ARTICLE
May 26, 2022 - 4 min read
All hail coffee! For without our daily mug of get-up-and-go the world would surely stop. At least it feels that way, and that’s why having your home coffee machine operating at full capacity is so important. Not only will a well-maintained machine make a barista-quality brew, it’ll also ensure it keeps up with your multiple-cups-a-day demands, saving you money on cafe takeaways. If you’ve been neglecting the miracle worker/joy bringer/kick-starter in your kitchen, this guide is for you. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your coffee machine pouring like a pro.
Whether it’s a quick wipe over for sparkling, hygienic surfaces or a deep clean to remove built-up oils and residues, caring for your coffee machine will prolong its life. But perhaps more importantly, a thorough clean means a consistently better tasting brew, according to Elixir Coffee co-founder David Narciso.
“For the best cup of coffee at home, start with reliable equipment and regular cleaning,” he says. “Unmaintained machines will create a bitter, burnt, sour or even salty flavour from coffee and calcium build-ups. Even a well-roasted specialty coffee will dramatically lose its characteristics in a dirty machine.”
Don’t ignore these cries for help! It’s time to schedule a deep clean when:
Manual, automatic and capsule coffee machines all need a bit of TLC every now and then. Follow these simple maintenance steps to make the most of what you’re working with.
Frequently cleaning the most-used parts of your coffee machine will save you a ton of elbow grease later on.
Add a coffee machine spruce-up to your weekly whole-house clean then treat yourself to a frothy cappuccino for your efforts.
It’s time to get beneath the surface for a deeper clean of the inner workings.
If you're a keen bean when it comes to keeping your coffee machine thoroughly clean, consider upping the frequency of this clean to twice or three times a year (we see you, coffeeholics!).
Yes, you can substitute cleaning solutions for a mix of hot water and vinegar; however, most coffee machine brands recommend using their tried-and-tested cleaning agents for best results.
Now your machine is in top nick, it’s time to make sure you’re using it to its full potential. Or maybe you’re looking to upgrade and want a model that makes cleaning a breeze.
“If adding another cleaning chore to your list makes your head spin, let your coffee machine do the thinking for you,” says Tania Grillinzoni, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
“The latest models will alert you when they need descaling, refilling or rinsing so you don’t waste time and energy scrubbing more often than necessary.”
The AquaClean filter on the Philips Fully Automatic Espresso Machine keeps residue build-up to a minimum.
The DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine has an internal, mess-free tamping system, a descaling alarm, one-touch descaling function and dishwasher-safe parts.
Take cleaning beyond your own four walls with any Nespresso capsule machine. Their capsules are recyclable at your nearest Nespresso boutique for a greener planet.
Is it coffee time yet? Now that you know how to maintain and clean your coffee machine, it's time to check them out. Visit us in store or online for a huge range of coffee machines and accessories.