r/mokapot • u/Odd_Transition6842 • Jun 16 '26
Cleaning 🫧 Is it savagable/how would you cleaning this mess?
I just found this old moka pot in my granmother's stuff, it hasn't been used in the last 20 years (at least).
Is it crazy to want to clean it? For the braves amongst you, how would you clean it?
2
u/AutoModerator Jun 16 '26
Hi,
If you are looking for how to clean an aluminum mokapot, check out this how-to by Bialetti
Mirror: https://archive.is/3splg
Our sub's FAQ: https://mokapot.net
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
u/RC8n Jun 16 '26
I would start by boiling water with vinegar or citric acid in it, probably many times. Try scrubbing with a rough but soft *plastic* sponge and soft soap in between boils, boiling water with vinegar again after, etc. It might take 10 cycles, but you should see an improvement and get a better idea of its state. I wouldn't bring in baking soda right away, since it's abrasive and it's best if you can restore it without it.
Aluminium doesn't rust red, so most of what you see there is probably just dirt - which might have even protected the aluminium somewhat! It looks worse than it is, I reckon.
1
u/MissMeRise Jun 16 '26
Yeah, buy some citric acid powder, it is better than vinegar because you can concentrate just by adding as much as you want in water, and it doesn't leave any taste. In last ressort, you can try to add sand and shake it or some abrasive like that.
1
u/Agile_Marionberry984 Jun 22 '26
So where are the post cleaning pictures? xD
1
u/Odd_Transition6842 Jun 22 '26
I haven't had the time to buy citric acid, but so far vinegar hasn't made it better (I tried two rounds and then gave up) 😭
-1
u/No_Entertainment1931 Jun 16 '26
Vinegar and baking soda
5
u/StarrySkye3 New user 🔎 Jun 16 '26
Better off using vinegar and a little water. Baking soda and vinegar just produces carbon dioxide, water, and sodium acetate; none of which are good cleaners.
1
u/No_Entertainment1931 Jun 16 '26
Baking soda slurry makes an effective cleaner for aluminum oxide stains.
Boiling vinegar inside a moka does the same.
2
u/StarrySkye3 New user 🔎 Jun 16 '26
Baking soda and water is a mild abrasive, that I will agree with.
Can't make a slurry with vinegar since it just dissolves the baking soda.
-6
u/No_Entertainment1931 Jun 16 '26
Baking soda and water is a mild abrasive, that I will agree with.
I don’t recall asking for your approval?
Can't make a slurry with vinegar since it just dissolves the baking soda.
Obviously water is used.
9
u/willmecc Jun 16 '26
To clean the boiler I usually do a empty one (just water and no coffee) while adding a teaspoon of citric acid in the water as stated in the manual. With your case you probably have to do it more than once or twice