Can You Clean A Moka Pot With Soap? | How To Clean A Moka Pot | Don’t’s of Cleaning a Moka Pot

Are you on Team No-Soap or Team Soap when it comes to your Moka Pot? I am Team Soap, and I say you can clean a Moka Pot with soap.

Can you clean the Moka Pot?

Before we even get into the discussion of whether to use soap to clean a Moka Pot, let’s first look at Bialetti’s cleaning instructions for the Moka Pot. Bialetti recommends cleaning the Moka Pot with only water. No Soap. You read that right. NO SOAP.

From the Bialetti Website – 

• When cool, separate the top section from the base, wash in warm water, and dry thoroughly.
• It’s best not to use detergent when washing the aluminum models as it can taint the aluminum and, therefore, the coffee. However, a mild detergent can be used to clean the stainless steel models if you prefer, and a liquid chrome polish can be used to keep the stainless steel looking new.
• Do not use steel wools or abrasive products, as these will discolor or damage the surface of the pot and its parts.

Now that the official instructions are made clear, I read this old discussion on a Reddit forum a few days ago. This discussion is exactly what spurred me to write a post about this very topic. Just the thought of not cleaning anything, let alone a Moka Pot without soap, was blasphemy to my ears. I am by no means Flylady or Marie Kondo. But the least I will do is clean my dishes with soap.

Apparently, cleaning a Moka Pot with soap is as big a discussion as pineapples on pizza! Who knew?!

Can you clean a Moka Pot with soap?

Yes! Even if Bialetti or the entire nation of Italy says NO, please clean your moka pot with soap. I don’t care if you are called sacrilegious for going against the holy rules of Moka-Pottery, but you need to clean that Moka Pot for three main reasons:

1. Old Grounds – Residual coffee grounds stuck in hard-to-reach crevices of the Moka Pot can turn rancid within hours of use. Not cleaning with soap allows the oils from the rancid coffee to mix with your fresh coffee. That would be a big NO in Coffeepedia. 
2. Oxidization – Moka Pots tend to oxidize over time. I do not want anything but coffee to make it into my mouth. The coffee from an oxidized pot tastes different and makes your coffee turn bitter faster. As it is, Moka pots over-extract. The last thing I want is strong and bitter!
3. SOAP – This is a personal preference. I like the thought of brewing espressos out of a clean Moka Pot that has been washed with soap. Purists can argue and say I’m ruining the flavors. That may be true. Regardless, I will never drink coffee out of a Moka Pot that has been rinsed only with warm water and a rag! 

How do I clean discoloration on the Moka Pot?

Purists! Leave this page NOW! 

Discoloration of the Moka Pot happens, and it is totally normal to see spots and oxidization over time. Also, if you happen to have hard water, you will notice this sooner than a few weeks. This oxidization is harmless, and your Moka Pot is safe to use with discoloration.

Can you use vinegar to clean a Moka Pot?

There isn’t anything in this world that cannot be cleaned by the magic of plain old distilled vinegar. I like making a solution – 50% vinegar, 49% water, and 1% soap. All you need is a drop or two of soap in warm water and vinegar. Fill this solution in the bottom chamber. And let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the oxidization. Scrub with a mild scrub brush or sponge. No SOS or Brillo pads. Rinse. Dry immediately.

What Not To Do When Cleaning A Moka Pot

Italians and coffee purists might consider my entire article as a “Do Not”. However, this is one instance where I ignore tradition and choose science. Nothing will happen to your Moka Pot if you use some soap. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly with water and dry the pot thoroughly immediately. Make sure the parts are dry completely before reassembling. Keep in mind there are some things you should NEVER do with your Moka Pot. Here are a few main ones.

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 oxidization for some time. Do not use vinegar on your Moka pot unnecessarily. Once a month is acceptable. 
4. DO NOT use heavy-duty soap. Just regular Dawn or a mild detergent 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.

In Conclusion…

I use my Brikka every day, the best Moka Pot to date. I am a coffee fanatic – meaning I own quite a few coffee devices, and I welcome your suggestions to try new coffee or a new device! Read my article on which Moka Pot makes better espresso – Brikka or Classic Moka Pot here. I like to clean my moka pots with soap before every use. It puts my mind at rest, knowing my pot is not harboring mold and other fun stuff. A drop of soap will not hurt you or your coffee. Also, I love pineapples on pizza!