Espresso machine full clean-down (every part)
Applies to: the end-of-day deep clean of the whole espresso machine — groups, portafilters, baskets, screens, gaskets, wands, drip tray, drain, and body. Backflush (SOP) and steam-wand deep-clean (SOP) are sub-steps of this.
Target: 20–30 minutes at close.
- Have espresso-machine cleaning powder, a blind basket, group brush, and a steam-wand milk cleaner.
- Prepare a hot soaking container for portafilters, baskets, and screens.
- Have microfiber cloths, a small screwdriver/allen key for the shower screen, and food-safe sanitizer for the body.
- Confirm the machine is at full pressure and temperature before starting the backflush.
- Groups — water backflush each group to clear grounds, then detergent backflush per the backflush SOP, then water backflush until the runoff is clear.
- Cleaning powder ~3–5 g in the blind basket; runoff must end completely foam-free.
- Portafilters & baskets — pop the baskets out and soak both, plus the spouts, in a hot cleaning solution, then scrub and rinse.
- Soak long enough to lift coffee oils (per label); rinse until no detergent taste remains.
- Shower screens & dispersion blocks — remove where accessible, soak and brush off built-up oils, and wipe the group gaskets.
- A cracked or hardened group gasket that leaks or drips is tagged for replacement.
- Steam wands — purge, then deep-soak the tips in milk-cleaner solution per the steam-wand SOP, and clear every steam hole.
- Milk cleaner ~30 ml per 500 ml warm water; purge clear before the machine rests.
- Drip tray & grate — remove, empty, wash and sanitize, then flush the drain line with hot water to clear sludge and odour.
- Hot-water tap & steam levers — flush the hot-water outlet briefly and wipe the levers/knobs.
- Body — wipe all stainless surfaces, the group housings, and the cup rail with food-safe sanitizer and buff dry.
- Reassemble everything and pull one throwaway shot per group before the machine is called clean.
- Every backflush runoff and the first test shots taste clean, with no soapy or bitter edge.
- Baskets, screens, and gaskets are free of caked coffee oil; leaking gaskets are logged.
- Drip tray, grate, and drain are odour-free and the body is streak-free.
This is the daily whole-machine close. Deeper monthly tasks — descaling the boiler, replacing group gaskets and shower screens, checking the water filter — run off the Maintenance schedule, not this daily clean.