Washing Moka pot?

[suepea]

On an episode of David Rocco's Dolce Vita, he claimed that you should never wash the upper chamber of a Moka pot (aluminum or stainless steel stovetop "espresso" pot). The suggestion was that over time, the crud would produce crema. Is this really true? I found some websites with instructions for stainless steel Moka pots (which claimed the aluminum pots should be avoided due to off flavors), suggested that the SS pots SHOULD be washed with hot soapy water -- no abrasives, no dishwashers, but yes, cleaning after each use is recommended. Anyone know?

[helen_m]

I wash mine with hot water after every use. I'd never put it in the dishwasher!

I haven't heard of the crema thing - I'm skeptical though.

[DoobieWah]

ditto

[ebpizza]

hot water only

[andrewtree]

I've been using an aluminium moka pot for years and just rinse it clean with hot water after use, if there's a little detergent in the water I don't worry about it, especially as we use Ecover. I recently bought a new, smaller size Bialetti and the instrucions did recommend no washing with detergent. I've never heard the suggestion that the 'crud' would produce crema over time, I've not noticed it and I'm skeptical!

[Becca Porter]

I love my SS Moka pot! It is all I use. The flavor is much better when it has been used a while. I put it though the dishwasher about every month or two. It takes several uses to build the flavor back up.

I rinse it before every use.