Cleaning espresso machines

[Lynchmeister]

I've had my espresso machine for a few days now and while my technique is still clumsy, my shots and efficiency of movements are slowly improving. One aspect still has me wondering, though. Cleaning the grouphead.

After pulling a shot, I engage the pump for a few seconds and run a bit of water through the grouphead without the portafilter on. At this point I don't have a brush yet, so I've been making due with a paper towel as best I can, wiping down the grouphead and also around the gasket.

When pulling multiple shots, does the grouphead need to cleaned or rinsed between shots?

What methods do you guys employ?

Thanks!

 

[Scotto]

Run some water between shots as you are doing, in order to get coffee off the screen. Get a rubber gasket that blocks the screen in the basket and after you are done do the "portafilter jiggle". This forces water all around the grouphead and makes cleaning easier. Of course, if your machine allows it, backflush with clean water after your session.

 

[Maduro 5]

Run some water between shots as you are doing, in order to get coffee off the screen. Get a rubber gasket that blocks the screen in the basket and after you are done do the "portafilter jiggle". This forces water all around the grouphead and makes cleaning easier. Of course, if your machine allows it, backflush with clean water after your session.

I always thought that flushing back using the rubber gasket is part of the regular maintenance, one per month rather than daily. Are you back flushing it daily?

 

[doleeo]

Cory,

If your machine has a 3 way valve, I'd recommend a clean water backflush after every session.

As for a brush, I've got the pallo brush which does a good job of getting up around the grouphead gasket.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Thanks guys! Sounds like I'm going down the right path. I'll have to look into backflushing, but I have a suspicion that my machine does not have a 3-way valve. I have a Gaggia Evolution and will need to do some more research on it.

 

[Scotto]

I always thought that flushing back using the rubber gasket is part of the regular maintenance, one per month rather than daily. Are you back flushing it daily?

Definitely do a water backflush after you are done with the machine for the day. Backflushing with chemicals should be done less often. Also use the rubber thingie in there and jiggle the portafilter around (without locking it in) to let the water run over the grouphead and out. This helps a lot, and makes brushing the seals less of an issue.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Does backflushing cycle the dirty water back into the resevoir? If so, I suppose it really is a non-issue - just empty out and rinse before the next use.

 

[LaughingAtFate]

I just run mine with an empty grouphead, rinse it out, run it again and yeah, That gets most of the leftover grounds. Only brush it out once a month or so and give it a dose of descaler at the same time.

I don't bother about giving it a proper wash between multiple shots, just bang out the grouphead, rinse and re-stock it with grounds.

 

[johnmrson]

Between shots I just run abit of water through the group head. I usually give the screen and surrounding area a wide with a damp cloth.
At the end of the day I back flush with water and clean the screen and in and around the group head.
Weekly I'll back flush with chemical cleaner.

 

[Schweinhund]

Do NOT try to backflush an Evolution, you don't have a 3-way valve so you can't backflush it.
If you have a 3-way valve you'll see a dump tube behind the group head leading from the machine body to the drip tray, which is where the overflow pressure goes.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Do NOT try to backflush an Evolution, you don't have a 3-way valve so you can't backflush it.
If you have a 3-way valve you'll see a dump tube behind the group head leading from the machine body to the drip tray, which is where the overflow pressure goes.

Gotcha. Thanks for confirming my suspicions on the lack of a 3-way valve.

I guess this brings me to another question. If backflushing is not an option, are there other ways to descale the machine?

 

[WhosYerBob]

I run the water, dry and clean with a paper towel and make sure to get into the seal gap about once a week. Nothing more.

 

[Scotto]

Gotcha. Thanks for confirming my suspicions on the lack of a 3-way valve.

I guess this brings me to another question. If backflushing is not an option, are there other ways to descale the machine?

Run something like Urnex Cleancaf through it every few months. It is a very good product.

 

[Jasonian]

Thanks guys! Sounds like I'm going down the right path. I'll have to look into backflushing, but I have a suspicion that my machine does not have a 3-way valve. I have a Gaggia Evolution and will need to do some more research on it.

No 3-way valve on that machine, but it's easy to drop the shower screen on.

I would drop the shower screen and do manual cleaning every few weeks. (monthly-ish) You can still do the Portafilter Wiggle.

 

[cattytown]

Hi all, I am new here but have been int coffee for some time - I have an Izzo Vivi and Iberital MC2.

I think Lynchmeister's Evo is a single boiler, so he probably does not want to be running any detergents through it without checking with Gaggia, in case there are any sensitive seals early on in the mechanism. A coffee machine cleaner can be used for cleaning the portafilter and for cleaning round the group, but I would not run a detergent through it. It may well be a PITA to fully flush a detergent out.

What would be worthwhile would be a descale once in a while. Citric Acid seems to be a VERY popular descaler. Mix it according to instructions, fill the res and run a revservoir full through the machine. Leave to stand for a while with some in then run a res or two of water through to flush. As Citric acid is relatively safe, it does not need to be as throughly rinsed as a detegent would be.

How often to descale? This all depends upon the water and the use. One espresso a week and soft water, it might not need descaling. Very hard water and serving a small office and I'd look at monthly at least

P.

 

[tea goober]

Now this is something that I know a thing or two about. I had worked for Starbucks (back in the day) and have had ten years experience with maintenance and cleaning of espresso machines. After pulling your shot you want to back flush the "brew head" quickly, remove the porta filter and let water run through it (the brew head) Scrub with a stiff brush (toothbrush will do) leaving coffee grounds around the rubber gasket is the cause of it deteriorating (acid) Every once in a while you should compltely remove the brew head and clean it with soap and water. There is usually a screw in the brew heads center that holds it on. Keeping this clean is very important not only as it affects the coffees flavor (if not clean) but also keeps the machine working properly. A dirty machine is eventually a broken machine. The same basic cleaning also applys to the porta filter, pop off the basket, the basket and the interior of the porta filter (the part under the basket) needs to be kept clean.

 

[cattytown]

Hi Tea Goober, the winse after a shot is good, but the Lynchmeister's machine is a domestic one that does not have the facility to be backflushed. A rinsa and the PF jiggle is still goood though.

P.