Hey everyone! Today, I’m going to guide you through the steps to clean a coffee machine, whether you’re in a café or at home. To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
- Cafetto coffee cleaner
- Two Chux cloths
- A blind basket in a handle
- A short flathead screwdriver
- A group head cleaning brush
Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Preparing the Steam Wand
First, wrap your steam wand in a wet Chux cloth. This will help soak any milk residue and make it easier to clean later.
Step 2: Cleaning the Group Heads
While the steam wand is soaking, start cleaning the group heads. Remove the handle from the machine. If you don’t have a spare handle, place the blind basket into the existing handle.
Next, take out the shower screen. On commercial machines, you’ll need to unscrew it, being cautious as it can be hot. Ideally, shower screens should be cleaned daily. Give it a hot rinse, and if necessary, soak it in Cafetto solution.
For some machines, you might need to use a flathead screwdriver to knock out the shower screen and seal. Clean both thoroughly with a Chux cloth. Once cleaned, reattach the shower screen to prevent coffee grounds from clogging the machine’s solenoids during the cleaning process.
Step 3: Water Backflush
With the blind basket in the handle, insert it back into the group head and start a water backflush. If your machine has a manual lever, turn it on and off every five seconds, repeating this cycle at least five times. Many commercial machines have an automatic cleaning function you can use instead.
Step 4: Chemical Cleaning
Now, let’s introduce some Cafetto cleaner. Use a full scoop of Cafetto, add a bit of water to activate it, and place it in the group head. Run the cleaning process again, following the same on-and-off cycle. The chemical will break down oils and residues within the machine.
After running the chemical cycle, use a cleaning brush to scrub the seals and shower screen. Then, rinse out the group heads and handles with fresh water to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
Step 5: Cleaning the Group Handles and Baskets
While the group heads are being rinsed, clean the group handles and baskets and give them a thorough wipe out. Avoid soaking them in coffee cleaner as it can deteriorate the glue in the handles and the rubber seals.
Step 6: Seasoning the Machine
After the chemical clean, season the machine to remove any residual cleaner. Place a small amount of coffee in the blind basket and run a shot. This coffee water will help flush out any remaining chemical. Repeat this process a few times with fresh water.
Step 7: Cleaning the Steam Wand
Remove the Chux cloth from the steam wand and wipe it down. This should break down any milk residue that accumulated during the day. Regular wiping should keep it mostly clean, but this thorough clean ensures it’s spotless.
Step 8: Final Touches
Don’t forget to clean the drip tray and the machine’s exterior. Use clean paper towels and a streak-free cleaner to wipe down the stainless steel surfaces. Pay attention to areas visible to customers to ensure everything is pristine.
Following these steps daily will maintain your coffee machine in top condition, ensuring it lasts longer and produces better-tasting coffee.
Conclusion
These steps form a comprehensive guide to cleaning your coffee machine. Share this process with your staff or fellow baristas to maintain a consistent and thorough cleaning routine. If you have any additional steps or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel, like this video, and hit the bell icon for more tips. Thanks for watching, and happy cleaning!
