log in
register

Espresso Machine Cleaner?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • August 18, 2021 at 1:22 pm #31733
    Richard_pics

    Hello all

    Can anyone recomment a reasonably priced (nothing over £10) Espresso machine cleaner.

    There is a vast array on amazon, and as im lazy, I just want one that is easy to do (i pull apart the basket and handle thing and leave in some hot water normally)

    Suggestions please.

    Thanks

    John. 

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • September 7, 2021 at 1:57 pm #983379
    0
    Richard_pics

    So Cafiza was what i

    So Cafiza was what i purchased, And its amazing!

    Clean as new!

    Thank you for your recommendations!

    August 26, 2021 at 8:27 pm #983377
    0
    HoarseMann

    Allocate more time than you

    Allocate more time than you think! I thought, about an hour – 2 maybe. Took nearer 5  (I’m a slow worker nowadays though!).

    I’ll be quicker next time, as I’ll know what I’m doing. No pausing to watch youtube tutorials and hopefully less swearing!

    August 26, 2021 at 8:06 pm #983375
    0
    Secret_squirrel

    +1 for cafiza. Works well on

    +1 for cafiza. Works well on my Sage. Got it from Amazon from memory. 

    August 26, 2021 at 6:00 pm #983373
    0
    quiff

    My 10 year old machine has

    My 10 year old machine has been descaled (rarely) but never dismantled or degreased or had the gasket changed. At this stage, the gunk may be all that’s holding it together. I feel a project coming on. 

    August 26, 2021 at 5:15 pm #983371
    0
    HoarseMann

    Well this thread prompted me

    Well this thread prompted me to descale, dismantle and degrease the espresso machine. I can confirm that a years worth of gunk takes a substantial amount time to remove – all afternoon!

    It’s all reassembled and lubed up now though, looks like new and pumping out a fine brew. I will not leave it so long next time.

    Got some kilrock liquid descaler and some of these dr beckmann coffee cleaning tablets from the local hardware store. Seemed to do the job ok.

    August 20, 2021 at 7:35 am #983369
    0
    Nick T

    Try unscrewing the shower

    Try unscrewing the shower head and seeing just how much coffee deposit has built up on the components than make up the group head, it’s gets pretty filthy in less than a month of regular use and that gunk will affect the taste of your coffee whether it’s been sterilised or not (ps, it hasn’t been as coffee machines only heat to around 93c). If you’re lucky you might have a little verdigris built up on the brass components in there too. The “silicone rubber” gasket deteriorates over time thanks to the constant heat cycles and exposure to oils, the material expands, hardens, then begins to break down – do you ever have trouble tightening the portafilter in place?

    August 19, 2021 at 6:56 pm #983367
    0
    james.bowman

    The coffee will deposit oils
    The coffee will deposit oils on the portafilter and also inside the group head if it uses a solenoid valve in the group head to release pressure after brewing (most machines do). If you look inside your portafilter under the filter basket you will probably notice it is black rather than shiny metal. A cleaning agent can dissolve the deposited oils.

    August 19, 2021 at 6:50 pm #983365
    0
    james.bowman

    Coffeehit.co.uk or hasbean.co
    Coffeehit.co.uk or hasbean.co.uk are pretty good stockists.

    August 19, 2021 at 6:49 pm #983363
    0
    james.bowman

    It sounds like you just want
    It sounds like you just want to clean the portafilter and basket? If that is the case then Cafiza is pretty good. Just dissolve some in a bowl with water and soak the metal part of the portafilter and basket for 20 minutes or so (be careful not to submerge the handle as the solution will affect it).

    Cafiza can also be used to clean the group by backflushing if your machine allows. You will need a blank (aka blind) basket in the portafilter and just pop a little bit of the powder in it. Place it in the group and then run the machine for a few seconds until the tone of the pump changes and the switch off. Repeat a few times then remove the portafilter and rinse the basket and repeat another few times this time without Cafiza just to flush it through. Finally replace the regular filter basket and make a sacrificial espresso and discard. Now you are all good.

    Generally speaking depending on volume of use I would clean the baskets, portafilter and group like this about once a week for home use.

    Periodically you may need to descale the boiler too. Typically every 6 months depending on your water. Note descaling is different from cleaning and just removes any limescale before it has a chance to build up inside theachine’s boiler.

    August 18, 2021 at 9:59 pm #983361
    0
    Sriracha

    Maybe because it’s not rubber
    Maybe because it’s not rubber. But yes, I forgot to mention, the silicone gasket does get a wipe every so often. But seriously, the whole contraption is pretty much self cleaning and sterilising, it flushes through with piping hot water at every use. Full disclosure, I don’t wash my kettle either.

    August 18, 2021 at 8:00 pm #983359
    0
    Hirsute

    Not only do you have to clean
    Not only do you have to clean it, you have to replace the rubber gasket. Or maybe not on yours !

    August 18, 2021 at 6:40 pm #983357
    0
    ktache

    Kilrock make some good stuff,

    Kilrock make some good stuff, their liquid descaler is great on the kettle and shower heads, and the thick stuff with the brush in the lid is incrdible.  UK based too…

    August 18, 2021 at 6:20 pm #983355
    0
    Sriracha

    No, my gasket is fine, thanks
    No, my (silicone) gasket is fine, thanks. So’s the coffee.

    August 18, 2021 at 6:08 pm #983353
    0
    Nick T

    I bet your coffee tastes

    I bet your coffee tastes amazing. After a year or so you get nice pieces of disintegrated rubber gasket breaking off for some added acidity which is the secret the pros never tell you 

    August 18, 2021 at 6:01 pm #983351
    0
    Sriracha

    You have to clean an espresso
    You have to clean an espresso machine? I never knew. I just knock the puck of old grounds out, rince under the tap, and start over.

    Occasionally I take a damp rag to the casing of the machine. And, when it asks, I run descaler through the system.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.