How to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine

Amongst all the available semi-automatic espresso machines, Breville and De’Longhi machines have become most coffee enthusiasts’ go-to brands. While using a semi-automatic coffee machine might be a little bit of work, the end results are totally worth it. 

One of the aspects that intimidates most people is cleaning the machine, and we cannot stress the importance of regularly cleaning a machine enough. So once you’ve learned how to use a Breville espresso machine, knowing how to clean it is also critical in order to ensure your machine is able to consistently churn out the best espresso. In this article, we will look at how to clean a Breville espresso machine. 

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Machine? 

To avoid mold, bacteria, and grime buildup, you will need to clean your drip tray and steam wand on a daily basis. You should perform a deep cleaning cycle and descale your machine once a month, depending on your usage, to remove mineral buildup and oil to prevent clogging. Cleaning is not only required to maintain the taste of your coffee, but it also affects the longevity of your machine. 

Cleaning Tools You Need 

Most Breville coffee machines come with cleaning tools such as a cleaning brush, cleaning tablets, cleaning disc, and an Allen wrench. Some extra tools you may need are a nylon scrub brush, a large container for catching the liquid on flushing cycles, and a soft cloth. 

What Parts of the Machine Should You Clean Daily?

The following parts of the machine should be cleaned every time you use the machine, or at least once a day to avoid ‘steam wand cheese’ and mold and bacterial build-up: 

Drip Tray 

When the drip tray is full, an “empty me” tab pops up. Simpy dump the contents of the tray and give it a good rinse. 

Steam Wand 

As it deals with ‘spoilable material,’ the steam wand needs a little more attention. After each use, switch the dial to steam position and run the wand with its tip directed towards the drip tray. Once the machine cools down, wipe the wand with a soft cloth. If the steam wand is blocked, clean it with one of the tools given to remove the blockage. If you have stubborn blockage, simply unscrew the tip (froth enhancer) of the wand and soak it overnight in a cleaning solution. 

Filter Basket 

Everytime you make an espresso, tap out the basket and wash it with soap and water daily to avoid build-up. If the blockage still remains, use a cleaning pin to unblock the filter holes. 

Parts of the Machine You Should Clean Monthly 

Along with daily cleaning, it’s important to deep clean the following parts of the machine once a month:

Brewing Head, Group Head, and Portafilter 

Put the empty portafilter in place and run water through the machine, periodically, to rinse out all the units and dislodge any trapped coffee grounds. Clean the blocked filters with the cleaning pin. 

Water Filter 

Simply remove the water filter, soak it, and rinse it thoroughly with soap and water. Once it is dry, reassemble the unit and place the water filter back in its place. 

Hopper or Coffee Bean Grinder 

Every month, empty out the hopper and give it a good rinse. You should also brush the burr grinder to remove any coffee grounds. Cleaning this part of your machine will remove any trapped oils which ensures that your coffee beans stay fresh. 

The Cleaning Cycle

Thankfully, the breville espresso machine comes with a “clean me” light that comes on when it’s time to run the cleaning cycle. Following are instructions to run the cleaning cycle: 

• Run an empty cycle to flush out your machine. 
• Put the single shot filter in the portafilter and place the cleaning disc inside it. 
• Place a cleaning tablet in the disc and attach the portafilter to the group head. 
• Press and hold the power button and the single and double shot buttons, simultaneously until the “clean me” light turns on. 
• The cleaning disc forces water back into the system, so don’t worry when you see some water come out. 
• Once the backflow cycles finish, run one empty cycle to flush out any excess cleaning products. 

Conclusion 

It is crucial to clean your machine regularly, not only to maintain the quality of your espresso but also to ensure your machine lasts you many wonderful years.