Breville Machine Cleaning

“A coffee machine is an amazing friend. It offers a perfect coffee cup in the morning, allows you to perform your tasks, and relaxes you for a long day.”

Everyone wants to enjoy a delectable coffee cup in the morning but do not want to clean their espresso machines. I know, nobody wants to spend his beautiful day cleaning coffee residues but like every other tool, your espresso machine requires proper care and maintenance. In this way your machine will perform its best and churn out delicious espresso shots consistently. However, if you do not clean your machine, it will affect the taste and quality of coffee and also shorten the lifespan of your coffee machine

Want to clean your espresso machine? Do not know where to start and how to perform a cleaning cycle? Do not worry! Here are step by step instructions that will help you to clean your espresso machine without any hassle. 

Let’s start!

Contents

Why should you keep your espresso machine clean?

You should clean your espresso machine to:

  • Get a consistent and delicious coffee cup each time.
  • Increase the longevity of your espresso machine.

If you do not clean your espresso machine at its proper time, hazardous mold or bacteria will grow on it, leading to wear and tear of the inner part of your machine. 

When should you clean your Breville espresso machine?

Breville espresso machines have indicator lights that let you know when they require cleaning. Most people ignore this light as they do not want to spend time or effort cleaning their machines and that is wrong. Some parts require weekly cleaning white others need monthly or deep cleaning, depending on the number of shots being pulled and hardness of water. 

If you are using hard water, you should clean your machine more frequently as minerals may build  up in your espresso machine and will affect its efficiency and flavor extraction. If you are brewing coffee daily, you should clean your machine after 2-5 brewed coffee cups. In short, you should inspect your coffee machine on a regular basis. 

Cleaning equipments 

Most Breville espresso machines come with many cleaning equipment, helping you to easily clean your machine. Most espresso machines contain a storage tray behind the drip tray, allowing you to store all your cleaning equipment ingeniously! The cleaning equipment include;

  • Soft-bristle brush (for grinder, filter basket, and portafilter)
  • Allen wrench
  • Pin cleaning tool (for steam wand)
  • Soft cloth or towel
  • Cleaning tablets
  • Cleaning powder
  • A bowl or pot
  • Stiff-bristle nylon brush
  • Cleaning disk

Daily cleaning

You should clean some parts of your espresso machine daily to ensure optimal performance and longevity. 

1. Drip tray

When your drip tray is full, your espresso machine will give you an ’empty me’ sign. For this;

  • Take out the drip tray.
  • Empty it.
  • Wash the drip tray with warm or soapy water.
  • Dry it and place it in its position. 

2. Portafilter

After each use or at the end of the day, clean the portafilter and filter basket with a soft brush to remove residual coffee grounds. Unblock each hole with a pin cleaning tool. After this, rinse the portafilter and filter basket with hot soapy water. Do not put them in the dishwasher as it removes the handle’s shiny coating. 

3. Knock box

If you are using a coffee grind bin or knock box, you should empty and rinse it daily to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria. 

4. Group head

The next step is to flush the group head of your Breville espresso machine. Press the preset shot button and run some hot water through the group head and shower screen to remove the coffee particles. Wipe the group head with damp cloth and dry it. 

5. Grinder 

If your espresso machine has an in-built grinder, you should clean it regularly for consistent grinding. For this, unlock the hopper, remove the leftover beans, and place it in its place. After this, unlock the hopper again, twist the upper burr to the right and remove it. Remove the coffee residues with a soft brush, also brush out the grind outlet. After this, place the upper burr in its position in a lock position. 

6. Steam wand

Steam wand is an important and problematic part of an espresso machine. You should clean it after every use as milk residues get stuck, dry, and make your coffee taste bitter or sour. So, after using the steam wand;

  • Run the steam wand on a steam setting until no liquid comes out.
  • After purging, let it cool.
  • Wipe it with a damp cloth from outside to clean any backsplash. 

If there is a blockage in the holes of the steam wand, unblock them with a steam wand cleaning tool. If the problem persists, unscrew the steam wand tip, soak it in the hot soapy water, unblock it again with a cleaning tool, reassemble the steam wand, and purge some heat to check its performance. 

Note: 

  • After cleaning all parts, wipe all exterior surfaces of the machine with damp cloth.
  • Run a few shots of hot water to flush out any leftover coffee grounds.  

Weakly cleaning

Weekly cleaning removes the coffee residues, prevents the accumulation of minerals, and inhibits the growth of hazardous bacteria or mold. For weekly cleaning:

  • Properly clean the steam wand.
  • Descale the machine with a descaling solution.
  • Clean the portafilter and group head with a soft brush to remove coffee residues.
  • Run a few shots of hot water to flush out any leftover coffee grounds.

Monthly cleaning (Deep cleaning)

After daily and weekly cleaning, there is still a need to clean your espresso machine after every 1 to 2 months. Deep cleaning increases the lifespan of your machine for years and ensures the perfect taste in every coffee cup. The deep cleaning tasks include;

1. Cleaning cycle 

Breville recommends running a cleaning cycle after every 2-3 months or after 200 brewed coffee cups. The Breville espresso machine also shows a “clean me” light or notification when it is due. In the cleaning cycle, the water is flushed back into the machine to clean the group head, shower screen, and three-way valve to dislodge oil and coffee residues.  The steps of cleaning cycle include;

  • Add a cleaning disk in the one cup filter basket in the portafilter.
  • Add cleaning tablets or powder.
  • Insert the portafilter in the group head in a lock position.
  • Empty the drip tray.
  • Fill the water tank with cold water.
  • Run a complete cleaning cycle.
  • Once done, rinse the portafilter, drip tray, and cleaning disk.
  • Place the portafilter and drip tray in their position.

After this, wipe the exterior of your machine with a damp cloth. 

2. Changing the water filter 

The Breville espresso machine comes with a water filter and you should change it after every 1.5-3 months. The water filter prevents the building up of minerals inside the machine and delivers tasty coffee cups. If you do not change the filter, mold or bacteria will grow that not only affect the coffee’s taste but are also hazardous to your health. To change the water filter;

  • Uncover your new water filter and soak it in water for 5 minutes.
  • Set the date on the water filter to remember when you change it.
  • Empty the water tank and remove the old filter.
  • Insert the new filter and refill your water tank with freshwater.

Now, brew a coffee cup and enjoy!

3. Descaling 

The final cleaning process is descaling, depending on the water hardness. Breville espresso machine comes with the water testing strip, allowing you to see your water hardness level. If the level is 4-5, you should use bottled or filtered water. However, if you are using filtered water, still minerals can build up in your machine due to daily use. It can affect the brewing temperature, working of your device, coffee’s taste, and many others. So, you should descale your machine after every month. The descaling process include the following steps;

  • Empty the drip tray.
  • Remove coffee residues from the filter basket and portafilter. Wash them with hot soapy water. 
  • Clean the grinder carefully. Brush off the burs to remove any leftover coffee residues. Never wash it with water as the burrs will rust and render them useless.
  • Remove water and filter from the water tank and fill it with a descaling solution.
  • Select the descaling program (according to your desired machines’ manual instructions).
  • After this remove the descaling solution from the water tank and refill it with fresh water.
  • Run a complete cleaning cycle. 
  • Wipe the machine thoroughly with a damp cloth.

You can descale your machine with a commercial descaling solution or with homemade liquid i.e. 1:1 solution of vinegar and water.  

How to activate the cleaning cycle on different espresso machines?

You can activate cleaning cycle on different espresso machines in such a way that:

Espresso machines How to activate the cleaning cycle?
Breville OracleNavigate to the menu, rotate the dial to the cleaning cycle, and perform it.
Breville Oracle TouchSelect cleaning cycle on the screen
Breville Barista TouchSelect cleaning cycle on the screen
Breville Dual BoilerNavigate to the menu and continuously press it until you get the cleaning cycle. Select it and perform. 
Breville Barista ProRotate the grind amount dial to navigate the menu. Select the flushing cycle. 
Breville Infuser Press and hold the 1 and 2 brew buttons and the power button for 10 seconds. 
Breville Barista ExpressPress and hold 1 cup, 2 cup and power button for 3 seconds.
Breville Duo Temp ProTurn the dial to the espresso setting for 20 seconds, back and repeat 5-6 times to activate cleaning mode.
Breville Bambino PlusPress and hold the 1 cup and 2 cup button for 5 seconds. 

Why should you descale your Breville espresso machine?

Regular brewing may build up minerals in your espresso machine which affects the flavor of your coffee and working of the machine. Descaling removes the oil, dirt, and coffee residues, allowing your machine to perform its function efficiently. 

Can you use soap or detergents to clean your Breville espresso machine?

Intense soaps and detergents damage the internal components of your espresso machines. It is not recommended to use them for cleaning. However, you can use mild detergents, specialized cleaning tablets, and cleaning powder for espresso machine’s cleaning. 

How to descale a Breville espresso machine with a descaling powder?

  • Fill your water tank with one part of descaling powder (Caffenu or Dezcal) and three parts of freshwater. 
  • Turn on the machine and let it run for a few minutes.
  • Perform descaling cycle.

For more  information check out the below link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIfy kWSp 

How to clean your steam wand regularly and thoroughly?

For the cleaning of the steam wand;

  • Run the steam wand on a steam setting until no liquid comes out.
  • Let it cool.
  • Wipe it with a damp cloth from outside to clean any backsplash. 
  • Unblock the blockage in the holes of the steam wand with a steam wand cleaning tool. 
  • If the problem persists, unscrew the steam wand tip, soak it in the hot soapy water, unblock it again with a cleaning tool, reassemble the steam wand, and purge some heat to check its performance. 

How to clean a breville espresso machine with tablets?

Cleaning tablets are an effective way to clean your espresso machine. The steps include;

  • Put a cleaning disk in one cup filter basket in the portafilter.
  • Add a cleaning tablet in the center of the disk.
  • Attach the portafilter in the group head in the lock position.
  • Run a cleaning cycle.
  • Wash the portafilter, drip tray, and cleaning disk.
  • Place the portafilter and drip tray in their position.
  • Wash the exterior of your machine with a damp cloth.

How to clean a breville espresso machine without tablets?

You can use mild detergents, cleaning powder, or 1:1 vinegar and water solution to clean your espresso machine. For this;

  • Add cleaning powder, vinegar solution, or mild detergents in the water tank.
  • Run a thorough cleaning cycle.
  • Wipe your machine with a damp cloth.

How to clean a breville espresso machine water tank?

You should properly clean the water tank to ensure a healthy drink and coffee’s freshness. For this:

  • Remove the water tank.
  • Discard water and remove the water filter.
  • Wash the water tank with hot soapy water.
  • Rinse it.
  • Refill it with freshwater.
  • Place the water filter and fit it back to its position.

How to clean a breville espresso machine with vinegar?

You can descale your espresso machine with homemade vinegar solution in such a way that;

  • Fill the water tank with one part of vinegar and one part of water.
  • Run a descaling cycle.
  • After this refill the water tank with freshwater and run five cleaning cycles.
  • Wipe your machine with a damp cloth.

The verdict 

Cleaning your espresso machine is an easy task. Many people avoid it as they think it will take too long but this is not the case. The daily cleaning takes only 5 minutes while monthly (deep) cleaning takes about 30 minutes. Following step-by-step cleaning instructions keep your machine in a good working position, increase its longevity, and offer you a tasty and consistent coffee each time. Clean your espresso, brew an espresso shot, and enjoy your day. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you deep clean a Breville espresso machine?

How do you clean the inside of a Breville?The deep cleaning include the following steps;

  • Empty the drip tray.
  • Brush off the filter basket, burr grinder, and portafilter.
  • Remove water and filter from the water tank and fill it with a descaling solution or cleaning powder.
  • Run a descaling cycle (according to your desired machines’ manual instructions).
  • After this run a complete cleaning cycle with freshwater. 
  • Wipe the machine thoroughly with a damp cloth.

Do I need to clean my Breville espresso machine?

Do I need to clean or descale my Breville? Yes, you need to clean your machine daily, weekly, and monthly to prevent the building of oil, coffee, dirt residue, or minerals. This accumulation not only affects your coffee’s taste but also causes wear and tear in the internal parts of your espresso machine. 

How to do a clean cycle for a Breville Barista?

To activate the cleaning cycle in Breville Barista Express, press and hold 1 cup, 2 cup and power button for 3 seconds. It will activate the cleaning cycle and the process will be completed in just 5 minutes. 

Recommended guide: How to Clean Your Nespresso Machine for the Best Results

What is the proper cleaning of an espresso machine?

How do you remove buildup from an espresso machine? The proper cleaning includes regular maintenance of your espresso machine. The process include;

  • Empty the drip tray and wash it with hot soapy water.
  • Clean the portafilter, burr grinder, grind outlet, and filter basket with a soft brush. Empty and rinse the knock box. 
  • Run some hot water through the group head and shower screen.
  • Purge the steam wand. Unblock its holes with a steam wand cleaning tool.
  • Wipe all exterior surfaces of the machine with damp cloth.

How often should I clean my Breville espresso machine?

You should clean your machine daily, weekly, and monthly to keep it in a good working position. Cleaning the espresso machine will take only 5-30 minutes, allowing you to brew a consistent coffee every time. 

Can I use vinegar to clean my Breville espresso machine?

Can I run vinegar through my Breville espresso machine? Yes, you can use vinegar to clean your espresso machine. For this, mix one part of vinegar in one part of water, pour it in the water tank, and run a cleaning/descaling cycle. 

What is a homemade cleaning solution for a Breville espresso machine?

You can use citric acid, lemon juice, and vinegar to clean your espresso machine. 

  • For citric acid — mix 1 unit of citric acid in 20 parts of clean water.
  • For vinegar or lemon juice — mix equal volumes of vinegar/lemon juice in an equal amount of freshwater.
  • Never use abrasive agents.

What happens if you don’t clean an espresso machine?

If you do not clean your espresso machine, 

  • The coffee, oil, or dirt residues build up in the internal parts of your machine.
  • The minerals accumulate in the water tank, valves, or pipes, affecting the machine’s working and coffee’s quality.
  • Hazardous bacteria or mold will grow, causing serious issues. 

Also read: 21 Best Espresso Machines of 2023 | The Definite Guide

Also read: 21 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers, According to Our Tests

Can you clean the Breville filter?

You cannot clean the water filter, however, you should change it after every 1.5-3 months. It will ensure coffee’s freshness and offer a tasty drinking experience. 

Why not use distilled water in the Breville espresso machine?

Distilled water lacks fluoride and many other essential minerals that are required for developing a full-bodied coffee cup. So, never use distilled water or water with a low mineral content. 

How do you use a Breville cleaning tool?

Each cleaning tool performs specific function in cleaning process such as;

  • Soft-bristle brush and stiff-bristle nylon brush is best for cleaning of grinder, filter basket, and portafilter. 
  • Pin cleaning tool is used to treat steam wand blockage.
  • Soft cloth or towel is used to wipe the exterior parts of the machine to remove any backsplash.
  • Cleaning tablets, cleaning powder, and cleaning disk is used to run a cleaning cycle.
  • A bowl or pot is best to collect the used water. 

Can I use baking soda to clean the Breville espresso machine?

Baking soda is perfect for cleaning the removable parts and exterior of the machine. It is not a best choice for descaling as it does not dissolve in water. For effective cleaning, use cleaning tablets, commercial solutions, or 1:1 vinegar solution. 

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