When do you clean your espresso machine? - Barista Exchange2024-03-28T19:32:35Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/when-do-you-clean-your?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A410866&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks....very helpful! Brady…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-07-20:1688216:Comment:12093282011-07-20T18:18:13.310ZCarmen Guardadohttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/CarmenGuardado
Thanks....very helpful! <br></br><br></br><cite>Brady said:</cite><blockquote><div><p>I don't believe that you'd damage it, unless the plastic was in contact with the solution.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However it is unnecessary, and probably no more effective than just a longer soak, or a shorter soak for a couple of minutes on a regular basis. The other thing is that espresso detergent is meant to be used at very high temperatures. I've noticed a huge difference in effectiveness between solution that was…</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
Thanks....very helpful! <br/><br/><cite>Brady said:</cite><blockquote><div><p>I don't believe that you'd damage it, unless the plastic was in contact with the solution.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However it is unnecessary, and probably no more effective than just a longer soak, or a shorter soak for a couple of minutes on a regular basis. The other thing is that espresso detergent is meant to be used at very high temperatures. I've noticed a huge difference in effectiveness between solution that was near-boiling and solution that was at room temp. So I suspect that the first 10 minutes in the solution are going to do far more than the several hours that follow.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Yes, I've read about people using Oxiclean. (I've also seen people use purple kitchen degreaser to backflush their machine, fwiw). Apparently Oxiclean appears to have the same active ingredient, and people feel that it is safe. I don't have a tub kicking around right now, but don't recall it saying that it was NSF approved for use on foodservice equipment. I also haven't seen it listed in a machine operators manual before. For these reasons, I do not recommend it.</p>
</div>
</blockquote> I don't believe that you'd da…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-07-20:1688216:Comment:12090152011-07-20T11:47:57.002ZBradyhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Brady
<p>I don't believe that you'd damage it, unless the plastic was in contact with the solution.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However it is unnecessary, and probably no more effective than just a longer soak, or a shorter soak for a couple of minutes on a regular basis. The other thing is that espresso detergent is meant to be used at very high temperatures. I've noticed a huge difference in effectiveness between solution that was near-boiling and solution that was at room temp. So I suspect that the first 10…</p>
<p>I don't believe that you'd damage it, unless the plastic was in contact with the solution.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However it is unnecessary, and probably no more effective than just a longer soak, or a shorter soak for a couple of minutes on a regular basis. The other thing is that espresso detergent is meant to be used at very high temperatures. I've noticed a huge difference in effectiveness between solution that was near-boiling and solution that was at room temp. So I suspect that the first 10 minutes in the solution are going to do far more than the several hours that follow.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Yes, I've read about people using Oxiclean. (I've also seen people use purple kitchen degreaser to backflush their machine, fwiw). Apparently Oxiclean appears to have the same active ingredient, and people feel that it is safe. I don't have a tub kicking around right now, but don't recall it saying that it was NSF approved for use on foodservice equipment. I also haven't seen it listed in a machine operators manual before. For these reasons, I do not recommend it.</p> in my experience, if your par…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-07-20:1688216:Comment:12089182011-07-20T11:44:47.648ZGreg Hillhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/batchburner
<p>in my experience, if your parts are cleaned regularly, any soak longer than 15 minutes is unnecessary.</p>
<p>@carmen, i've noticed some discoloration on the plastic handles from soaking too long. also, you can rust out the nut/bolt/screw that holds the handle on on some types of portafilters. havent seen that happen in a few years but i have seen it happen.</p>
<p>@jessica, if you are getting a buildup of cleaner, you're probably using too much, or not rinsing thoroughly.</p>
<p>as far as…</p>
<p>in my experience, if your parts are cleaned regularly, any soak longer than 15 minutes is unnecessary.</p>
<p>@carmen, i've noticed some discoloration on the plastic handles from soaking too long. also, you can rust out the nut/bolt/screw that holds the handle on on some types of portafilters. havent seen that happen in a few years but i have seen it happen.</p>
<p>@jessica, if you are getting a buildup of cleaner, you're probably using too much, or not rinsing thoroughly.</p>
<p>as far as scale buildup is concerned, it will happen most often where there is the least amount of water flow (that grouphead you don't use), and at points of temperature differential (ie, mixing valves, some fill valves, heat exchanger inlets)</p> Does anyone know if soaking t…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-07-20:1688216:Comment:12085342011-07-20T02:53:55.952ZCarmen Guardadohttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/CarmenGuardado
Does anyone know if soaking the portafilter overnight in purocaff damages it? Also I heard someone say that they used oxiclean? Does that work?
Does anyone know if soaking the portafilter overnight in purocaff damages it? Also I heard someone say that they used oxiclean? Does that work? Oh, btw, we also take apart t…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-29:1688216:Comment:7627602010-01-29T06:45:19.783ZJessica Lamb-Brownhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JessicaElleBee
Oh, btw, we also take apart the groupheads/portafilters miday and scrub down with baking soda.<br />
<br />
Our nuova simonelli is definitely showing the results of grouphead-favoring. Each one pulls differently, so we have to be careful!
Oh, btw, we also take apart the groupheads/portafilters miday and scrub down with baking soda.<br />
<br />
Our nuova simonelli is definitely showing the results of grouphead-favoring. Each one pulls differently, so we have to be careful! I back flush each grouphead a…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-29:1688216:Comment:7627572010-01-29T06:41:45.015ZJessica Lamb-Brownhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JessicaElleBee
I back flush each grouphead after 3 (double) shots have been pulled. We used to purocaff every night, but ended up getting a build up that affected the water pressure, now we purocaff twice a week; wed & sun.<br />
<br />
We do a thorough back flush every night, and soak the portafilters every night, or at least take apart, clean with baking soda and reassemble.
I back flush each grouphead after 3 (double) shots have been pulled. We used to purocaff every night, but ended up getting a build up that affected the water pressure, now we purocaff twice a week; wed & sun.<br />
<br />
We do a thorough back flush every night, and soak the portafilters every night, or at least take apart, clean with baking soda and reassemble. Lately we have been doing som…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-29:1688216:Comment:7627462010-01-29T06:16:18.168ZBryan Wrayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BryanWray
Lately we have been doing some experimenting with temp stability, how long it takes to warm our groups thoroughly, etc etc (PID'd Linea 4grp AV old style) and it's SCARY how much the temp moves around if you either favor a group (overheat) or neglect one (way under temp).<br />
<br />
If you have a Scace and Fluke do some research. You could be destroying your shots and not even know it.<br />
<br />
-bry
Lately we have been doing some experimenting with temp stability, how long it takes to warm our groups thoroughly, etc etc (PID'd Linea 4grp AV old style) and it's SCARY how much the temp moves around if you either favor a group (overheat) or neglect one (way under temp).<br />
<br />
If you have a Scace and Fluke do some research. You could be destroying your shots and not even know it.<br />
<br />
-bry Time to lean=time to clean
I…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-29:1688216:Comment:7626842010-01-29T04:44:37.121ZTim Noblehttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/TimNoble
Time to lean=time to clean<br />
I love this, Cedric! I feel a new annoying motto coming on!
Time to lean=time to clean<br />
I love this, Cedric! I feel a new annoying motto coming on! Really, behind the screens? T…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-03-31:1688216:Comment:4134032009-03-31T14:39:08.259ZJesse -D->https://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JesseDarrow
Really, behind the screens? That is no good. Try flushing when you remove the PF and right before you put it back in. Also a fun tst is to take some water from the machine and let it cool enough so you can taste it. If it tastes like anything (soap, dirt, metal, coffee) then so do your shots. Our tech guys are gonna pay you a visit soon, I will tell them to check out your screens when they come.<br />
<br />
<cite>Aaron McNany said:…</cite>
Really, behind the screens? That is no good. Try flushing when you remove the PF and right before you put it back in. Also a fun tst is to take some water from the machine and let it cool enough so you can taste it. If it tastes like anything (soap, dirt, metal, coffee) then so do your shots. Our tech guys are gonna pay you a visit soon, I will tell them to check out your screens when they come.<br />
<br />
<cite>Aaron McNany said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/when-do-you-clean-your?x=1&id=1688216%3ATopic%3A410784&page=2#1688216Comment412463"><div>That's a good point, Jesse - I am often afraid of purocafe remaining in the machine. I have thought it at least necessary between shifts, but perhaps we should rethink even that. We've been having so much buildup behind the waterscreens though...perhaps morning crew will just have to step up the cleaning.<br/><br/><cite>Jesse -D-> said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/when-do-you-clean-your#1688216Comment411648"><div>You really don't need to use the detergent until the end of the night. Just use a clear water back flush on the live bar, and brush the hell out of the group. You don't want to risk getting the dtergent in somones drink...yuck! I know you guys do an awesome job of rinsing but it still seems excessive.<br/></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote> I have also heard that favori…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-03-31:1688216:Comment:4129122009-03-31T05:49:30.596ZTerikahttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Terika
I have also heard that favoring one group head as opposed to using them equally results in them no longer pulling shots consistently against each other. This was the rational given to me at the espresso bar I was working at when I inquired why there was always about a two second difference between the times on the group heads. The inconsistency definitely caused frustration to say the least.<br />
<br />
<cite>Brady said:…</cite>
I have also heard that favoring one group head as opposed to using them equally results in them no longer pulling shots consistently against each other. This was the rational given to me at the espresso bar I was working at when I inquired why there was always about a two second difference between the times on the group heads. The inconsistency definitely caused frustration to say the least.<br />
<br />
<cite>Brady said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/when-do-you-clean-your?id=1688216%3ATopic%3A410784&page=2#1688216Comment412590"><div><cite>Matthew Gasaway said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/when-do-you-clean-your?x=1&id=1688216%3ATopic%3A410784&page=1#1688216Comment411109"><div>For the most part I try to stick to one group unless I need to use a 2nd in a rush. The end of the morning shift is when I soak the portifilter I use more often. While that soaks I have the other one still handy.<br/></div>
</blockquote>
<br/>
I frequently see advice to avoid doing this... sounds like its better to spread the wear-and-tear out a bit, plus I think the groups like being used a little better than just sitting idle. I personally force myself to use all three groups, though admittedly hit the middle one a bit harder. Bet that's why that middle solonoid is thinking about going out on me :(.<br/>
<br/>
This does sound like it would make cleaning a bit easier. Perhaps you could alternate groups day to day?</div>
</blockquote>