How To Clean Calphalon Espresso Machine: Pro Guide
Do you maintain your Calphalon espresso machine? If not, then it’s high time that you take action. Espresso machines are designed with self-cleaning properties, leaving little residue. But this doesn’t mean that they are left the way they are without taking proper care of them.
This little residue can become the cause of your bad-tasting coffee and slow operating espresso machine. So what’s the solution?
Time to clean your Calphalon Espresso Machine. In this article, you will have a complete guide on how to clean your Calphalon espresso machine and maintain it so that it functions smoothly without any interference.
As the number one hard-anodized aluminium cookware brand in America, Calphalon is popular among the home chefs for generations. Apart from cookware, Calphalon is also equally famous for its wide range of products, starting from bakeware to espresso machines.
It has earned the trust of its customers with its high-quality products. Moreover, surprisingly, it is also the first brand to launch the “national recycling programme for cooking tools,” wherein used cookware, bakeware, and cutlery are turned into reusable materials. This is surely going to have a good impact on nature, as waste is reduced.
Benefits of Cleaning Calphalon Espresso Machine:
Before we proceed with the process of cleaning Calphalon espresso machine, let’s have a quick overview of the benefits that are guaranteed when you regularly clean and maintain your Calphalon espresso machine:
- Prevents limescale build-up.
- Maintains the high-performance of your espresso machine.
- Ensures the longevity of your espresso machine.
- Removes any sort of mineral or calcium deposits from your machine.
- Makes sure that your espresso machine works at a fast pace.
- Prevents coagulation of the system.
- Improves the taste of your espresso/coffee.
- Your espresso machine looks spic and span.
- Increases the lifespan of your espresso machine.
- Saves money by averting major breakdowns.
With all these advantages of cleaning your Calphalon espresso machine, you need a cleaning guide. So let’s move on.
How To Clean Your Calphalon Espresso Machine:
Just 5 minutes of cleaning everyday is not a big deal. Furthermore, these 5 minutes of showing love to your espresso machine can prevent major problems on your machine’s part.
If you’re a barista in a cafe, then clean your espresso machine at least twice a day due to its heavy use.
But as a homer brewer, your espresso machine won’t be in much use and can be cleaned only once a day or max to max at least twice a week. Let’s see what tools you need to clean it and how you should clean it:
STEP 01: Cleaning the group head:
The group head, a metallic part is located on the front of the espresso machine and is responsible for letting the water into the filter basket. Looking at its crucial role, it is highly recommended to clean it on a daily basis.
How to clean it?
- Take off the portafilter from the group head.
- Use an espresso machine cleaning brush to eliminate the coffee particles or any dirt settled inside the rim.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe off the coffee oils that remain in it after espresso extraction. Also, wipe the shower head.
- Remember to clean the exterior of the group head by gently scrubbing it and then wipe it with a clean cloth.
- Rinse it before and after making espresso.
STEP 02: Cleaning the portafilter and filter basket.
The portafilter is the heart of the espresso machine where the water and coffee grounds come in contact.
It comes with a handle to attach and detach it from the espresso machine. Whereas, the filter basket is a metallic basket with tiny holes that holds the coffee grounds and allows the espresso to pass through during the brewing process.
How to clean it?
- After every use, make sure that you empty the portafilter and filter basket. The used coffee grounds shouldn’t remain in it for a longer time, as they can cause bacterial growth.
- Rinse the portafilter and filter basket in hot water after each use and wipe them dry.
- Weekly, you must disassemble the portafilter, removing the meshes, spouts, and the shower screen from the group head. Also, if you have a dual wall filter basket then unblock it. Soak all of these equipment in a tub of hot water with a cleaning tablet for around 30 minutes. Later, wipe them dry and reassemble all the parts.
NOTE: Don’t submerge the handles of the portafilter in it as they may be damaged and will wear-out.
STEP 03: Cleaning the Steam Wand:
The steam wand is connected to the boiler of the Calphalon espresso machine and helps in frothing and steaming of milk in the milk pitcher.
Your creamy and smooth cappuccino and latte are the result of this steam wand.
How to clean it?
- It is very important to note that you wipe the steam wand immediately after frothing milk to avoid its hardening.
- If the milk hardens, then wrap a damp cloth around the steam wand for 10-15 minutes and then wipe it.
- Use the cleaning pin to clean the hole of the steam wand, but be careful not to lose or damage the red 0-ring. You can also unscrew the steam wand for deeper cleaning.
- Every 3 months or so, soak the steam wand in the milk pitcher overnight under a solution of water and cleaning tablet.
STEP 04: Cleaning the grinder:
The grinder in an espresso machine grinds the coffee beans for you in the required consistency, making them ready to brew.
If you use it daily, then clean it daily. But if it’s in use only occasionally, then clean it when in use.
How to clean it?
- The grinder burrs need to be cleaned daily by rinsing them off or grinding the ‘grinder burr cleaning beans’ into it to remove residue and oils.
- And weekly, you must clean the grind outlets and grinding cradle with a damp cloth and wipe them dry.
- Every 2-3 months, clean the bean hopper by rinsing it with warm, mild soapy water and then wiping it dry.
Apart from the major cleaning mentioned above, you should also clean the milk frother and empty the drip tray regularly to avoid fishy smell and wash it with mild soapy water.
Additionally, wipe the exterior of the Calphalon espresso machine including the cup warmer to get rid of any splashes and dust.
NOTE: Do not use hard detergents or abrasive materials to clean any part of the Calphalon Espresso Machine.
Backflushing:
To maintain the cleanliness of Calphalon espresso machine, you must clean it either weekly or monthly depending on how much you use it.
The complete internal cleaning of your espresso machine is known as backflushing which helps you get rid of coffee oils and debris.
How to do it?
- Remove the portafilter and clean the brew group with a cleaning brush.
- Take out the mesh from the portafilter and insert a ‘blind filter’ with no holes.
- Put a cleaning tablet or a teaspoon of cleaning powder into the blind filter.
- Attach the portafilter back to the espresso machine.
- If your Calphalon espresso machine has the backflush function, then use it. If not then start dispensing water for 10 seconds, wait for 5 seconds and start again. Repeat this cycle 5 times.
- Once done, remove the portafilters and rinse it off.
- Again, repeat the same process, but this time without any cleaning powder or tablet.
- Remove the portafilter and run water through the group heads. Make sure not to drink this water.
Now your Calphalon espresso machine is ready to be used and serve delicious espresso/coffee.
Descaling Process:
Descaling of Calphalon espresso machine is to remove unwanted limescale build-up from the espresso machine.
It should be done at least once in every 4 to 6 months to ensure the overall good condition of your espresso machine in just 10 minutes.
How to do it?
- Fill the water tank with 4 cups of warm water.
- Add half cup of descaling solution/one descaling tablet/one tablespoon of white vinegar or citric acid. Let this solution mix thoroughly.
- Hold the on/off and 2 shots buttons together for 4 seconds until the machine beeps.
- Set the dial to the steam position and now the machine will start the process. Don’t forget to keep a container underneath the brew head.
- After this process is done, rinse the water reservoir until there’s no trace of the solution left.
- Fill it with cold water and repeat the process.
- Your Calphalon espresso machine is now spotless. Ensure there’s no trace of the solution left, otherwise your coffee may taste bitter and stale.
Conclusion:
As an espresso lover, you should be taking proper care of your espresso machine. You can refer this guide whenever you’re finding it difficult to clean your Calphalon espresso machine.
However be vigilant when using cleaning agents as they may damage your espresso machine’s parts. And when you clean or rinse the equipment of your Calphalon espresso machine, wipe them dry to avoid rusting of the stainless steel parts.
Resources Consulted For This Article On:
Is buying an espresso machine a worthwhile investment? – Quora
