I have decided to put back into service two moka pots Bialetti "Cuor di Moka" (Heart of Moka), a special model which has a valve that stops the flow after a certain quantity of water has gone through the filter, to prevent the bitter taste of over extraction.
They had been sitting on a shelf for a couple of years at least, so I've decided to give them a good clean and, as there was heavy coffee deposits in areas of the pots which are not accessible, I've had the "brilliant" idea of soaking the top part of the pots in a solution of hot water and coffee machine cleaner. I received a long phone call shortly after that and therefore left the pots to soak for much longer than I wanted to, and at my return the shiny appearance had been replaced by a dark gray slimy patina. I now realised that probably what I thought was a polished finish was in fact clear hard anodising and the the cleaner must have removed it exposing bare aluminium which has oxidised creating the gray patina. I can remove the patina by rubbing the surface in some areas, but not all areas are accessible, especially those were the flow of coffee runs.
So the question is: does anyone know if, beyond the cosmetic change, the damage to the pots finish is of such an extent that they can no longer be used, i.e. the pots are no longer food safe? Is there anything I can do?
They had been sitting on a shelf for a couple of years at least, so I've decided to give them a good clean and, as there was heavy coffee deposits in areas of the pots which are not accessible, I've had the "brilliant" idea of soaking the top part of the pots in a solution of hot water and coffee machine cleaner. I received a long phone call shortly after that and therefore left the pots to soak for much longer than I wanted to, and at my return the shiny appearance had been replaced by a dark gray slimy patina. I now realised that probably what I thought was a polished finish was in fact clear hard anodising and the the cleaner must have removed it exposing bare aluminium which has oxidised creating the gray patina. I can remove the patina by rubbing the surface in some areas, but not all areas are accessible, especially those were the flow of coffee runs.
So the question is: does anyone know if, beyond the cosmetic change, the damage to the pots finish is of such an extent that they can no longer be used, i.e. the pots are no longer food safe? Is there anything I can do?


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