Whether you’re managing a busy office, café, or co-working space, keeping your coffee machine clean isn’t just a good habit, it’s essential to ensure the longevity of your machine. From traditional espresso machines to bean to cup systems, regular maintenance ensures your machine always produces fresh, great-tasting coffee and avoids costly breakdowns due to blockages or residue build-up.
Bean-to-cup machines are popular in modern office environments across Ireland. These machines are built to grind beans fresh for each cup and often feature automated cleaning systems to simplify maintenance. Most come with indicator lights to remind users when to descale or empty drip trays.
While many machines have one-touch cleaning cycles (typically lasting around 15 minutes), some manual upkeep is still required. This may include rinsing filters, cleaning the drip tray, and occasionally sanitising removable components.
A key component for any machine that serves milk-based drinks, is the frothing system. The milk frothing system requires daily cleaning to prevent sour residue and bacterial build-up, bean to cup machines will have integrated pipes and removable canisters.
Integrated Pipes: Remove the milk pipe daily, rinse, and soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes. Be sure to disassemble and wash any parts that come into contact with milk.
Removable Canisters: Disassemble all milk-contact components and wash thoroughly using warm, soapy water. Let the parts air dry before reassembling.
It is important to remember that espresso machines, no matter the environment, will need daily end-of-day cleaning to maintain optimal performance and flavour quality.
When cleaning your machine, ensure you check the following:
Portafilter and Brew Head: Rinse and clean regularly to avoid coffee build-up.
Filter Basket: Unclog to ensure smooth water flow.
Group Head: Flush with water before each new shot to maintain a clean brew surface.
Backflushing is an essential process that removes oils and coffee residues from the group head system. In commercial settings, it should be done at least once daily or after every 200 espresso shots.
Backflushing Steps:
Prepare the Machine: Power on, ensure it’s at brew temp, and fill the tank with fresh filtered water.
Insert Cleaning Agent: Place a blind filter (blank basket) in the portafilter and add espresso machine cleaner.
Activate Cleaning Mode: Start the cycle, allowing the pump to run and push cleaning solution through the system.
Check Residue: Once complete, remove and inspect the portafilter. Repeat the cycle if necessary.
Final Rinse: Rinse the portafilter thoroughly before resuming use.
Limescale build-up is common in water supplies, particularly in hard water areas. Descaling your coffee machine prolongs its life and maintains consistent performance.
Signs your machine needs descaling include, leaks or dripping, reduced or inconsistent water flow, inability to heat properly and even strange noises.
How to Descale:
Power Off & Prep: Turn off the machine and empty the water tank. Refill with clean water and descaling solution.
Start Descaling: Activate the descaling programme (if available) and let the cycle run, producing a coffee-free brew.
Repeat & Rinse: Continue the cycle until the tank is empty. Refill with clean water and rinse through.
Check your machine’s manual for brand-specific recommendations and whether to use citric acid, white vinegar, or a commercial descaler.
In addition to taste and equipment performance, regular cleaning also helps meet hygiene standards in the workplace. In Ireland, employers must comply with health and safety regulations that require all food and beverage equipment to be kept clean and safe to use.
Whether you’re running a bustling Dublin café or managing a shared office in Cork, a clean machine reflects well on your business and enhances the coffee experience for everyone.
At Liquidline Ireland, we supply premium coffee machines and offer ongoing maintenance support to help your machine perform at its best. From office-friendly bean-to-cup solutions to barista-grade espresso systems, our team is here to ensure your workplace stays energised and your machine stays spotless.
Get in touch with our Irish support team today to learn more about our servicing packages or to book a machine health check.
