If you want to keep your Breville espresso machine in top shape, you have to clean it thoroughly and often.
Depending on the model you own, the cleaning process can be a bit tougher than it is with other coffee makers.
This easy-to-follow cleaning guide will explain how often to clean each component of your Breville espresso machine—from the portafilter to the drip tray—so you can enjoy a great shot of espresso every day.
Why Cleaning Your Espresso Machine Is Important
By cleaning your Breville machine regularly, you’ll improve your coffee-making experience in the following ways:
- Flavor consistency. As gunk and minerals build up inside the water tank or steam wand, they can affect your espresso’s flavor balance. If you notice that your coffee has a funny taste or tastes a little off, that’s a sure sign that it’s time for cleaning duty.
- More efficient operation. Clean components work better than dirty ones, so maintaining a regular cleaning schedule helps to prevent excess wear and tear. And when you take the machine apart, you can spot potential issues that could cause problems in the future.
- Longevity. The best Breville espresso machines are built to last years, but a lack of cleaning and maintenance will shorten the machine’s lifespan dramatically. The more often you use the coffee maker, the more often you have to clean it.
How Often To Clean Your Breville Espresso Machine
You should clean your Breville espresso machine every time you use it. Some components—such as the water tank—don’t get very dirty with each cup of coffee, so you can wait longer to clean them.
Let’s break down the cleaning steps for each part of your coffee maker.
How To Clean Your Breville Espresso Machine Parts
Cleaning the Portafilter
After each use, remove the portafilter and dump out any remaining coffee grounds. Take out the filter basket and use warm water to wash out leftover grounds that get stuck inside the pieces. We recommend using a nylon scrub brush (metal will leave scuff marks) to get into the nooks and crannies.
Once the portafilter is visibly clean, brew plain hot water for about ten seconds to remove any coffee residues, oils, or other residues. Repeat these steps again if necessary.
Cleaning the filter holder every time should prevent any buildup.
Cleaning the Drip Tray
High-end espresso machines will usually have an Empty Me sign that pops up when the drip tray is full of water. Even if you’re not spilling any coffee, the tray fills with condensation from the pipe at the back of the machine. Typically, the sign will pop up after a couple of weeks, depending on how often you brew coffee. If your Breville espresso machine is leaking, it’s often because the drip tray is full.
Pull the tray out and empty it into the sink. Then pull the grate off and wipe it down with a damp towel. Rinse the rest of the tray off with warm water and dry it with a regular towel. If you notice any dirty spots or residue, you should scrub the surfaces with a sponge and soapy water.
Cleaning the Steam Wand
Remove the wand and pull out the froth enhancer. Rinse both pieces and put them back on the machine. Then select the steam option and run it for several seconds. Doing this helps to blow out any remaining milk that may be inside the wand.
Your espresso machine should have come with a steam wand cleaning tool (like the one pictured above), which has a narrow end that fits into the wand. If you don’t have it, we recommend a soft-bristled straw cleaning brush instead. Use soap or a cleaning solution and run the brush through the wand several times. Rinse everything thoroughly afterward.
Another Cleaning Method: Using a Cleaning Tablet
One of the best things about a Breville espresso machine is that you can use a cleaning tablet to clean the inside of the appliance. Put the tablet in the special insert that comes with the single portafilter, lock it in, and choose the cleaning cycle.
The tablet should flush out any residue or oils that are still in the machine. This process works much better than running hot water through the coffee maker, but you shouldn’t have to do it more than once a month (unless you’re brewing lots of coffee).
Descaling Cycle for Your Breville Espresso Machine
The descaling cycle is another great way to clean your appliance. Over time, limescale and other mineral buildup occurs inside the coffee maker, which can cause your Breville espresso machine to not reach pressure. While a tablet flush can help alleviate this problem, it doesn’t descale any existing residue. For that, you’ll need a descaling cleaning solution. You can find these for sale online.
Pour the descaling solution into your water tank and set your machine to the descaling setting. Run the solution through both the main drip nozzle and the steam wand. The whole descaling process should take a few minutes.
Empty the water tank once you’re finished with the entire descaling cycle, then wash the water tank to remove all remaining chemicals.
Alternatively, you can keep your Breville espresso machine clean by wiping everything down with a damp cloth regularly. Since the coffee maker is built of stainless steel, it should hold up well over time.
Changing the Water Filter on Your Breville Espresso Machine
The water filter on a Breville espresso machine should be changed every two months. However, when you descale your machine, you should change the water filter immediately. This is because the water filter soaks up descaling solution during the process.
Pull the filter holder out of the reservoir and pop the bottom off. Take the old filter out.
Soak the new filter in fresh water for five minutes, then insert it into the filter holder and reassemble. Place the device back in the reservoir. You are now good for another two months.
Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Breville Coffee Machine
To make cleaning your machine even easier, follow these tips:
- Use a microfiber towel on the drip tray. Doing this helps to prevent spills from clogging the machine.
- Run a brewing cycle with just plain hot water regularly. Running fresh water through the system can often keep limescale from building up.
- Follow proper brewing instructions. Be sure to read the user manual for Breville’s guidelines on cleaning and maintenance. The user manual is incredibly helpful, since the manufacturer always gives the best cleaning advice.
Overall, it’s pretty easy to keep your Breville espresso maker in good condition with regular maintenance and basic cleaning tasks. A daily cleaning, if you can manage it, will improve the taste of coffee you make. Even a weekly cleaning can do a lot for your machine’s lifespan.
Now that you know how (and how often) to clean your machine, you can enjoy high-quality cups of coffee every day!
Thumbnail image: © Angela CoffeeRank | Creative Commons
Cowboy Coffee Will Take You Back To The Frontier
Cowboy coffee is a nostalgic comfort drink that touches on American tradition and hearkens back to frontier days. Let’s learn how to make it.
Oily Coffee Beans Aren’t Necessarily a Bad Sign
If you’ve ever encountered oily coffee beans, you may have wondered why some have that shiny surface while others appear dry. What’s the story? And is it a feature or a bug?
Your Guide To British Coffee Culture
British coffee culture is much less hampered by tradition than it is elsewhere in Europe. This has allowed them to ride current trends and more deftly adapt to a changing landscape, placing them at the forefront of the artisanal coffee revolution in Europe.
The Bezzera Unica Is A Great First Machine For Home Baristas
Our Bezzera Unica review shows that this machine from a pioneering Italian espresso brand delivers on form and functionality at an approachable price point.
Is That A Cortado Or A Latte? Here’s How To Tell
Like their respective home countries of Spain and Italy, the cortado and latte have a few things in common—but you don’t want to get them mixed up.
19 Low Acid Coffee Brands To Settle Your Stomach
Low acid coffee brands can help alleviate the problems coffee causes for some people, such as acid reflux or damage to tooth enamel.
These Are the Best High Altitude Coffee Maker Models for a Mug in the Mountains
Thinking of buying a high altitude coffee maker? These models are your best options.
The Difference Between a Ristretto and Long Shot, or Lungo
A ristretto and a long shot are both espresso, but a ristretto uses less water and a shorter extraction time to create a more concentrated shot than a regular espresso. A long shot uses more water and a longer extraction time to create a less concentrated coffee.
Long Espresso: What It Is And Why You Should Try It
Stretch out your enjoyment of your morning espresso with this cup that sits somewhere between an espresso and an Americano.
Everything You Need To Know About The Frappuccino
No drink speaks of caffeine-laden, sugary decadence quite like the Insta-worthy Frappuccino. But if you’re a coffee traditionalist, it might require a little explanation.
7 Italian Espresso Machine Brands You Should Get To Know
Espresso is a rich part of Italian culture, so you can generally trust Italian brands to take extra care in crafting exquisite machines for making it.
Aeropress Vs. French Press: What Are The Differences?
When the purchase of a coffee maker comes down to Aeropress vs. French press, you’ll find passionate advocates on both sides of the debate.
15 Reasons Your Coffee Tastes Bad And How To Fix It
Is it your beans, your water, your equipment or your process? Read on and we’ll help you find out.
How To Degas Freshly Roasted Coffee
Fresh is best, right? Well, fresh is good, but with coffee you need to give a little time after roasting to let carbon dioxide escape.
Why Do I Get A Headache When I Haven’t Had Any Coffee?
Caffeine is our favourite drug. But if we miss out on our fix, it can be a real headache, in more ways than one.
What Is A Blonde Roast?
Starbucks has popularized the term “blonde roast” in recent years. It’s a less misleading term for what used to be called “cinnamon roast” coffee.
Your Guide To Australian Coffee Culture
Does Australia have the best coffee in the world? The Aussies would say so, and we can’t deny their perfect balance of coffee quality and coffee culture.
How To Clean And Maintain Your Espresso Machine
Cleaning your espresso machine is essential to creating the best-tasting coffee. Even a slight buildup of residue can give your coffee an off -putting taste.
Coffee Jitters And How To Stop Them
Most coffee drinkers have had the unpleasant experience of going a bit too far with the caffeine. Once you’ve crossed that line, here’s how you can get back.
Your Complete Guide To Whirley Pop Coffee Roasting
How a simple, hand-operated popcorn popper can be your gateway to the world of home coffee roasting.