Regular maintenance of a coffee machine is a guarantee not only of the durability of an expensive device, but also a guarantee that every morning you will be greeted by a drink with a rich taste and dense foam. Many owners of automatic and carob devices often ignore the need for deep cleaning of filter elements, limiting themselves to rinsing under the water stream. But over time, oily And fine coffee dust forms a dense plaque, which significantly reduces the throughput of the system.
A clogged filter causes the coffee machine to buzz, the pressure drops, and the drink itself acquires a bitter taste. In some cases, ignoring the problem leads to serious breakdowns of the pump or heating element due to overheating. Understanding that, How to Clean the Filter in a Coffee Machine This will help you avoid expensive repairs at the service center.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at cleaning procedures for different types of devices, from simple carob models to complex automatic systems. You will learn what tools you will need, how often you need to carry out the procedure and what nuances to pay attention to when working with the company. calcareous.
Types of filters in coffee machines and their features
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly define what type of filtering you are dealing with. The design of filter elements is radically different depending on the class of equipment. In carob (carob) coffee machines, the main element is a metal mesh built into the holding, which delays the coffee grounds by skipping the extract.
Automatic coffee machines use a more complex system, where the filter role is often performed by the machine. cook-block and the internal tube system. Here, the condition of the mesh filters at the water inlet and in the drainage system is critically important. Understanding the design of your device is the first step to a successful cleaning.
- ☕ Holder mesh filters: They are made of stainless steel, have different degrees of grinding (single, double, for espresso).
- 💧 Water filter jugs: Contain ion exchange resin to soften water before entering the boiler.
- ⚙️ Internal filters: Located at the pump input and in the steam supply system, often hidden from the user's eyes.
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal brushes to clean fine-clean mesh filters, as this can damage microscopic cells and disrupt filtration.
In some professional models, there are also disk-filterWhich require a special approach when cleaning.
Preparation for the cleaning procedure: tools and tools
Effective cleaning is impossible without proper preparation of the workplace and the availability of the necessary materials. You won’t need a sophisticated professional tool, but using the wrong tools can spoil the details. The main enemy of the coffee machine is hard water, so it is better to use distilled or filtered liquid for the final rinse.
To remove fat deposits that do not dissolve in water, special decalcification Or baking soda. Chemicals should be designed specifically for coffee equipment, so as not to leave toxic traces or foreign smells.
Be sure to prepare a container for soaking the parts. It must be deep enough to fully immerse the filters, but resistant to hot water and chemical reagents.
- 🧽 Soft sponge or brush: For mechanical removal of plaque without scratches.
- 🧤 Rubber gloves: To protect the skin of the hands from aggressive cleaning products.
- 🥣 Plastic container: For the preparation of a solution for soaking.
Also at hand should be a paper towel or lilaless fabric for drying the parts. Wet elements can oxidize or collect dust if left to dry naturally outdoors.
Cleaning the filter in the carrot coffee machines
Carbon coffee machines are most susceptible to rapid filter contamination, as the contact of coffee oils with metal occurs directly at high pressure. The cleaning procedure is divided into daily and deep. Daily enough simply wash the net with hot water immediately after use.
For deep cleaning, which is recommended to be carried out once every 1-2 weeks, it is necessary to remove the filter basket from the holding. Often it is simply removed by pressing a knife with a blunt blade on the back, but in some models. screw-mounted Or it requires the whole knot to be dismantled.
☑️ Checklist for cleaning the carob filter
After removing the part, place it in a hot cleaning solution. The soaking time is usually 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. If the plaque is very strong, you can leave parts overnight, but you should avoid the use of chlorine-containing agents.
⚠️ Aluminum Holders can not be soaked in aggressive chemistry or left in water for a long time, as the metal can turn black and oxidize.
After chemical treatment, thoroughly rub the mesh with a soft brush, paying attention to the edges and center. Examine the filter for the lumen: all cells should be clean and let light through evenly. If you notice that the mesh is deformed or has ruptures, it must be replaced, as a large fraction of coffee will pass through the damage.
Maintenance of the brewing block in automatic models
In automatic coffee machines, the filter role is performed by the brew group. This is a complex mechanism that requires delicate handling. Unlike carob models, you can not use abrasives or hard brushes here, since you can damage plastic gears and sealing gums.
First, you need to remove the brewing block according to the instructions for your model (usually through the service hole on the side or front). Wash the block under warm running water, removing visible residues of coffee dust. Pay special attention to the metal grids located on the ends of the block.
To remove coffee oils that make plastic sticky, use special foam cleaners. Apply the foam, wait 5-10 minutes and rinse with water. Remember to lubricate moving parts and seals with silicone lubrication after each deep cleaning so that the mechanism works silently.
How often do you lubricate the block?
Lubrication with silicone lubricant (food grade) should be carried out every 3-4 months or after every 3-4 cleaning with chemistry. Lubrication prevents drying of rubber bands and reduces friction of plastic parts, which prolongs the life of the engine of the brewing unit.
There are also automatic cars. drainageIt is often clogged with fine dust. It is in the drip tray or at the bottom of the car. It must be removed, washed and cleaned with a thin spoke or brush of the hole if they are clogged.
Lime plaque removal and decalcination
If coffee oils are a taste problem, then lime plaque (scale) is a technical problem. Calcium and magnesium salts are deposited inside the tubes, on the TEN and on the walls of the boiler, narrowing the passage for water. This leads to overheating and a decrease in pressure.
The process of removing scale is called decalcination. For this purpose, special liquids or tablets are used, which dissolve in water according to the proportions on the package. The solution is poured into the tank and the machine runs it through the system in the mode of making coffee or steam.
| Type of instrument | Time of exposure | Efficiency | Safety for rubber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citric acid | 30-40 minutes. | Medium | Tall. |
| Special. fluid | 15-20 minutes | Tall. | Tall. |
| Acetic acid | 20-30 minutes | Tall. | Low (can dry) |
After running the cleaning solution, you must be driven through the system of 2-3 full tanks of clean water to wash the residues of acid and dissolved scale. Otherwise, the first brewed coffee will have an unpleasant chemical taste.
Use filtered or bottled water of low mineralization for coffee – this will significantly reduce the rate of scale formation inside the boiler.
Frequent cleaning errors and prevention
Many users make mistakes that negate all care efforts. One of the most common is the use of too hot water to rinse cold parts, which causes thermal shock and microcracks. Another mistake is ignoring the timing of the replacement of water filters-jugs, which stop working after 2 months of use.
Do not try to clean the holes in the filters with a needle or a pin "at random". This can lead to widening of the holes, and a coffee suspension will begin to enter the cup, making the drink cloudy. If the cells are clogged, it is better to replace the filter element with a new one.
- 🚫 Use of abrasives: Metal washcloths scratch the surface, where dirt then accumulates.
- 🚫 Dishwasher washing: Aggressive detergents and high temperatures can deform thin nets.
- 🚫 Drying with a hair dryer: Sharp heating of moist metal or plastic can lead to cracks.
⚠️ Warning: Never turn on a coffee machine without water in the tank immediately after cleaning - moisture residue in the system must be removed naturally or purged with air, but dry running of the pump is prohibited.
Regular prevention takes only a few minutes a day, but saves the device life for years. Rub the steam tube with a wet cloth immediately after use so that the milk does not dry to the metal.
Timely cleaning of filters saves up to 30% of electricity, since the heating element does not have to work with overload due to the scale layer.
Following these simple rules will allow you to enjoy the perfect espresso every day. Remember that the cleanliness of filters directly affects health, as bacteria and mold can multiply in old coffee grounds.
Can I wash filters in the dishwasher?
Most manufacturers do not recommend washing metal mesh filters in the dishwasher. Aggressive detergents can leave a film affecting the taste, and high water pressure can deform the thin mesh. Plastic elements of the brewing unit to wash in the dishwasher is strictly prohibited.
How often should I change the water filter?
The standard life of a filter jug (e.g. Brita Intenza or equivalents) is 2 months or 50 liters of cooked coffee (whichever comes first). After this period, the resin is saturated and ceases to soften the water, and can also begin to release accumulated contaminants back.
How to replace a special means for cleaning the coffee machine?
In extreme cases, citric acid can be used to remove scale (30-40 g per 1 liter of water). Baking soda solution is suitable for removing coffee oils, but it is less effective. Vinegar or household chemicals (for sinks) cannot be used, as they are difficult to completely wash and can damage rubber seals.