An espresso maker from Breville needs to be cleaned. Actually, the procedure is remarkably straightforward. In fact, the water tank of the majority of Breville espresso machines has cleaning instructions printed right there. In addition to being printed on the device, the instructions frequently come with all the cleaning supplies and equipment needed to make your machine spotless.
This article will demonstrate the proper method for cleaning a Breville espresso machine, as well as the timing for cleaning specific components and the distinctions between vinegar and espresso cleaning tablets. We will also discuss the need to clean your espresso machine because, despite popular belief, it cannot be sterilized with hot water.
What Is Descaling?
Descaling is the procedure used to get scale—a product of mineralized water—out of your espresso maker’s internal components, including the boiler. Although it still exists in soft water, this problem is most problematic if you use hard water.
Regardless of the brand, your espresso machine will eventually stop working properly if the scale buildup is not stopped. To keep your Breville’s coffee tasting great, descaling should be done on it occasionally. Descaling will also ensure long-lasting and optimal performance.
Read More:
- How to Setup & Use a Breville Espresso Machine?
- How to Descale Breville Espresso Coffee in an Easy Way?
Why Should I Clean My Breville Espresso Maker?
To prevent the accumulation of mold, bacteria, and unsavory grime, it’s crucial to clean your machine every day. the drip tray and steam wand you have.
If you don’t want cheese in your coffee, remember to clean every day since people frequently forget that these things need to be cleaned. In order to prevent clogging, the descaling/deeper cleaning cycle will remove all of the machine’s internal oils in addition to mineral buildup.
Cleaning the machine is crucial for producing coffee with great flavor, in addition to making sure it runs smoothly. Those wonderful coffee oils can begin to go rancid if they aren’t removed, which will change how your morning macchiato tastes.
In summation, the biggest reasons you need to clean your espresso machine are :
- in order to avoid making steam wand cheese.
- to stop the drip tray from spilling and developing mold.
- to stop the machine’s interior from accumulating mineral deposits.
- removing all oils from the appliance will improve taste and lessen clogging.
How Often To Clean A Breville Espresso Machine
The water tank of the Breville barista express does, as far as we are aware, have a cleaning guide, but it only instructs on how to clean, not when. You should be aware of the proper cleaning supplies before we discuss when to clean your machine.
Along with many other Breville espresso machines, the barista express machine comes with cleaning supplies. This includes:
- Cleaning tool/brush
- Cleaning tablets
- Cleaning disc
- Allen key
Other required tools for cleaning that are not included with the espresso machine:
- Nylon scrub brush
- Large container for catching liquid on empty cycles
- Soft cloth
Breville Espresso Machine Everyday Maintenance
A few quick actions you can take each time you use your machine will go a long way toward preserving its good condition before we begin the deeper cleaning procedure.
Examine the drip tray after each use and dispose of it. This only takes a few seconds and stops accumulation over time.
On espresso machines, the steam wand is frequently a source of issues, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Make sure to run the steam setting on the steam wand until no more liquid comes out after each use to completely clear the line of any remaining milk. Wipe the exterior of the wand thoroughly with a soft cloth after it has cooled to get rid of any backsplash. Additionally, you should clean the tip of the steam wand and check for blockages using the cleaning tool that came with your machine.
Cleaning the filter basket is the final aspect of routine maintenance you need to perform. To remove any remaining grounds, lightly tap the basket over your trash can. Then, wash with soap and water.
Overall, routine maintenance shouldn’t take more than five minutes, but it will prevent headaches down the road and keep your machine in good condition.
Breville Coffee Machine Deeper Cleaning
Your machine will still require more thorough cleaning every one to two months even with routine cleaning after each use. We prefer to clean our Breville on the first Saturday of each month, but if you don’t use your appliance every day, you can wait until every month and a half.
Group Head
The part of your espresso maker that requires the most attention is the group head. Take your time here because clogs and buildups in the group head can significantly alter the flavor of your espresso.
Running a brewing cycle using only water while the portafilter is connected is a good first step. As the water leaves the machine, inspect it. Water should be as clear as possible because coffee-colored water suggests that there is still coffee in the group head.
It’s a good idea to use the pin tool that came with your machine to clean out the holes in the filter after running a water brew cycle. Try to be patient, as this may take some time. The flavor of your espresso will significantly change after cleaning the filter holes and removing any old coffee.
Grinder
Make sure to clean your machine’s attached grinder during your deep cleaning sessions if it has one. The majority of grinders require little maintenance, but you should brush off the burrs and get rid of any coffee dust or used grounds you can. Never clean your burrs with soap or water because doing so will make them rust and useless.
Water Filter
Like the water filter in your refrigerator, Breville espresso machines have a water filter that needs to be changed every 1.5 to 2 months. You should replace the water filter if you haven’t already. Old filters are less efficient than new ones and can grow mold and bacteria, altering the flavor of your espresso and, in some cases, making it unsafe to consume.
Using The Cleaning Disk/tablet
Utilizing the cleaning disk and cleaning tablets that came with your machine, run the automatic cleaning cycle. Simple and quick, the process only takes a few minutes.
Place a cleaning tablet in the disk’s center and insert the cleaning disk into the one-cup filter. To prepare an espresso shot, connect the portafilter to the device. The cleaning cycle can be started by simultaneously pressing and holding the power, one-cup, and two-cup buttons until the cleaning light flashes.
Run a second brew cycle with only water after the machine has finished its cleaning cycle to flush out any remaining cleaning solution. If not, you risk having strange tastes in your subsequent shots.
How To Clean A Breville Coffee Machine With Vinegar
Decalcifying is an essential step in the cleaning procedure to prevent buildups and clogging, especially when a machine isn’t used frequently. Decalcifying and cleaning a coffee machine with vinegar is done as follows:
1. Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into the tank up to the MAX line.
2. Remove the filter and place a large jug under the group head and steam wand.
3. Turn the machine on – when it reaches to brewing temperature, do a manual pour.
4. Once half the tank has flowed out, set to hot water and let the solution flow for around 30 seconds before emptying the jug.
5. Turn to steam and allow the solution to run through for a couple of minutes.
6. Turn to stand by in between each step and after the steam section is done.
7. Remove the tank and rinse thoroughly.
8. Fill with cold water and then repeat the manual pour, turning on the Flushing the cleaning agent through with HOT WATER and STEAM.
How To Perform The Cleaning Cycle – Clean Me
Your espresso maker’s upper internal workings are cleaned during the cleaning cycle. not the entire set of internal parts, not the boiler. Cleaning is being done to the group head and parts leading to the drain solenoid valve, which is located in the bottom back right corner of the machine and is reachable by removing the lower tray.
Breville machines are made to dry the puck and have pressure that pulls water back through the machine to the drain valve, occasionally bringing grinds with it that need to be flushed out.
Your Breville should notify you when “Clean Me” blinks when it’s time to clean it.
- To help flush out any beans or debris, empty cycle your Breville first.
- Fill the water tank with water.
- Add the cleaning disc (included with your Breville machine) after placing a single cup filter inside the portafilter.
- Put a cleaning tablet in the middle of the disc.
- Suspend the group head.
- When you see the cleaning light flash, simultaneously press and hold the “Power,” “1 Cup,” and “2 Cup” buttons.
- The “Clean Me” cycle will then begin. When the backflow cycle is finished, release the buttons and let the device finish its cycle.
- Until your cleaning tablet is finished (or mostly dissolved), repeat steps 6 and 7.
- Run one empty cycle to help remove any lingering liquids or solutions from the group head, steam wand, and water dispenser. Repeat if necessary.
- You should clean and empty your water tray.
Final Thoughts
If you want to extend the life of your appliance and keep your coffee tasting good, cleaning your Breville espresso maker is crucial. Your life will be much easier and the cleaning process will go much faster if you use the advice and resources in this guide.
