Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Espresso-Machine-Maintenance-and-Cleaning
No matter whether you utilize a Lelit espresso machine in your home or a different model, among the factors that many home espresso lovers forget about is the regularly needed cleanup and upkeep you’ll want to perform to help keep your equipment in tip-top shape. In this article, I wish to clarify some of the most typical cleanup tasks you’ll want to know about to obtain the finest coffee from your own home espresso equipment, even if you are not necessarily utilizing the Lelit.
After each and every shot
Following each individual shot, you should perform a couple of things. Soon after the shot is complete, you ought to remove the portafilter, and knock out the espresso “puck”. Some Lelit users will rinse out the portafilter at this time, but I would recommend simply using a cloth to wipe out the filter basket and surrounds. The issue with running water on the portafilter to wash it in between shots is the water temperature out of your tap will likely be considerably below the temperature of the portafilter. This can lessen the heat contained in the portafilter and can cause a less than optimum extraction environment for your shot.
Additionally, after taking out the portafilter, run a bit of water through the shower screen of the group head. After that take your cloth and give the shower screen of the group head a clean to tidy up any leftover grinds and dry it off. Now you’re all ready for an additional shot.
Every day after using the device
When you are finished with your machine for the day, I suggest carrying out a fast daily cleaning. It only takes a moment, however it will leave your machine nice and thoroughly clean for the following day’s use. Once again, remove the portafilter, but this time wash it out and wipe it completely clean. Do not use soap. You should not use cleaning soap on any surface that makes contact with espresso as the soap will breakdown the oils in the course of extraction and the oils in espresso grinds contain the vast majority of the taste.
Go ahead and run even more water through the group head and wipe down the shower screen. At this stage, I follow-up by using a group head brush to completely remove any leftover grinds from the group head area and specially the rubber gasket with which your portafilter comes into contact. You want to keep this gasket good and clean so that the portafilter makes a nice, stable connection with it. This allows the pressure within the portafiler to build up to the essential degrees.
Wipe down the face area of the device and the drip plate, and you’re all set for the next day!
Month to month upkeep
Monthly, I make an effort to do some more cleaning and upkeep of my Lelit home espresso maker. If you are making use of your machine about every day, descaling once per month is important. I have used a number of descaling agents to prevent and remove mineral deposits from the internals of my device (boiler, piping, etc.), however they all work about the same. They often can be found in a powdered or liquid form which you will mix with warm water within your tank. You’ll draw the solution into the appliance, turn it off and allow it to sit for a bit, and then repeat. When you’re done, you’ll want to run quite a bit of freshwater through the machine to wash all of the leftover descaling agent from the boiler.
After the descaling, I additionally make an effort to carefully wash the water tank. Most home espresso machine users let a large amount of water sit in the tank (you can pour it out each day if you like and let it dry), so cleaning it every now and then is important to prevent any bacterial growth. The water tank on the Lelit is very easy to take out and clean, so I’ll occasionally do it more often.
Every 6 months
Around every six months, I also replace the group head gasket. I in fact keep a few them readily available as they are very inexpensive and I save money on mailing expenses. You’ll basically need to pull the old rubber gasket down and place the new one in. You are able to go longer between changing them if you don’t have any problems, however, I’ve just found that the longer I wait, the more difficult it is to remove the gasket. I use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it out easily.
With proper cleaning and maintenance, you’ll find the Lelit to be the best espresso machine for providing you with years of home espresso enjoyment.