How to Clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine
Learn how to clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine with this easy step-by-step process and a simple guide with pictures.
Table of Contents
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The Breville espresso machine is my favorite home espresso machine! Find ours here! We have been offered several upgraded models, but with a easy “No, thank you.”, we have turned then down. I literally designed a section in our kitchen especially for it! And on that part counter it has lived for the past 4 years. With it’s timeless look and outstanding performance, I can’t imagine being without it!
During the fall and winter months it really gets put to use! On a daily basis, I am making pumpkin lattes, white chocolate mochas, or simply steaming milk for the boys’ hot chocolate. It gives us that professional café that we all love so much and we are saving a lot of money! I have also learned that the steam wand is the perfect thing to reheat a cool cup of coffee.
With its heavy use through the holidays, it’s screaming to be cleaned! Although we procrastinate on the deep cleaning, because it does take about 30 minutes to an hour, we are thrilled when it is all finished because it looks so shiny and new again!
Materials needed espresso machine:
The Breville Cleaning Tool. (comes with the machine)
The Breville Cleaning Brush. (comes with the machine)
Descaling solution, or descaling powder at the bottom of the Water Tank, or for a more natural way cleaning you can use a vinegar solution of 1 cup white vinegar to 1 cup water.
Sponge
Towel
Clean water
How to Clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine
Step 1: Remove the Single Wall Filter Basket from the portafilter and the tamper. Wash both thoroughly. Use the cleaning tool to clean out any of the baskets holes if they are clogged.
Step 2: Remove the wet and dry coffee separator drip tray (that has the “Empty Me!” indicator. Pour out any water and wash thoroughly with warm water
Fun fact: Did you know that the reason the drip tray fills up with so much water is because every time you make an espresso or steam something, the breville barista express “purges” into the drip tray after!
Step 3: Remove the storage tray and clean and wash all the implements stored inside and the tray itself.
Step 4: Clean the Breville Machine with a sponge and then wipe it clean with a clean cloth. Don’t forget to give the Group Head a quick wipe too.
Step 5: Remove the water tank and water filter. Wash the water tank and replace the water filter.
Quick Tip: If you have a reverse osmosis system or use filtered water, then you will not have to replace the filter as often or descale as frequently! However, if you are using tap water (hard water), you will have to practice both exercises often because of mineral buildup.
Step 6: Remove the 1/2 lb Bean Hopper by turning in the opposite direction the handle where it is written “turn here to lock”. Empty and coffee beans left and clean.
Step 7: Use a vacuum to vacuum out any coffee grounds found in the Integrated Conical Burr Grinder. Using your Breville Cleaning Brush to help unlodge any grinds that have been left behind.
Step 8: Place clean drip tray and storage tray back on the Breville Coffee Maker.
Step 9: Fill the Water Tank up with fresh water to the max line and put back on the machine.
Purging Your Breville Espresso Maker (flush back cycle)
Step 1: Press the Power Button. Place a cup under the Group Head. Press the 1 cup Button. Allow it to run the water.
Step 2: Place the Dual Wall Filter Basket inside the portafilter. Place the Cleaning Disc on top, and then place on to the Group Head. Press the 2 cup button.
Step 3: Remove the portafilter and wash out the coffee residue that was left behind.
Step 4: Place hot water in a cup and place the steam wand inside to allow it to soak. The long soak helped remove any leftover residue that was on the wand easier. Remove from water and wipe clean. Use Cleaning Tool to remove the steam wand head, clean and put back on.
Descaling Process for the Breville Coffee Machine
Quick tip: If your unit need to be descaled, then the indication light will be lit. The descaling process will remove and buildup of mineral deposits. It would be a good idea to practice this on a regular basis, especially with consistent daily uses.
Step 1: Remove Water Tank and empty it completely.
Step 2: Place a descaling solution, or descaling powder at the bottom of the Water Tank, or for a more natural way cleaning you can use a vinegar solution of 1 cup white vinegar to 1 cup water. Fill to the max line, then place back on the coffee machine.
Step 3: Hold and press down the Power Button and the 2 cup button simultaneously to activate the descale mode. The clean descale and hot water light will light up.
Step 4: Place glass under Group Head and press the 1 cup button.
Step 5: Dump water when system stops.
Step 6: Place Glass under Steam Wand and move Steam/Hot Water Dial to Steam dial. Allow water to finish dispersing.
Step 7. Place cup under the Dedicated Hot Water Outlet. Turn the Steam/Hot Water Dial to Hot Water Mode. Allow water to finish dispersing.
Step 8: Repeat steps 4 through 7 until the water reservoir is completely empty.
Step 9: Once the water tank has reached its minimum amount of water, remove the tank and and fresh clean water to the max water line. Place the tank back on the Breville Barista Espresso Machine. Repeat steps 4 through 7 one last time.
Step 10: Once the last descaling cycle is completed, fill the water tank up with fresh clean water and reward yourself with a delicious cup of coffee!
Congratulations! You did it! You have conquered the cleaning process and now you have a very clean machine! I bet you will be surprised at how much more you will enjoy the taste of your coffee now.
More Non-Toxic Cleaning Ideas
DIY How to Make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
Simple Homemade Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
How to Clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine
Learn how to clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine with this easy step-by-step guide.
Instructions
How to Clean a Breville Barista Espresso Machine
- Remove the Single Wall Filter Basket from the portafilter and the tamper. Wash both thoroughly. Use the cleaning tool to clean out any of the baskets holes if they are clogged.
- Remove the wet and dry coffee separator drip tray (that has the "Empty Me!" indicator. Pour out any water and wash thoroughly with warm water
- Fun fact: Did you know that the reason the drip tray fills up with so much water is because every time you make an espresso or steam something, the breville barista express "purges" into the drip tray after!
- Remove the storage tray and clean and wash all the implements stored inside and the tray itself.
- Clean the Breville Machine with a sponge and then wipe it clean with a clean cloth. Don't forget to give the Group Head a quick wipe too.
- Remove the water tank and water filter. Wash the water tank and replace the water filter.
- Quick Tip: If you have a reverse osmosis system or use filtered water, then you will not have to replace the filter as often or descale as frequently! However, if you are using tap water (hard water), you will have to practice both exercises often because of mineral buildup.
- Remove the 1/2 lb Bean Hopper by turning in the opposite direction the handle where it is written "turn here to lock". Empty and coffee beans left and clean.
- Use a vacuum to vacuum out any coffee grounds found in the Integrated Conical Burr Grinder. Using your Breville Cleaning Brush to help unlodge any grinds that have been left behind.
- Place clean drip tray and storage tray back on the Breville Coffee Maker.
- Fill the Water Tank up with fresh water to the max line and put back on the machine.
Purging Your Breville Espresso Maker (flush back cycle)
- Press the Power Button. Place a cup under the Group Head. Press the 1 cup Button. Allow it to run the water.
- Place the Dual Wall Filter Basket inside the portafilter. Place the Cleaning Disc on top, and then place on to the Group Head. Press the 2 cup button.
- Remove the portafilter and wash out the coffee residue that was left behind.
- Place hot water in a cup and place the steam wand inside to allow it to soak. The long soak helped remove any leftover residue that was on the wand easier. Remove from water and wipe clean. Use Cleaning Tool to remove the steam wand head, clean and put back on.
Descaling Process for the Breville Coffee Machine. Quick tip: If your unit need to be descaled, then the indication light will be lit. The descaling process will remove and buildup of mineral deposits. It would be a good idea to practice this on a regular basis, especially with consistent daily uses.
- Remove Water Tank and empty it completely.
- Place a descaling solution, or descaling powder at the bottom of the Water Tank, or you can use a vinegar solution of 1 cup white vinegar to 1 cup water. Fill to the max line, then place back on the coffee machine.
- Hold and press down the Power Button and the 2 cup button simultaneously to activate the descale mode. The clean descale and hot water light will light up.
- Place glass under Group Head and press the 1 cup button.
- Dump water when system stops.
- Place Glass under Steam Wand and move Steam/Hot Water Dial to Steam dial. Allow water to finish dispersing.
- Place cup under the Dedicated Hot Water Outlet. Turn the Steam/Hot Water Dial to Hot Water Mode. Allow water to finish dispersing.
- Repeat steps 4 through 7 until the water reservoir is completely empty.
- Once the water tank has reached its minimum amount of water, remove the tank and and fresh clean water to the max water line. Place the tank back on the Breville Barista Espresso Machine. Repeat steps 4 through 7 one last time.
- Once the last descaling cycle is completed, fill the water tank up with fresh clean water and reward yourself with a delicious cup of coffee!
If a cup of joe is your thing like it is mine, then check out my post on What Is French Press Coffee? Why Is It Better?
