Keeping Your Espresso Machine Clean
Clean your espresso machine by backflushing with a blind filter and espresso-specific detergent weekly, rinsing your portafilter and basket after every use, and descaling the internal lines every three months to prevent mineral buildup from choking the pump.
Consistency keeps the coffee tasting like coffee.
If you let old oils and mineral deposits accumulate, they will sour even the highest quality beans. Treat the machine as a tool that requires maintenance to function correctly.
- Blind filter basket
- Espresso machine detergent powder
- Group head brush
- Descaling solution
- Microfiber cloth
What goes in.
- 1/2 tspEspresso machine backflush detergent
- 1 bottleManufacturer-approved descaling solution
- 1 gallonFiltered water
Pressure-Assisted Cleaning
Backflushing forces water and detergent backward through the group head valve, scouring out the pathways where coffee oils become trapped and rancid.
The method.
Daily: Clean the shower screen
After your last shot, run a quick flush of water through the group head. Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the underside of the shower screen while the water is running to dislodge grounds.
Weekly: The detergent backflush
Replace your filter basket with the blind insert and add the detergent. Lock the portafilter into the group head and engage the pump for five seconds. Stop for five seconds. Repeat this five times, then remove the portafilter and rinse it thoroughly.
Quarterly: The descale
Empty the water reservoir and add the descaling solution diluted per the bottle instructions. Run the solution through the group head and the steam wand until the reservoir is half empty. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush the remaining solution and run two full reservoirs of clean water through the system.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Always wipe the steam wand immediately after frothing milk to prevent crusting.
Keep your portafilter stored in the group head so it stays at the proper temperature for your next extraction.
If your water is hard, use a softening pitcher to prevent the need for frequent descaling.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use vinegar to descale?
Avoid vinegar. It is difficult to rinse out completely and the residual acidity will alter the flavor of your espresso for weeks.
How often should I replace the group head gasket?
If you notice water leaking from around the portafilter while pulling a shot, it is time to replace the rubber gasket.
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