Here's the scenario: It's Sunday afternoon and the family is coming over for coffee. We proudly present our newest acquisition: a portafilter coffee machine. After a bit of raving, we offer our loved ones a cup of delicious coffee and, contrary to our expectations, are met with disappointed faces. Something seems off about the coffee. It can't be the beans, nor the milk—after all, we just opened both. So the unpleasant aftertaste must be coming from the machine itself. Did we make mistakes when cleaning it?
Why regular cleaning is important
How often should the portafilter machine be cleaned?
This is what you should keep in mind when cleaning
Practical tools for cleaning your portafilter machine
Why regular cleaning is important
Coffee contains various oils and fats that build up in the portafilter machine over time. Added to that are limescale deposits from the water. If you don't take care of these unwanted side effects promptly and thoroughly, it doesn't matter how high-quality your portafilter is: At some point, the coffee will no longer taste good and the machine will break. In this blog post, we'll tell you how to remove coffee residue and other contaminants from your machine.
How often should the portafilter machine be cleaned?
There's no general answer to this question. Is the machine only used on weekends, a few times a day, or is it perhaps even a permanent fixture in the office's coffee kitchen? Frequency of use plays a significant role in determining when to clean your espresso machine. You'll find more details below.
This is what you should keep in mind when cleaning your portafilter machine
It's now clear that a portafilter machine should be cleaned regularly. But what should you definitely not forget? We'll tell you the most important points about cleaning your portafilter machine.
Clean the portafilter brewing group
For the best possible coffee flavor, you should clean the sieve of your portafilter machine regularly. We recommend a quick clean after each use, as this effortlessly prevents annoying deposits. SIBO, our portafilter brush , cleans the sieve quickly and easily with its precisely fitting bristle head. To do this, insert the brush into the sieve after each coffee run, twist it back and forth a few times, and you're done. With our SIBO, all of this not only happens in a snap – it also looks stylish!
Remember to thoroughly remove residue and old coffee grounds from the brewing group at the end of each coffee-making day. Fine details on the brewing group can be taken care of either with the cleaning brush on the handle of the plastic version of the portafilter brush (SIBA) or with the PUNTO brush. The dirty water collection sieve should also be cleaned daily. This is where coffee and water residues collect, which in the worst case can lead to rust formation.
We recommend a thorough cleaning once a week. To do this, remove the coffee filter from the portafilter and then soak it in a coffee oil remover. This ensures that all coffee residue is removed. Rinse the portafilter with hot water as well. It's important to dry both parts thoroughly afterward. Afterward, the espresso machine is ready for use again.
Clean the steam wand properly
It doesn't take much to properly clean the steam wand. To avoid major cleaning tasks, simply wipe the steam wand with a damp barista cloth or a standard rag after frothing the milk. Ideally, do this immediately after use, as otherwise the milk residue will dry on the hot nozzle. Afterward, briefly open the milk wand for a burst of steam to ensure that all milk residue is removed.
In any case, the steam lance should be thoroughly rinsed at the end of each coffee-making day. To do this, first immerse the milk nozzle in one of the jugs filled with water and a little dish soap. Next, heat the steam lance valve a few times to allow the day's milk residue to dissolve in the steam pipe. Then, soak the milk lance in the cleaning solution for another 10-15 minutes, wipe it off, and you're done. Repeat this process a few more times with just water to ensure all dish soap residue is removed.
Caution: Under no circumstances should the steam wand be cleaned from the inside. This would result in milk residue and other deposits getting into the portafilter machine. A thorough rinsing after use is completely sufficient.
Descaling portafilter machine
Limescale is found everywhere in a portafilter machine where it comes into contact with water: this includes the water tank, brewing group, portafilter, etc. To ensure the longest possible service life, the portafilter machine should be descaled regularly. This not only improves the machine's functionality but also preserves the great taste.
How often you should descale your portafilter machine depends largely on the hardness of the water you use for your coffee. You can find rough guidelines for the water hardness in your area here . For a more precise reading, you can easily determine your individual hardness using special test strips available at drugstores. You'll see: Depending on the water hardness, descaling may be necessary from every three months to every six months. For very hard water, water filters may be useful, as they permanently descale the water.
Opinions differ when it comes to the right descaling agent. From vinegar to citric acid to special cleaning agents— there doesn't seem to be a magic bullet. Therefore, it's best to check with your manufacturer or consult the machine's manual. This way, you can ensure that your portafilter machine won't be damaged by using the wrong descaler.
Practical tools for cleaning your portafilter machine
Fortunately, there are some practical tools that make cleaning your portafilter machine easier. We at SAUBA want to do our part, too – starting with our portafilter brush , which makes cleaning a breeze. Simply insert the brush head into the portafilter, twist it back and forth a few times, and coffee residue is a thing of the past. Our portafilter brush removes all extra fine particles and can also be used as a practical tool for cleaning the area around the portafilter machine.
A barista cloth is ideal for cleaning the steam wand after use. It's also perfect for cleaning the exterior of your espresso machine. Whether for wiping the portafilter or polishing the machine afterward, once used, it's an indispensable tool for both amateur and professional baristas.
One thing is clear: cleaning a portafilter machine is more complex than cleaning a regular filter machine. However, with the right tools, cleaning can be easily integrated into your daily routine without much additional effort.