Like the George Foreman grill, the portable foot spa and the facial sauna, many home coffee machines and up exiled in the back of a cupboard after only a few uses. Maybe it was an unwanted gift, especially if you're more of a tea drinker, or possibly you found the freshly made espresso coffee lost its edge once the novelty had worn off. Perhaps only the first few espressos you made with your espresso coffee machine had that authentic espresso taste. If it's a case of the latter two reasons; being the taste, ten maybe you should readdress your cleaning routine, as this can have a definite affect of the quality of coffee any machine delivers.
Many people assume that one of the advantages of having a home coffee machine is that they offer unrivalled convenience, and this is true to a certain extent. However some people wrongly assume that a home coffee maker is virtually maintenance free, and this is not usually the case. Most home coffee machines require a minor clean after every use and if used daily or almost daily, they'll require a more thorough clean on a regular basis. These following tips are designed to help you keep your coffee maker in tip top condition so it gives you a perfect espresso every time.
- After each use, make sure you give the frothing arm a wipe and eject a little steam to clean the inside of the nozzle. Take care not to get your hands in the way as hot steam can scald. If you use your espresso machine occasionally, make sure you also empty the the coffee grounds from the filter as these can go mouldy if left for a few days. Wipe any drips or splashes before they dry out as leaving them could damage the finish.
- If you use your espresso machine daily, then it will require a more thorough clean on a weekly basis. Flushing the machine will get rid of any coffee residue which tends to build up inside the machine. This flushing procedure can vary with different models so refer to the user manual for instructions specific to your machine. If your coffee machine is in regular use throughout the day, then flushing the machine as per the manufacturers instructions on a daily basis is recommended.
- Every few months your coffee maker will need de-scaling, especially in hard water areas. The build up of lime scale can affect the flavour of your coffee and over time damage the machine, so ideally you should be using filtered water instead of tap water in hard water areas. White vinegar is sometimes used to remove lime scale, however this leaves a lingering taste and smell so is not recommended for use on coffee machines. Special odour and flavour free de-scaling tables are available from many retailers which do a far better job than vinegar.
By following these three cleaning routines; wipe, flush and de-scale, your espresso machine with give you years of loyal service, as long as you treat it with the care and respect it deserves.
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