Astr
a Ope
ration Manu
al: E
spre
sso Mach
ine
s & Ste
ame
rs
p.
14
1
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B A C K F L U S H I N G
Backflushing with detergent is recommended at the end of each day for commercial
operations. For lower volume operations, backflushing with plain water is still recommended
any day the machine is used and backflush with detergent at the end of any week that the
machine is used.
Remove the filter basket from the portafilter. Replace with a blank filter (also referred to as
a blind filter). Make sure the blank filter is pressed all the way into the portafilter. Put less
than 1/8 teaspoon of Astra group cleaning detergent into the portafilter. Insert the portafilter
into the group head. With the blank filter, nothing will dispense from the portafilter and the
cleaning powder will escape at the relief valve under the group head thereby cleaning the
brewing mechanism.
After the portafilter is placed on the machine, press the Brew/Stop button to ‘ON’ position for
3-5 seconds then turn off. Repeat this process 4 more times. Do NOT add cleaning solutions
each time, just repeat pushing the Brew/Stop button for 5 seconds duration each time.
After the fifth time, remove the portafilter and rinse it out to make sure there is no remaining
cleaning solution.
Insert the portafilter back into the group head and repeat the process WITHOUT any
cleaning powder. When the backflush water becomes clear, remove the blank filter and
replace it with a regular filter. If you have a two or three-group machine, repeat this process
with each group. Backflushing is an important maintenance step and must be done a
minimum of 3 times a week and even daily with high volume machines.
2
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P O R TA F I LT E R
The portafilter should be kept on the group head at all times to keep it hot. After
knocking grounds into the knockout box, there will be some grounds left in the filter. Before
inserting the portafilter back into the group, push the Brew/Stop button to dispense hot
water from the group to purge the group.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO PLACE YOUR HANDS OR FINGERS UNDER OR ON THE GROUP HEAD.
The hot water will rinse off any remaining grounds. Push the Brew/Stop button to stop.
REGULAR CLEANING
