Keeping your coffee equipment in top shape

With great power comes great responsibility. We know that your coffee gear can make you feel like the most skillful barista this world has ever seen, but remember that taking care of it can be the ultimate test sometimes. Even though it is not as glamorous as actually brewing coffee, cleaning your equipment can make or break its taste and also, it will ensure that you will be able to enjoy your coffee machine and tools for a long, long time.

Manual brewer

If you've chosen the old fashion way, consider yourself lucky. Manual brewers are the easiest to clean, thanks to their simplicity. Even the daily, quick, clean-up involves only a thorough rinse with hot water followed by wiping with a towel, but when you notice that oil starts to build up (discoloration, staining, an oily feel) it's time for a proper refreshment. Don't worry, that's not complicated either and you might already have everything you need: a large bowl, coffee detergent, a washcloth and a sponge. 

First, mix the detergent and water in the bowl, disassemble your gear (as much as possible)  and soak it for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how dirty your parts are. If everything doesn't fit on the first try, don't worry, you can use the same solution for each part. After that, hand wash everything you can with your washcloth or sponge, depending on the situation, give them a good rinse, and you're done!

A little bit of trouble comes in when there are reusable filters in the game. But hey, keeping our planet alive takes a bit of sacrifice, and we think it's worth it! Stainless steel ones definitely need some good scrubbing, so they don't get clogged up with coffee grounds, other than that, follow the same steps we just talked about. On the other hand, cloth ones are a bit more pretentious, as they really suck up all the oils. For that reason, you will want to definitely rinse them good after each use and give them a detergent bath more often than you do other parts, at least once a week. Also, because they retain water as good as oil, they have a very high risk of developing mold. To keep that from happening, make sure you store them in a resealable bag or container, in the fridge or freezer (the cold temperature will keep them safe). 

Auto drip machine

Surprisingly, this process is even easier than for the manual brewer! When the rinsing doesn't cut it anymore, just add some powdered detergent into the brewing basket, fill up your reservoir, and let it run a full cycle. After that, let the solution sit in the carafe for 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub both the carafe and brew basket and rinse them thoroughly. That's it! Also, once or twice a year you should descale your reservoir, with only a citric solution (1 tablespoon of citric acid powder to 1l of water) that you let run a full cycle, empty the carafe, then let the machine run another full cycle with just clean water.

Espresso machine

Big boy toys mean big boy chores. Disclaimer: keeping this one clean is not as simple… but also not impossible! Here are all the steps you should follow for good maintenance.

First, the most basic and also most important rule: empty the grounds out of the portafilter after each use and rinse it. This is an easy step that will keep your coffee fresh, as you won't allow build-up to appear too soon. Now, depending on whether you use your machine professionally, for a coffee shop, or just at home, for your own pleasure, you will want to follow this routine at the end of everyday, or once a week.

 You begin by taking apart the group head filter screen and giving it a good scrub. Then, you give the machine a backflush with coffee detergent: put a blank screen in the place of the portafilter basket, let the water run for 10 seconds then stop for 5 seconds. Repeat this process 3 times. When you are done, give it another backflush, this time with water only. After that, soak the portafilter, baskets, and filter screens in detergent water, similar to the manual brewer process. Don't forget about emptying and washing the drip tray! Finally, rinse and wipe everything down. 

Another element of this machine that can get really nasty if you don't take care of it is the milk steam wand. Wiping it down with a special rag and making it steam for 1-2 seconds after each use should do the trick. 

Also, don't forget about the coffee grinder. As intimidating as it might sound, don't worry, it's a piece of cake. Just make sure that you brush out or vacuum any leftover particles each time and, once a week, use some grinder cleaner tablets to take care of any oil left behind, then season it. 

Other parts 

The bean hopper also needs some care if you want to make sure your coffee will always be fresh. Also, it's not rocket science. Just wipe it out with a paper towel everyday or once a week, depending on how much you use it.

Milk jugs also need to be washed after each use. After all, they are designed for easy cleaning, so they are not much of a headache. While we are at it, give some attention to the rinsers too. Wipe them down carefully daily and use a special milk line cleaner weekly.