How do I Clean my Coffee Machine?
Have you ever wondered how to clean your coffee machine with minimal time and fuss? Well strap yourselves in for a treat because we are about to talk you through how to enjoy the benefits of a clean coffee machine at home, the office or in your cafe.
Why is cleaning your coffee machine important? Because the coffee tastes better! Ooh yeah, and there’s also the benefits of having reduced maintenance costs.
We need to start with some terminology first:
Group Handle - This is the device that you dose and tamp the coffee into. Inside the group handle, there’s a hole for the filter basket and spout/s at the bottom where the coffee comes out.
Filter Basket - The little basket with lots of holes in the bottom that let the brewed coffee out. It sits tightly inside the group handle.
Blind Filter (basket) - Just like the filter basket mentioned above except without any holes. This is the basket we use to clean the machine.
Instructions - Group Heads:
Remove the coffee filter basket from the group handle and swap it out for the "blind" filter.
For daily cleaning (weekly for domestic), add 1/4 level scoop of Evo Espresso Machine Cleaner into the group handle. Insert the group handle back into the coffee machine as if brewing a shot of espresso. NB: if machine is cleaned less often, use 1/2 scoop.
Start the cycle and allow to run for 7-10 seconds to dissolve cleaner; stop the cycle and allow to sit for another 7-10 seconds.
Start and stop the cycle 4 more times, running each for 7-10 seconds and stopping for 7-10 seconds between cycles.
Remove the group handle and rinse well under hot water (water from your coffee machine). You want to remove as much cleaning product as practical before completing a second cleaning cycle.
Re-insert handle with blind filter to rinse. Start and stop the cycle 5 times - run for 5 seconds, stop for 2 seconds, ensuring a thorough rinsing. Remove the blind filter and re-insert regular filter.
Brew and discard a single shot of espresso to re-season the machine. This last step is important to remove any remaining cleaning product from your coffee machine.
Instructions - Group Handles:
Soak the group handles and filters in 500ml of hot water mixed with 1-2 scoops of Evo Espresso Machine Cleaner for 20 minutes. Pro tips: Submerge the metal components of the group handle but never the plastic/leather handle to avoid cracking. Always put hot water in 1st, before the cleaning powder. You can also put your filter basket into the cleaner at the same time. It’s best to remove it from the group handle first to make cleaning easier.
Rinse thoroughly in running hot water and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. We don’t recommend using a scourer sponge to clean any part of your coffee machine.
Insert your filter basket back into the group handle and return it back to your coffee machine. Make sure you warm up the group handle with warm water (from your coffee machine) before use. Coffee just doesn’t taste right from a cold group handle.
SEE THESE INSTRUCTIONS with our helpful infographics HERE
Just before the Spicy Flu made it’s way to Australia’s shores, we took a refresher Barista Course from the very talented Vincent Do at Australia Barista Training (ex Sydney Barista Training at Marrickville, NSW). If you haven’t done a course recently, it’s totally worth the investment. No matter how great your skills are, a refresher course will undoubtedly pick up some little habits you’ve acquired over time.
Need some coffee cleaning gear? Check out our range:
Cafetto Evo Espresso Machine Cleaner