[A]fter a long day’s work, your espresso machine and batch brewer appreciate quality care just as much as you do. Without regular cleaning, oil and mineral residues build up and degrade your equipment. Rinsing and wiping out portafilters and brew baskets will help combat the damage, but a thorough maintenance routine typically includes backflushing, steam wand cleaning, and scrubbing. Handy cleaning tools make these tasks easier and more effective, preserving the quality of every shot you pull.
1) Espresso Machine Powder
Cafiza designed an espresso machine cleaning powder to increase the power of back flushes. Their concentrated formula works well with a wide range of machines to eliminate residue in group heads, valves, and machine lines. Engineered with an optimal balance of foaming, to clean the machine, and solubility, to flush out the powder, the cleaner makes an easy entrance into your maintenance routine. urnexbrand.com
2) Steam Wand Cleaner
Purging your steam wand is a required task every time you steam milk, but what about a deep clean? Pällo’s Steamy Wanda cleans hard-to-reach nooks and crannies on your machine. Designed to remove mineral deposits on the inner walls of steam wands, the brush features heat resistant bristles, rounded tips, and an ergonomic, T-shaped handle for simple cleaning. coffeetool.com
3) Brew Clean Tablets
The freshest coffee will still taste old if it’s brewed through a dirty machine into a dirty airpot. With Cafetto brew clean tablets, all you need is five minutes and hot water to clean your coffee brew baskets, servers, air pots, and coffee pots. Place a tablet in the basket and activate the brew cycle to quickly and effectively clean your equipment. Tablets are easy to store and come in jars of 100. cafetto.com
4) Group Head Brush
Your machine’s groupheads need a regular brushing, and the Zig Zag from Rattleware lets you do it without getting your fingers too close to hot metal. The angled design ensures the bristles are pointed straight up so that you can lay into the brushing. A hollow in the back of the handle helps you measure the perfect amount of cleaning powder after you’ve scrubbed out the big stuff. espressosupply.com
