A well-cared-for cuccumella lasts for decades and makes better and better coffee. A poorly-cared-for one tastes like metal and detergent. The difference comes down to two things: the initial seasoning and correct daily cleaning.

Seasoning a new cuccumella (aluminum)

New aluminum has a metallic taste that needs to be removed before you brew real coffee in it. Here’s how:

  • Brew 2–3 “throwaway” coffees: make them normally but pour them out.
  • With each cycle, the aluminum gets coated in coffee oils and loses the metallic note.
  • From the third or fourth coffee on, the cup comes out clean and full.

It’s the same principle as the moka: the pot “breaks in” with use. The first two or three runs of the pot are with water only. After that we can start trying it, though the coffee is rarely good before the first 4–5 brews. You also need to let the pot cool down between brews. It takes time before it serves its first genuinely good cup.

Daily cleaning

The golden rule for aluminum: hot water only, no detergent, no dishwasher.

  • Disassemble the parts after use.
  • Rinse with hot water and, if needed, a soft sponge.
  • Detergent strips away the layer of oils (the “seasoning”) and leaves foreign flavors behind.
  • The dishwasher oxidizes and dulls the aluminum.

Stainless steel is more forgiving: it can handle a mild detergent and sometimes even the dishwasher.

Drying and storage

  • Dry every part thoroughly before putting it away: trapped moisture causes bad odors and oxidation.
  • Don’t store it assembled and closed: leave the parts separate, or just resting together, never screwed tightly shut while still damp.

Once in a while: descale

If you notice limescale buildup or slower brewing, run a cycle with water and a bit of vinegar or citric acid (water only, no coffee), then rinse thoroughly and brew one throwaway coffee.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wash a cuccumella with detergent? If it’s aluminum, no — hot water only. Steel can tolerate a mild detergent.

What does “seasoning” mean? Brewing a few throwaway coffees in a new cuccumella to remove the metallic taste.

Can it go in the dishwasher? Not if it’s aluminum; steel sometimes can (check the instructions).