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

November 14, 2021 No Comments

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:

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.
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!
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.

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.
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.
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.
DO NOT use heavy-duty soap. Just regular Dawn or a mild detergent will do!
DO NOT use more than a drop or two of soap. Just a small drop will get the job done.
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!

FOOD, LIFE

Brikka vs Moka Pot Review – Which Moka Pot Is Better?

November 11, 2021 1 Comment

Are you stuck between Brikka vs Moka Pot? Which Moka Pot should you buy? I’m breaking it down for all newbies of Moka Pots in this blog post! Here’s my in-depth Moka Pot review in comparison to the Brikka!

What is a Moka Pot?

Moka Pot is a simple stovetop brewing device invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti who named the Moka Pot after the Yemeni city Mocha. The Italians have cherished this device, and owning a Moka Pot is a time-honored tradition and staple of the Italian household.

Moka Pot Review

What is the Moka Pot made of?

Moka pots are made up of 3 main components – the top chamber for the brew, a perforated funnel basket for the grounds, and a bottom chamber to hold the water.

The base of the top chamber holds a safety gasket that ensures that the unit is tightly closed to allow pressure to build up in the lower section. A little nut inside the bottom chamber acts as an indicator for the amount of water to be filled.

The steam produced in the bottom chamber makes it into the basket, where it combines with the coffee grounds and is released into the top chamber due to the built-up pressure.

Moka Pot Review – How I got into Moka Pots

As a coffee enthusiast, I switch my coffee routine from time to time. We were doing the pour-over three months ago. 2 months ago, we rotated over to an espresso machine. Last month, we were back to brewing on stovetops.

When I bought my Moka pot a couple of years ago, my mind wavered between buying the Brikka or the Classic Moka!

The Moka is an affordable choice, while the Brikka looks incredibly better and claims to offer better crema. Purists everywhere didn’t write about the pitfalls of the classic Moka pot. They would much rather mock the brewing capabilities of the person making the coffee than bash their beloved Moka Pot!

Moka Pot Review – What I like about the Moka Pot

As someone who loves tradition but also loves to switch up gears when modern mechanisms prove to be simply better, I decided to invest in both for a complete experience. The coffee lover in me would not have it otherwise! Without further ado, let’s dig in and find out which one is better!

Economical – Firstly, Moka pots usually run anywhere between $20-$30, making it an affordable option as far as brew devices go.

Space-saving – I like that you can wash it and put it away once you are done with the Moka pot without taking up significant kitchen real estate.

Aluminum – The Moka pots are made up of an aluminum body that conduct heat very well! Although, this is also a reason for bitter cups if over-extracted than the given recipe!

Design – When the Moka pot was designed, it was way ahead of its time and still stands as a uniquely designed object to ever make it into the kitchen!

Portion – Because of its size, you can produce even and portioned out cups of coffee.

What I don’t like about the Moka Pot

Steps – As much as I personally enjoy brewing on the Moka pot, the number of small steps to brew some coffee in a Moka pot may not be something a regular coffee drinker might enjoy.

Ease of Use – There have been times when I have wanted to put the bottom chamber on medium heat and then go about filling the coffee basket with grounds to save time. Of course, screwing on the top chamber after this would be next to impossible because the bottom chamber would become extremely hot, making it challenging to handle, thereby not allowing an option to cut down on brew time!

Over-Extract – Moka pots have always been known to over-extract. Over-extraction is not for everyone as it can lend a very strong and sometimes bitter brew. While I thoroughly enjoy the more potent brews, drinkers of French press and Kalita Waves may not be a fan of over-extracted coffee! This is how the Italians have designed their devices to brew and is a rather personal choice!

Cleaning – If you’re a coffee enthusiast and don’t mind some extra cleaning steps, you might enjoy using the Moka pot or Brikka. Of course, this is not something everyone wants. So if cleaning is a deal-breaker, the Moka Pot may not be for you! Also, cleaning with soap is a topic for discussion another day!

How is the Brikka different from the Moka?

Brikka features a dual-pressure valve system that regulates the water pressure to produce a thicker, rich espresso. The Brikka also has a small opening on the lid, allowing air to incorporate into the brew, producing better results.

What I like about the Brikka

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Speed – Brikka brews significantly faster than a classic Moka. The Brikka makes a cup in under 4 minutes which is a good and comfortable time for making coffee.

Design – I own the Brikka in Matte Black. It looks terrific on my stovetop. Moka pots tend to have a classic look, but the Brikka means serious business when it comes to design.

Texture – The Brikka brews a thicker and stronger brew than a classic pot. Also, I love the amount of crema that forms on top. There is only one second between the first large bubble that forms after the crema and the coffee getting burnt. You must stop before that first bubble for the best tasting brew! How you manage to stop before the first bubble is something you will figure out in time! The residual heat in the pot will continue to form a foamier crema, which we want when making lattes.

Caffeine – Because the Brikka tends to over-extract, you are looking at higher amounts of caffeine than the classic. If you prefer more caffeine, this is perfect!

What I don’t like about the Brikka

Parts – The classic is still the more popular and widely bought model of the Moka Pots. The parts for replacement are readily available for the classic over the Brikka.

Pressure Valve – The newer model of Brikka does not have the round safety valve of the older model, which was considered faulty and prone to explosions as is expected of a classic Moka pot too! This is more of a fear than a limitation that any device with pressure is prone to explosion and is something you must use with caution.

Which one should I buy?

Both the Brikka and Moka have their limitations and advantages. However, the ultimate decision lies with how you like to drink your coffee. If you are looking for strong espressos with rich crema, it is hands down the Brikka!

I am also personally biased to the Brikka as it produces rich crema, is stronger, and creates the perfect shot for making lattes and cappuccinos!

In terms of design, they are both nearly identical. They are also both functional and space-saving devices that have a similar brew process. One makes an authentic espresso, and the other is the founding father of Italian coffee. Choose the one that makes every brew worth waking up for!

PS: If you love reading about coffee, I strongly recommend this post on coffee slang.

LIFE

Kallichottu | Normal Tamil Words With A Negative Meaning

August 17, 2021 1 Comment

BLIND RITUALS

Kallichottu is the Tamil word to describe a drop of thick, milky sap of the cactus. This phrase is commonly used as coffee lingo in households across Tamil Nadu to denote the similarity in thickness of the coffee decoction to the liquid from the plant. For a long time, I have heard this phrase used in many families, including mine. We would call that first half of the decoction drip kallichottu because of its similarity in thickness.

I have never questioned the root or origin of phrases, especially if the term seems quite self-explanatory. In this case, chottu means drop, and kalli means cactus. I could understand the relation to the thickness but never questioned the absurdity of connecting cactus to coffee.

After understanding the root behind this phrase, I feel obligated to share. Coming from a country with the highest rate of female infanticides, I urge anyone from a Tamil background or an understanding of the Tamil language to read and share.

WHAT IS KALLI PAAL?

Kalli Paal is the thick, milky sap of a poisonous cactus variety known as Oduvan in Tamil and Cleistanthus Collinus.

Back when I studied at Guru Nanak College in Chennai, I had heard another phrase used by some of my college mates in conversation with others. Again, I never made the connection to coffee’s Kallichottu. They would use the phrase “Unakku Kalli Paal Ootha” to share their frustration in some weird sense of dark humor. My understanding of the phrase was very basic with the words Unakku meaning to you, Paal meaning milk, and Ootha meaning pour. These terms are used in place of phrases such as “You’re dead meat” or “You’re so dead.” I assumed Kalli was used for a more dramatic effect and didn’t know about the significance of the word Kalli at the time. In my ignorant vocabulary, Kalli just meant cactus.

A SICKENING PHRASE

Abandonment of babies, predominantly female babies, is not a problem specific to only Haryana, one of the highest for incidents of female infanticide in India. It is an unfortunate, cruel practice to this very day in many parts of India, including Tamil Nadu. We have seen this over many generations. Sadly, to this day, some seriously sick individuals use the age-old practice of giving the sap of this thick cactus milk to newborn female children. In India, not only are female children abandoned at an alarming rate, the killings are made with blind faith in ridiculous, deep-rooted traditions that should never have existed in the first place. Despite measures taken by the government, this is still being performed illegally on innocent babies.

As a mother of a girl child myself, my heart bleeds. How could someone have even had the heart to describe how they like their coffee with the same ingredient used to kill female children? Only someone very sick in their mind.

As a speaker of the Tamil language, I now understand and stand educated on how awful this phrase is. I will never describe my decoction this way ever again. A harsh lesson learned to understand inner meanings before their usage.