What’s an early morning without a fresh cup of coffee? This bean has been used for centuries for various reasons, and it’s difficult for some people even to imagine leaving for work before taking time to brew it.
With time, technology has brought innovations that have made the brewing and consumption processes even more pleasant. Coffee machines have been groundbreaking, taking just a few minutes to prepare your drink.
While it’s true that they’re incredibly convenient, coffee machines still require regular check-ups and maintenance. This blog will discuss practical tips and tricks for you to keep your morning coffee fresh and delicious.
Understanding the Machine
Coffee machines are diverse products, each specifically designed to match the different tastes of consumers. Espresso and drip coffee makers, french press, cappuccinators – all of them have different designs and parts, brewing various types of the same beverage.
The first thing you should do before planning is to familiarize yourself with the coffee machine in your kitchen. You can’t maintain its health and troubleshoot issues without understanding its parts and how they work.
Common parts of all coffee machines include:
- Water reservoir
- Filter basket
- Heating element
- Pump
- Showerhead
- Carafe
Some espresso machines come with grinders that are installed for grinding coffee beans before brewing them. Milk frothers are optional parts that allow you to spice up your espresso shot and turn it into a latte or a cappuccino.
Regular Tasks
While systematic inspection is definitely crucial, not all parts of the machine need daily cleaning or restoration. Maintenance can be divided into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks according to how frequently different parts need cleaning
Once a Day
Remove any splashes or dust from the exterior with a damp cloth, especially around buttons and handles. Remove and empty the drip tray of excess water and coffee grounds. Before you put it back into the machine, make sure to thoroughly clean it with soap and water.
Check out the filter basket and the showerhead – if you see any residue coffee grounds or other debris, carefully wash them under running water. Inspect the heating plate as well and wipe it down if necessary.
Once a Week
If you notice that your coffee doesn’t taste quite right or that the machine isn’t brewing as efficiently anymore, it might be time for a deeper cleaning routine. Firstly, thoroughly wash the carafe with a gentle sponge. Soak the filter basket and the showerhead in soapy water and brush them after 15-20 minutes.
Follow the manufacturer’s manual to inspect and wash the water filter correctly if you notice any signs of clogging. These instructions will also tell you how to descale your machine to remove mineral buildup that makes your coffee taste off.
Once a Month
You must take a day out of each month when you can spend some time with your machine to inspect and address deeper parts and issues. Both interior and exterior need to be properly handled – a mild detergent can be used for the outside parts. The manual will tell you all you need to know about the internal parts and how to clean them.
Very carefully check the seals and hoses, as wearing them out can result in water leakages. Such issues are best discovered early on – replacing seals and tightening loose connections are crucial for keeping the structural integrity of the machine.
For Longevity
Surely, none of you enjoy even thinking about the day when your coffee machine stops working. Besides the crucial maintenance tasks that we went over before, we’ll discuss some practical tips for you to keep your morning companion with you for as long as possible.
If you’re regularly descaling your machine but still notice buildup, it might be a sign that your tap water is too hard, making the machine accumulate more mineral residue. Using filtered or bottled water can quickly eliminate this problem without affecting the taste of your coffee.
Don’t use the carafe for long-term storage. If you’re not planning to drink your coffee immediately, it’s better to pour it into a different container to keep it fresh and prevent mold or bacteria growth.
Final Thoughts
Like all other devices, coffee machines also need proper maintenance to stay efficient for a longer period of time. Daily, weekly, and monthly tasks are all equally necessary for the machine’s health, which is why it’s important to take time to complete them.
As long as you clean both the interior and exterior parts and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correctly handling them, it will be long before you have to worry about replacing your coffee machine.