<p>Soaking in vinegar seems to have helped the most.</p>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AL9nZEXa4D_zWUgVAE-z4rPhuJRd4LWgXAT0xgf_Hitj9vHPl00awYLaj2ZBxpL3auX9xSKZ8M0UQjRjKxShEylCguFBOZYFfyzYJTB_wdD2lOlzKycK8xG1Mx5PAiyYlL22ySkZ4d0CC5XBliO_p0D7DODMkQ=w1082-h1444-no?authuser=0" alt="after vinegar" /></p>
<p>Now it looks like something baking soda might work on. Or maybe will do vinegar again. Overall I am already happy with the result.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-01T09:50:37.487Z
2023-01-01T09:50:37.487Z
xnox
<p>Inside my Moka pot water chamber there is build up. It looks black/brown colour, as if coffee has been leaking into the water chamber, and then burning on. Or maybe just coffee oil.</p>
<p>Any tips on how to wash it? I did manage to scrape a little bit and it does seem to expose metal underneath. Any sort of soak would be nice.</p>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AL9nZEVaOXP48HDFBGDu3kT_uEiEilKoMWo7ia6RvM11J32qf96Ul37mnaqG44l2CGCAPieP1nPMXMclSJ8Ey3WPhbP5QHIZgUKmHnny_MdojrMarDRD_xw6HL9WQZnvefEnzjej-i4uWIp9QDYFBkLUVlOl8Q=w1082-h811-no?authuser=0" alt="dirty moka pot water chamber" /></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-26T04:39:36.607Z
What have you tried?  As daunting as this buildup looks, I've seen roughly similar patina on ill-used coffee mugs, and a wash with water has always impressed me with its surprising efficacy.  See this similar [Question and my Answer](https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/1628/how-should-i-clean-a-stainless-coffee-carafe/1632#1632).
hardmath
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-26T14:42:38.557Z
I have tried descaling by brewing white vinegar solution once. And soaking for like 5 minutes and rubbing. Will try a longer soak & rub.
xnox
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-26T16:31:40.183Z
Try some baking soda and warm water to soak.  The brown goop probably consisted largely of what are called tannic acids, and reacting with a mild base (the sodium bicarbonate) can produce organic salts that are more soluble in water (as a polar solvent).
hardmath
<moka><cleaning>
How to clean up brown black build up in a Moka pot?
xnox
# How to clean up brown black build up in a Moka pot?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-25)

Inside my Moka pot water chamber there is build up. It looks black/brown colour, as if coffee has been leaking into the water chamber, and then burning on. Or maybe just coffee oil.

Any tips on how to wash it? I did manage to scrape a little bit and it does seem to expose metal underneath. Any sort of soak would be nice.

![dirty moka pot water chamber](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AL9nZEVaOXP48HDFBGDu3kT_uEiEilKoMWo7ia6RvM11J32qf96Ul37mnaqG44l2CGCAPieP1nPMXMclSJ8Ey3WPhbP5QHIZgUKmHnny_MdojrMarDRD_xw6HL9WQZnvefEnzjej-i4uWIp9QDYFBkLUVlOl8Q=w1082-h811-no?authuser=0)

**Tags:** moka, cleaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What have you tried?  As daunting as this buildup looks, I've seen roughly similar patina on ill-used coffee mugs, and a wash with water has always impressed me with its surprising efficacy.  See this similar [Question and my Answer](https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/1628/how-should-i-clean-a-stainless-coffee-carafe/1632#1632).  
> **username_0**: I have tried descaling by brewing white vinegar solution once. And soaking for like 5 minutes and rubbing. Will try a longer soak & rub.  
> **username_1**: Try some baking soda and warm water to soak.  The brown goop probably consisted largely of what are called tannic acids, and reacting with a mild base (the sodium bicarbonate) can produce organic salts that are more soluble in water (as a polar solvent).  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2023-01-01. Score: 2

Soaking in vinegar seems to have helped the most.

![after vinegar](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AL9nZEXa4D_zWUgVAE-z4rPhuJRd4LWgXAT0xgf_Hitj9vHPl00awYLaj2ZBxpL3auX9xSKZ8M0UQjRjKxShEylCguFBOZYFfyzYJTB_wdD2lOlzKycK8xG1Mx5PAiyYlL22ySkZ4d0CC5XBliO_p0D7DODMkQ=w1082-h1444-no?authuser=0)

Now it looks like something baking soda might work on. Or maybe will do vinegar again. Overall I am already happy with the result.


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