Is It Necessary To Descale An Espresso Coffee Maker?

For coffee lovers, the day doesn’t truly start until you’ve enjoyed an aromatic cup of espresso. 

But have you ever pondered what goes into making that perfect brew that brightens your day? Spoiler alert — it’s not the coffee beans alone! The cleanliness of your espresso machine plays a big role in getting a flavourful coffee.

So, grab your mug as we descale an espresso coffee maker. First, let’s dive into the parts of your espresso machine that need a little TLC. Trust me, your taste buds will perk up!

What parts of an espresso machine need cleaning?

When you make coffee, some parts of the espresso machine get affected by milk, coffee and water and need to be cleaned regularly. 

1. The portafilter

It’s the part that holds ground coffee. It’s essential to give it a good scrub and rinse it out after use. Coffee oils and residue that build up over time alter the flavor of your espresso. A quick rinse with warm water and a gentle brush will do the trick. If you want to keep it sparkling, you can soak it in a mixture of warm water and detergent every once in a while. This detergent by Edesia Espress works wonders. Just be sure to rinse it properly!

2. The grouphead

Coming next is the group head, also called a brew head, which is where the real magic happens. This is where the hot water flows through pressed ground coffee. You want this part to be as clean as possible for finest espresso extraction. To clean the group head, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth after each use, and apply a detergent solution like PAZAZZ to it. Scrub around the gasket with a brush, ensuring no coffee residue is lurking around, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.

3. The steam wand

If you love lattes and cappuccinos, you know the role the steam wand plays is producing that silky, velvety texture in your milk! But it’s also a part that requires regular cleaning! When milk residue hardens, it creates clogs inside the steam wand.

After every use, you’ll need to wipe the wand with a damp cloth and purge it by turning on the steam for a second or two. You can soak it in warm soapy water once a week and run it through a rinse.

4.The drip tray

This little guy is where any spillover from your brewing process goes. It’s easy to forget about, but if left unattended, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and odours. Empty and clean it daily, ideally after each use. A simple wash with warm, soapy water will keep it smelling and looking good.

5. The water reservoir

Clean water is key to great-tasting espresso, so don’t ever ignore the water reservoir. Empty it daily and give it a good rinse to get rid of any limescale or residues. Depending on the hardness of your water, you will also need a descaling solution like Pazazzevery month or so to keep it free from mineral and hard water buildups.

6. The boiler

In an espresso machine, the boiler is the chamber responsible for heating water at between 88°C to 96°C.  It is attached at the bottom frame in the coffee maker. Some models come with two boilers, one for the steam wand and one for the steam head.

The boiler is connected to pipes that transport hot water for brewing and steam for frothing milk at the right temperature. Proper functioning of the boiler and the pipes is essential for consistent coffee quality.

How often does your espresso coffee machine need descaling?

Now that you know which parts of your espresso machine need cleaning and descaling, the question is how often you should do it. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Daily: Portafilter, steam wand, and drip tray.

Weekly: Group head and a thorough cleaning of the water reservoir.

Monthly:  A backflush and deep clean for all parts, including descaling. It can be done using PAZAZZ backflush cleaning powder.

Why is descaling so important?

Have you ever been curious what’s lurking inside your espresso machine? Over time, minerals from water and coffee oils build up inside your coffee maker that harm your brew and the machine.

Look at it this way: every time you make a delicious cup of espresso, little bits of residue from the coffee and milk cling to the inner surfaces of your machine. This buildup results in poor extraction, bad-tasting coffee, and limescale from water even clogs your machine.

No one wants to waste fresh beans on a bad-tasting shot of espresso.

Descaling solutions like PAZAZZ effectively dissolve mineral buildup and coffee and calcium residue. When the machine is running smoothly, water flows through your machine at the right pressure and temperature at the time of brewing. That’s why regular descaling is essential, so your coffee maker can stay in excellent shape and form.

Not only does this improve the flavor of your coffee, but it also extends the lifespan of your machine!

To get that perfect cup of coffee you crave, descaling the espresso machine is as important as using quality beans. Not to mention the costly repairs and services you’ll save yourself from in the future.

So, mio amico, go grab the PAZAZZ cleaners and descalers and give your beloved espresso machine the care it deserves.

Buon caffè!