How to Clean an Espresso Machine

On this page (11 sections)

1. Signs your espresso machine needs a clean
2. How often to run a cleaning cycle
3. What espresso machine cleaning tablets do
4. Which espresso machine cleaning tablets fit your machine
5. How to run an espresso machine cleaning cycle
6. What to clean by hand between cycles
7. Daily habits that cut down on deep cleaning
8. When to use cleaning tablets and when to descale
9. Mistakes to avoid when cleaning
10. Storing and handling cleaning tablets safely
11. Make espresso machine cleaning tablets part of your routine

Cleaning tablets are a simple way to remove coffee oil from parts you can't scrub by hand. They are a tool for the machine, not a replacement for rinsing and wiping after each use.

This guide explains what the tablets do, which kind suits a home machine, and how to run a cleaning cycle with care.

Signs your espresso machine needs a clean

Coffee oil builds up over time, and it shows in the cup. Shots can taste flat or bitter, and the group head may look oily or dark around the edges.

Slow water flow through the basket is another warning sign. If you see any of these, run a cleaning cycle and then rinse the parts by hand.

How often to run a cleaning cycle

The right schedule depends on the machine and how much you drink. Your manual sets the baseline, and many machines list a cleaning schedule or prompt you when a cycle is due.

A machine you use every day needs cleaning more often than one you use on weekends. Watch the group head for oil and the shots for off flavors, and clean sooner if you notice either.

Don't wait for the taste to change before you clean. Oil builds up quietly, so a regular schedule keeps the flavor steady from one shot to the next.

What espresso machine cleaning tablets do

Coffee leaves oils and fine residue behind in the group head, the shower screen and the filter basket. Cleaning tablets dissolve in water and loosen that buildup, so a cleaning cycle can flush it out.

Brushes and a rinse handle the outside and the portafilter. Tablets reach the group head, the valves and the water lines, which a brush can't clean.

Which espresso machine cleaning tablets fit your machine

Breville makes its own tablets for its espresso machines, and the BEC250 eight-pack is labeled for all Breville models. If your machine is a Breville, that's the simplest match.

Urnex sells a 100-count tablet as a professional espresso cleaner. It's the larger option, so it suits a machine you use every day or a kitchen that makes espresso for several people.

How to run an espresso machine cleaning cycle

Start by emptying the portafilter and removing the filter basket. If your machine takes a blind basket, which is a filter with no holes, fit it in the portafilter now.

Place the tablets the way your manual describes, usually in the blind basket. Lock the portafilter in place and start the cleaning cycle, then let it finish without interrupting it.

Espresso machine cleaning tablets and the rinse

When the cycle ends, remove the blind basket and rinse the portafilter. Then run plain water through the machine a few times, until the water runs clear and tastes clean.

Keep your hands away from the hot parts

The group head and the water can stay hot during a cycle. Keep your hands clear while it runs, and let the machine cool before you handle the parts.

What to clean by hand between cycles

Tablets work best alongside regular hand cleaning. Rinse the portafilter and basket after each shot, and wipe the steam wand after each use.

Tablets miss the small parts, so a brush set helps. The brush set below covers the steam wand tip and the portafilter spout.

Empty and rinse the drip tray before it overflows, and wipe the outside with a damp cloth. The accessories roundup lists more tools for a beginner kit.

Daily habits that cut down on deep cleaning

Empty the drip tray, knock out the used coffee puck and rinse the portafilter after each shot. These steps take less than a minute, and they stop coffee oil from drying on the group head.

Wipe the steam wand right after each milk drink. Dried milk is harder to remove than fresh milk, and it can block the tip over time.

When to use cleaning tablets and when to descale

Cleaning tablets remove coffee oil. Descaling removes the mineral scale that water leaves behind, and it needs a different product.

The descaling guide covers that job. Follow the steps in your manual for each one, and don't mix products in the tank.

Mistakes to avoid when cleaning

Don't use household cleaners or bleach inside the machine, since they can leave a taste or damage the seals. Stick to the products your manual names.

Don't skip the rinse after a cycle. Leftover residue can taste off in your first shot, so run plain water through the machine until it runs clear.

Don't leave a tablet sitting in the basket after the cycle ends. Remove the blind basket as soon as the cycle finishes.

Storing and handling cleaning tablets safely

Keep tablets in their container, away from children and pets. Don't eat them, and wash your hands after you handle them.

Close the lid after each use, so the tablets stay dry until the next cycle.

If a tablet or the cleaning solution gets on your skin, rinse the area with water. Wear gloves if the product irritates your hands, and wash them after each cleaning session.

Make espresso machine cleaning tablets part of your routine

Use cleaning tablets on the schedule in your manual, rinse after every shot and wipe the steam wand each time you use it. Breville says regular cleaning helps protect its machines, and the same habit keeps coffee oil from building up in the parts you can't see.

The routine gets quicker with practice. If you're new to the machine, the beginner roundup can help you pick a model that's easy to keep clean.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use cleaning tablets in any espresso machine?

Most home machines take cleaning tablets, but the pack should name your brand or model, so check it before you buy. Breville's tablets are labeled for all Breville espresso machines, and other brands need a check of your manual before the first cycle.

How often should you clean an espresso machine with tablets?

Follow your manual for the schedule, since machines differ widely. Rinse the portafilter and wipe the steam wand after every use, which keeps oil from building up between cycles, and save the tablets for the deeper cleaning cycles your manual describes.

Are cleaning tablets the same as descaler?

No, cleaning tablets remove coffee oil and residue, while descaler removes the mineral scale that water leaves behind. Use each one for its own job, and don't mix them in the tank or the group head.