It would come from a buildup ("scale") from using "hard" water, and more so when nearly boiling dry (also not a good idea) filtered or distilled water is much less likely to do this. I have a stainless steel moka pot, and it's terribly tarnished on the outside from heating on a gas burner hundreds of times, but the inside is clean (and clean able) as the metaphorical "whistle".įor completeness: It's also possible that they are mineral deposits this answer to the other question that you linked has some additional info about that possibility. Aluminum oxide generally protects the metal from further oxidation (unlike rust - iron oxide - which flakes off and facilitates further oxidation). Standard ways of removing tarnish are even more damaging in the long term than just leaving them alone. The "care" page for Bialetti (follow that link, then click on the "Care Use" tab I can't figure a direct link) suggests to dry thoroughly and most tellingly "Do not reassemble the product until all parts are completely dry to avoid oxidation." Even if you're meticulously drying the thing, it's still going to be a little hot and a little damp this is going to invite oxidation. The vessel, especially, needs to be rinsed and dried thoroughly in The Right Way. Correspondingly, the only way to use this thing is, indeed, to heat it with water. Aluminum tarnishes (oxidizes) somewhat readily, especially when it is hot and in contact with water. Unfortunately the symptoms you're seeing, from my perspective, is a classic failure of the Bialetti design. The vessel is probably made out of aluminum alloy (though there are similar models that are made of stainless steel, your picture seems to be looking down into the bottom heating vessel, and it looks like the classic aluminum species). This is a classic Bialetti model, and a classic Bialetti symptom. You probably can't (or shouldn't) really permanently remove them even if you wanted to. You don't need to take any action unless they're affecting the taste of your coffee, and it shouldn't be. Short story: They are probably aluminum oxide, but almost certainly some kind of metal oxide. So what are these spots? If they aren't affecting the flavor of the result, do I need to worry about them? If so, how can they be removed? It's been used 1-3 times per day for about three weeks. I use filtered water, so I don't think they are mineral deposits (unlike in this case). I have a hunch that that moisture may be contributing here. Sometimes when I'm pressed for time, the just-used pot sits in the sink for a few hours without getting disassembled or rinsed. Generally I make a cup of coffee, rinse all components, and allow them to air dry. They look sort of like black mold, but I gave the pot a gentle scrub with warm water and a mild soap and they didn't budge. They are only on the bottom of the pot as far as I can tell, not the sides. They are placed pretty evenly around the ridgy part toward the edge of the bottom of the circle, with a few toward the middle. I've got these spots on the inside the bottom section of my Bialetti Moka Express:
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