How To Clean A Breville Espresso Machine

Last Updated on October 12, 2022 by Timothy Byron Smith

It’s 2022 and if you’ve survived the last couple of years, you’ve probably learned some neat tricks during lockdown (courtesy of the global pandemic, of course!). More than ever, you must have also learned not to rely on the local coffee shop for your everyday pick-me-up.

Chances are you’ve probably become your own barista with a mini Starbucks set up on your kitchen counter. Needless to say, your little arrangement would be incomplete without an espresso machine.

Now if you’re a smart cookie, you must have invested in the best espresso machine there is out there. And, if you’re wondering how to clean a Breville espresso machine, this guide is for you!

The Breville Espresso Machine is an elite experience for all types of espresso cravings, especially if you know how to drink espresso like a native Italian. But like every other kitchen appliance, the Breville machine needs to be cleaned.

If you have decided that it’s about time you gave that magical appliance a quick fix-up, we’ve got your back with a detailed cleaning manual.

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How to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine

We’re surely not going to add misery to your life with a complicated manual. Instead, we’ve crafted a convenient step-by-step guide on how to clean a Breville espresso machine. Not only will we break down the ‘how-tos’ but also the ‘when’ to clean your favorite appliance.

How Often Should I Clean My Breville Espresso Machine?

Should it be a monthly, weekly, or daily regime? Before we get to that, it’s imperative to know why you should clean your espresso machine. Persistent use of the machine can leave ground coffee residue behind which can turn to stubborn stains and eventually grow mold.

To avoid this nasty situation, you need to ensure a timely clean-up. A highly recommended maintenance routine would be to clean certain parts (that are in constant use) regularly. On the other hand, an exterior cleaning would suit once a month.

Either way, we got a detailed series of instructions that will ensure the perfect cleaning and running of your Breville espresso machine.

How to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine Daily (Regular Cleaning)

Cleaning the Breville Espresso Machine daily can be impractical, considering the myriad of chores you might already have on hand. Nevertheless, constituting many detachable parts, regular Breville maintenance becomes quick and easy.

We’ve cataloged the cleaning methods of a few eminent parts of the machine which will help in keeping your appliance spic and span.

Drip Tray

This is the easiest and most frequently cleaned part of any automatic espresso machine. It is placed under the caffeine dispenser, with a grating on its surface, to catch any spills. It also collects condensed water from the back of the machine.

The Breville Espresso Machine comes with an ‘empty me’ tab that pops up when the tray is full. When the time comes, you can slide out the tray carefully to avoid any spills.

Then you can empty the tray into the basin and give it a good wash to rinse off any excess ground coffee.

Steam Wand (Milk Frother)

The steam wand is likely to get filthy with every use. You will not only want the wand clean from the outside but also from the inside. To begin with, make sure you purge the wand with a wet cloth to clear it from any stubborn milk stains.

Then fill the milk jar with hot water. Sink the wand into the water and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Next, run the steam dial once so the vapors get into the wand and clean it internally. Make sure to clean any dried-milk residue at the end of the process.

Coffee Grind Bin

If left unattended, this little basket is likely to get moldy as it collects the excess ground coffee. The best recommendation is to rinse it off and wash it with soap after every 3 days to prevent it from getting filthy.

Filter Basket

Every time you use a Breville espresso machine to pull an espresso shot, you’ll need to clean your filter basket as its pores will quickly clog in case otherwise.

Simply, separate the filter basket from the portafilter and dump the excess coffee grind into the coffee grind bin. Then rinse it off in the sink to clear all pores. Allow it to dry before putting it back in.

Exterior

A clean and shiny exterior is what really matters when it comes to maintaining your espresso machine. A moist cloth or paper towel should be used to wipe the exterior all over. This will clear the machine of any coffee or grease stains or plain bacteria.

How to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine Monthly

Monthly cleaning is a more thorough one of the parts which aren’t prone to getting filthy quite easily. Let us walk you through each part’s monthly cleaning practice.

Brewing Head/Group Head/Portafilter

The portafilter may smell strange if left uncleaned for over a month. All you need to do is detach the portafilter from the machine and remove the filter. Make sure there is no excess coffee grind in the portafilter.

Then, rinse it off with water and liquid detergent. Allow it to dry before you place the filter back on.

Water Filter

As silly as you may think it may sound, the water filter, too, requires to be cleaned monthly. This is helpful in getting rid of any stink that may form. Detach the water filter from the holder and rinse it under cold tap water. Once dried, you may reassemble it again.

Bean Grinder/Hopper

The best part about the Breville Espresso Machine is that it comes with a built-in bean grinder, which is one of the best features to look for in an espresso machine. But that also means it needs to be cleaned every once in a while.

The best way to do so is to run the grinder before you begin cleaning. This will remove any excess coffee. Then, you should remove the top lid and the hopper. Give it a good rinse and scrub and allow it to dry.

In order to clean the grinder, situated beneath the hopper, you need to use a brush or dry paper towel to wipe off any bits of ground coffee.

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How to Descale Breville Espresso Machine?

It is strongly advised to perform the descaling process on your Breville Espresso Machine every month. This process is a thorough cleaning process for which we will walk you through each step.

Step 1: Remove the water filter from the water tank that is attached to the back of the machine, and add water till the tank half fills.

Step 2: Add some Breville Descaler Solution to the water.

Step 3: Remove the portafilter and place a jug beneath the group head so the excess water drips into it

Step 4: To start the process, press and hold the two cup buttons and the power button simultaneously. Water will begin to flow into the jug

Step 5: Once the water stops flowing from the group head, place the jug under the water spout.

Step 6: Then rotate the right-placed dial to the position of hot water. Water will begin to flow from the spout.

Step 7: Once that stops, place the jug under the steam wand and turn the dial to the steam position, allowing water to flow through the wand.

Step 8: Once this process completes, fill the water tank with water and repeat the aforementioned process to clear off any descaler agent.

Step 9: Lastly, tip any excess water into the drip tray and place it back in.

How to Clean a Breville Espresso Machine with Vinegar?

O-Oh! Did you forget to run to the store again? Is it time to descale your espresso machine but you’re out of the descaler agent. Well, no need to panic! We have got a handy trick right up our sleeves.

You can follow the descaling process as mentioned above and that too without the Breville descaling agent. All you need to do is use any available vinegar and add it to the water in the tank. Its acidic nature works as an excellent cleaning agent.

How to Use Breville Espresso Cleaning Tablets?

The Breville Espresso Machine comes with cleaning tools of its own so you don’t have to trouble yourself each time you decide to clean the machine. Cleaning tablets are one of the easiest ways of cleaning the appliance from within. The tablet is placed on the Breville cleaning disc and placed on the portafilter.

The portafilter is then attached to the machine and the cleaning cycle is run that instantly cleans it. Once the process ends, the portafilter is removed, and the disc and the filter are rinsed and dried.

How Do You Run a Cleaning Cycle on a Breville Espresso Machine?

The Breville Espresso Machine notifies the user when it’s time to clean the appliance. The ‘clean me’ light begins to blink As mentioned earlier, you need a cleaning tablet for this process.

Once that is attached to the machine, press and hold the one and two buttons along with the power button simultaneously for a few seconds. The cleaning cycle will commence. Keep a container under the group head as water will dispense during the cleaning process.

Once the process completes, run the cycle again, but this time without the tablet to clear the machine of any residue.

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Breville Espresso Machine Maintenance Tips

We would recommend a regular cleaning regime and a monthly deep cleaning practice to keep your machine functional for years to come.

Definitely read through the Breville Espresso Machine manual that is detailed with information on its functioning and cleaning

As a safety precaution, make sure the machine is unplugged when you clean the coffee bean grinder.

Make sure to purge the steam wand with every use to avoid milk drying onto the wand.

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FAQs

Is descaling better than using vinegar?

A descaler solution is used for the sole purpose of cleaning the hardened residue on coffee containers. If the solution is unavailable, vinegar is a good alternative that is readily available. The descaling process does not differ, no matter the solution you use.

How do you backflush Breville?

The Breville Espresso Machine comes with a self-cleaning option. When the time comes, the ‘clean me’ option will blink indicating a need to backflush. Before you begin, make sure the water tank is full.

Use the cleaning tablet that comes along with the machine and place it on the Breville cleaning disc that should be inserted into the single filter basket.

Then put the filter basket onto the portafilter and attach it to the machine as if you were about to make coffee. After that has been inserted, simultaneously press and hold the power button, and the single and double cup buttons. Release the buttons when the machine starts the cleaning process. Allow the machine time to self-clean.

How do I descale my Breville grind control?

To begin descaling your Breville grind control, you can either use the descaling solution or diluted vinegar as an alternative. Add around 4 cups of the solution to an empty water tank. To enter the descaling mode, press the ‘strength’ button for 5 seconds till the machine’s screen displays a descaling sign.

Allow the grinder to run as it descales the machine using the solution in the water tank. The screen will display a ‘ready’ message once the process ends.

How do I clean my Breville espresso machine without cleaning discs?

If you’ve misplaced your cleaning disc or did not have it from the start, you can descale your machine using vinegar.

How to clean a Breville espresso machine without tablets?

To have just as good results as using tablets to clean your Breville espresso machine, you can use a diluted solution of vinegar that’ll run within your machine.

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Conclusion

We’ve brought together a Breville espresso machine manual to keep your appliance neat and functional for a very long time. From small parts to the entire exterior, we’ve briefed you on their regular and monthly cleaning.

Even if you’re missing a couple of cleaning products like the Breville cleaning disc or tablet, we’ve provided you with alternatives. Remember, a clean espresso machine means a perfect tasting cup of espresso if you know how to pull a great espresso shot with an espresso machine.

If you still have inquiries on how to clean a Breville espresso machine, please leave them in the comments area!