We'll show you how to clean and shut down your machine at the end of service and properly leave it overnight for the next day.
Welcome back to Ambition Academy! Let's walk you through the essential steps to properly clean your coffee machine at the end of the day. Keeping your machine clean is absolutely crucial, not only does it extend the lifespan of your equipment, but it also ensures your coffee maintains its best flavour. A clean machine keeps everything running smoothly, keeps your customers happy, and makes sure your coffee tastes as good as it should. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Cleaning the Grinder
At the end of the day, any leftover beans in your hopper must be ground out. Here’s how:
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Shut your gates – There’s a small tab on your hopper that needs to be pushed all the way in to prevent more beans from falling into the grinder.
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Grind out any remaining beans – If there are beans between the gates and the chute, they need to be fully ground. Leaving them overnight can cause them to become oily and sticky, leading to inconsistent dosing.
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Empty the hopper – Beans left in an unsealed hopper overnight lose freshness quickly. Coffee beans maintain peak freshness for just 9-12 hours, so any extras should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
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Wipe the hopper – About once a week, clean the inside of the hopper with a dry cloth to remove any built-up oils. If your hopper has a brown stain, it’s overdue for a deep clean!
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Clean the grinder exterior – Use a brush to remove stray coffee grounds and a damp microfiber cloth to polish off any fingerprints, splashes, or residue.
Step 2: Cleaning the Coffee Machine
To properly clean your coffee machine, you’ll need a few essential tools:
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D-tanning powder (or a similar coffee cleaning product) – This removes coffee and tea stains.
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Cleaning blank – A portafilter basket with no holes, used for backflushing the group heads.
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Group brush – This is the toothbrush for your machine, essential for scrubbing away coffee residue.
Cleaning the Group Handles (Portafilters)
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Remove the basket – Carefully pop out the metal filter basket from your portafilter. Be cautious—it will be hot!
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Prepare a soaking solution – Fill a deep container (like an ice cream tub) with hot water and add a teaspoon of coffee cleaning powder.
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Soak for 15 minutes – Stand the portafilters upright so only the metal part is submerged. Avoid soaking the plastic or wooden handles.
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Rinse thoroughly – After 15 minutes, rinse them under fresh water, dry them with blue roll, and they’re ready to use again.
Cleaning the Group Heads
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Flush & Brush – Run hot water through the group head and use the group brush to scrub around the edges of the shower plate.
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Remove coffee residue – Focus on scrubbing the group seals and shower plate to clear out any coffee grounds that may be stuck.
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Repeat if necessary – Flush the group head again and brush it a second time until all visible coffee grounds are gone.
Why This Matters
Regular cleaning prevents bitter-tasting coffee, keeps your equipment running efficiently, and avoids expensive maintenance issues. Taking a few extra minutes at the end of the day to clean your grinder and coffee machine ensures a fresh, high-quality coffee experience every day.
Happy brewing, and stay ambitious!