Whether you’re running a coffee shop or a restaurant or a bar, it is very important to keep all the coffee equipment clean. No matter if you buy high-quality beans, you won’t get the taste unless you clean the coffee machine.
Not cleaning your coffee machine regularly will not only produce sticky coffee but will shorten the life of seals and filters too. While your coffee maker should have a manual with cleaning instructions, do the following if you don’t have one:
- Weekly routine:
- Place a tablespoon of backflush detergent in a “blind filter” on a group handle
- Lock the group handle on the coffee maker. Once locked, start flushing. Most espresso machine detergents recommend four start/stop intervals of 15 seconds. However, follow the instructions provided with the cleaning agent you’re using
- After washing with detergent, repeat the process with clean water until you are sure it is completely rinsed. It is recommended to rinse the same amount as the detergent phase
- A cleaning brush removes stubborn coffee grease. Do not allow leave plastic parts in detergent water as detergent may end up discoloring the parts
- Remove the nozzle from the tip of the steam nozzle. Take a clean cloth, damp it with hot water and clean your steam wand. Remove the burned milk from the baguette. Use a steam brush to clean the inside of the steam wand. The pressure of steam can be affected if clogged with dry milk residue
- Your bean container should also be cleaned. Backflush detergent and warm water is enough to clean it, but then rinse them thoroughly
- Daily routine:
- Take a small plastic bucket and fill it with warm water. Pour into a commercial espresso machine cleaner and prepare the solution. You’re going to use it to soak parts overnight.
- Rinse the group heads with fresh water. Place the blanking plates on the group heads and run the head under cold water for about 10 seconds. Release the pressure and repeat the process until the water is completely clean.
- Clean the filter basket in warm water with a sponge and soap. Then place the filter basket in the solution bucket.
- Clean the basket-end of group handle with a scrubbing pad with running warm water. Put the basket-end to the solution bucket for overnight soaking. It is best not to soak plastic parts in detergents if they are colored.
- Clean the shower-heads. Clean the drip tray and gratings and let them dry overnight.
- Clean the steam nozzle with a soft cloth after pouring a single coffee. At the end of each day, remove and disinfect the tip of the steam wand.
- Clean the outside of the espresso machine to remove dirt from the surface. For dirt or grease stains, apply a little baking soda to water and vinegar and scrub the area with a non-abrasive sponge or a soft- bristle brush.
How often should a commercially available coffee machine be cleaned?
In regular use, hard water can create large mineral deposits in the machine. This not only affects how it works over-time but also the taste of your coffee. To get the most out of your coffee machine, do a deep cleaning every 1-2 weeks, depending on the water quality in the area.
How do you clean a coffee machine?
Commercially available detergents can be used for deep cleaning. Natural cleaning products are also available to get a good result. White vinegar is an excellent base for various cleaning solutions. Lemon juice has very high acidity like white vinegar. You can use any one of these.
Can you clean a coffee machine with apple cider vinegar?
With at least 5% acetic acid, apple cider vinegar is a powerful detergent that is very effective in eliminating residue buildups of coffee machines. You need to add enough apple cider vinegar to fill half of the machine, then add water to fill in the other half and run a flush.
What is a blind filter?
The blind filter is used for backwashing in espresso coffee machines with a pressure reduction mechanism. This is an essential standard part of cleaning the machine to keep the unit channels clean and to standardize the extraction pressure.
Why should your espresso machine be cleaned?
Essential oils in the coffee beans are actually responsible for the rich cream that coat your espresso. But these oils emulsify and remain in the water filter of your espresso machine. It can also be responsible for a rancid taste that develops over time. Keeping your coffee machine clean not only preserves the quality of your espresso, but also the life of the machine.
