Regular maintenance of a carob coffee machine is not just a matter of neatness, but a critical aspect to maintaining the quality of your drink. Over time, coffee oils accumulate inside the device, which oxidize and give the coffee a bitter, rancid taste, negating all efforts to choose a premium grain.
In addition, hard water inevitably leads to the formation of scale on the heating element, which reduces the efficiency of the equipment and can lead to expensive repairs. Understanding that, How to Clean Your Coffee Machine ProperlyThis will extend the life of your equipment and ensure a stable result in each cup.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all stages of care: from daily washing of the holdinger to deep decalcination of the hydraulic system. You will learn which tools to use and which should be avoided so as not to damage seals and metal parts.
Daily care and washing of the group
Basic hygiene of the carob coffee machine begins immediately after the preparation of espresso. Remains of coffee gruel, stuck in the grid of the holding or on the dispersion grille of the group, quickly dry out and turn into a solid plaque that is difficult to remove afterwards.
Immediately after spilling water through the holding, remove it and thoroughly rinse with hot water. Pay special attention to the back of the mesh, where large fractions of grinding often get stuck. Use a soft brush to remove the soda, but avoid abrasive sponges that can scratch the metal.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a used coffee tablet in a holding room for long periods. The humid environment promotes the development of mold and bacteria, which will then get into your next drink.
It is also important to wipe the steam tube with a wet cloth immediately after whipping the milk. Milk fat freezes instantly, forming a dense crust, which then will have to be picked out, risking damage to the thin holes of the capuchinator. A simple action will take a couple of seconds, but saves hours of cleaning up pollution in the future.
Use a separate cloth to wipe the steam tube and the body of the machine so as not to smear milk fat on external surfaces.
Deep cleaning of the holdinger and the brewing group
Once a week, it is necessary to carry out a more thorough cleaning, using special chemicals. With ordinary water, it is impossible to dissolve old coffee oils that penetrate into the pores of the metal. That's what they do. backflush tablets Or special powders for coffee machines.
The process of chemical cleaning, or backflash, is as follows:
- 💧 Dissolve the cleaning product in hot water according to the instructions on the package.
- ☕ Insert the holder without a grid (or with a blank disk) and pour the solution into it.
- 🔄 Turn on the water supply for 10 seconds, then turn off for 10 seconds, repeating the cycle 5-7 times.
- 🚿 Rinse the system with clean water, repeating the cycle without chemistry to remove the residues of the product.
This procedure allows you to clean not only the visible parts of the holding, but also the inside of the brewing group, where water is supplied under pressure. Hydraulic system It is freed from fat deposits, which normalizes the pressure of the strait and improves extraction.
☑️ Checklist of weekly cleaning
Do not forget to remove the dispersion grille from the group, if the design of your model. Saeco, Gaggia or DeLonghi It allows. Under it often accumulates coffee dust, which eventually turns into dense silt, disturbing the uniformity of the distribution of water.
Scaling removal: choice of means and preparation
Scale is the main enemy of any heating device. In carob coffee machines, where water is heated to high temperatures in thin tubes of a boiler or thermoblock, deposits of calcium and magnesium salts can completely block the flow of the liquid.
To remove scale (decalcination), it is necessary to use special liquid means. It is strictly forbidden to use citric acid in high concentrations or vinegar. These aggressive substances can damage rubber seals and plastic parts inside the machine, as well as leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
| Type of instrument | Basis | Safety for sealants | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized (Durgol, Topperr) | Sulfamic/Lactic acid | Tall. | Optimal. |
| Citric acid (solution) | Organic acid | Medium | Low/Mediocre |
| vinegar | Acetic acid | Low (corrodes rubber) | High (but risky) |
| Antinaquipine (for teapots) | Hydrochloric/phosphoric acid | Critically low | Aggressive. |
Before starting the process, be sure to read the instructions for your particular model. Some modern machines have an automatic decalcination mode that controls the supply of solution and washing. In such cases, it is necessary to strictly follow the algorithm that the display tells you.
The process of decalcination: step-by-step instructions
The process of removing scale requires time and attention. You will need a capacity of at least 1-1.5 liters, as a significant amount of solution and clean water will need to be driven through the system.
First prepare the solution by mixing the product with water in the proportion specified by the chemical manufacturer. Pour the mixture into the coffee machine water tank. If your model doesn’t have an automatic mode, you’ll have to simulate it manually, turning the water supply on and off.
⚠️ During the decalcination process, do not drink water coming out of the nose! It contains dissolved salts and chemical reagents, which are dangerous to health.
Turn on the car and let it warm up. Then lower the holder (without coffee) or use a special plugged disc. Turn on the hot water supply and pass the solution through the group and the steam tube alternately. It is important that the hot solution passes through all nodes where contact with hot water is possible.
After the tank is empty, you need to thoroughly wash the system. Pour clean water and run it through the car at least 2-3 times. This is necessary in order to completely wash the residues of acid and dissolved scale. The taste of the water at the exit should be neutral.
What happens if you don’t wash your car after decalcination?
Acid residues can change the taste of coffee, making it sour. In addition, an aggressive environment can accelerate the corrosion of metallic parts of the boiler during subsequent heating.
Cleaning of the cappuccinator and steam pipe
The steam tube is the place where complex contaminants are most often formed due to milk. Even if the tube looks clean, microscopic particles of coagulated protein can get stuck inside the nozzle.
For deep cleaning, remove the outer cap of the capcinater (if it is removable). Soak it in warm water with detergent. To clean the internal channels, use a thin brush or special wire, which often comes complete with the machine.
If the plaque is old and not washed mechanically, you can use the method of soaking in solution for cleaning coffee machines. Place the removed parts in a container with solution for 15-20 minutes, then thoroughly rinse. This will return steam permeability and improve the whipping of milk foam.
Check the steam exit hole regularly. It should be round and clean. If the jet steam hits sideways or weak, then the channels are partially clogged. Steam pressure. It is critical to create the right cappuccino or latte texture.
Cleaning of pallets and external surfaces
The appearance of the coffee machine also requires care. A drop pallet is a breeding ground for bacteria and an unpleasant odor, especially if spilled milk or coffee residues get there. Wash the pan and grille using detergent at least once a week.
Clean the body of the car with a wet, well pressed cloth. For stainless steel models, special polishes can be used to remove fingerprints. For plastic surfaces, a soft soap solution is enough.
⚠️ Warning: Never use aggressive solvents, acetone or abrasive powders to clean the case. They can damage the coating, paint or plastic controls.
Be sure to disconnect the machine from the network before any cleaning of external elements, especially if you are using wet fabric. Water and electricity should not be in contact to avoid short circuits.
Regularly cleaning the pallet prevents the appearance of mold and insects that love the moist coffee environment.
Frequency of service and table of reminders
To avoid getting confused in cleaning schedules, it is recommended to make a habit or use reminders on your phone. The frequency of the procedure depends on the intensity of the use of the coffee machine. If you cook 10 cups a day, you need to clean the car more often than when cooking 2-3 cups.
Here is an approximate schedule that should be followed to maintain the perfect state of the technique:
- 📅 Daily: Flushing the holder, wiping the steam pipe, emptying the pallet.
- 📅 Weekly: Chemical cleaning of the group, washing the pallet with detergent, cleaning the capuchinator.
- 📅 Monthly (or by signal): Decalcination (removal of scale).
- 📅 Every six months: Replace filters in water (if used), check seals.
Compliance with this schedule will allow you to corn-machine They will last for years without losing productivity. Ignoring simple hygiene rules causes the machine to warm up longer, keep pressure worse, and eventually fail.
Remember that the taste of your coffee depends on the cleanliness of the water. Investing time in caring for equipment pays off with a cup of fragrant, clean espresso.
How do you know if it’s time to clean your car immediately?
If the time of espresso preparation increased, the stream became weak, and the taste acquired bitterness or sourness - these are SOS signals from your coffee machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use citric acid instead of a special remedy?
Citric acid is possible in extreme cases, but requires caution. The concentration should be low (about 20-30 grams per 1 liter of water) so as not to damage the rubber seals and aluminum parts of the boiler. Specialized products contain corrosion inhibitors and surfactants, which are safer for the internal design of the machine.
How often should I change the water filter in the coffee machine?
The standard life of a cartridge filter is about 50 liters of water or 2 months of use, whichever comes first. If you are using filtered water, the filter life may be higher, but it is recommended to change it regularly to maintain hygiene.
Why does coffee still taste strange after cleaning?
The machine was probably not well washed after using the chemicals. It is necessary to drive through the system 1-2 tanks of clean water. Also, the reason may be old coffee in millstones or the need to replace the water in the tank with fresh.
Can I wash the holder in the dishwasher?
Most metal holders can be washed in a dishwasher, but this is not recommended often. Aggressive detergent pills and high temperatures can damage the coating or deform the handle over time if it is plastic. It is better to wash manually with hot water.