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13. Cleaning Brewing Components
Cleaning the brew head on the lever-style machines is necessary for optimal flavor and
brewing pleasure. Three different processes are involved with cleaning the brew head:
backflushing with water only, backflushing with cleaner and removing the shower screen
for cleaning by hand. Under normal household conditions, we recommend that you
backflush your machine with water about every 10 to 14 days. You should backflush with
cleaner about 12 times a year. It is also recommended that you remove the shower screen,
inspect and clean it as well as the brew group behind the shower screen as often as
necessary. When you remove the brew group for inspection, you will be able to judge
how often you want to clean it by how dirty it is.
To prepare for a backflush cycle, your machine must be up to brew temperature and
pressure.
Backflushing with Water Only:
1. Place the single-shot filter basket into the portafilter and insert the rubber
backflush disc into the filter basket with the nipple side facing up or use a
stainless steel blind filter basket.
2. Raise the control lever for 5-10 seconds or until the pressure builds up. Then,
move the lever to the down position to release the pressure.
3. You will notice a pressurized stream of water released into the drip tray a moment
after you turn the lever to the DOWN position. This is the backpressure release, or
the backflush. Check the water in the drip tray. Is it dirty? If so, then repeat the
process until the released water is clean.
Backflush with Cleaner:
You should backflush with a detergent 12 times a year. We recommend using Urnex
Cafiza, which delivers excellent results. Add 1 tablespoon of the espresso machine
cleaner to the blind filer basket/backflush disc and follow the procedure above. It may
take 5 cycles or more to completely clean the machine. Rinse the brew group thoroughly
and backflush 4 times without cleaner to make sure that there is no cleaner left.
