Cleaning your espresso machine 2

Part two of our guide to cleaning your espresso equipment. Here we give specific information on each component of the machine and how it should be effectively maintained.

Part Steam arms / tips
Schedule Daily
Cleaning material Wipz / Rinza / brush
Description Take the steam tip off, and soak in the Rinza solution for 10mins. Clean holes with small point. Run the brush in and out of the steam arm, then turn steam on and let it run for about 2 minutes.
Part Shower screens & dispersion plate
Schedule Daily
Cleaning material Urnex / non-scratch scourer
Description Take the shower screens and plates of the group heads and soak them in Urnex solution for 15mins, then clean them with a non-scratch scourer.
Part Group heads
Schedule Daily
Cleaning material Urnex / blind filter
Description Using a blind filter, rinse the seals by running the water and ‘jiggling’ the handle back and forth. Next add a half-teaspoon of Urnex to the blind filter and seal it into the group head. Run the water for 5 seconds then lets it rest for 5 seconds. Repeat this about 15 times or until Urnex has been used. Do the same for each group head.
Part Group handles / baskets
Schedule Daily
Cleaning material Urnex / non-scratch scourer
Description Take the baskets out of the group handles. Soak both the handles and the baskets in hot water with Urnex solution for 20mins. Next clean them with a scotch bright scourer. Rinse with cold water and put the baskets back into the handles.
Part Drip tray & panels
Schedule Daily
Cleaning material Wipz / hot soapy water
Description Take drip tray out and clean it with hot soapy water. Clean the panels on the machines with Wipz.