Did you just recently notice your Breville espresso machine is not working as efficiently as before? If yes, then chances are high that it is asking for a cleaning/descaling session. But how to clean Breville espresso machine? Well, there’s no need to worry. We will help you out.
Cleaning and descaling an espresso machine is not a complex task at all, as it can be done using a few simple steps. Keep reading to get a complete step-by-step guide on cleaning a Breville espresso machine.
Why Is It Crucial to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine?
One of the main reasons you should clean a Breville espresso machine is to enhance the taste of your coffee. Besides that, regular cleaning will also help remove the coffee residue, coffee oils and prevent the build caused by the hard water.
Your espresso machine will perform in a much better way. It also helps increase its overall life.
How To Clean a Breville Espresso Machine?
1. Step-by-Step Process To Clean a Breville Espresso Machine
Cleaning a Breville espresso machine is essential in order to make it function properly. Here are the steps you need to follow to clean a Breville espresso machine effectively:
Step 1: Prepare The Essentials
Firstly, you must insert the one-cup filter basket included with the espresso machine, followed by the gray silicone cleaning disc, into the portafilter, etc. After that, keep a Breville cleaning tablet in the disc’s center.
Step 2: Lock The Portafilter
Now, you need to insert and lock the portafilter in the right place. Ensure that the machine is turned off, the water tank is filled to its max line (preferably with cold water), and the drip tray is empty entirely.
Step 3: Begin The Cleaning Cycle
In order to begin the cleaning cycle, press the ‘1 cup’ and ‘2 cup’ buttons along with the power button and hold them for at least 10 seconds. When you press and hold the buttons, the cleaning cycle will start automatically. It will probably last for around five minutes.
Step 4: Wait For The Machine To Give Confirmation
Most likely, your Breville espresso machine will beep twice to confirm the completion of the cleaning cycle. Then, you can remove the portafilter.
Ensure that the tablet you used initially has dissolved completely. If it hasn’t dissolved completely, repeat the steps mentioned above.
Step 5: Clean The External Part
Lastly, clean the exterior of the machine properly using a clean cloth.
2. Step-by-Step Process To Descale a Breville Espresso Machine
Now you know how to clean a Breville espresso machine. But, wait, it’s not enough. You must descale your espresso machine to clean it thoroughly to make it work at its best.
It is known that descaling differs from cleaning as it mainly focuses on removing the mineral build-up and deeply cleanses the machine.
Here are the steps that you need to follow to descale your Breville espresso machine.
Step 1: Remove The Water Filter
Empty the water tank drip tray and also remove the water filter.
Step 2: Prepare The Solution
Take one liter of warm water and dissolve one packet of the descaling solution in it. Mix it properly, add it to the water reservoir, and re-insert the tank into the machine.
Step 3: Activate the Descale Mode
To activate the Descale mode, simultaneously press the ‘Power’ and ‘2-cup’ button. Once the machine goes into the descaling mode, the power button will start to flash automatically, and the machine will also become hot.
Step 4: Start To Descale The Coffee Component
When your machine is ready, you will notice the machine’s 1-cup power button, and the hot water and descale indicator lightening up.
To start Descaling the coffee component, press the 1-cup button. The descaling process will begin and take around 25 seconds to complete. Press the 1-cup button again to stop the descaling process.
Step 5: Descale The Hot Water Component and Steam
In order to descale the steam component, you need to turn the steam dial to the steam icon. To descale the hot water components, turn the steam dial to the right – toward the water icon. Descaling the steam component takes around 13 seconds, and hot water components take about 8 seconds.
Turn the steam dial back to its original place after finishing the descaling.
Step 6: Repeat The Process Until No Descaling Solution Remains
Once you finish the above mentioned steps, you will likely notice that half of the solution still remains in the water tank. So, you are required to repeat the descaling process until there’s no descaling solution left.
Step 7: Flush The Machine Using Clean Water
To remove any of the leftover residues of the descaling solution, remove the water tank from the machine and rinse it properly. Fill it with fresh and cold water till its max line and place the tank in the machine again. After that, repeat the previous steps mentioned above. It will help you eliminate any leftover descaling solution.
Also, make sure that the rinsed water is clean and there’s no scent of descaling solution left.
How Do You Clean a Breville Espresso Machine Using Vinegar?
It’s always best to use Breville’s solutions to descale your espresso machine. However, if you don’t have it, you can use the vinegar solution to clean your Breville espresso machine.
Vinegar is generally known to be safe to descale your Breville espresso machine. However, it is still recommended to read the machine’s safety manual before proceeding further.
Note – Please avoid using vinegar if your machine consists of aluminum components, as it can cause permanent damage to your machine.
Here’s how to clean Breville espresso machine with the help of vinegar.
- Firstly, make the mixture of water and vinegar. Ensure to use the same amount of both components.
- Pour the mixture into the tank until it touches the Max line.
- Remove the filter and keep a large jug under the steam wand and group head.
- Turn on the machine until it reaches the brewing temperature. Then, pour the liquid manually.
- When you notice half of the tank is empty, set it to hot water and allow the solution to flow for at least 30 seconds before emptying the jug.
- Now, turn it to the steam and let the solution go through for a few minutes.
- Turn to stand by in between every step, after you are done with steaming remove the water tank, rinse it properly.
- Fill the tank with fresh and cold water to repeat the manual pour and turn on the Steam and Hot Water to eliminate any residues of the cleansing solution.
How Frequent Should You Descale Your Breville Espresso Machine?
In general, you should descale a Breville espresso machine once every three to six months. But, if you use your Breville espresso machine in the office, then it is important to descale your espresso machine once every three weeks. It will help prevent clogging and other issues while using the espresso machine.
There are also some models of the Breville machines that consist of a descale light that begins to light up to indicate that it is time to descale the espresso machine.
Conclusion
So, that was the complete guide on how to clean Breville espresso machine. It’s worth cleaning your espresso machine regularly if you want it to work at its optimal level and increase its overall longevity.
It’s not rocket science but simply requires you to follow the steps we provided in the article to clean and descale your espresso machine pretty quickly and easily.
