Moka pots are undoubtedly one of the most robust and durable types of coffee makers. If you have a good quality moka pot and use it correctly, it will probably last you for decades. These coffee makers have a very simple design, yet they work perfectly if you keep the pot clean and well-maintained.
The rubber gasket of a moka pot is one of the three intermediate elements (between the filter plate and the coffee funnel) that separate the upper body from the lower one. The gasket is located inside the moka pot, and its function is to seal the inside of the coffee maker so that water does not escape during the coffee preparation process.
As the temperature and water pressure increase during the preparation process, water would escape through the joint between the bottom and top of the moka pot without the rubber gasket (or with a damaged one).
Due to these high temperatures, the rubber gasket suffers and deteriorates. However, nowadays silicone gaskets are widely used, a material less sensitive to these changes, which alleviates this deterioration. Fortunately, just as they deteriorate, they are also easy to replace, and their price is not excessively high.
How to choose a rubber gasket for a moka pot
When buying a rubber gasket for your moka pot, the main thing is to make sure that the gasket you are going to buy has the same dimensions as the one you are going to replace.
Above all, you must ensure the outer diameter of the gasket, as most of them have a width of about 0.8 mm (difference between the outer and inner diameter), which covers the filter plate more than enough.
If your gasket is damaged, or perhaps you have lost it, you can measure the outer diameter at the base of the top part of your moka pot. As you can see in the following image, you have to measure where the threaded part of the pot ends (left) or the outer diameter of the gasket (right).
You should measure the outer diameter of the gasket or the base of the pot instead of relying on what sellers advertise in their stores. I have often seen contradictory data on supposedly identical gaskets. This is because not all manufacturers use the same dimensions to build their moka pots.
Therefore, when buying a rubber gasket, you should not focus on the number of cups your moka pot makes, but on the actual dimensions of the rubber gasket it incorporates. This will prevent you from having to return the gasket and argue with the seller.
NOTE: Some brands, like Bialetti, do not specify the measurements on their rubber gaskets, but rather the size of the coffee maker. For example, 2 cups, 3 cups, etc.
How much does a rubber gasket for a moka pot cost?
Like all products, it depends on the brand and origin of the gasket, but prices range from 2 to $8. There are usually packs of 3 or more gaskets, and some offers also include the filter.
How to replace the rubber gasket of a moka pot – step by step
- Disassemble the moka pot.
- Remove the rubber gasket from the upper body of the moka pot with a butter knife or the handle of a coffee spoon.
- Thoroughly clean all parts in contact with the rubber gasket using water and soap.
- Place the new gasket on the filter.
- Reassemble all parts of the moka pot.
How often should I replace the rubber gasket of my moka pot?
Whenever you see water or steam escaping between the upper and lower body of the moka pot, you should replace the rubber gasket, as it is one of the unmistakable signs that something is wrong (assuming you have closed the moka pot properly).
You can also change it once a year as routine maintenance, but this frequency will depend on how often you make coffee with your moka pot. If you make few coffees a day, you can wait two years or until it breaks.
You should thoroughly clean the entire moka pot, including the rubber gasket, weekly. Use water and soap and clean all components well so that the rubber gasket lasts much longer in good condition.
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