How to Clean an Espresso Maker

Your espresso maker works by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The parts of your espresso maker will get dirty frequently. You can extend the life of your espresso maker by caring for it properly. Here is how to clean an espresso maker.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Rinse or wash the filter basket parts and steam nozzle after every time you use the unit. You can clean these parts using warm water and soap.

2. Allow steam to escape into a water-frilled frothing pitcher for a few seconds after every use. This will clean the frother assembly. After you allow the steam to escape, wipe the tube and frother with a damp cloth to remove the milk film before it hardens.

3. Remove mineral deposits from the inner parts of your espresso maker, if you use hard water. Remove the filter screen from the hot water dispenser head, fill the boiler with equal parts of distilled water and white vinegar. Collect the solution in a brew pot or pitcher. Repeat this step two or three times with plain distilled water to rinse it out.

4. Remove the filter basket assembly and loosen the boiler cap when your espresso maker is not in use.

5. Clean the outside of your espresso maker with warm water and a rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Never place your espresso maker in water.
• Never take apart your espresso maker for cleaning while it is plugged in.
• Don't touch the metal parts of your espresso maker for at least 15 minutes after turning off your unit to avoid burns. To avoid steam burns, never open the boiler lid or take out the filter basket assembly while the appliance is still warm.