To clean a Breville coffee machine, specifically the Barista Express model, here is a straightforward process:
- Prepare for Cleaning:
- Turn off the machine.
- Empty the drip tray and fill the water tank with fresh cold water to the max line.
- Place a one-cup filter basket into the portafilter.
- Add a silicone cleaning disc on top of the basket.
- Put one cleaning tablet in the center of the cleaning disc.
- Start the Cleaning Cycle:
- Insert and lock the portafilter into the group head.
- Press and hold the 1-cup and 2-cup buttons simultaneously, then press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds.
- The clean me light will flash, and the cleaning cycle will begin, running for about 5 minutes.
- Place a container under the group head to catch water during the cycle.
- After Cleaning:
- When the cycle beeps twice, it's complete. Remove the portafilter.
- Check if the cleaning tablet has fully dissolved. If not, repeat the cleaning cycle.
- Rinse the machine by flushing water through all outlets (group head, steam wand, hot water dispenser) until the water tank is empty or nearly empty, to remove any chemical residue.
Additional maintenance tips include regularly brushing out coffee grounds from the grinder and group head, wiping the exterior, and descaling as needed for mineral build-up maintenance.