It usually happens when you have a gas stove; if you use very high heat, your Moka pot tends to blacken, scorch and discolor on the bottom. The Moka still brews coffee perfectly, but the contrast between the shine of the aluminum (or stainless steel) and the black is very unsightly.
The problem with the blackened Moka pot is that the fire has been set too high or that the gas from the cooker does not come out correctly. In other cases, the Moka pot gets burnt because it has been on the stove for too long. The coffee inside can also blacken and stain the interior in these cases.
Depending on your Moka pot’s material (aluminum or stainless steel), the method to get rid of the black marks will vary a little bit. In this article, I explain how to proceed without damaging the coffee maker.
How to clean a blackened or burnt stainless steel coffee pot?
When choosing cleaning products for our Moka pot, we must consider what it is made of since certain products can react with the metal and erode it, damaging it irreparably.
➡️ Undoubtedly, the best option is to purchase a stainless steel cookware cleaner, where you only need the product and a damp cloth:
With this method, you can be sure that you will not damage your Moka pot:
- Shake the bottle well before use so that all the compounds in the cleaner mix well.
- Apply the product all over the burnt surface, leaving a layer of it on the surface.
- Let it stand for about 10 to 20 minutes.
- With a damp cloth or dishwashing sponge, start scrubbing well. The more abrasive the sponge, the less effort you will have to make, but avoid metal scouring pads.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Remove the water residue from the entire Moka pot with a dry cloth.
- Your Moka pot should be sparkling clean.
- Alternatively, the home method is to create your cleaner mixture. Baking soda and white vinegar will be ideal for cleaning burnt stainless steel.
Here is the procedure you should follow:
- Create a vinegar and baking soda solution, adding one tablespoon for every two tablespoons of baking soda. Ideally, it should be as thick as liquid soap.
- Apply this mixture all over the blackened surface of the dry Moka pot (also on the inside if it is burned on the inside).
- Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Now with your scouring pad soaked in vinegar, you will start scrubbing the Moka pot.
- If the scouring pad does not remove the blackened part, you can move on to a more aggressive scouring pad, but always avoid metal ones.
- You can rinse everything, dry it, and repeat the process until the burnt marks have disappeared.
- The basis of this procedure is that the rinse aid or mixture of baking soda and vinegar softens the dirt in the scorched areas to facilitate the scrubbing process. However, don’t think there is a magic method where the burnt part disappears effortlessly.
How to clean a blackened or burnt aluminum coffee pot?
Cleaning an aluminum Moka pot is slightly easier than cleaning a stainless steel one. This is because aluminum is weaker than steel, so the charcoal from the fire does not adhere as much. However, there is also more chance of scratching it when rubbing.
Here is the procedure you should follow:
- Create a solution of vinegar and baking soda as we saw before, with one part vinegar for every two baking sodas until you get the right consistency (not too thick and not too liquid).
- Spread the vinegar and baking soda mixture over the coffee pot, leaving a solution layer on all the burned areas.
- Let it stand for 10 to 20 minutes.
- You should rub the entire Moka pot well with a cloth or a not-very-aggressive kitchen sponge. Keep in mind that aluminum scratches very easily.
- If you notice that the mixture is very dry, add white vinegar.
- Rinse with clean water and repeat the process if the marks remain.
- Once clean, dry with a cloth and store your Moka pot in a dry place.
How do I protect my Moka pot from burns?
Never use the stove at maximum heat when using the Moka pot. If the temperature rises too quickly, the coffee will not be extracted properly, and you risk burning the coffee maker.
As we have already recommended in other articles on the Moka pot, it is better to add boiling water to the reservoir before putting it on the stove, thus reducing the coffee extraction time without burning the coffee maker or the coffee itself.
Afterward, remember to store your Moka pot completely dry once you have cleaned it since water is one of the biggest enemies of kitchen utensils.
