If your morning ritual includes a freshly brewed cup of coffee, then your coffee machine is the unsung hero of your daily routine. However, much like any other hero, your coffee machine needs care to keep performing at its best. In this guide, we’ll explore why cleaning your home coffee machine is crucial, not just for the machine's longevity but also for your health and the quality of your coffee. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast, a home brewer, or someone passionate about clean living, understanding the importance of keeping your coffee machine spotless is essential. Whether you have a manual or automatic coffee machine, they both need cleaning weekly to ensure your coffee tastes great and you’re not drinking any unwanted bacteria or mould!

Why You Need to Clean Your Home Coffee Machine

1. Enhance the Flavour of Your Coffee

Over time, coffee oils and residues build up inside your machine, affecting the taste and aroma of your brew. What was once a robust, full-bodied flavour can become bitter and flat. Regular cleaning ensures every cup from your coffee machine is as delicious as the first. The built-up oils repeatedly become part of the coffee extraction, burning more with each coffee made. The end result will be a bitter, sour tasting coffee. 

2. Extend the Life of Your Coffee Machine

Calcium and mineral deposits from water can clog your machine’s inner workings, leading to inefficiencies or breakdowns. This is one of the main reasons for coffee machine repairs and can get quite costly if not maintained. By descaling and cleaning your machine regularly, you're not just maintaining its health but also prolonging its life, ensuring your investment stays good as new for years to come. Remember that automatic machines can be descaled at home, while manual coffee machines require descale-able parts to be separated from the machine before the process begins. For this reason, we recommend bringing your manual home coffee machine in for a regular service each year. 

3. Protect Your Health

Moist environments are breeding grounds for mould and bacteria. Unlike instant coffee, fresh coffee grows mould quickly when in a warm, moist environment (your coffee machine). A neglected coffee machine can harbor unseen contaminants that may end up in your cup. Keeping your machine clean means safeguarding yourself and your family against potential health risks.

How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Machine?

The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you use your coffee machine. Here's a quick guideline:

• Daily: Rinse removable parts (like the brew basket and carafe) with warm, soapy water.

• Weekly: Wipe down the machine’s exterior and wash any removable parts more thoroughly. For manual coffee machines, we recommend backflushing once a week. Automatic coffee machines will tell you when they need a descale. 

• Annually: Consider a professional service or deep clean where you check all the nooks and crannies that might be harder to reach in your routine cleans. Get your coffee machines perishable parts replaced and the descale of manual coffee machines conducted. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Home Coffee Machine

Cleaning your coffee machine doesn't require expensive tools or abundant time. Here’s a simple, effective method to keep your machine in tip-top shape:

Manual Coffee Machines

For manual machines, you’ll need some backflushing powder. Simply put one scoop into the blind basket, put the handle in the machine, and turn on the extraction. Wait ten seconds before turning off the extraction. Without removing the handle, repeat this process two more times. Then, after removing your handle, you should see a mix of coffee grinds, oil, and residue. Rinse out the blind basket and repeat the process again without backflush powder to rinse. The first coffee shot after this process should always be discarded. 

Automatic Coffee Machines

For automatic coffee machines, take out the brew mechanisms and rinse thoroughly. Descale the machine when notified according to your individual machines’ manual. 

Usually this encompasses filling the water reservoir with your chosen solution and running it through a brew cycle. Midway through, turn off your coffee machine and let it sit for an hour to break down any mineral deposits. After an hour, turn the coffee machine back on and complete the cycle. Then, run fresh water through the machine at least twice to rinse out any lingering descaler taste.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your home coffee machine is a simple yet effective way to ensure your coffee always tastes great, your machine runs smoothly, and your health is protected. Make it a part of your routine, and your coffee machine will continue to fuel your day, one clean, delicious cup at a time.

Coffee enthusiasts understand that the key to a perfect brew lies not just in the beans but in the cleanliness of the brewing equipment. By following these steps, you're not only enhancing the flavour profile of your coffee but also extending the love and care to your beloved machine. Remember, a clean coffee machine means a happier you.

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge and steps to keep your coffee maker in pristine condition, why not share this guide with fellow coffee lovers? For those looking to explore more about clean living and getting the best out of their home brewing experience, stay tuned for more insightful posts. 

Remember, it's not just about the coffee; it's about the experience of brewing it. Keep your coffee machine clean, and who knows, you might just have your own mini café at home! Happy brewing! 

And lastly, remember that if you need help with this process, you can call our friendly team at Prestige who will be happy to assist you on (08) 8352 2022.