Dylan_Hunt Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Montreal Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 6:09pm Subject: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
I put my portafilter in the dishwasher and it took of the shine. The portafilter now has a kind of dull grey look to it. When I touched it, some of the metal would rub of. I have washed it several times since then and the metal does not rub off anymore. I am wondering if this portafilter is still safe to use?
SStones Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Giga 5, ECM Giotto, Rocket... Grinder: Anfim Milano-Best Vac Pot: No :( Drip: Some $30 thing from Walmart Roaster: I buy pre-roasted.
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 9:24pm Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
What is it made of? Was it a chromed brass, and the brass is now exposed? Was it plated aluminum (Seems likely if it's dull grey, now) What machine was it? Many people have a problem with consuming anything that's come in contact with aluminum, some believe that it will lead to ALS, I don't know about that, but I wouldn't intentionally eat aluminum powder if I were aware of its potential presence. Brass shouldn't degrade so it won't affect the water/coffee brewed through it. I can't imagine stainless steel would have any issue in a dishwasher. It wouldn't hurt to replace it, both for aesthetic purposes and peace of mind. It will probably stain badly and easily. If it's a disposable machine with an aluminum or chromed, white-metal portafilter, a replacement filter ought to be cheap.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 11:27pm Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
The filter basekt is probably made of aluminum and it's oxidized now by the dishwasher detergent. It's not advisable to clean your espresso equipment in the dishwasher. Use a solution of coffee oil detergent (like JoeGlo, Pulycaf or Cafiza, for example), the kind used for backflushing. Personally I've had very good results cleaning my filter baskets and portafilters using "wicked liquid", a dillution mix of one tablespoon of JoeGlo per quart of boiling hot water. Soaking for five minutes is usually enough to remove any residues. It's like they say on their homepage: ""If it doesn't come off in 10 minutes, it's not coming off."
By the way, you might still use your filters, They just don't look shiny any more.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 4:41am Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
The only way to remove the oxidation from aluminium that has suffered a dishwasher , which is NEVERadvised for aluminium, is with hard scrubbing with scotch bright. It will not be pretty anymore but it will be safe to use.
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Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 7:56am Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
NobbyR Said:
Use a solution of coffee oil detergent (like JoeGlo, Pulycaf or Cafiza, for example), the kind used for backflushing. Personally I've had very good results cleaning my filter baskets and portafilters using "wicked liquid", a dillution mix of one tablespoon of JoeGlo per quart of boiling hot water. Soaking for five minutes is usually enough to remove any residues. It's like they say on their homepage: ""If it doesn't come off in 10 minutes, it's not coming off."
Pulycaf and aluminium don't go well together. You'll probably get the same result as with the alkali dishwasher detergent. Haven't used the others suggested, but if they are the same basic chemical composition, I wouldn't recommend them.
Dylan - as suggested earlier, a good scrub with something like scotchbrite will at least make it safe to use. If you want to try to restore the shine on the outside, the right sort of paste type metal polish will help, but it may take quite a bit of effort. Look for one which includes suitability for polishing aluminium as well other metals.
Dylan_Hunt Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Montreal Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 30, 2012, 7:54am Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
Thanks for all the replies. For those who asked about what kind of machine it is, it is an el cheapo Mr. Coffee ECM 21. Despite the fact it was a cheap machine, it did make good coffee. Since the shine came off, I believe the portafilter may have been chromed and the dishwashing detergent (FINISH) stripped away the chrome. It seems the replies are split as to whether it is still safe to use. I opted to replace the part but it is not available. I wanted to repurchase the same machine but that too was no longe available. Anyways, if anyone has anything more to add, to this post, I will gladly appreciate it. Thanks.
Posted Sun Dec 30, 2012, 12:26pm Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
Dishwashers do not remove chrome. it was aluminum. Wash thoroughly with a scotchbrite pad. Then buff the shine back on. Barkeeper's Friend, or a buffing wheel will do it. A local Jr. college's jewelry department will probably be able to help. Just talk to a student going into the lab and pay them $5.
fwtechwiz Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Posts: 522 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evolution Grinder: Hario Skerton
Posted Mon Dec 31, 2012, 3:03am Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
Cafiza did the same thing to my old Hamilton Beach portafilter. I scrubbed off the oxidation, which got it nice and clean, but the shine never came back. No amount of buffing would shine it up. It was usable but ugly. You could try some searches on Ebay to source a replacement.
Dylan_Hunt Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Montreal Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Jan 1, 2013, 9:06am Subject: Re: Portafilter lost its shine in the dishwasher
Thanks for the reply fwtechwiz. Did your portafilter look like it was plated with some shiny substance like chrome? When the plated substance came off, did it look like a dull grey? Did some metal residue rub off onto your hands or rag when this first happened? How long did you continue to use your portafilter after it lost its shine?
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