Espresso machine maintenance

Espresso Machine Maintenance: What is Involved?

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You have leaped and are expanding your restaurant’s offerings with espressos. Yet now that you have your commercial espresso machine, you want to ensure your investment lasts. With that in mind, let’s focus on your commercial machine’s best espresso machine maintenance routine.

Daily Maintenance

Your commercial espresso machine requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Here are some of the essential steps for daily maintenance:

  • Purge and clean the group head. After each espresso, purge the group head to remove coffee grounds and oils. When you close up for the night, thoroughly clean the group head to remove those oils and any grounds that might have built up.
  • Wipe down the exterior. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the exterior, removing any dust or grime that might have accumulated.
  • Rinse the water reservoir. Rinse it with warm water, thus removing any potential debris or other build-up.
  • Rinse the drip tray. Clean the tray with warm water, making sure any debris is removed.

While this daily routine can help minimize the build-up and debris, deeper cleanings will still be required.

Weekly Maintenance

Once a week, you need to do a deeper cleaning on your commercial espresso machine. This will help address any potential wear and tear right away, thus reducing the potential for costly repairs.

  • Backflush the group heads with a cleaning solution. Be sure to rinse it well to get all the cleaning solution out.
  • Check and clean the steam wand to ensure it is milk residue-free.
  • Inspect the gaskets and seals for wear and tear. If you see signs of any being worn out, you should replace them immediately.

Monthly Maintenance

Every month, you need to do a descaling to remove mineral build-up from the boiler and pipes. This is an opportunity for you to inspect the portafilters and baskets for cracks or other damage and replace anything damaged.

You can also make it a point to lubricate any moving parts with a food-safe lubricant, like lever handles and knobs.

Annual Maintenance

At least once a year, you should do a complete maintenance check, replacing gaskets, seals, and other wearable components. This might also be the best time to schedule an annual professional service to inspect and maintain internal components. Keeping to this schedule allows you to extend the life of your commercial espresso machine for years, regardless of the level of demand from your customers.

Remember that proper maintenance ensures consistent coffee quality but also extends the life of your commercial espresso machine. At N.C.B. Sales, we can assist you in developing a maintenance schedule that meets the level of demand for your espresso machine. Call us today to schedule a maintenance appointment.

Headquartered in Vista, California, N.C.B. Sales is your beverage equipment repair specialists servicing San Diego, Orange County, Temecula, and Hemet. Since 1986, we have been repairing various beverage equipment, including coffee, espresso, soda fountain, Granita, juice, water filtration, and more, working on well-known brands in the industry.