A Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Coffee Machine Cleaning

Do you own a restaurant serving fresh coffee to customers in Sydney? Then, you may know the importance of regularly cleaning your coffee machine.

But, do you know how frequently a commercial coffee machine should be cleaned? Here’s everything you need to know about commercial coffee machine cleaning frequency and best methods.

Why is regular coffee machine cleaning important?

Many commercial establishments such as restaurants and offices use coffee machines. Over time, your coffee machine harbours residue, dirt, and germs (and sometimes bugs such as cockroaches), which may affect the taste and quality of your brew or even put consumers’ health at risk.

Regular cleaning of your commercial coffee machine, ideally every couple of days, helps maintain quality and protects users from germs and diseases. This also helps maintain or boost the equipment’s life and saves the need for unexpected and expensive repairs. This is why coffee machine cleaning is a crucial step in our restaurant cleaning checklist.

Still not sure?

Suppose that you have one coffee machine that is used to roughly make 100 coffee cups in a day. Over time, a layer of minerals and oil residue will build up on the machine’s interior surface due to constant contact with a combination of coffee and hard water.

Without regular cleaning, this will start affecting the taste of coffee. It may taste bitter and have an unpleasant smell. Moreover, the constant buildup of residue may affect the machine’s performance or lead to sudden breakdown.

It is also common for commercial coffee machines, particularly ones not cleaned frequently, to become breeding grounds for bacteria, mould, and cockroaches, which can affect your customers’ health and even cause your business to be shut down for not meeting the Food Safety Laws.

But, how frequently should you clean a commercial coffee machine?

When to clean your coffee machine?

Coffee machines in commercial premises may need more frequent and deep cleaning due to high daily use. In restaurants and cafes with heavy usage, daily cleaning is recommended to keep the equipment functioning properly and maintain the quality and taste of coffee.

In addition to daily general cleaning and flossing, deep cleaning your coffee machines once a week is a good way to prevent residue build-up.

If you’re using fresh milk in the coffee machine, make sure to clean the container and the machine exterior daily to prevent coffee stains or marks.

The coffee machine cleaning frequency also depends on the type. Some coffee makers may need cleaning more often than others. Professional commercial cleaners know the right cleaning approach and frequency to keep the machine running smoothly.

When buying a new coffee machine, look out for a cleaning indicator that will tell you when your machine needs cleaning. It can be a big help if you’re cleaning the machine yourself.

Cleaning A Commercial Coffee Machine – Step-by-step Process

Regular daily cleaning of a coffee machine is easy. Besides cleaning the outer surface of the machine and removing any visible marks, coffee residue, and stains, you can flush the inside parts with warm water to clean up any leftover minerals, milk, and oil.

There are multiple stages in a coffee maker cleaning process, including exterior cleaning, filter and funnel cleaning, and descaling.

Supplies for Coffee Machine Cleaning

The first step is to gather the right supplies for efficient and safe cleaning. For regular cleaning, you may need basic supplies such as a microfibre cloth, a cleaning brush, and warm water.

For deep cleaning and descaling, some general organic cleaning solutions like white vinegar and citric acid work like a charm.

• White vinegar: ideal for descaling; can remove most deposits and residues like oil.
• Lemon juice: a natural and very effective cleaner; leaves behind a nice refreshing smell.
• Citric Acid: another good option depending on the availability.

Coffee Maker Exterior Cleaning

Of course, your commercial coffee machine must be always spotless to make a good impression on your customers and help you build a positive business reputation.

Regular cleaning ensures your machine is free from dirt, dust and stains. It is easy too. Just follow this simple process.

Ideally frequency: daily/weekly

1. Wipe down the machine daily using a clean microfibre cloth.

2. Wipe off spills and stains immediately.

3. Clean the exterior thoroughly once a week or so using an organic cleaning solution.

4. To remove grease, grime or stains from the machine surface, apply some baking soda directly, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it clean with a gentle brush.

Make sure to turn off the machine and unplug it before you start cleaning.

Filter and Funnel Cleaning

The filter and funnel in your coffee machine need your special attention as they may build up significant residue without regular cleaning. Ideally, you should clean them daily, or at least once a week.

Filter funnels are easy to clean. All you need is a soft-bristle brush, dish soap and warm water.

Use the soap and water solution to gently clean the funnel. Scrub residue away using a soft brush. If there are deposits on the funnel, clean them using an organic acidic solution.

Coffee Machine Descaling (Inside Cleaning)

Over time, scale and minerals will deposit on the inner surface of your coffee maker due to constant contact with hard water, coffee and/or milk. Without cleaning, this might affect the quality and taste of your brew. Descaling once a week or a month helps avoid the problem. Here’s how to descale a coffee maker in Sydney:

Supplies you need:

• Acidic agent (lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid) 
• Distilled water
• Warm water
• Soft brush

Steps to descaling:

1. Prepare a solution of acidic agent and distilled water and pour it into the coffee pot and the water container.

2. Turn on the machine and start the brewing cycle. By the time the cycle ends, the solution will clean off most mineral and scale deposits. Remove the solution entirely.

3. Turn the coffee maker off. Remove the spray head and clean it separately using warm water and a soft brush, removing oil residues and opening up pores.

4. Restart the coffee machine. This time, add warm water to the pot and start brewing. It will clean any remaining residue of the solution as well as remove scents and flavours. Repeat if necessary.

5. Rinse the machine thoroughly. Turn it off and let it dry.

Hire A Professional Commercial Cleaning Company

When running a business, it can be difficult to spare time to clean your commercial coffee machines, especially if you have more than one. This is where we come in.

Our expert Sydney commercial cleaners are here to help keep your coffee makers spotless and germ-free with regular cleaning as a part of our restaurant cleaning services. Contact us to book a free quote today.

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