I recently had another live experience that prompted me to write this post. My dear mom and her fully automatic machine. When I was visiting and "pulled" a coffee, it only came out of one of the spouts. When asked when the last time a cleaning was carried out, my mother shrugged her shoulders and said something like: "The machine will let you know when it wants something."
The neglect of cleaning
With fully automatic machines, certain models may require regular cleaning. However, a portafilter does not do this. What a shame, because the topic is so important and is treated as neglected by so many as cleaning windows.
The effects of pollution
We all want delicious coffee. We deal with the right choice of beans, filter water to protect the machine, work conscientiously with the timer and scales, practice latte art... and then no one has to worry about it afterwards. A dirty workplace is not nice and also brings with it unpleasant tastes. Coffee has oils that stick to parts of the machine and are not tasty at all, but go rancid. Particles of the ground coffee also get lost in the smallest cracks and can get stuck. Cleaning is so easy and super quick and should become a routine.
The right cleaning method
At the end of all our barista courses we always have to clean the machine. We carry out all the steps together. We use our Clean Powder for coffee machines, which is very economical as you only need the smallest amounts per cleaning. You can also use a cleaning brush.
- Unless otherwise recommended by the machine manufacturer, add 5g of the powder to the blind sieve.
- Start the reference and let it run for approx. 10 seconds.
- Terminate the relationship.
- Repeat this process several times until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Then rinse with plenty of water.
We recommend weekly cleaning of portafilter machines.
Cleaning the shower and the portafilter
Then remove the shower screen from the shower and clean it under warm water with a cloth or a soft brush. The sieve remover is suitable for removing the shower sieve , or you can use a spoon like Michel in the video.
Additionally, remove the sieve used from the portafilter (please do not try with sharp objects such as knives -> risk of injury) but also with the sieve remover. Now clear the shower of coffee residue. Feel free to use the brush to get into the recesses. Clean/dry everything with a barista towel .
Complete.