Cleanliness is, as they say, close to godliness. As such, it’s crucial to keep your home espresso machine in tip-top condition — assuming you want godly coffee, of course. While there are a lot of ways to go about this, it’s really important to understand how to clean your espresso machine and, perhaps more crucially, why we clean our machines.

With that said, let’s talk about getting squeaky clean.

Why You Should Clean Your Espresso Machine

This is an essential thing to know. After all, if you only know that you should clean something, but don’t know why, you’re a lot less likely to handle it. We all know the feeling — you look at the living room table and say, “Maybe I should tidy up.” And then … we don’t — at least, not yet.

With coffee and espresso machines, though, you can’t judge their cleanliness by their external appearance. What we need to clean (and maintain) are its internal bits and bobs. So first off, let’s get something clear: Just like any other food product, coffee oils, mineral deposits, and sediment can (and will) turn bad over time. While you can do a few things to minimize the chances of this happening (more on that below), you’ll still need to take the time to do a full clean cycle every once in a while.

Most professionals recommend that you clean your espresso machine between every two weeks and every month. If you use it daily, especially if it’s more than once per day, you should aim closer to two weeks. However, if you only use your espresso machine once every few days, chances are that you can get away with a less strict schedule. That is, of course, assuming you perform regular maintenance. Let’s talk about steps you should incorporate into your daily routine.

How to Maintain an Espresso Machine

While I tend to think of maintenance as a form of cleaning, as it makes the cleaning part easier, it’s still something that you’ll want to become second nature. This is because maintenance comes in a few forms. Of course, there’s the mechanical style, involving replacing or fixing old parts, but there is also a more personal level to maintenance.

Once you have it down, maintenance will become a part of your brewing process. It’s easier to work into the process of brewing espresso and gives a bit of peace of mind throughout the process. So, to properly maintain your espresso machine:

• Wipe Out Your Portafilter

  • Use a wet paper towel or clean rag and remove any leftover coffee grounds, visible oils, and get it nice and sparkly again. Remember: No soap.

• Flush Your Group Head

  • This sounds more complicated than it is. The simple translation of this is to “pull” an empty shot: Run hot water through your portafilter between shots.

By doing this, you clean out any sediment in the portafilter and brew head while simultaneously preheating the portafilter for your next shot.

• Clean Your Steam Wand Between Uses

  • Wipe down all visible milk from the outside and allow steam to run through the wand for roughly five seconds.
  • Some people prefer using a cup of clean, hot water and “steaming” it as they would milk. I generally find that a clean, wet paper towel or rag does the trick, especially if I hit it with a bit of steam beforehand.
  • Some brands, like De’Longhi, make a solution for this specific purpose.

Each of these steps can be easily worked in between (and before or after) your shots. They take maybe 10 seconds apiece, so just do them. I promise you’ll notice the difference.

Signs of a Dirty Espresso Machine

If you’re still wondering how to tell if your espresso machine is dirty, there’s a super easy method. Well, two, actually: taste and smell.

You know the slightly astringent, almost metallic taste that some coffee has? Yeah, that’s because the barista (or you) used a dirty machine. While some coffee can be predisposed to a more bitter flavor profile, those who blame their coffee’s taste on the coffee beans rather than the machinery are forgetting a really important thing.

Think about it: You wouldn’t cook with a dirty pan or cut veggies with a dirty knife and then complain that your food tastes weird, would you? Of course not! So why would you do that with your espresso machine?

If, somehow, knowing that not cleaning your machine can result in a worse product isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: Just like with your car, an espresso machine only runs as well as its parts do. Oftentimes, a simple oil change can result in a massive difference in performance for your car. Similarly, your espresso machine will decline in performance if not properly maintained.

This can present itself in a few ways: 1. Lower water pressure and worse shot times, especially if your shots take way longer than they normally do 2. Poor (or nonexistent) heating 3. The aforementioned taste and smell

So, if you notice that your coffee tastes off or your machine is brewing oddly, give it a clean.

How to Clean an Espresso Machine

Now, without further ado, let’s get cleaning. Before you start, do your usual maintenance — wipe down the portafilter and group head, purge the steam wand, and run an empty pull of hot water through everything to get it loose.

Next: 1. Most high-end machines have a setting for backflushing, accompanied by a “blind filter,” or a portafilter without any holes. Place the clean blind filter in your portafilter. 2. If available, use a cleaning tablet. Most brands, such as Breville, offer some form of a proprietary cleaning tablet. Simply place it in the blind filter. 3. If available, run the backflush program. If you don’t have that setting, don’t worry, just run the machine as you would when brewing, allowing at least 10 seconds of water to flow. 1. Repeat this process at least five times. My sign that I’m done generally involves looking at the water. Once it stops looking gross, you’re good. 4. Remove the portafilter and run hot water, once again, through the machine. I recommend placing a cup beneath to prevent a mess. 5. Repeat the rinse process (step 3) several more times without a cleaning pod. 6. Brew a shot, toss it (I know, it hurts), and you’re set.

From here, I find that it’s best to take a clean toothpick or sewing needle to poke out any guck from the portafilter mesh, brew head, and steam wand. Some people prefer to use a soft cleaning brush (not wire) to scrub any remaining residue off, but I find that a rag and heat do the same thing without running the risk of scratching up your machine.

If you don’t have access to cleaning tablets, there is another way.

What Else Can You Use to Descale and Clean?

Some people opt to use vinegar, lemon juice, or citric acid to descale (remove limescale) and clean their machine. This can absolutely work. Do exactly the same process but with your chosen replacement; however, you must be more careful with the process of flushing and rinsing your brew head and portafilter.

If you don’t fully rinse your replacement out, it can affect the flavor of your coffee (mmmm … vinegar coffee) and damage the internal bits of your machine if left for too long. Remember: Your machine is likely made from stainless steel, meaning vinegar and other acidic residues can cause corrosion over time.

Common Questions

Let’s tackle some regularly asked questions about cleaning one’s espresso machine. In no particular order below, you’ll find a few tips and tricks to make your life easier, along with a couple of big no-nos.

What Can I Use to Clean My Espresso Machine?

As mentioned above, I recommend using a cleaning tablet or solution that’s designed for cleaning espresso machines. While you can use vinegar, lemon juice, and/or citric acid, the savings (both in time and money) are generally not worth the chances of getting vinegary coffee.

Check out the brand of machine that you own and look for their cleaning solution. Most brands offer a proprietary solution. If not, here’s a secret: Brand loyalty doesn’t matter as much as a clean machine.

How Do You Clean the Body of an Espresso Machine?

In my experience, running a cycle of hot water through your machine, followed by a clean, wet rag, is the best way. The heat from your espresso machine will loosen any stuff on the outside of your machine, and the rag does, well, rag things. Don’t use soap or cleaning solution, as you can leave a film of scum on the outside if it gets too hot.

How Often Should You Backflush?

Most professionals backflush every day, but they see far more volume than most people at home will. If you use your machine regularly, every one to two weeks is generally best, though those who rarely use their machines can usually get away with once every three to four weeks.

Do You Need Espresso-Cleaning Tablets?

You don’t need cleaning tablets for your espresso machine. However, they’re made for that very purpose, meaning you run less risk of a buildup of cleaner (including vinegar or lemon juice) inside your machine. In other words, while you don’t need them, per se, use the right tool for the job — it’s worth the results.

If you’re still unsure of what to use, reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert. We’ll help you find the right product, even if it’s not with us.

Final Word

With that all said and done, the truth is that cleaning your espresso machine is not only surprisingly easy, but it comes with better coffee. While you don’t need to be obsessive about it, allowing yourself to get a cleaning routine established can keep your coffee tasty and your machine sparkling clean.

The “maintenance” steps discussed above are something that you’ll see every professional do dozens of times a day. While you likely aren’t a professional, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to emulate them. Baristas have a flow for a reason. So, clean regularly, give your machine a wipe every now and then, and you’ll be set.

Should you find yourself confused or stuck at any point, reach out! Our Curated Coffee and Espresso Experts are here to help, and we want to make sure you get the best experience with your espresso machine possible.