Making Your Coffee Machine Live Longer: A Quick Guide to Backflushing

We know it's true: your espresso machine is the heart of your home, working tirelessly to keep you alive well caffeinated. To keep it pumping out quality espresso shots, though, it's essential to give it regular lovin'. Today, we're diving into the world of backflushing – a simple yet crucial maintenance step that can significantly extend your espresso machine's lifespan (and keep your coffee tasting great).

More of a visual learner? Scroll to the bottom to watch our handy Youtube video!

Why Backflushing Matters

Just like your car needs its oil changed, your espresso machine requires regular maintenance to function at its best. Backflushing is the process of cleaning the internal components of your machine, specifically the group head and the three-way solenoid valve. Over time, coffee oils and residue build up, leading to clogging and scale. Backflushing helps remove these deposits, ensuring a smoother operation and preserving the rich flavors of your coffee.

When To Backflush

So let's just get this out of the way: no one's perfect. We know it's a bit of a pain to religiously backflush your machine, and honestly? We can probably count on one hand the amount of people who do it as often as recommended. So if your machine hasn't been back flushed in, erm, *a while*, don't beat yourself up about it too much - but try to get into the habit of doing it regularly from now on. Let's pinky promise on it - 'kay? Good.

Home coffee machine owners

Aim to backflush with cleaning salts at least once a week, and without cleaning salts (so just with water) daily/after each time you make a coffee.

Commercial coffee machine owners

Backflush with cleaning salts daily/at the end of each service shift.

Coffee machines in offices

This will depend on the size of your team/how often your coffee machine is used, but if in doubt, nominate someone to be in charge of this at *least* weekly. You don't want your office coffee machine to suddenly stop working because it hasn't been looked after - this never happens at a convenient time, trust us!

Bonus tip: The timeframes above also apply to how often you should be giving your head seals a wee scrubby dub dub with a group head cleaning brush.

Signs that it's (past) time to backflush include: slower water flow, uneven extraction, or a change in the taste of your coffee.

How to Backflush Your Coffee Machine

Backflushing with just water

Place your blind portafilter into your group head and lock in snugly. Engage the water flow through your group head and leave on for approx 5 seconds. Turn off water and remove portafilter, empty water out then rinse with extra water from the group head. Repeat until the water in the blind filter comes out clean and clear of any debris or residue.

Backflushing with cleaning salts

Add 1 level scoop of cleaning salts into your blind filter and place into the group head. Lock in snugly. If your machine hasn't been cleaned in a while, add 2 scoops. Turn on group head water flow and leave on for approximately 10 seconds. Turn off water, but leave blind filter in the group head for approximately 10 seconds. Start and stop water flow 4 more times (at 10 seconds each) leaving your blind filter in the group head. Remove blind filter and rinse well with hot water from the group head. Place blind filter back into the group head and turn water on and off 10 times to flush the group head (run water for 5 seconds each time, stopping for 2 seconds). Remove blind filter, then use your regular portafilter to run a shot of espresso through your machine to re-season it. Discard this shot of espresso.

The Takeaway (Coffee)

Backflushing might sound technical, but it's a fairly simple and essential task in maintaining your espresso machine. By incorporating this quick and easy routine into your coffee care regimen, you'll not only ensure a longer lifespan for your beloved machine but also enjoy consistently delicious espresso. So, take a few minutes to backflush, and let your espresso machine continue to be the hero you know and love!