How to Thoroughly Clean Your EspressoWorks Espresso Machine
For an espresso machine to continue providing great-tasting espresso day after day, it needs to be kept clean — and the EspressoWorks Espresso Machine is no exception. A clean coffee maker is one that is cleaned correctly, cleaned thoroughly, and cleaned every day of the week.
Daily Cleaning
Coffee oils and used coffee grounds inevitably get stuck to an espresso machine’s brew head, and a clean coffee maker will not stay that way unless its brew head is cleaned daily. In order to do that, start by removing the portafilter from the brew head; then, use a cleaning brush (like the EspressoWorks Wooden Cleaning Brush) to carefully brush the brew head and remove any used coffee particles that have accumulated. As well as this, use 100% microfibre cloths (like the EspressoWorks 100% Microfibre Cleaning Cloths) to maintain the exterior of the machine - as well as your whole home coffee setup - from bits and bops so it’s always spick and span!
Doing this every day will help baristas maintain a clean coffee maker.
How to Clean Portafilters
In addition to the daily cleaning ritual described above, it is important to wash the portafilter to make sure a clean coffee maker stays that way. To start the washing, place the portafilter and its basket in a sink or bowl and add one tablespoon of espresso machine cleaning powder. Fill the sink or bowl with hot water, but avoid keeping the portafilter’s plastic handle under the water — which will corrode the plastic over time. Leave the portafilter in the water for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing it.
How to Clean a Steam Wand
To maintain a clean coffee maker, baristas should always wipe the steam wand right after steaming milk. And when the steam wand has burned milk stuck to it, it can be wiped away by using a wet cloth for ten minutes. A steam wand should never be scraped because scraping can damage its coating.
How to Clean a Burr Grinder
Another important part of maintaining a clean coffee maker is keeping the burr grinder clean. To clean the burr grinder, simply insert a product like Grindz and grind its tablets up the way one would grind coffee beans; this will take about 30 seconds and will clean away any oils from coffee beans that have become stuck to the burr grinder.
Deep Cleaning Your Machine
In addition to regular daily cleaning, baristas should plan a less frequent deep cleaning to maintain a clean coffee maker. A regular coffee maker should receive a deep cleaning about every six months, whereas an espresso machine should ideally receive a deep cleaning once a week; this is because it has a lot more parts than a regular coffee maker. It is also essential to descale your machine to remove any buildup within the machinery. Use a descaling liquid to get that done thoroughly!
Using an Espresso Brush
To conduct a weekly espresso machine deep cleaning, it’s important to have a group head brush with a 90-degree angle on hand — one that can be used to clean the machine’s many different parts. No stone should be left unturned when brushing an espresso machine’s parts, as doing so is vital to maintaining a clean coffee maker.
Using Vinegar or Alternative
If you don’t want to use a descaling liquid, white vinegar is a great alternative for deep cleaning and fighting the build-up of minerals that come from hard water. For every three ounces of vinegar, use 20 ounces of water — and let this vinegar/water combination run through the machine. After that, let three or four times as much water run through the machine.
Vinegar can be used for a variety of cleaning around the house, from kitchen surfaces to bathrooms — and it is a highly effective way to clean an espresso machine during the weekly deep cleaning. Many baristas swear by vinegar when it comes to deep cleaning their espresso machines.
But as great as vinegar is for maintaining a clean coffee maker, it isn’t the only deep cleaning option. Various cleaning powders can be used instead of vinegar for an espresso machine’s deep cleaning, including Cafiza’s espresso machine cleaner. And whether a barista prefers vinegar or a vinegar alternative, having a clean coffee maker is always the goal of deep cleaning.
When an espresso machine is not sufficiently cleaned, the result can be coffee that tastes harsh or unpleasant — which, of course, defeats the whole purpose of having a high-quality product like the EspressoWorks Espresso Machine. But a clean coffee maker can be used to prepare great-tasting coffee time and time again.
