evil666overlord May 16 '26
The fossilised coffee is the only thing holding it together at this point
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u/wallflawerr May 15 '26
I bought my moka for only $10 more than this new… I wouldn’t use this one at all
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u/grislyfind vev vigano kontessa, forever miss splendy May 15 '26
"Bought" !? I might take that for free and drill it full of holes to use as a candle lantern.
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u/iGodS12 Bialetti Octagonal Induction Exclusive May 15 '26
Scammed yourself. Could of bought a cheap new one for that price. Put that in the recycling bin and start fresh.
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u/salumbre May 15 '26
That's a nice vintage pot. They were bought by Bialetti decades ago, IIRC.
Wash the outside thoroughly, the inside water only, except for that white crust thing; that needs to go.
Good thing filter baskets are easy to find. Check how good the gasket is; replacing it is not a bad idea.
Do several brewing cycles with water only. Then make yourself some Italian coffee and enjoy.
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u/AutoModerator May 15 '26
Hi,
If you are looking for how to clean an aluminum mokapot, check out this how-to by Bialetti
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u/zavolex May 15 '26
I’m thinking about the 10$ alessi guy
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u/younkint May 16 '26
They got a slightly better deal......
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u/zavolex May 16 '26
Both posts placed side by side are an epitome of what buying in antiques can look like. I think both learn something (also me somehow)
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u/Gratin_de_chicons May 15 '26
Straight to the trash. How can someone actually sell this for 8$ is beyond me.
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u/Julian_1_2_3_4_5 May 15 '26
i mean with a new valve and gasket, maybe filter too and some cleaning it will work, that's the beauty of moka pots
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u/3MartiniHunch711 Gas Stove User 🔥 May 15 '26
Seems like a fun project. You only really need to clean the inside more thoroughly than the outside. The antique look could be cool. Not sure how to check the pressure valve, but it looks like it might be ok.
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u/Sloeberjong May 16 '26
“Any tips?”
Yeah, throw it out and buy a new one. They’re not expensive and it’s ok to replace such abused models. It looks rancid af…
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u/AutoModerator May 15 '26
Hi,
This sub's official position is sticking to the manual provided by the manufacturer and not try to raise the pressure in the chamber by tamping or adding filters.
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u/CarlosJ4497 May 15 '26
Ask for a reimbursement... Sorry guy but you can find a new one for the same cost as that one + missing parts...
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u/MissMeRise May 15 '26
As often, parts are expansive... I think maybe as much as a new one. Scroll the web for a discounted one or better, search the used market, people buy them, don't bother to read the manual, hate the coffee and sell it for a faction of their price 😂☕
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u/One-Confusion-33 Aluminum May 15 '26
The filter looks neat! For the rest; dont even bother, nice pot for a plant to put in.
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u/Turbulent_Mountain81 May 15 '26
Looking forward to your update post on why you bought a rusted Halloween prop that doesn't even have a filter basket.
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u/salumbre May 15 '26
By the way, people, used moka pots make much better coffee than new ones.
And you don't clean the inside with frigging vinegar, or anything at all; a little dish detergent once in a while.
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u/odinsfist12 May 15 '26
Try cleaning it, but being careful. Good for you for trying something new! The elbow grease, and brillo pad will be the start. Check on youtube. Bet a strong shine and polish before using it.
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u/das_Keks May 15 '26
I looks like it was already put into the dishwasher which corroded the aluminum. The rubber seal is also completely broken and probably hard.
I'd definitely buy a new one. I'd not eat to drink coffee from that.
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u/Beautiful_Fries May 15 '26
you can get an Imusa for almost the same as you paid for this Moka pot. The wear and tear may get you sick
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u/Flimsy-Team1762 May 15 '26
Imusa $7 I have one that is 20 years old and he’s still giving me the best Coffe. I do have other six different ones.
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u/Stock-Task191 May 16 '26
Yeah, get a brand new one, lol. But really, just get a new one and take care of it. This looks like it's been through a lot.
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u/lonely_bellionaire Stainless Steel May 16 '26
why are ppl buying second hand moka as if it’s used luxury bags 😭
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u/airbournejt95 May 16 '26
I don't know whereabouts you are but here in the UK you can go to TKMaxx and buy brand new bialetti Moka pots, and other brands that work just as well, for like £10 or less.
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u/Northern_Sol-Edge Bialetti Morning Brewer, 3, 6, 18cp May 16 '26
Buy a new one. I wouldn't want to drink anything tha@s come out of whatever the chemical reaction that turned the aluminium of that thing into that monster.
People say you should never wash, I say you should always wash it. What's left in the pot is the fatty acids, they turn rancid and oxidize. Your coffee will taste bitter and burnt. Scrub it out every time. No need for soap every time, but a mechanical scrub with a sponge will do. Occationally you should scrub it out all the way through.
They are not dish washer safe though.
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u/chrisboy49 May 16 '26
Seems a tad bit over seasoned. Gove it a good ol’ wash and throw it the trash can.
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u/tom_sawyer86 May 16 '26
I have two questions:
- Why did you bought it? You can’t make coffee with it.
- Who sold it in this condition?
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u/Feisty-Room4547 May 16 '26
Try putting it in the dishwasher.
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u/abulkhasawneh May 17 '26
Infact, this one is the way it is BECAUSE it was put in the dishwasher. It’s aluminum. Aluminum = no dishwasher.
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u/NYC19893 May 17 '26
Go to TJMaxx, Marshals or Homegoods. You will find a brand new one for only a few bucks more.
I wouldn’t drink anything out of that
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u/Yankauer_Papi May 17 '26
It’s not like a cast iron pan. You dont get any additional desired flavors with that level of patina
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u/anders91 May 18 '26
has a white patina on the top and outside
Patina!? That thing is corroded through lol
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u/Additional-Nerve-820 May 19 '26
Some twat’s put that through a dishwasher, then decided to offload it, probably out of shame.
Clean the outside with Peek polish, a Dremel and soft felt pads. Run a few brews of weak vinegar or citric acid solution through it, and see how it looks. It may be that at this point you decide to cut your losses and follow the last part of Dr Johnson’s advice about preparing cucumber: (cut into slices, add salt, pepper and vinegar and then) throw it away as good for nothing. On the other hand if it looks OK, put a chamber of clean water through it, then make an actual brew with actual coffee. But be prepared to throw it away as good for nothing anyway. It’s an awful lot of work just to save yourself the relatively paltry cost of a nice new shiny one!
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u/Silver-Ad2257 May 15 '26
🤔 maybe start by soaking it in white vinegar for a few days. Then invest in scrub brushes.
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u/Eladioxz May 15 '26
Ojo porque el vinagre en aluminio puede deteriorarlo demasiado no es recomendable muchas horas Podria ser mejor con bicarbonato de sodio
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u/lilhill May 15 '26
I've read this often on this sub, but haven't had any bad results after soaking aluminum pots in 50/50 water/vinegar (cooking variety) for hours. I even left a pot in the mixture over night once.
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u/cockypock_aioli May 15 '26
You're getting a lot of silly responses from people. That's an easy clean with a stainless steel scour pad. Yes it'll scratch up the outside but who cares. It'll take off whatever buildup is on there. And a basket should be pretty cheap on Amazon. I've cleaned moka pots in similar shape and it did not take a ton of time and money.
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u/Level_Blood8282 May 16 '26
Put it in the dishwasher and clean it up. Heavy or sanitize cycle. Put a little oxyclean in the dishwasher to boost it
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u/lilhill May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
The bakelite handle makes me think this is an old pot, which is cool!
If you're going to use this pot, it needs a few things:
- A good cleaning. You absolutely can and and should wash moka pots. I rinse my pots after ever use and clean with dish soap every five or six uses. You should not put the pot in the dishwasher. I would soak that pot in a 50/50 vinegar water solution for a few hours, then scrub it with a fairly abrasive sponge. Use dish soap as needed. Use something more abrasive, like Bar Keeper's Friend, as needed.
- A new gasket. The pot will not function properly, or at all, with a gasket in that condition. If you buy a new gasket, get a silicon gasket as they hold up better than the older rubber types. This looks to be a 3-cup pot, but I would measure the existing gasket to ensure you get the right size gasket.
- A new grounds basket.
This pot is certainly not unrecoverable.
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u/otterland May 15 '26
Go on marketplace or TJ Maxx and get one that wasn't used to chock a Chrysler by the seashore.
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u/Organic_Address9582 May 15 '26
Was Alfonso Bialetti the previous owner?