How To Clean Breville Espresso Machine

Isn’t it magical that humans came up with a hundred different ways of making drinks with just a coffee bean, and each kind of drink has a different taste? One of the most favored coffee drinks that have a history dating back many decades ago is espresso. An excellent shot of espresso requires not only delicious coffee beans but also a good and clean espresso machine and grinder. It is not easy to thoroughly and properly clean an espresso machine. There are many different coffee machine brands, but in this reading, we will give instructions on how to clean a Breville espresso machine

Why Is Keeping Your Machine Clean Important?

“A major difference between a professional cafe and a home user is the cleaning side of things”, said Ryan McLachlan, a coffee specialist at Breville, Sydney, Australia. Investing money in a coffee machine at home may be convenient because you no longer need to drive to enjoy a cup of third-wave specialty coffee. However, this could have negative impacts if you do not know how to clean the machine correctly. The utmost important reason why machine cleaning is essential is that a clean engine will lead to top-tier great-tasting coffee. If yeast or mold is hidden in the water storage area, the coffee will taste bitter or worse because of the texture. Moreover, daily care and regular deep cleaning also help extend the machine’s longevity and avoid expensive repairs or equipment replacement.

Cleaning Equipment

Before getting into business, make sure you already have everything listed in the list below at home. If you don’t, drive to the nearest supermarket and get them. They will help you effectively clean your Breville espresso machine.

  • cleaning brush
  • pin cleaning tool
  • cleaning discs
  • cleaning tablets
  • nylon scrub blush
  • Allen key
  • a bowl or a pot
  • a soft cloth or tower

You only need a nylon scrub brush, bowl, and towel because the Breville espresso machine usually comes with a cleaning disk, some cleaning tablets, and a meeting. 

Everyday Maintenance

Before learning how to use an espresso machine, you need to know to deep clean the machine. You should remember to do a few daily things to keep the device in good working order. 

Dip Tray

After each use, please check the dip tray and pour the waste into the garbage. It takes only a few seconds but helps prevent accumulation over time.

Steam Wand

There are two layers of a shot of espresso – crema (light brown, on the top) and liquid (dark brown, on the bottom). The steam wand is the part that helps you make your crema exactly how you want, from the silkiest milk to the frothiest foam. This part typically causes trouble, but it won’t be a problem with the proper guidance. After every milk-based drink:

  1. Remember to empty the line of any leftover milk by running it on the steam setting until no liquid comes out.
  2. Wait for the wand to cool off, then use a soft towel you have already prepared to wipe the outside of the rod to avoid any backsplash.
  3. Use the cleaning tool that came with the espresso machine to clean the tip and check if there are any blockages. 

Filter Basket

The last part of the everyday cleaning routine is clearing the filter basket. Dislodge the leftover grounds into the garbage can, then wash the basket with soap and water.

The process only takes up to 5 minutes of your time, and you will not have to worry about your machine’s conditions in the long run.

Read more: How To Make Espresso Without A Machine? – Steps To Follow

Deeper Cleaning

Regular cleaning will not 100% ensure your Breville espresso machine works smoothly. Therefore, you will need to deep clean your device every 1-2 months, depending on how frequently you use it. 

Group Head

Every espresso machine has a group head. It is made from metal and is located on the front of the device. People call it the heart of the machine because it is responsible for creating a perfect cup of espresso. The coffee taste will be affected if there are any build-ups or blockages in the group head. Therefore, you need to pay attention to this part.

First and foremost, use water to run a brewing cycle with the portafilter locked into the group head. Check the color of the water that comes out of the machine. The clearer it looks, the better since coffee-colored water indicates that there is still coffee in the group head. 

After that, use the pin tool with your machine to clean up the holes in the filter. Eliminating residual coffee and cleaning the filter holes will improve the flavor of your espresso. 

Water Filter

The Breville espresso machine includes a water filter that needs to be changed every 1,5-2 months. Like every other water filter, mold and bacteria will grow if the water filter is not changed regularly. These bacteria will degrade your espresso taste and make it dangerous to drink in extreme cases. Thus, don’t forget to check your water filter’s condition every month. 

Grinder

Since espresso requires a finer, ultra-consistent grind, cleaning the grinder before deep cleaning sessions is crucial. Although heroes are generally low-maintenance, you should brush out the burrs and remove as much coffee dust and old grinds as possible. Please remember not to use soap or water because it will cause them to rust and become unusable. 

Using The Cleaning Disk/Tablets

The final process is running your machine’s built-in cycle using the cleaning disc and tablets. It does not require much effort and takes only about 1 minute. 

Insert the cleaning disk in the one-up filter and place a cleaning tablet in the center of the disc. Attach the portafilter to the machine. Press the power button, one-cup, and two-cup buttons simultaneously until the cleaning light flashes to initiate the cleaning cycle.

When the cleaning cycle is complete, run several brew cycles with only water to eliminate any cleaning solution that may have remained in the machine. Please do not forget to do this, or the customers will not be happy with the quality of your next few shots. 

Conclusion

If you own a Breville machine, this article “How to clean Breville Espresso Machines” is definitely for you. Breville espresso machines need frequent maintenance to perform their best and produce great-tasting shots consistently. Apart from cleaning your device after each usage, you still need to do an in-depth cleaning every 1-2 months. This process will ensure the quality of espresso remains excellent and the machine’s lifespan is lengthened.

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