A new year is around the corner, and we’re all preparing for a clean slate. But hey, your espresso machine needs a fresh start too! It’s important to keep your machine squeaky clean both on the inside and the outside to keep your coffee tasting great. Without proper cleaning, your espresso machine could build up oil, coffee grounds, and milk residue. Nobody wants that in their coffee! Regular maintenance not only lets you consistently have great-tasting coffee but it also prolongs the lifespan of your espresso machine. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean your espresso machine at home.
Regular Cleaning
What you’ll need:
- 2 Microfiber towels
- Group head cleaning brush
- Blind portafilter
- Purge the group head: Use the group head cleaning brush to remove any coffee grounds that get stuck through the screen. After each time you pull a shot, remove the portafilter and purge the group head for about 3 seconds to remove excess oils and coffee grounds.
- Clean the steam wand: Purge your steam wand before and after using. Wipe the steam wand with a dedicated microfiber towel after using to remove any buildup.
- Rinse the portafilter: Rinse the portafilter with water and wipe clean after use.
- Wipe down your station: Use another microfiber towel to wipe down your machine and station after every use to prevent grime and coffee stains.
- Empty the drip tray: Empty and rinse the drip tray once full.
- Backflush your machine with water: Replace the filter basket on your portafilter with a blind portafilter, and attach it to the group head. Run a brew cycle for around five to ten seconds, repeating 3-5 times. We recommend doing this daily or before turning off your espresso machine.
Deep Cleaning
What you’ll need:
- Microfiber towels
- Group head cleaning brush
- Espresso machine cleaning powder
- Coffee grinder cleaning tablets
- Descaler
- Backflush with detergent: Replace the filter basket on your portafilter with a blind portafilter. Add about a teaspoon of cleaning powder such as the Cafiza Powder, which is specially made for backflushing. Attach the portafilter to the group head and run a brew cycle for ten seconds, repeating five times. Remove the portafilter and flush until water runs clear. Insert the cleaned portafilter and repeat the process, using only water. This is recommended after every 100 cups of coffee, or around once a month for home brewing.
- Clean the shower screen: With the espresso machine turned off and cooled down, remove the portafilter and unscrew the shower screen. Soak in hot water and cleaning powder for 15–30 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush. Rinse and dry. It’s important to also clean the area behind the screen in the group head before reassembling. We recommend doing this once or twice a week to prevent oil from building up.
- Descale the machine: Follow the instructions on your descaler to dissolve the mineral buildup in your machine. This is recommended every three months, but typically an espresso machine will have a feature that indicates when you need to descale. Some brands include the DeLonghi EcoDecalk, Miele Descaling Tablets, and Nespresso Descaling Kit.
- Clean the grinder: If your machine comes with a built-in grinder, you will also need to clean it to remove oil buildup and excess coffee grounds. A good reminder of when to do this is when you finish a bag of coffee beans. Pull out the basket and remove any coffee beans and grounds. You can also use a cleaning tablet specifically made for coffee grinders like the Urnex Grindz.
Some tips to remember:
- It’s ideal to use soft or filtered water, since hard water accelerates limescale buildup in your machine.
- Use separate, dedicated microfiber towels for your steam wand and espresso machine. Don’t cross-contaminate!
- Each machine will have unique instructions for its maintenance. Make sure to follow these properly to avoid any damage.
Cleaning your espresso machine at home will only take up a few minutes of your day, but it’s definitely an important step if you want delicious coffee everyday! Your espresso machine will thank you for it.
