How to Clean Your Espresso Machine’s Portafilter and Filter Basket.

(From Breville Bambinos to La Marzoccos, and everything in between)

At Mambo Coffee Roasters on the Sunshine Coast, we converse everyday with our tribe of home coffee brewers.

Some of the more popular machines that we get asked questions about everyday include Breville Coffee Machines, De Longhi, Sunbeam, La Marzocco, ECM Rocket Giotss espresso machines new and used.

There are so many more choices in 2025 for home coffee-making gear for people to purchase.  But it seems that many folks are being sent home from the retailer without any real instruction on how to keep their machine working at it's best. Some of our customers, when they walk into the roastery looking for a "better coffee bean" , don't even know how to clean their machine and usually confess that they have never cleaned the assest that spent several hundred dollars on. Usually at this point in the conversation  we have a full and frank discussion about the benefits of cleaning our coffee machines. If not just for better tasting coffee, but to keep the repair costs at bay. Generally they leave with a sample bag of cleaning accessories to assist them in their new project. We always have them returning, with the look of the righteous and the admission, that the coffee they're getting out of their machine now is "the best ever!"

Here is a photo sent in from one of our regular customers his set up. He saved for months for his Breville Dual Boiler and Grinder pair but has never regretted it. He tells me that he quickly flushes and purges the machine daily after every use, and cleans with espresso machine cleaner every fortnight. He makes about two cappuccinos every day for him and his wife. Go AJ!! 

Why Cleaning Your Espresso Machine Matters

Let’s say you’ve just brewed your third cup of the morning, but the flavour’s suddenly… weird. Bitter, burnt, maybe metallic?

It may not be you, a small amount of coffee remains behind inside your machine tubes after every use.

Over time, coffee oils will collect and stick to the inside of your portafilter, filter basket, and group head.

 

When left uncleaned, these oils:

• Go rancid and ruin the flavour.
• Clog your machine’s internals.
• Mess with pressure and temperature.
• Wear out machine parts quicker.

The takeaway? Clean machine = better coffee + longer machine lifespan.

How to Clean Your Portafilter and Filter Basket (Breville Style)

You don’t need to be a barista to clean your machine properly. 

Here’s the step-by-step for cleaning your portafilter and filter basket—with a Breville as an example, but the principles are the same irregardless of whether you own a La Marzocco or a De Longhi Coffee Machine.

Daily Quick Rinse:

1. Remove the portafilter and pop out the basket.

2. Rinse both under hot water. Shake off excess grounds.

3. Wipe the portafilter with a clean cloth.

4. Dry and reassemble.

Weekly Deep Clean:

Add a small scoop of the recommended espresso machine powder or tablet supplied by the maker.

1. Mambo Coffee Roasters sells Cafetto Espresso Machine Cleaner.
2. Soak the portafilter and basket for 10–15 minutes in hot water with cleaner.
   
3. Use a Group Head brush (like the Rhino Group Head brushes that we stock at Mambo Coffee Roaster!) to gently scrub inside the basket and the  Group Head Shower Screen.
4. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and dry.

This process lifts off stubborn oils and residue. Make sure to clean every crevice. You don’t want last week’s espresso haunting your next brew.

How To Clean Your Coffee Machine: A Weekly Ritual

If your machine has a 3-way solenoid valve (like the Breville Dual Boiler or any ECM, La Marzocco or other commercial models), backflushing keeps that internal system clean and clog-free.

How to Backflush Your Coffee Machine:

1. Insert a blind filter (a filter basket with no holes) into your portafilter. If you don't have one anymore, we can help you out here at the roastery.
2. Add a small amount of Cafetto Espresso Machine Cleaner.
3. Lock the portafilter into the group head.
4. Activate the brew cycle for 10 seconds, then stop.
5. Repeat the process a few times, flushing water and cleaner through the valve.
6. Remove the portafilter, rinse thoroughly, and run a few cycles with clean water.

This process clears internal buildup and keeps the solenoid valve functioning like new.

 Mambo Coffee Roasters stocks Cafetto Espresso Machine Cleaner in retail-size tubs at a competitive price, along with easy instructions for home use.

What’s a Solenoid Valve? (And Why Should You Care?)

If you’re using a high-end home machine like the Breville Dual Boiler or any commercial-style unit like a La Marzocco, your espresso machine likely has a 3-way solenoid valve.

Here's what it does (without getting too technical):

• After pulling a shot, the solenoid valve releases the pressure and drains excess water into the drip tray.
• It prevents soggy coffee pucks and allows for cleaner, drier extractions.

If this valve gets blocked from grime or scale, you’ll start seeing issues like poor water flow, pressure fluctuations, and leaking around the group head. That’s where backflushing comes in.

Don’t Forget the Steam Wand

If your espresso machine has a steam wand, it needs just as much love—especially if you’re using it daily.

How to Clean It:

1. Fill a jug with warm water and a splash of Cleaner powder.
2. We use Cafetto Milk Jug Cleaner for our La Marzocco Strada.
3. Soak your milk jug and wand tip (if removable) for 15 minutes.
4. Wipe the wand with a soft cloth.
5. Purge steam through it after each use.

✅ We also stock Cafetto Milk Jug Cleaner at Mambo Coffee Roasters, designed specifically for cleaning milk residue safely and effectively.

Additional Tips for Optimal Maintenance

Clean the Grinder

Regularly check your grinder for clogs or buildup. Coffee oils and fines can accumulate in the grinder, affecting its performance.

1. Remove the Hopper: Detach the hopper and empty any remaining beans. This makes it easier to access the grinder's interior for cleaning.
2. Brush Out Residues: Use a brush to clean out any coffee grounds that might be stuck. Pay attention to the burrs and surrounding areas where residues typically build up.
3. Inspect for Wear: Check the grinder's burrs for wear. Worn burrs can lead to inconsistent grind sizes, affecting the coffee's flavor and extraction process.

When to Clean What (Simple Schedule)

Frequency	Task
After Every Use	Rinse portafilter & basket, wipe steam wand and DO A SIMPLE Burst of STEAM to PURGE the wand of excess milk that creeps back up the steam wand spout after steaming your milk..
Weekly	Soak parts with espresso machine cleaner, backflush,soak steam wand with cleaner.
Monthly	Deep clean group head, soak shower screen, check gaskets, descale if needed (especially in hard water areas)

Tools & Accessories Available at Mambo Coffee Roasters

We’re not just slinging beans—we’ve got everything you need to care for your setup:

• The range of Cafetto cleaning products
• Premium cleaning brushes for home and prosumer machines
• Domestic machine accessories:
• Stainless steel milk jugs
• Durable tamping mats
• Commercial-size La Marzocco filter baskets for better espresso shots

Whether you’re running a Sunbeam Mini Barista at home or upgrading to a La Marzocco Linea Mini, we’ve got the gear to help you get the most from your machine.

Cleaning Versus Descaling. What's The Difference?

Understanding Water Hardness:

Water hardness plays a significant role in espresso machine maintenance.

Hard water contains minerals that, if not managed correctly, can accumulate inside your machine, leading to scale buildup. 

However, ( and especially if you have bought your machine in a pre-loved condition.) every now and again you may still have to descale your machine to keep it at optimum condition for your best espresso.

Descaling removes mineral deposits that can build up inside your coffee machine over time, especially if you use hard water. 

The frequency of descaling sessions depends on the hardness of the water in your area. (Little tip, Queensland water can be pretty hard).

Some Brands, depending on the model, will have water filters that can be programmed to alert the need for filter change. For example,  The Breville Barista Express (Model- BES875) has a function on its water filter that you set for two months ahead from the date you submerge it to activate it.

Other Machines that have a dual boiler, for example, The Breville Dual Boiler (BES920) prefer that you test the hardness of the water with the test strip included in the new box. We install water filters and change them regularly for all our commercial customers to prevent build up in their very expensive coffee machines.  However, if you have secured a secondhand version of these machines. A simple and small water test kit, like this one the TDS-3 Digital TDS Meter Water Testing Instruments Water Hydroponicshat we secured off ebay for $20 AUD is all you need for a quick test:

But there are many different styles of water kits to choose from both in store and onling.

Using filtered water can also mitigate the effects of hard water.

Additional Tips for Optimal Maintenance

Clean the Grinder

Regularly check your grinder sediment and oil buildup. Coffee oils and fine grinds can accumulate in the grinder, affecting its performance.

1. Remove the Hopper: Detach the hopper and empty any remaining beans. This makes it easier to access the grinder's interior for cleaning.
2. Brush Out Residues: Use a brush to clean out any coffee grounds that might be stuck. Pay attention to the burrs and surrounding areas where residues typically build up.
3. Inspect for Wear: Check the grinder's burrs for wear. Worn burrs can lead to inconsistent grind sizes, affecting the coffee's flavour and extraction process.

Need a Bit of Help Getting The Best Coffee from Your Home Coffee Machine? -

Book a Coffee Making Course at Mambo Coffee Roasters Barista School.

If all this talk of valves, backflushing, and filters and descaling sounds like a foreign language—come see us.

Our coffee-making course at Mambo Coffee Roasters, right here on the Sunshine Coast, is designed to walk you through the essentials in a hands-on, no-pressure environment. Our courses are down-to-earth and tailored to your inquiries and your desired outcomes for your coffee journey.

We’ll show you:

• How to clean and maintain your machine
• How to dial in your grind
• How to steam milk like a pro
• And most importantly, how to actually enjoy the coffee-making process

Final Word: Clean Gear = Great Coffee

It doesn’t matter if your espresso machine is a $300 Breville or a $5000 La Marzocco—if it’s dirty, your coffee will taste it.

With just a bit of routine care, you’ll:

• Save money on repairs
• Brew better coffee every time
• Make your machine last years longer

And remember, Mambo Coffee Roasters is here for you—with friendly advice, top-tier cleaning products, and coffee accessories to make your home setup sing.

email us now at sales@mambocoffee.com.au for booking details and individual enquiries.