Just bought an espresso machine

[AntiFreze]

I missed this over christmas, but snagged it this time around. I'm a huge fan of espresso machiatos. I can't wait to get it. I have my coffee grinder and a place that roasts the beans daily.

http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=7482

 

[AntiFreze]

Anyone have a guide on the easiest way to clean one? I've heard thats the biggest problems with espresso machines.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

There are two main cleaning concerns with all espresso machines, the basket and strainer and, hard water. The basket and strainer get coated in coffee oils and can lead to a stale aftertaste. Hard water deposits can build up and seriously impact the flavor of your brew by clogging or limiting water/steam flow. There are many solutions from urn cleaner chemicals to vinegar to my favorite fix, cream of tartar.

Depending on how often you use the machine, once a week at home, put a tablespoon of cream of tartar in warm water to dissolve and pour it in the machine. Brew, without coffee of course, till water is gone. If your machine has a separate steam wand, be sure to use that as well. The beauty of cream of tartar is you don't have to rinse out the machine afterward and there are no chemical or vinegary fumes.

 

[h8red]

I have always backflushed my espresso machine with Cafiza.

The basic procedure is to put 1/2 teaspoon of cafiza in your blind portafilter (I have the stainless steel one). Cycle the grouphead on for 10 seconds/off for 10 seconds (repeat 5-6 times). Then clean out the blind portafilter and repeat without cafiza to get rid of the detergent. Collect all the backflushed liquid/detergent in your overflow receptacle and use to soak the other parts. I usually let my portafilter and basket soak in this liquid to get rid of the coffee oils

 

[everman]

Clean the boiler with something designed for that specifically. They're all just citric acid, so you can just use that.
Don't use Cafiza in the boiler, only for backflushing and other external parts.