How to clean your coffee machine

A clean machine not only looks better, it'll give you better tasting coffee.

Fact-checked

Last updated: 5 Mar 2024

espresso coffee machine with a yellow coffee cup and microfibre cleaning cloth

If you’re an espresso purist, you’ll want to clean your coffee machine regularly, as built-up oils and other deposits in the machine will taint the flavour of your brew.

Coffee oils and residues are harder to shift if they’re allowed to dry and harden. Read on to find out how to look after your coffee machine and keep it in good working order.

Every use

Empty the portafilter and hold it under the group head as you run the pump to rinse off the grounds (not necessary for pod-style machines), then wipe out the filter basket with a clean cloth.
Wipe down and, most importantly, purge the milk frothing wand immediately after use.
Wipe exposed surfaces with a soft damp cloth.
Wipe down the bench and surrounding areas to remove spilt water and coffee grounds.
Empty the drip tray.

Weekly

Refill the water tank.
For pod-style coffee machines, empty the used pod receptacle.
Empty your knockbox.

Monthly

Run a cleaning cycle (if your model has one), or back-flush (for three-way-valve systems) using a commercial coffee machine cleaner. A good rule of thumb is to do this once for every 4kg of coffee you put through the machine.
Remove the filter basket from the portafilter and soak both in a cleaning solution.
Use a toothbrush to clean grounds from the shower screen.

Annually

Descale your coffee machine following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Disassemble the group head and soak the shower screen and other parts in cleaning solution, then reassemble it.
Polish stainless steel with metal polish (if applicable).
Empty and clean the on-board hopper (if equipped) with a soft cloth and/or hot soapy water.
Brush grounds from around burrs in the on-board grinder (if equipped).

Coffee machine glossary

Group head: This is the permanent metal attachment at the front of the machine that brings hot water out of the machine and into the portafilter’s filter basket.

Portafilter: This holds the coffee grounds in a filter basket and has a plastic or wooden handle attached. It locks into the group head.

Shower screen: This diffuses the water flowing from the group head so it spreads evenly over the coffee grounds in the filter basket.

Knockbox: A plastic or metal container with a rubber bar across the middle that collects used grounds from the portafilter. Once you’ve made your espresso, you “knock” the portafilter against the bar on the “box” to empty it.

On-board hopper: The container that holds coffee beans until you’re ready to grind them.

Ashley

Ashley worked at CHOICE from 2017–2024. He started as a content producer and progressed to head up the whitegoods team. In his role, Ashley managed the testing of and writing articles about washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, clothes dryers, air conditioners and heaters, as well as a range of cleaning products and detergents that can help you get the best out of your washer or dishwasher. Ashley has degrees in industrial design and marketing and communications, many years experience in a wide range of industries including power tools, manufacturing, legal publishing, retail, air conditioning and HVAC, IT and higher education, and he's interested in absolutely everything. You can find Ashley on LinkedIn.