Bialetti gasket removal woes
April 2, 2008 12:49 PM Subscribe
Need help removing my beloved Bialetti's gasket that is stuck.
Triggered by a recent question to replace a gasket on a Bialetti Moka Express, I started to remove mine. Well, I guess after a few years of use and no replacement* I can't fully remove it. What's left after cutting, soaking in hot water, and soaking in HOT soapy water, are little pieces of gasket stuck to the sides that I've been slowly removing via needle-nose pliers. They appear to be glued to the metal sides.
Is there a better way to remove the gasket that doesn't involve hours of pulling off stuck pieces or using industrial-grade chemicals that I apply with latex gloves? This was a gift to me from Mrs. Writer before she was a Mrs., so I'd like to avoid a total replacement.
(* Shame on me...yes, I know.)
Triggered by a recent question to replace a gasket on a Bialetti Moka Express, I started to remove mine. Well, I guess after a few years of use and no replacement* I can't fully remove it. What's left after cutting, soaking in hot water, and soaking in HOT soapy water, are little pieces of gasket stuck to the sides that I've been slowly removing via needle-nose pliers. They appear to be glued to the metal sides.
Is there a better way to remove the gasket that doesn't involve hours of pulling off stuck pieces or using industrial-grade chemicals that I apply with latex gloves? This was a gift to me from Mrs. Writer before she was a Mrs., so I'd like to avoid a total replacement.
(* Shame on me...yes, I know.)
You might try dental tools and patience, or as a last resort, soaking the gasket in a mild, household-strength, relatively non-toxic latex solvent (toxicity relative to organic solvents).
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:25 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:25 PM on April 2, 2008
did you try--carefully-- cutting with an x-acto knife or similar razor sharp blade?
sandpaper? a file?
posted by subatomiczoo at 1:26 PM on April 2, 2008
sandpaper? a file?
posted by subatomiczoo at 1:26 PM on April 2, 2008
Response by poster: At this point, what I can remove comes from me using needle-nose pliers after some scoring with a VERY sharp utility knife. Maybe the X-acto will be easier to wield.
But I welcome any other ideas, tools and techniques. This Bialetti has a lot of sentimental value.
posted by fijiwriter at 2:03 PM on April 2, 2008
But I welcome any other ideas, tools and techniques. This Bialetti has a lot of sentimental value.
posted by fijiwriter at 2:03 PM on April 2, 2008
Goo Gone?
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:22 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:22 PM on April 2, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by From Bklyn at 1:12 PM on April 2, 2008