By cleaning the brew group regularly, your coffee will keep its great taste and your machine will last longer.
With our simple step-by-step guide, cleaning your brew group becomes a breeze.
Cleaning the Brew Group
Cleaning your espresso machine might not be your favorite task, but luckily, cleaning the brew group is simple—as long as you use the right tools.
What you need:
While thorough cleaning of the brew group is important for every machine, the process can differ depending on the brand and model.
The following useful tips apply to almost all machines.
Tip 1: Flush the machine after each use
Prevent burnt coffee residue by flushing your machine right after use. Then wipe the shower screen clean with a barista cloth.
This saves you work during deep cleaning later and you’ll thank yourself for it.
Tip 2: Use a brew group brush
The best way to clean the brew group is with a brew group brush. It helps you reach areas that a cloth can’t easily get to.
Use the brush to clean both the shower screen and the rubber gasket in the brew group.
Our brew group brush features an extra-long handle so you won’t burn your hands on hot machine parts.
Tip 3: Clean your brew group consistently
Keep your espresso machine in good shape by cleaning it consistently. Flush the machine daily, clean the shower screen, and brush the brew group weekly.
Also use a brew group cleaner to backflush the machine. With this simple routine, your espresso machine will stay in top condition!
Cleaning Sage Brew Group
In addition to your daily cleaning routine, we recommend backflushing the brew group of your Sage machine once a week — also known as blind filtering.
This process cleans the inside of your machine, including the area behind the brew group that you normally can’t reach.
Follow these steps to clean your Sage brew group:
Step 1: Insert the blind filter or the included rubber cleaning disc into the portafilter.
Step 2: Add cleaning powder or a cleaning tablet to the blind filter, then lock the portafilter into the machine.
Step 3: Start the cleaning cycle according to your machine’s instructions. Repeat the process a few times until all residue is flushed out.
Read more about the cleaning routines for different Sage machines here.
DeLonghi Brew Group Cleaning
Cleaning the brew group of a DeLonghi machine works a bit differently. So far, we haven’t found any DeLonghi machines that support backflushing.
Instead, run water through your machine a few times without coffee. Use a brew group brush to keep the shower screen clean.
Regular descaling is also important. For more detailed cleaning instructions, check the user manual of your DeLonghi machine.
Cleaning the Brew Group – E61
Follow these steps to backflush an espresso machine with an E61 brew group:
Step 1: Turn on the machine and let it fully heat up.
Step 2: Place a blind filter in the portafilter.
Step 3: Lock the portafilter into the machine and run it for 5 seconds. Repeat several times until the water runs clear.
Optional: We recommend using some espresso machine cleaner in the blind filter every three months for a deeper clean.
How Often Should You Clean the Brew Group?
Cleaning the brew group should be a regular part of your maintenance routine. But what should you really do every day, and what can wait until your weekly clean?
Daily
- Flush the machine after each use and wipe the shower screen with a barista cloth.
- Made a lot of coffee? Give the brew group a quick brush clean with your brew group brush.
Weekly
- Use your brew group brush at least once a week. Clean the shower screen and don’t forget to brush the rubber gasket in the brew group.
- Backflush the machine weekly with water (no cleaning agent), or run a few cycles without coffee.
Every Three Months
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Clean the brew group with cleaning agent — at least once every three months.
Curious how to keep the rest of your espresso machine in top shape too? Check out our complete guide on espresso machine cleaning and maintenance.
