A reliable coffee machine is essential for any busy café or coffee shop. Regular cleaning and maintenance are key to keeping it running smoothly and producing great-tasting drinks. These simple habits will help you avoid costly repairs and keep your customers happy.
We explore simple tips for shop owners for maintaining your coffee machine. Ensure consistent flavour, reduce repairs, and keep your café running smoothly with minimal effort.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
A well-maintained machine delivers better coffee, lasts longer, and saves you money in the long run. Coffee oils, milk residue, and limescale can build up quickly, affecting the flavour of each cup and putting strain on machine parts.
Regular maintenance helps you avoid breakdowns and ensures the machine continues to heat water correctly and brew espresso consistently. Clean equipment also reflects positively on your business, showing customers that you care about quality and hygiene.
It also makes day-to-day service easier. Machines that run smoothly reduce waiting times for your customers and prevent frustrating delays when things go wrong. Investing a little time in cleaning and checking each day will make your work more efficient.
Daily Cleaning Tasks
Cleaning your machine daily is one of the most important habits to get into. Start by removing the portafilters and rinsing them thoroughly to wash away coffee residue. Use a brush to clean around the group heads and backflush with clean water to clear out internal buildup.
The steam wand should be purged and wiped after every use to remove milk residue. At the end of the day, give it a deeper clean using a damp cloth and warm water. This helps prevent dried milk from blocking the wand and ensures good hygiene.
Wipe down all external surfaces, clean the drip tray, and make sure the cup warmer area is tidy. Don’t forget to check for spills or buildup around buttons and levers, as these can become sticky over time if ignored.
Taking a few minutes to complete these tasks at the end of each shift will keep the machine in better condition and reduce the chance of issues during service.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
A deeper clean once a week helps remove the buildup of coffee oils and grime in harder-to-reach places. Soak your portafilters and baskets in a cleaning solution made for coffee machines, then scrub them clean with a soft brush.
Remove and clean the shower screens and gaskets, which can collect fine grounds and oils. A blocked screen can affect water flow and result in poor espresso shots. Use a pick or brush to clear out any debris behind the screen.
Check the rubber seals and replace them if they show signs of wear. A worn gasket can lead to leaks and make it harder to get a good seal with the portafilter. Also, inspect the water spouts and make sure no dried coffee is building up inside them.
Doing a more detailed clean each week helps maintain consistent quality and ensures every part of the machine is working the way it should.
Descaling the Machine
Over time, minerals in your water can leave scale deposits inside the machine. This affects heating and water flow, which can damage internal parts and spoil the flavour of your coffee.
Descaling should be done regularly using a machine-safe descaler, following the manufacturer’s instructions. After descaling, run several cycles of clean water through the machine to flush out any remaining solution.
Machines in hard water areas may need descaling more often. If your water leaves white marks in the kettle, it’s a sign your machine is likely building up limescale too. Consider fitting a water filter or softener to reduce this and protect your machine.
By keeping the internal water system clean, you ensure a consistent temperature and pressure, both of which are key to great-tasting espresso.
Emptying the Waste and Cleaning the Tray
Your machine’s drip tray and coffee waste container should be emptied and cleaned daily. These parts can fill up quickly, especially during busy periods, and left uncleaned, they can cause blockages, smells, or even overflow.
Wash them with warm, soapy water, making sure all waste is removed and parts are properly dried before putting them back. Wipe down the area where the tray sits to remove any hidden grime or sticky residue.
If the machine has a warning light or sensor to indicate a full tray, check that it’s working correctly. A blocked sensor can lead to overflow and water damage. Keeping this part of the machine clean helps prevent leaks and keeps the work area tidy and safe.
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