Cleaning Your Breville Coffee Maker for Optimal Performance

Quick answer

• Descale regularly, at least every 2-3 months.
• Use a dedicated descaling solution or a vinegar/water mix.
• Backflush the brew group with a cleaning tablet after every 200 brews.
• Clean the drip tray and grounds bin daily.
• Rinse the water tank weekly.
• Check your manual for specific instructions for your model.

Who this is for

• Anyone who owns a Breville coffee maker.
• People noticing a change in coffee taste or machine performance.
• Those who want to extend the life of their machine.

What to check first

Brewer Type and Filter Type

Breville makes a few different types of machines, from espresso makers to drip coffee brewers. Know what you’ve got. This affects how you clean it. Most use paper filters, but some espresso machines have portafilters that need specific brushes.

Water Quality and Temperature

Hard water is the enemy. It leaves mineral deposits that clog up your machine. If your tap water is super hard, consider using filtered water. This will mean less frequent descaling. The machine’s internal temperature also matters for good extraction, and a clean machine runs at the right temps.

Grind Size and Coffee Freshness

While not directly about cleaning, stale coffee grounds and the wrong grind size can make your machine work harder and produce bad coffee. Always use fresh beans, ground just before brewing. For espresso, a fine, consistent grind is key. For drip, it’s usually medium.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

Too much coffee can clog things up, too little and you get weak brew. A good starting point is usually 1:15 to 1:18 ratio (coffee to water by weight). For example, 18 grams of coffee to 300 grams of water. This helps ensure even extraction and prevents build-up.

Cleanliness/Descale Status

This is the big one. If you haven’t cleaned or descaled in a while, you’ll notice it. Coffee oils build up, mineral scale forms. Your machine might sound different, or coffee might taste bitter or weak. Most Breville machines have a “clean me” or “descale” indicator. Pay attention to it.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

Daily Cleaning Routine

1. Empty the drip tray and grounds bin.

• What “good” looks like: Clean, dry tray and bin. No lingering coffee grounds or water.
• Common mistake: Leaving grounds to dry and stick.
• Avoid it: Make it a habit right after your last coffee of the day.

2. Rinse the portafilter and basket (espresso machines).

• What “good” looks like: No visible coffee oils or grounds clinging to the metal.
• Common mistake: Not rinsing thoroughly, leaving oils behind.
• Avoid it: Use hot water and a quick scrub with your brush.

3. Wipe down the steam wand (espresso machines).

• What “good” looks like: Shiny and free of milk residue.
• Common mistake: Letting milk dry on the wand.
• Avoid it: Purge and wipe immediately after steaming milk.

Weekly Maintenance

4. Rinse the water tank.

• What “good” looks like: Clear water, no slimy film at the bottom.
• Common mistake: Neglecting the tank, leading to algae growth.
• Avoid it: Empty, rinse with warm water, and let it air dry.

5. Backflush the brew group (espresso machines, with cleaning tablet).

• What “good” looks like: Water runs clear through the group head.
• Common mistake: Skipping this step, allowing oils to build up and affect taste.
• Avoid it: Use a blind filter basket and a cleaning tablet. Run the cycle as per your manual. Do this every 200 brews or so.

Periodic Deep Cleaning (Descaling)

6. Prepare the descaling solution.

• What “good” looks like: The correct amount of descaling solution mixed with water in the reservoir, as per your manual.
• Common mistake: Using the wrong solution or wrong concentration.
• Avoid it: Always use Breville’s recommended descaling solution or a specific coffee machine descaler. Vinegar can work but might leave a taste if not rinsed thoroughly.

7. Run the descaling cycle.

• What “good” looks like: The machine completes the cycle without error messages and runs water through the system.
• Common mistake: Interrupting the cycle or not letting it complete.
• Avoid it: Ensure the machine is plugged in, has enough solution, and follow the on-screen prompts or manual instructions precisely.

8. Rinse the system thoroughly.

• What “good” looks like: No trace of descaling solution smell or taste in the water.
• Common mistake: Not running enough plain water through to flush out all the descaler.
• Avoid it: Run at least 2-3 full water tanks of plain water through the machine after descaling.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Not descaling regularly	Mineral buildup, slow brewing, weak coffee, machine overheating, eventual failure	Descale every 2-3 months with a proper solution.
Using tap water in hard water areas	Accelerated mineral buildup, requiring more frequent descaling	Use filtered or distilled water in the reservoir.
Skipping the daily drip tray/grounds bin empty	Stale grounds, mold, unpleasant odors, potential for clogs	Empty and rinse daily.
Not backflushing the brew group	Coffee oil buildup, bitter taste, clogged brew head	Backflush with a cleaning tablet every 200 brews or as recommended.
Forgetting to clean the steam wand	Dried milk residue, blocked steam, unpleasant smell	Purge and wipe immediately after each use.
Using harsh chemicals or incorrect cleaners	Damage to internal components, seals, or aesthetic parts	Use only Breville-recommended cleaners or mild dish soap for external parts.
Ignoring “clean me” or “descale” lights	Reduced performance, voided warranty, permanent damage	Address these indicators promptly according to the manual.
Not rinsing the water tank	Algae growth, stale water taste, potential for system contamination	Rinse the water tank weekly with warm water.
Using old or stale coffee beans	Poor extraction, weak or bitter coffee, machine works harder	Use fresh beans, grind just before brewing. (This isn’t a cleaning mistake, but affects performance.)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your coffee tastes bitter, then check the brew group for oil buildup because old oils can impart a rancid flavor.
• If your machine is brewing slowly, then it likely needs descaling because mineral deposits are restricting water flow.
• If you see a “clean me” or “descale” light, then perform the indicated cleaning procedure because the machine is signaling a need for maintenance.
• If you have very hard water, then descale more frequently than the recommended interval because hard water causes faster mineral buildup.
• If your steam wand isn’t producing strong steam, then check for milk blockages because dried milk can clog the nozzle.
• If your coffee tastes weak and watery, then check your coffee-to-water ratio and grind size because these affect extraction.
• If you notice a gritty residue in your cup, then the filter might not be seated correctly or the brew group needs cleaning.
• If your machine makes unusual noises, then it could be a sign of internal blockages from scale or coffee grounds.
• If you’re unsure about a specific cleaning step, then consult your Breville machine’s user manual because it has model-specific instructions.
• If you just bought your machine, then run a water-only cycle before the first brew to flush out any manufacturing residue.

FAQ

How often should I descale my Breville coffee maker?

Generally, every 2-3 months is a good starting point. However, if you have very hard water or use your machine heavily, you might need to descale more often. Always pay attention to the “descale” indicator light.

Can I use white vinegar to descale my Breville?

While vinegar is a common household descaler, it’s generally not recommended for Breville machines. It can be harsh and leave a lingering taste that’s hard to remove. It’s best to use a dedicated coffee machine descaling solution.

What is backflushing and why is it important?

Backflushing, especially on espresso machines, involves running hot water and a cleaning tablet through the brew group without coffee. It removes built-up coffee oils and residue from the internal pathways and shower screen, ensuring cleaner coffee and better machine performance.

My Breville coffee maker is making a strange noise. What could be wrong?

Unusual noises often indicate a blockage. This could be mineral scale buildup in the water lines or coffee grounds clogging the brew group. Descaling and backflushing are the first steps to address this.

How do I clean the Breville espresso machine’s steam wand?

Always purge the steam wand briefly after each use to clear out milk. Then, wipe it down immediately with a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, you can use a steam wand cleaning brush.

What’s the best way to clean the coffee grinder on my Breville machine?

Most Breville grinders have removable burrs. Unplug the machine, remove the hopper and burrs, and brush away all coffee grounds. You can use grinder cleaning tablets for a more thorough clean, but always follow the manual’s instructions.

Is it okay to leave water in the reservoir all the time?

It’s best practice to empty and rinse the water reservoir weekly, even if you use filtered water. This prevents stagnation and potential algae growth, ensuring fresh-tasting coffee.

How do I know if my Breville machine needs cleaning or descaling?

Most Breville machines have indicator lights or messages on the display. Beyond that, a noticeable drop in brewing speed, a change in coffee taste (bitter or weak), or unusual noises are signs your machine needs attention.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific troubleshooting for error codes beyond general cleaning advice. (Consult your manual or Breville support).
• Detailed comparison of different Breville coffee maker models. (Look for product reviews).
• Advanced espresso techniques like dialing in a shot. (Explore barista guides).
• How to repair a malfunctioning coffee maker. (Contact Breville service or a qualified technician).
• Recipes for coffee drinks. (Search coffee recipe blogs).