How to clean a coffee machine

This question has a few answers, because there are different types of ‘cleans’ that can be done.

Daily

If you’re using your coffee machine daily, then yep, you need to clean it daily. This is to prevent bacteria and mould building up, and just to keep the machine clean in general. Things like wiping down the surfaces with a cloth, cleaning the milk wand and emptying the drip tray.

Weekly

Weekly cleaning tasks include refilling the water tank, and if you have a pod machine, emptying the used pods every week. For espresso machines, a weekly backflush is recommended - that’s when you pulse hot water through your machine to ‘flush’ any sediment out. Backflush water until it comes out of your machine clean and clear.

Monthly

Your grinder can be cleaned every couple of weeks, no need to clean it every day.

Descaling

Descaling needs to be done every couple of months.

Descaling is a little different from your regular stock standard clean. It is the process of specifically removing limescale from the inside of your coffee machine, and you’ll need to descale whether you have a pod coffee machine or an espresso machine. Limescale occurs when the water you use in your coffee machine deposits naturally-occuring minerals and they start to build up on the surface inside your machine. This will start to wreak a bit of havoc - whether the water stops heating, or your coffee starts to have a funky flavour.

While cleaning your coffee machine needs to be done daily, descaling is a process that only needs to be done every few months. Think of it as a coffee-machine deep clean. You usually need to use a specific descaling solution - most brands will sell one that is compatible with their machine.

Look out for weird tasting coffee, strange gurgling noises and long brew times - these are all signs that your machine is ready for a descale.

Got a Breville coffee machine? Here’s how to clean it, according to their website.

• Remove Puck

Yeah - the little puck-shaped disc of used, ground coffee beans is called, well, a puck! Chuck it out while it’s still hot and hasn’t had time to ooze out too many oils into your machine.

1. Clean Portafilter

 After each use, it's a good habit to clean the portafilter. Rinse the portafilter under warm water to remove coffee grounds and oils, and use a brush to clean the group head, making sure to remove any residue that might affect the flavour of your next cup. Empty and rinse the drip tray and water tank daily.

• Rinse Group Head

Flush out the head by brewing a shot without the coffee, so it’ll just be hot water flushing through the group head. This will help get rid of any oils and coffee grinds.

1. Cleaning the Steam Wand

The steam wand should be purged after each use to prevent milk from clogging it. After frothing milk, wipe down the wand with a damp cloth and run steam through it for a few seconds. For a deeper clean, soak the tip in warm water and use a pin to clear any blocked holes.

1.  Cleaning the Brew Basket

 For Breville machines with a brew basket, remove and wash it regularly. If it’s dishwasher-safe, you can place it on the top rack; otherwise, wash it with warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry.

By following these steps and referring to your machine’s manual for specific instructions, you’ll keep your Breville coffee machine in great condition and keep those delicious brews coming.

Cleaning a DeLonghi coffee machine, like any coffee machine, is crucial for maintaining the quality of your coffee and ensuring the longevity of the machine. This is how you descale your DeLonghi machine.

• Mix descaling solution

This can be purchased through DeLonghi - it’s a specially designed solution to deep clean your DeLonghi machine.

• Fill the water reservoir

Fill the water reservoir according to DeLonghi’s instructions that come with your specific machine (and be careful not to overfill) with hot water and the descaling solution.

• Run the descale cycle

Your DeLonghi machine’s user manual will have clear instructions on how to run the descale cycle. Keep running the cycle until the solution has flowed through the entire machine.

• Flush with water

Now it’s time to get rid of any lingering descaling solution from your machine so it doesn't ruin your coffee. Flush out your machine with water a few times.- you do this by running the descaling cycle, but without the descaling solution.

Descaling needs to be done every couple of months.

Loads of Nespresso coffee machines have auto-clean functions, which make cleaning so much easier. How you clean your Nespresso machine will depend on which one you have.

• Original Nespresso machines

Most have removable components like water tanks and drip trays, so you can easily remove them and give them a rinse and a wipe.

• Nespresso machines with milk wands

Milk is something you do NOT want building up, as it can be a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Clean and purge your milk wand after every use to keep it clean (and safe!).

• Nespresso machines with in-built steamers

The good news is that all the components of your machine can be cleaned in the dishwasher!

A coffee grinder is the perfect place for loose ground coffee to build up, so it’s important to give them a regular, thorough clean.

If your grinder has removable parts, like the hopper or burrs, take them out and gently brush away any loose coffee grounds. You can use a soft brush or a dry cloth for this. For blade grinders, wipe down the blades carefully with a dry cloth to remove any residue.

Some people swear by using rice to clean a coffee grinder, but it’s recommended that you use specific grinder cleaning tablets, as using rice will sometimes void the warranty of your machine, depending on the brand.

Follow the instructions for the grinding tablets, then grind some more coffee beans to get rid of any residue from the tablets.

Then, using a grinder brush, give everything a thorough dusting.