How to Clean Espresso Coffee Makers

Espresso coffee was first seen in Italy in the beginning of the 1900's, and since its inception, the boldly flavored drink has become one of the most popular coffee staples around the world. Thanks to the high concentration of coffee flavor, espresso has become the backbone for some of the most popular coffee drinks. Just about anything you order from your local coffee shop starts off with a shot or two of espresso. As the technology used to make the coffee evolved and became less expensive, espresso coffee makers have also found a home in kitchens around the world.

Just like any other home appliance, coffee makers need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Poorly-maintained equipment can lead to poor tasting coffee. this is especially true in the case of espresso coffee makers, since the resulting coffee is so concentrated and bold a flavor to begin with. Impurities can build up within espresso machines fairly quickly, and need to be removed on a regular basis to ensure great tasting coffee all the time. As is the case with other home appliances, a dirty coffee maker will not only result in foul-tasting coffee, but it can also cost you money and decrease the life of your machine.

Importance of Cleaning Coffee Machines

Coffee beans all contain very potent and important oils that are essentially a double-edged sword for coffee lovers. These oils are the main ingredient in coffee, and can produce the wonderful flavors that coffee lovers cherish. But these oils can also be the reason for poor tasting coffee.

These essential oils have a tendency to cling to the water screen as well as on any brass surfaces both inside and outside your espresso coffee maker. They can also leave a thin film on the filter basket. Over time, this will lead to clogs in the filter, which in turn can result in small deposits of coffee bean and oil residue within the coffee maker. These small deposits and impurities can clog and disrupt the espresso coffee making process, and can also intermix with the coffee oils, creating a foul drink rather than delicious espresso.

Keeping your espresso coffee makers free from these impurities can lengthen and extend their lives. Not only will this result in the best tasting coffee possible, but it can also save you money you'd otherwise have to spend on a new coffee machine or various parts.

How to Clean your Espresso Coffee Maker

Following is a step by step guide for cleaning your espresso maker. Before beginning, however, tt is important to read your coffee maker's manual carefully. Not all espresso coffee makers are similar, and some may have different cleaning methods and practices. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding any cleaning or maintenance on your machines.

1. First things first, take off the shower screen and wipe it down with a soft cloth. Remove any and all residue, and feel free to use warm water if needed.    

2. Backflush the machine as described in your espresso coffee maker's instruction manual. Backflushing is the process of flushing water and a cleaning solution through the espresso maker in an effort to clean out the shower screen, brew group and valve. Depending on how often you use the machine, the frequency with which you need to backflush your coffee maker will vary. If it receives heavy use, you'll probably want to backflush on a weekly basis. There are somehome espresso makers that should not be backflushed, so be sure to consult your unit's manual before continuing the process - if you haven't already. 

3. Unscrew and remove the group head from the machine and scrub it clean. Using a brush and some warm water, scrub the the different parts of the head separately to remove any imbedded particles or impurities. If the parts especially difficult to clean, you can also soak the different parts overnight in a solution of water and a specialized espresso coffee machine cleaner. There are brushes available that are specially-made for cleaning espresso machine group heads. While usually unnecessary, they can help expedite the cleaning process.

4. Clean the milk wand with a damp cloth. You can also remove it and soak it in warm water and espresso maker cleaning solution in an effort to remove any leftover milk residue. If needed, you can use a pipe cleaner to remove leftover residue from inside the wand. If the steam hole is clogged, use a pin or paperclip to unclog it and remove any buildup.

5. Using a mixture of warm water and espresso coffee maker cleaning solution, remove excess calcium that may have build up within the coffee machine. This is done by simply running the the mixture through the machine for several cycles. Afterwards, be sure to run two or three cycles of water to flush out any leftover cleaning solution.

6. Finally, dry all pieces of the espresso maker and reassemble the unit. You're now ready to enjoy that bold espresso coffee taste!