Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It’s not just for breakfast anymore, either. The average American has at least three cups a day and that doesn’t include those who drink decaf or tea instead. Your coffee maker is like any other appliance in your home it has a limited lifespan. Depending on the type of coffee maker and how often you use it, you can expect it to last anywhere from 3-10 years (related read: Types of Coffee Machines). However, Coffee Machines Maintenance is a very important topic that many people overlook. Coffee machines are great for the average person because they provide people with an easy way to get their caffeine fix, but these machines require just as much care and maintenance like any other appliance in your home. There are numerous ways you can clean up after yourself and your coffee machine, and in this blog, we will discuss some of them.
Drip Coffee Makers:
There are a few warning signs that your drip-coffee machine is already overdue for a cleanup; oily smudges, stains, and even mineral build-up can produce bitter coffee (and no, not the bitter coffee that you enjoy). Here are how to keep your drip coffee makers as good as new:
Clean every after use or at the end of the day
You might have this mindset of “oh I’m gonna make the same coffee here tomorrow anyway. I don’t need to clean this,” don’t worry, we’ve all been guilty of that, but it is important to clean the pot and the filter with hot soapy water every after use or at the end of the day to avoid any unwanted build-ups!
Descale
Regular descaling (about every 3 months), which is running acid in order to clean our running water as well as mineral build-ups. Most would suggest to use vinegar with water, but vinegar has a scent that lingers and you don’t want your coffee smelling like vinegar. Your smell and taste are connected, so a cup of coffee that smells like vinegar is never good! A good choice is using baking soda in order to descale your coffee maker.
Espresso Machine
In order to ensure that your espresso machine is topnotch, regular check-ups is essential as well as replacing certain parts yearly.
Wipe the Wand
This should be done every after use. The wand that is used in order to froth the milk should be wiped down and purge the wand before and after using to avoid dry milk and bacteria build up.
Flush the Group Head
Flushing the group head will help avoid build-up of oils from the coffee and old grounds which can make your shot of espresso taste weird.
Blackflush
To loosen and remove coffee grounds, scrape the group heads with a machine brush, then use the coffee machine detergent and blind filter. Rep until the water in the drain is clear.
Descale
To loosen and remove coffee grounds, scrape the group heads with a machine brush, then use the coffee machine detergent and blind filter. Rep until the water in the drain is clear.
Replace the Following Annualy
- The steam and hot water valve or rings
- Shoulder bolt shims
- The expansion valve (this will prevent leaks and temperature loss in the tank)
- The anti-suction valve
- The brew actuator bearing
- The waste pipe
- The portafilter baskets
These yearly changes look expensive, but a full cleaning and repair session will cause you more.
Products to Use:
For cleaning products, see the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your espresso machine. Using the incorrect product for your machine can result in damage or accumulation. Also, consider whether you require all of the things on offer. If you don’t have hard water, for example, you might not need descaling products.
Some people clean with vinegar and water in an environmentally friendly manner, but if you attempt this, make sure to rinse properly to avoid any vinegar overtones in your espresso. An approach you can try to avoid the chances of a vinegary coffee is baking soda and water.
Factors that can Affect your Coffee Machines’ Lifespan
It is important to remember that there will be the time that a new coffee machine will benefit you more than an older one. Below are factors that can affect the lifespan of coffee machines along with no proper maintenance.
There are a lot of things that affect the lifespan of a coffee maker, mostly, it depends on the production quality, this is why you should get the best quality available (related read: Best Coffee Machines). The majority of coffee machines can produce top-notch coffees within five years, however, this can be extended with proper cleanup and care. Another aspect that affects the lifespan of your coffee maker is the water hardness (Malaysia has “soft” water), hence it is a good idea to continuously descale your water not only for your coffee maker but also for your health!
Contrary to popular beliefs, the coffee maker with more moving parts can be more susceptible to a shorter lifespan, this is because there are a lot more things that can potentially break. Those with no tubing, pumps or heating elements can last forever, but those, however, are not coffee machines.
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