How to Clean Espresso Machine

What You'll Need

• Espresso machine cleaning powder (cafiza)
• Backflushing disc (for E61 machines)
• Group head brush
• Soft cloth
• Descaling solution

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Daily: rinse and wipe

   After each use, run water through the group head briefly. Wipe down the steam wand immediately to prevent milk buildup.

2. 2

   Weekly: backflush

   Insert the backflushing disc into the portafilter, add cleaning powder, and run several short shots. Repeat with plain water to rinse.

3. 3

   Brush the group head

   Use a group head brush to scrub the screen and gasket area. Coffee oils accumulate here and affect taste.

4. 4

   Soak the portafilter

   Disassemble the portafilter and soak the basket and spout in hot water with cleaning powder for 15 minutes. Scrub and rinse.

5. 5

   Monthly: descale

   Run descaling solution through the machine's water lines as instructed by the manufacturer to remove mineral buildup.

Pro Tips

• TIPWipe the steam wand immediately after every milk drink -- dried milk is much harder to remove.
• TIPUse filtered or bottled water in your espresso machine to reduce mineral buildup and extend descaling intervals.
• TIPReplace the group head gasket annually for a perfect seal and best espresso extraction.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XSkipping daily wipe-downs, which lets coffee oils accumulate and turn rancid, ruining espresso flavor.
• XLetting milk dry on the steam wand, which is nearly impossible to remove without soaking.
• XNever descaling, which causes permanent damage to the heating element.

Frequently Asked Questions