Free shipping on orders over 1,000 TLShipped within 48 hours of roast dateSpecialty grade SCA 80+ beansFree shipping on orders over 1,000 TLShipped within 48 hours of roast dateSpecialty grade SCA 80+ beans
Taste: Old coffee oils go rancid, transferring to every brew
Hygiene: Moisture + organic waste = bacteria and mold
Performance: Limescale buildup ruins water flow and temperature
Even good machines fail with poor maintenance. Cheap machines last for years with proper cleaning.
Espresso Machine Cleaning
Daily Routine (5 minutes)
After every use: 1. Remove portafilter, knock out grounds 2. Rinse the basket with water 3. Pull a blank shot through the group head (flush) 4. Wipe steam wand IMMEDIATELY with damp cloth (dried milk is impossible to clean) 5. Purge steam wand for 1 second (clears milk inside) 6. Empty drip tray, rinse
Weekly (15 minutes)
Backflush: 1. Use a blind basket (no holes) 2. Insert into group head 3. Run machine 10 sec → stop 10 sec 4. Repeat 5 times (with plain water) 5. With espresso cleaning powder (Cafiza, Puly Caff): 1 scoop in blind basket, same process 5 times. Then rinse 5 more times with plain water.
Steam wand deep clean: - Remove tip, soak in milk-cleaner for 30 minutes - Brush inside with toothbrush - Use a needle for clogged holes
Other: - Wash drip tray with soap - Disassemble and clean filter baskets
Monthly: Descale (Limescale Removal)
Signs: Slow water flow, taste change, machine sounds different
Process: 1. Empty the machine completely 2. Add descaler (Durgol, Cafiza — NEVER vinegar) per instructions 3. Drain through boiler 4. Run 1 liter through group head 5. Run 1 liter through steam wand 6. Rinse extensively — descaler taste must disappear (5-10 liters of fresh water)
Important: Some machines (E61, heat exchanger) require special descale procedures. Check your manual.
Moka Pot Cleaning
After Every Use
1. Wait until completely cool (soap on hot metal damages it)
2. Disassemble three parts
3. Clean with only hot water and a brush
4. NO SOAP — soap removes the seasoning oil layer, ruining future coffee
5. Dry completely (prevents rust)
Weekly
- Remove the filter, brush the holes with a fine brush
- Check the rubber gasket (replace if dry/cracked)
After Every Use
1. Discard grounds (NOT in sink — clogs pipes)
2. Disassemble plunger (3-4 parts)
3. Wash with hot soapy water
4. Use toothbrush to remove fine grounds in mesh
Weekly Deep Clean
- Soak parts in vinegar water for 30 minutes
- Polish, dry
- Check glass for cracks
V60 and Pour-Over Cleaning
V60 is the easiest to clean: - Discard the filter (compostable) - Rinse dripper with hot water - Soap-wash weekly - Server is dishwasher-safe (if glass)
Kettle Cleaning
Electric kettle: - Monthly descale: 1:1 vinegar + water, soak 30 min, boil, rinse 3x with fresh water - Citric acid alternative: 1 tbsp + 1 liter water
Stovetop (gooseneck) kettle: - Same vinegar descale method - Polish exterior with linen cloth
Water Filter
If your machine has a water filter: - Replace every 2 months - Old filter: limescale builds, machine breaks, taste drops
Limescale Prevention: Water Quality
Best coffee = filtered or mineral water. Hard water causes limescale; very soft water gives flat taste.
In hard-water cities (London, Istanbul, Athens), use Brita-style filters or bottled mineral water.
Maintenance Schedule Summary
Task
Frequency
Time
Espresso daily clean
Daily
5 min
Espresso backflush
Weekly
15 min
Espresso descale
Monthly
30 min
Steam wand deep clean
Weekly
10 min
Moka pot routine
Each use
2 min
French Press
Each use
3 min
V60
Each use
1 min
Kettle descale
Monthly
30 min
Water filter change
Every 2 months
5 min
FAQ
Can I descale with vinegar? NO for espresso machines — vinegar destroys gaskets and corrodes metal. OK for kettle and French Press only. Use professional descaler (Durgol, Cafiza) for espresso machines.
What if I skip backflush? Old coffee oils accumulate in the group head. Every shot becomes bitter, then the valve clogs. Repair costs $50-200 — 15 minutes weekly is much cheaper.
Is a water filter worth it? Brita Maxtra+ filter costs ~$5-10, lasts 2 months. Annual cost: ~$60. Protects your machine from descale issues. A limescale-damaged machine costs $200+ to repair.
How often should I replace my espresso machine's gasket? Every 12-18 months for daily users. Signs of wear: water leaks during extraction, brown stains around the group head.
My espresso suddenly tastes worse — what should I check first? 1. Coffee freshness (4 weeks max from roast) 2. Grinder burrs (replace at 500-1000 lbs) 3. Backflush and clean 4. Descale if water flow is slow
