Cleaning Tips for Great Esprsso

How to Clean Your Espresso Machine

 Like a Pro

A Step-by-Step Guide Using EVO Espresso Cleaner

Your espresso machine is the heart of your coffee ritual, but without regular cleaning, oils, mineral buildup, and coffee residue will destroy flavor, clog internal parts, and shorten the life of your machine.

At Passport Coffee & Tea, we air-roast our coffee for a clean, sweet flavor—and your machine deserves the same level of care. We have developed this  guide shows you exactly how to clean your espresso machine properly, using EVO Espresso Machine Cleaner, the professional-grade cleaner we carry.

Why Espresso Machines Must Be Cleaned Regularly

Even if your coffee looks fine, espresso residue is building up inside your group head, portafilter, steam wand, and internal lines. Coffee grinds built-up oils and can dramatically affect the taste of the espresso if they aren’t cleaned from the machine. Additionally, other problems related to buildup will arise, requiring maintenance or replacements- and that can get expensive.

Dirty machines cause bad tasting coffee:

  • Bitter or burnt flavors
  • Slow or uneven extraction
  • Clogged solenoids & valves
  • Steam wand blockage
  • Costly service repairs

A clean machine = better tasting coffee, longer equipment life, fewer breakdowns.

What You’ll Need

  1. EVO Espresso Machine Cleaner (powder or tablets)
  2. Blind filter basket (for backflushing)
  3. Group head brush
  4. Clean microfiber cloth
  5. Warm water
  6. Small bowl or container

EVO Cafetto Espresso Cleaner - Passport Coffee & Tea - Shop Espresso Brush - Passport Coffee & Tea - Shop

  

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Cleaning (5 Minutes)

Step 1: Purge the Group Head & Use the Espresso Brush

Purge the group head- Before brewing (and at the end of each day), run hot water through the group head for 5–10 seconds to flush out loose coffee grounds.

While the water is running, use an espresso group head brush to gently scrub the underside of the group head, focusing on the shower screen, gasket, and inner rim where coffee oils and fine grounds collect.

How to brush properly:

  • Hold the brush at a slight angle
  • Let the hot water flow while you scrub
  • Rotate the brush in a circular motion
  • Avoid pushing debris back into the machine

This quick step removes built-up oils before they harden, prevents bitter flavors, and keeps your espresso flowing evenly.

Step 2: Clean the Portafilter

Remove the basket and rinse both the basket and portafilter with hot water.
Wipe dry.

Step 3: Purge & Wipe the Steam Wand

After each milk drink:

  • Purge steam for 2–3 seconds
  • Wipe with a damp cloth
  • Purge again

This prevents milk from hardening inside the wand. This also ensures the best tasting steamed milk.

Weekly Deep Cleaning with EVO Cleaner

A routine cleaning is absolutely necessary if you want consistently good coffee and equipment that works like new! This is the best way to keep your machine in tip-top shape! EVO is our top recommendation for cleaning and improving the taste of your espresso. This cleaner removes buildup (oils and grounds), with ingredients that both protect the machine and are free from GMOs, phosphates, or chlorine.

Step 4: Backflush the Group Head

(For machines with a 3-way solenoid valve)

  1. Insert the blind basket into the portafilter
  2. Add ½ teaspoon EVO cleaner
  3. Lock into group head
  4. Run brew cycle for 10 seconds
  5. Stop for 10 seconds
  6. Repeat 5 times

You’ll see dirty foam coming out—that’s coffee oil being removed.

Step 5: Rinse Backflush

Remove portafilter, rinse thoroughly, and repeat the cycle without cleaner 5 more times.

Cleaning the Portafilter & Basket

Step 6: Soak

  1. Fill a bowl with hot water
  2. Add 1 teaspoon EVO cleaner per liter
  3. Soak baskets and metal portafilter (no handle) for 15–30 minutes
  4. Rinse thoroughly

Steam Wand Deep Clean

Step 7: Remove Milk Buildup

  1. Steam Wand Deep Clean
  2. Step 7: Remove Milk Buildup
  3. Mix hot water + EVO cleaner in a cup
  4. Soak steam tip for 15 minutes
  5. Purge steam through wand
  6. Wipe clean

Monthly Care

Step 8: Clean Shower Screen & Gasket

  1. Remove shower screen (if accessible), soak in EVO solution, brush clean, and reinstall.
  2. Step 9: Wipe Exterior & Drip Tray
  3. Wash drip tray and water reservoir weekly to prevent bacteria growth.

Step 9: How Often Should You Clean?

  1. Area Frequency
    Group head flush  Daily
    Steam wand After every use
    Backflush (EVO) Weekly
    Portafilter soak Weekly
    Shower screen Monthly
    Descaling Every 2–3 months

Step 10: Brewing and Espresso and Throw it out.

When you clean you machine even through rinsed, you should always brew one espresso and throw it out before serving.This ensures you will make the best tasting espresso.

These steps might look like a lot but getting in the cleaning habit will add many years of less maintenance to your machine. as well as the best tasting espresso.