Simply, and less than you think.
After every use
Rinse all three parts with hot water. No detergent, no scourer.
Aluminum moka pots build a thin seasoned layer of coffee oils over time, and traditionalists insist that layer improves the brew. Whether or not you believe that, detergent leaves a residue that you will taste in the next cup.
Dry it fully and store it disassembled. A moka pot screwed together while damp goes musty and corrodes at the threads.
The filter plate
Lift it out — it is only held by the gasket — and check the holes. Coffee blocks them over months, which slows the brew and can make the pot spit.
A soft brush and hot water clears it.
The gasket
The one real wear part. Rubber gaskets harden and crack after a year or two of regular use, and a leaking gasket means a pot that never builds pressure.
Replacements cost almost nothing and are sold everywhere. Change it before it fails.
The safety valve
A small spring valve in the base. Check occasionally that it moves — descale it if it is stuck. It is what stops the pot becoming a pressure vessel, so it matters.
Never in the dishwasher
Aluminum oxidizes and discolors badly. Stainless models tolerate it, and hand rinsing is still better for the gasket.
What people want to know
How do I remove stains or scale from a moka pot?
Brew a cycle with water and a spoonful of citric acid instead of coffee, or soak the base in a citric acid solution, then rinse well and brew one pot of coffee to discard. Avoid bleach and abrasive pads on aluminum.
Last reviewed 30 October 2026