Don't use espresso cleaner on Kafatek Funnel and (possibly) other aluminum accessories
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- Posts: 11
- Joined: 8 years ago
I recently received my Kafatek funnel which made the cut into my espresso routine.
Unfortunately I placed it in the sink during my monthly deep clean in which I disassemble portafilters, baskets, and other metal coffee-touching accessories and soak them in Cafiza diluted in hot sink water for ~30mins.
Usually everything comes out sparkling, but this time (the first time with the Kafatek funnel) the funnel came out looking terrible. -see pics.
I'm no chemist or metallurgist so I wasn't aware that this would happen or I would have avoided this altogether. So my loss is hopefully able to be a warning to fellow HB'ers to take care with what you clean with Cafiza or other coffee related cleaners.
Unfortunately I placed it in the sink during my monthly deep clean in which I disassemble portafilters, baskets, and other metal coffee-touching accessories and soak them in Cafiza diluted in hot sink water for ~30mins.
Usually everything comes out sparkling, but this time (the first time with the Kafatek funnel) the funnel came out looking terrible. -see pics.
I'm no chemist or metallurgist so I wasn't aware that this would happen or I would have avoided this altogether. So my loss is hopefully able to be a warning to fellow HB'ers to take care with what you clean with Cafiza or other coffee related cleaners.
- spressomon
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: 12 years ago
Yes this is one of the issues with raw aluminum anything. Anodizing and powder coating eliminate the problembut require tolerance adjustments in production for critical parts.
Put a raw aluminum cake sheet pan through the dishwasher and it turns out ugly.
Put a raw aluminum cake sheet pan through the dishwasher and it turns out ugly.
No Espresso = Depresso
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- Posts: 1305
- Joined: 8 years ago
Yeah, caustic (basic) solutions and aluminum don't get along. Same deal with chlorines and stainless steel.
Just simple dishwashing suds are as strong as you should go.
Just simple dishwashing suds are as strong as you should go.
- Peppersass
- Supporter ❤
- Posts: 3691
- Joined: 15 years ago
Thanks for the heads up!
I've been wiping my Kafatek funnel with a paper towel after each session. Will continue to do only that!
I've been wiping my Kafatek funnel with a paper towel after each session. Will continue to do only that!
- shawndo
- Posts: 1015
- Joined: 14 years ago
I dipped a paper towel in cafiza solution and wiped down the inside of an OE funnel once and luckily got away with just a light staining for my aluminum-cleaning learning experience.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
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- Posts: 137
- Joined: 16 years ago
I've been using the Rocket air bulb blower to spray off fines. I try to do this after each use in my routine. I haven't needed to rinse it so far but if I should, I shall only use water or else water and a sponge with a drop of dish cleanser such as Palmolive. Thanks for the heads up.
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- Posts: 11
- Joined: 8 years ago
I'd like to follow up here and say that Denis from Kafatek saw this and reached out to me to offer a replacement.
In no way did I see this issue as something that was his fault or the fault of the product, merely my complacency and thinking metal-anything == nearly indestructible.
Either way, one huge benefit to espresso being a relatively small/specialty community means that great people like Denis can stay involved with their customers, where they gather online.
Thanks again Denis.
In no way did I see this issue as something that was his fault or the fault of the product, merely my complacency and thinking metal-anything == nearly indestructible.
Either way, one huge benefit to espresso being a relatively small/specialty community means that great people like Denis can stay involved with their customers, where they gather online.
Thanks again Denis.
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- Posts: 545
- Joined: 10 years ago
I bought an aluminum Bialetti Mokapot 3 months ago. The manual advises to use only water to rinse it out. Good job I did following these instructions. I also have a stainless steel one and that one is more susceptible to staining with coffee oils, but it also handles the backflush detergent much better. With only water rinses shortly after brewing the aluminum stays nice.
Bert
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- Posts: 72
- Joined: 8 years ago
Thanks for the helpful cautionary words. I've got a nice shiny Kafatek funnel which helps keep my espresso corner clean and tidy.
- spressomon
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: 12 years ago