Coffee Machine Blind Filters for Cleaning Group Heads

Coffee machine cleaner, the key to flavoursome brews!

If we are always expecting a well rounded, aromatic and caffeine packed cup of coffee from our machine upon every brew, I think we can agree that we need to give a little back. So what's so important about keeping our machines in tip top shape?

We’ve spent all this time and effort perfecting our skills and equipment so we can make that perfect coffee, you and your machine make a good cup, let's keep it that way. Taking care of your equipment is just as important as making each cup. By keeping your machine clean and well maintained you’ll be sure to get a long lifespan but also consistently delicious coffee, every-time.

If you're brewing at home or in a coffee shop, maintenance is for everyone whether you like it or not. Your maintenance routine will align with the amount of coffee you are brewing, so if you've got a home set up, there's a lot less to do!

We know by now that every-time we fire another shot away we are pulling those rich coffee flavours through the group head and Portafilter. All those oils and particles will remain throughout the seals and no doubt on the shower screen. Although this might not be a problem in the short term, too much build up or excess material on the screen can disturb even water dispersion into the portafilter. When these waste materials disrupt extraction we know we're in for a shock when we take our first sip.

Some of our favourite cleaning chemicals are the Cafetto espresso clean. There are tonnes of chemicals on the market through cafetto, they stock a range of espresso cleaners, descaling chemicals and steam wand cleaners! Remember to pair your cleaning products with appropriate cleaning utensils such as the Espazzola brush which you will find in our Cleaning Brushes.

What is a blind filter and how do i use it?

A blind filter is a solid stainless steel filter basket that its used in your portafilter for back-flushing your espresso machine. Unlike any other filter basket you would typically use for brewing, the blind filter is completely solid. The purpose is by preventing water passing through the water builds up and generates enough pressure to flush the group head and once the water flow has been ceased the release valve will all the high pressure to push all the water out and into the drip tray. This allows and remaining residual coffee and associated oils to be removed from the machine ready for your next brew!

HOW DO I CLEAN THE STEAM WAND ON MY ESPRESSO MACHINE?

1. Use a large Milk Jug and add a solution of hot water and cleaning chemicals. Remember to use specific milk cleaning chemicals as espresso cleaners work with oils from the coffee and not the residual fat molecules that are left behind after steaming.
2. Steam in solution for 10 seconds on and 10 seconds off, then purge after into drip tray.
3. Repeat 5 times
4. The purge allows the valve to open and let the chemicals follow the natural course of where the milk would typically end up.
5. Allow the wand to sit in solution for 10 minutes before the last purge.
6. Repeat the process with just water and no chemicals to ensure all residuals are removed.
7. Inspect the tip of the steam wand for any particles blocking the holes if you find your steam production has decreased

HOW DO I USE ESPRESSO MACHINE CLEANER?

1. Remove shower screen with a screwdriver, place a towel underneath so it drops onto the towel once removed.
2. Use espresso machine chemicals in a bucket to soak the screen, screw and portafilter spouts. If you are not using a spout you can just soak the basket. Soak for 30 minutes.
3. Take your cleaning brush, scrub gasket and everything up under the group head with water running.
4. Once items have finished soaking, give the portafilter and spout a scrub with the brush. Rinse basket, shower screen and screw (scrub items if they have residue on them). Put back together and into the machine.

As we know by now, there’s a little more to brewing coffee than just putting a coffee capsule into a machine and hitting a button, well for a quality cup of coffee anyway. All of our accessories are meant to complement and significantly enhance your brewing experience and ability! Usually, you’d begin your espresso process by using a Dosing tool to weigh the appropriate amount of beans with your Coffee Scales before grinding your fresh coffee!

Your coffee grounds will be put back into your dosing cup and transferred into your Portafilter Basket which may be a single, double or triple! The Distribution tool will help you to evenly distribute the grounds within the Filter Basket prior to using a coffee tamper to compress the grounds. By placing your portafilter onto a Tamping Mat you’ll prevent damage to the portafilter handle or bench, simply place 10-30kg of even pressure down on the tamper and twist to polish. Lock the portafilter into your machine, use the scales under the spout with whichever cup, glassware or reusable cup you prefer and commence brewing.

Now when texturing milk it's important to use the correctly sized milk jug for the amount of milk you require. Once you texture the milk, use a milk Thermometer to get the ideal steaming time for whatever milk you’re working with and if in a cafe you might have the option of a Milk Jug Rinser which is incredibly convenient for the post brew clean! A chocolate shaker is a must for those mocha or cappuccino lovers. When the shot is pouring, make sure to use a barista timer or your scales to measure for the perfect extraction, we recommend 23g in and 46g out at an extraction time of 25-30 seconds. Knock the puck out in either a Knock Box at home or a Standing knock tube or in bench shoot if you’re in a cafe!

Now every machine deserves a good clean, check out our range of Blind Filters, cleaning brushes, cleaning products and chemicals! Everyone loves having a few beans up your sleeve so be sure to check out our favourite Coffee Storage units for home or cafe! If you've got a passion for coffee, well there's nothing tastier than some cupping, use some of our coffee Cupping Tools, such as bowls and spoons to bring this professional experience into your own home!