How to Clean Your Espresso Machine in 10 Seconds
Cleaning a semi-automatic coffee machine is essential to maintain the quality of your coffee and the longevity of your machine. Especially for commercial coffee machines that produce thousands of coffee every day. There’s an ancient Chinese saying: One must have good tools in order to do a good job. To ensure the stable quality of every cup of coffee, the maintenance of espresso machine is necessary.

How often do we need to clean?
Hourly
You think that it’s crazy that you need to clean espresso machine hourly, but do you know coffee oils go rancid after 45 minutes? So, with every shot you pull, hot espresso is rolling over those nasty oils. This applies if you pull 1,000 shots an hour, or one double every hour. Get that oil out of there!
Daily
Empty the Drip Tray and Coffee Grounds: Remove the drip tray and coffee puck (used coffee grounds) container. Dispose of the coffee grounds and rinse these components with warm water. Empty the drip tray and wipe it clean.
Rinse the Portafilter: After each use, remove the portafilter (the handle with the coffee basket) and tap it to remove any leftover coffee grounds. Rinse the portafilter and the metal coffee basket with warm water. Be sure to clean the spouts on the portafilter as well.
Wipe Down the Exterior: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the machine, including buttons, handles, and any exposed surfaces. Avoid using abrasive materials or strong chemicals that could damage the finish.
Weekly
Backflush the Machine (Espresso Machines): This step is specific to espresso machines with a three-way solenoid valve. We have the backflush tutorial below. It helps remove built-up coffee oils and residue from the group head.
Clean the Steam Wand: If your coffee machine comes with a steam wand, it needs regular cleaning. After each use, purge the wand by releasing steam for a few seconds to clear any milk residue. At the end of the day, remove the steam wand tip (if possible) and soak it in warm, soapy water. Wipe down the wand itself with a damp cloth.
Monthly
Descale the Machine: Over time, mineral deposits (scale) can build up inside your machine, affecting its performance. Use a commercial descaling solution or a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for descaling, as it can vary depending on the machine.
Ways to clean espresso machine
Automatically
Some espresso machines have built in self-cleaning modes to save your effort and time.
- Put the cleaning pod in the portafilter.
- Then put one spoon of coffee machine cleaning powder on it.
- Lock the portafilter back, and press the coffee machine button (this is available for Legend Espresso Machine) for 10 seconds for auto-cleaning.
With Cleaning Brush
- Insert the blind portafilters with about 3 grams of cleaning powder.
- Then insert it back and brew for 15-20 seconds.
- Remove the portafilter and rinse.
- Using the group head coffee brush, scrub the rubber seal in a circular motion to remove the old coffee grounds. After scrubbing, start to flush out the remaining coffee residues.