Bezzera New Hobby/cleaning and maintenance
From Whole Latte Love Support Library
Proper machine maintenance is critical for machine function. Most machine failures are caused by lack of cleaning and many manufacturer warranties do not cover cleaning related breakdowns, so it is important to keep a regular maintenance schedule. Listed below is a suggested maintenance schedule for most Prosumer espresso machines:
Backflushing
Backflushing is the single most important cleaning procedure for Prosumer style machines. It is the best way to prevent scale buildup in the system. Backflushing should be done at least once a week with the recommended backflushing powder. The video on the right goes over a general backflushing procedure which applies to most Prosumer machines.
Maintaining Your Espresso Machine - Backflushing
Descaling
Descaling should be done, at minimum, on a bimonthly basis using the product recommended by the manufacturer. Watch our video to see the correct procedure for descaling your machine.
How To Descale a Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Grouphead Cleaning
The grouphead should be taken apart on a monthly basis to remove scale buildup, remove coffee residues, and improve shot flavor.
How To Clean E61 Brew Group Mushroom, Jet and Top Valve
Steam Wand Cleaning
The steam wand should be cleaned daily once the machine is finished for the day. Milk residues quickly build up on the steam wand, so it's important to keep it clean to prevent blockages from forming.
How to Clean a Steam Wand
Recommended Cleaning Products
The best product for backflushing, cleaning grouphead components, and cleaning filter baskets is a backflushing powder like Urnex Cafiza. Yes
Cleaning Portafilter and Baskets
Replacing the Group Gasket and Shower Screen
For the average home user, the group gasket should be replaced about every six months to a year. When the group gasket is worn out, it becomes hard, and no longer creates a good seal between the portafilter and the grouphead, so you may begin to notice some leaking. When a group gasket is really old, it can be extremely difficult to remove from the machine, so even if you don't experience any leaking, replacing the group gasket on a yearly basis is a good idea. The document on the right shows how to replace the group gasket and shower screen. You don't have to replace the screen once a year, as typically it can simply be cleaned.
Replacing the Group Gasket on Your E61 Machine