With delicious coffee comes the annoying work of cleaning: If you want to enjoy good coffee in the long term, you should take good care of your machine. Cleaning the portafilter is more than just a chore - it is the key to excellent coffee in the long term.
We'll tell you all the reasons why you should clean your portafilter regularly and thoroughly: from preserving the taste to extending the life of the machine.
Cleaning the portafilter: Why bother?
A clean portafilter is the basis for a first-class espresso - that would cover the biggest motivation for a thorough cleaning, right? But now to the content part: coffee residues and fats that accumulate in the filters and the brewing group can have a negative effect on the taste of your coffee. Why? These residues can burn in and leave a bitter or burnt taste that is far from first-class quality.
But it's not just about taste. Neglecting to clean the portafilter can significantly shorten the lifespan of your machine. Limescale deposits, clogged filters and a dirty brewing group encourage malfunctions and, in the worst case, can lead to expensive repairs or even replacement of the machine.
Which parts need to be cleaned and how often?
To ensure optimal performance and outstanding taste, it is important to clean the various parts of the portafilter regularly. But which parts need to be cleaned and how often?
Daily cleaning
First, let's talk about daily business: After each use of the portafilter, it is important to clean the sieves and the brewing group thoroughly. How do you do that? Remove the portafilter and rinse both it and the sieves with warm water. Then clean the brewing group from below and polish the water collecting tray with a damp microfiber cloth.
Weekly cleaning
Once a week it's time for a thorough cleaning ritual - cleaning with the blind sieve. Here's what you need to do for this thorough cleaning: Remove the sieve from the portafilter and insert the blind sieve instead. Put some cleaning agent on the blind sieve and follow the instructions on the packaging.
And most importantly, don’t forget to rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.
What happens if you don’t clean the portafilter?
Neglecting to clean the portafilter can have serious consequences that can affect both the taste and the durability of the machine.
Influence on the taste of the coffee
Poor cleaning, bad taste: Coffee residues and fats that accumulate in the portafilter can significantly affect the taste of your coffee. A burnt or bitter taste is the result of neglected cleaning and is in stark contrast to excellent coffee enjoyment.
Influence on the durability of the portafilter
Neglecting to clean isn't good for your wallet either, as it can significantly shorten the lifespan of your portafilter machine. Limescale deposits, clogged sieves and a dirty brewing group can cause malfunctions and, in the worst case, lead to costly repairs or even replacement of the machine.
Cleaning the portafilter: How do you recognize a good cleaning?
There's really no art in determining whether a portafilter is well cleaned or not - it just requires a trained eye and a consistent dedication to cleanliness. But let's be precise: How can you tell whether the portafilter has been cleaned well and regularly?
A clean portafilter is shiny and free of coffee residue or grease deposits. The filters and brewing group are free of dirt and look like new. There are also no signs of limescale or blockages and the machine works perfectly.
If your portafilter meets these criteria, you can be sure that it has been cleaned well and regularly and is ready to create excellent coffee creations. Be honest with yourself: is there still room for improvement in your portafilter cleaning? Then it's time to rethink your cleaning agenda and give your portafilter the treatment it deserves.