Espresso is a machine used to make coffee. Cleaning this machine is not an easy job, but it must be done for you to have a tasty and healthy espresso and cappuccinos drinks for your guests and yourself. Actually it is very essential to clean and maintain your espresso machine whether you are an occasional user of espresso coffee maker. This will definitely assure you a highest standard of delivery.
You can simply make the cleaning of this machine relatively simple if you correctly follow the correct procedures. This should be done on a regular basis to ensure that the coffee maker is pleasing to your visitors and customers. When cleaning the machine, ensure that you consistently do internal and external cleaning of the device.
How to clean espresso machine
When cleaning your espresso machine, you are only required to have the following items to make your work perfect; backflush detergent espresso coffee machine cleaner, clean kitchen dishrag and towel, green scrubby, and glass or metal bowl that is deep enough for portafilter to soak in. Other optional items include; group brush, steam wand brush, and dairy cleanser. After getting all these items then you can follow the following steps to clean your espresso coffee machine.
Daily Cleaning
- You can start by following the advisable flush sequence of the detergent that you are using. Some of them recommend that you run the pump for five times in 15 seconds intervals. The moment the portafilter is completely locked into the place, you can engage the pump. After engaging your pump, there will be some change in pitch of the pump as pressure increases.. When you turn off your pump, it will automatically open the pathway from brew group to drip tray and you will hear a distinctive as water comes out.
- The release of pressure shall force the detergent to back through a dispersion screen and three way valve. When you flush all those spoiled oils out of system, you not only improve the espresso taste, but you will also clean a three way valve of the oils and any deposits so that it can seal properly. After backflushing with the cleanser, you will loosen the portafilter and then hold it on a brew head and engage the pump. A blank filter basket shall be filled with water till it flows over. Give a portafilter the wiggle to assist clean residue and oils from a group head gasket.
- If you have group brush, then this is where it shall be used. Clean deposits from a portafilter gasket, a group head threads which the portafilter locks into of a shower screen. Insert a brush into a group head and then scrub. Use the dishrag to wipe down your gasket groove by using a groupbrush to guide a dishrag along. The moment you complete, never forget brushing and rinse a grouphead using clean water so that you can remove residual detergent.
- Rinse water after flush sequence and the portafilter wiggle, then remove the portafilter and drip the tray. You will notice some small particles of coffee and a dirty brown tint in the water. Rinse out blank basket and drip tray to remove undissolved detergent. If you don’t have any detergent left and your water is brownish in color, then you should repeat cleanser backflush with a more detergent. Reinstall a drip tray and then lock the clean portafilter back to the device and repeat a backflushing process using clean water.
- Next you can clean a steam wand. Using wet clean dishrag, wipe the exterior of espresso machine down and if you have steam wand brush, then you can clean the inside part of a steaming wand if you want to use such device. Unscrew a tip from steam wand, then dip your brush in the right cleanser and then run it up in the steam tube.
Regular Cleaning
It is recommended that an espresso machine should be cleaned after every 30 uses. Citric acid is the natural and cost effective cleaner that can be used when carrying out this process. Place three to four table spoons of the acid into a blind filter and repeat the process after backflush. Finally , you remove any excess acid from a blind filter and run the process again to ensure it is completely clean with no traces of acid left in the system.
When cleaning your espresso machine it is important to ensure that the machine is turned off and unplugged before starting your procedure. Prepare and gather all the necessary items you need for the process. Backflush your machine, wash and soak a portafilter and other parts such as the shower head and the milk wand. It is very important to remember that these parts should never be placed in a dishwasher as this will cause metals to corrode. You can use warm water to wash them if necessary.
Decalcify the interior the moment you notice that the tasting of the coffee is a little strange because of deposits that may have built up internally. When decalcifying the device, run the machine through an empty filter basket. After you have finished cleaning and soaking all parts of the device, you can allow it to dry thoroughly. Let everything dry up well and then reassemble.
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