Call us (02) 9565 5227

 

Blog

Mocha Coffee / Coffee machine cleaning guide  / How to backflush your espresso machine
Image showing the cleaning of coffee grain residue on the group seal using a group head brush. There's graphic arrows indicating both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Milk wand is soaking in a jug of cold water and the jug has the words Cold water on it.

How to backflush your espresso machine

how to backflush your espresso machine. As a general rule a home espresso machine should be chemically backflushed once a month. However if your household is consuming 500g or more per week, then chemically backflush weekly.

 

  1. Clean group seal and steam wand

    Image showing the cleaning of coffee grain residue on the group seal using a group head brush. There's graphic arrows indicating both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Milk wand is soaking in a jug of cold water and the jug has the words Cold water on it.
    Rotate group head (GH) brush around group seal in a clockwise nd anti-clockwise motion. Now diagonally hold the GH brush and rotate both clockwise and anti-clockwise to clean around the lug track where the coffee handle sits. Soak steam wand in fresh cold water.

  2. Add Machine clean powder

    Image shows how much machine cleaner to use when back-flushing
    The blind filter is used to backflush your espresso machine, it’s the one without any holes. Some machines have a rubber disc instead. Insert blind filter into porta filter coffee handle and add 1/4 of a teaspoonful of Machine cleaner powder.
    NOTE: Your Mini Vivaldi coffee machine must be at operating temperature for the Machine cleaner to work effectively.

  3. Dissolve Machine cleaner

    Image shows using the back of the teaspoon to dissolve the Machine cleaner.
    Purge a small amount of water from the group onto Machine cleaner powder and dissolve using with the back of the teaspoon.

  4. Back-flush group

    Image shows how to backflush your coffee machine. The coffee handle is positioned firmly in the group and coffee button is turned on to activate the pump which will run hot water onto the blind filter.
    Wearing your gloves, place coffee handle firmly into group. Activate group to backflush your espresso machine by turning on coffee button and allow to run for 5 seconds, then stop it. Repeat another 5 times. 
    CAUTION: DO NOT MOVE COFFEE HANDLE DURING THIS PROCEDURE. YOU’LL RUN THE RISK OF DISLODGING THE GROUP HEAD SEAL OR EVEN WORSE SCALD YOURSELF. 
    NOTE: Whilst using the blind filter no water will run from the spout. Each time you stop the group from running the pressurized water is released into the drip tray. You’ll also notice a whitish/brown foam in the drip tray, this is the Machine cleaner working. It dissolves all the coffee residue in the shower, group head and valve.

  5. Purge group

    Image shows stained water running from the shower as the group is being purged.
    Purge the group using the coffee button and allow the water to run freely until the machine stops automatically. Repeat this step another 4 times.

  6. Back flush with fresh water only

    Image shows how to backflush your coffee machine. The coffee handle is positioned firmly in the group and coffee button is turned on to activate the pump which will run hot water onto the blind filter.
    Place coffee handle firmly into group. Activate group by turning on coffee button and backflush your espresso machine for 5 seconds, then stop it. Repeat another 5 times. 
    CAUTION: DO NOT MOVE OR REMOVE COFFEE HANDLE DURING THE BACK FLUSH PROCEDURE. YOU’LL RUN THE RISK OF DISLODGING THE GROUP HEAD SEAL OR EVEN WORSE SCALD YOURSELF. 
    NOTE: Whilst using the blind filter no water will run from the spout. Each time you stop the group from running the pressurized water is released into the drip tray, (back flush).

  7. Purge group

    Handle is removed and the group head is purged by activating the coffee button and letting it run freely into drip tray for around 5 seconds.
    Purge the group using the coffee button and allow the water to run freely into the drip tray until the machine stops automatically.

  8. Remove shower and diffuser block

    Image shows the special spanner used to remove the showers and diffuser.
    Remove water jug and wipe steam wand. Using the special shower spanner unscrew the bolt situated in the center of the shower.

  9. Remove showers and diffuser block

    Image shows the cleaning of the underside of the group head with a wire brush and also the removed showers, diffuser block and shower bolt.
    Using the special wire brush, clean the underside of the group head and wipe with a clean wet cloth.

  10. Chemically clean showers, diffuser block, porta filter baskets and handles

    Image shows the showers, diffuser block, handles and porta filter coffee baskets being soaked in dissolved Machine cleaner solution.
    Dissolve 2 teaspoonful of Machine cleaner into a container of hot water. Submerge showers, diffuser block, handles and coffee porta filter baskets.
    CAUTION: DO NOT ALLOW THE PLACSTIC PART OF THE HANDLES TO SOAK IN THE SOLUTION. THEY WILL DISCOLOUR OVER TIME AND BECOME ABRAISIVE.

  11. Scrub all parts with soap and water

    Image shows coffee handle being scrubbed with a plastic scourer and mild soapy water. Note: Also wash the showers, diffuser and coffee porta filter baskets.
    Using a clean plastic scourer and mild soapy water, scrub clean coffee handles, coffee porta filter baskets, diffuser and showers. Thoroughly rinse with fresh water.
    CAUTION: DO NOT USE A METAL SCOURER OR STEELWOOL AS IT WILL LEAVE AN UNPLEASANT METALLIC ODOUR.

  12. Wash drip trays

    Image shows washing of the drip trays with a sponge and mild soapy water.
    Using a clean soft sponge and mild soapy water, thoroughly remove all coffee residue and rinse off with cold water and wipe dry.

  13. Wash water tank

    Image shows cleaning of the water tank with a soft sponge and mild soapy water.
    Remove filter pouch. Using a clean soft sponge and mild soapy water clean any mildew build up and also wash the outside of the tank. Rinse with cold water and wipe dry.

  14. Place showers and diffuser back

    Image shows the correct positioning of the shower bolt, showers and brass diffuser before installing.
    Ensure you replace the showers in the exact position as shown above before installing them into the group head.

  15. Final check

    Image shows the correct side that the diffuser must be installed.
    Thread the bolt through the showers and diffuser and fasten into group head finger tight. Tighten a little more with the special shower spanner (not too tight).
    NOTE: THE SIDE WITH THE WIDER FLAT CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE DIFFUSER AS SHOWN ABOVE IS THE SIDE THAT WILL SIT ONTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE GROUP HEAD.

  16. Wipe the body panels clean

    Image shows the cleaning of the body panels with a soft mild soapy moist sponge.
    Using a moist soft sponge with mild soapy water gently clean all panels and dry off immediately with a soft micro-fiber cloth to avoid streaks. Place filter pouch into water tank and fill with fresh cold water. Replace water tank, drip trays and you’re done.
    NOTE: When you’re going to make coffee after chemically backflushing you need to prime the group head by making a fresh coffee and allowing it to run into the drip tray. Now discard the spent coffee grains from the portafilter and repeat two more times with fresh coffee. Your machine is now ready for you to enjoy the next cup.
    HANDY HINT: It’s a good idea to coordinate your grinder cleaning when backflushing as you will have freshly ground that needs discarding whilst priming your grinding blades from the grinder clean pellets. THis way you minimse coffee waste.

  17. What you’ll need

    Image shows all the accessories needed to back-flush the Mini Vivaldi coffee machine. It has gloves, Machine cleaner, blind filter, special spanner, safety glasses, group head brush and a wire brush. All accessories have their corresponding name marked.

2 Comments

  • Dominic

    Reply July 11, 20237:35 pm

    Very clear explanations! Thanks Mocha Coffee.

Post a Comment

“AT MOCHA COFFEE IT’S MORE THAN JUST GREAT COFFEE, IT’S A FAMILY BUSINESS, NOW IN ITS THIRD GENERATION.