Backflushing

Maximize the lifespan of your espresso machine

Everybody wants to take good care of their espresso machine. But how do you do it? We'll give you the best tips and tricks so you can ensure a long life for your espresso machine. Read on to learn about brewing water, cleaning programs and general care of the kitchen's most important household appliance.

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Backflushing is a method we use to clean our espresso machine. It's a simple method that doesn't require much, but makes a big difference to both your coffee brewing and the lifespan of your machine. When backflushing, a blind filter is placed in the portafilter and inserted in the machine, the pump is activated and stopped again after 5-10 seconds. This process flushes the shower head and nearby pipes.

At Spinchy, we recommend you to do a single backflush, once a day, if you have used your machine. In addition, we recommend that once a week, you give the machine a backflush where you repeat the backflush protocol 5 times with cleaning powder and 5 times without. Finish by cleaning the group head with a stiff brush.

Watch the full video on how to backflush here or below:

Backflushing is a method we use to clean our espresso machine. It's a simple method that doesn't require much, but makes a big difference to both your coffee brewing and the lifespan of your machine. When backflushing, a blind filter is placed in the portafilter and inserted in the machine, the pump is activated and stopped again after 5-10 seconds. This process flushes the shower head and nearby pipes.

At Spinchy, we recommend you to do a single backflush, once a day, if you have used your machine. In addition, we recommend that once a week, you give the machine a backflush where you repeat the backflush protocol 5 times with cleaning powder and 5 times without. Finish by cleaning the group head with a stiff brush.

Watch the full video on how to backflush here or below:

Backflush your espresso machine

Backflushing helps prevent clogging, maintains a clean group head and ensures your espresso machine is working optimally.

What is backflushing?

Backflushing is an espresso machine maintenance process that helps keep the group head clean and functional. It's a simple method that doesn't require much, but makes a big difference to both your coffee brewing and the lifespan of your machine.

This is how you do it

Follow this step-by-step guide when you need to backflush your espresso machine:

Change filter
Remove the handle from the machine and insert your blind filter. You can easily remove the regular filter using the blind filter. Place the edge of the blind filter under the edge of the regular filter and gently pull it all the way around. The filter will then come off easily.

Now replace the regular filter in the portafilter with the blind filter.
Cleaning powder
Find your cleaning powder and pour a spoonful into the blind filter. Now put the portafilter with the blind filter back into the machine.
Process part 1
Start the machine and let it run for 10 seconds. The blind filter blocks the water's path through the portafilter, which causes the pressure to rise and forces the water and cleaning powder back through the system.

When the 10 seconds are up, turn off the water and repeat the process 3 times. After the third time, remove the handle and wash the soap residue off the portafilter
Process part 2
Now clean the group head with a brush and put the blind filter back on the machine. Rinse through with water and repeat this process 10 times to ensure that all soap residue leaves the machine.

Then put the regular filter back into the portafilter and make a cup of coffee. In this way, you ensure that the soap is completely rinsed away. Pour coffee into the sink, and then your machine is cleaned and ready for use again.

You can also see our visual guide on how to backflush in the video below:

Recommendations for backflushing the espresso machine

At Spinchy, we recommend that you do a single backflush once a day if you have been using your machine. In addition, we recommend that once a week you give the machine a backflush, where you repeat the backflush protocol 5 times with cleaning powder and 5 times without. Finish by scrubbing the group head with a stiff brush.

Backflush your espresso machine

Backflushing helps prevent clogging, maintains a clean group head and ensures your espresso machine is working optimally.

What is backflushing?

Backflushing is an espresso machine maintenance process that helps keep the group head clean and functional. It's a simple method that doesn't require much, but makes a big difference to both your coffee brewing and the lifespan of your machine.

This is how you do it

Follow this step-by-step guide when you need to backflush your espresso machine:

Change filter
Remove the handle from the machine and insert your blind filter. You can easily remove the regular filter using the blind filter. Place the edge of the blind filter under the edge of the regular filter and gently pull it all the way around. The filter will then come off easily.

Now replace the regular filter in the portafilter with the blind filter.
Cleaning powder
Find your cleaning powder and pour a spoonful into the blind filter. Now put the portafilter with the blind filter back into the machine.
Process part 1
Start the machine and let it run for 10 seconds. The blind filter blocks the water's path through the portafilter, which causes the pressure to rise and forces the water and cleaning powder back through the system.

When the 10 seconds are up, turn off the water and repeat the process 3 times. After the third time, remove the handle and wash the soap residue off the portafilter
Process part 2
Now clean the group head with a brush and put the blind filter back on the machine. Rinse through with water and repeat this process 10 times to ensure that all soap residue leaves the machine.

Then put the regular filter back into the portafilter and make a cup of coffee. In this way, you ensure that the soap is completely rinsed away. Pour coffee into the sink, and then your machine is cleaned and ready for use again.

You can also see our visual guide on how to backflush in the video below:

Recommendations for backflushing the espresso machine

At Spinchy, we recommend that you do a single backflush once a day if you have been using your machine. In addition, we recommend that once a week you give the machine a backflush, where you repeat the backflush protocol 5 times with cleaning powder and 5 times without. Finish by scrubbing the group head with a stiff brush.

How to backflush your espresso machine

Prevent limescale with good water

An espresso consists of up to 96% water. Therefore, there is a lot of good taste to be gained by using water of a high quality. We give you the best tips to get the best water for your espresso machine.

The most important thing you can do to prevent permanent damage to your espresso machine is to use water of the best possible quality. More specifically, with as little lime as possible and preferably water with a hardness of around 50ppm.

Fortunately, this can easily be done by filtering your tap water with a Britta or BWT jug. The tap water is filtered through the filter jug 1 to 2 times to achieve the ideal hardness.

Depending on where you live and whether you already have a water softener, the amount of filtration can vary. You can also add a filter pad to the water tank of your machine. However, be aware that these pads have to lie in the water for up to 10 hours before they become active

An espresso consists of up to 96% water. Therefore, there is a lot of good taste to be gained by using water of a high quality. We give you the best tips to get the best water for your espresso machine.

The most important thing you can do to prevent permanent damage to your espresso machine is to use water of the best possible quality. More specifically, with as little lime as possible and preferably water with a hardness of around 50ppm.

Fortunately, this can easily be done by filtering your tap water with a Britta or BWT jug. The tap water is filtered through the filter jug 1 to 2 times to achieve the ideal hardness.

Depending on where you live and whether you already have a water softener, the amount of filtration can vary. You can also add a filter pad to the water tank of your machine. However, be aware that these pads have to lie in the water for up to 10 hours before they become active

General care of your machine

Once a month, it can be a good idea to give your machine a deep cleaning in addition to your espresso machine backflush. But how should it be approached? You can easily get an overview of this here:

Start by removing the water tank from your machine and clean it with soap and water. Stagnant water can settle over longer periods, so it is a good idea to remember to clean the water tank. For the same reason, it is a good idea to empty the tank if it is not in use for e.g. a week.
The shower head is one of those places that needs extra attention. The shower head is the screen/filter that distributes the water onto the tamped coffee. In most cases, it can be carefully tilted off with a flat screwdriver or unscrewed. Once it is tilted out, you can clean the group head with a damp cloth. The shower head itself is soaked in dissolved espresso cleaner and then wiped with a damp cloth.
Remember to check whether the gasket in the group head needs to be changed. The packing must be bendable. If the gasket is hard and inflexible, you must have a new one. The steamer tip is easy to unscrew and put in the solution of espresso cleaner together with the shower head.
Finally, clean the drip tray with soap and water to prevent bacterial growth and dirt from accumulating.

If you follow this review once a month, backflush regularly and use the right water, your machine will reward you with a long life. This is how you can easily get a well-maintained machine that can continue to be a central part of your everyday life and brew the perfect espresso, day after day.

General care of your machine

Once a month, it can be a good idea to give your machine a deep cleaning in addition to your espresso machine backflush. But how should it be approached? You can easily get an overview of this here:

Start by removing the water tank from your machine and clean it with soap and water. Stagnant water can settle over longer periods, so it is a good idea to remember to clean the water tank. For the same reason, it is a good idea to empty the tank if it is not in use for e.g. a week.
The shower head is one of those places that needs extra attention. The shower head is the screen/filter that distributes the water onto the tamped coffee. In most cases, it can be carefully tilted off with a flat screwdriver or unscrewed. Once it is tilted out, you can clean the group head with a damp cloth. The shower head itself is soaked in dissolved espresso cleaner and then wiped with a damp cloth.
Remember to check whether the gasket in the group head needs to be changed. The packing must be bendable. If the gasket is hard and inflexible, you must have a new one. The steamer tip is easy to unscrew and put in the solution of espresso cleaner together with the shower head.
Finally, clean the drip tray with soap and water to prevent bacterial growth and dirt from accumulating.

If you follow this review once a month, backflush regularly and use the right water, your machine will reward you with a long life. This is how you can easily get a well-maintained machine that can continue to be a central part of your everyday life and brew the perfect espresso, day after day.

Espresso Machine Backflushing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I backflush my espresso machine?

If you have used your espresso machine, you should backflush it once a day. We also recommend that you backflush once a week by repeating the whole process five times in a row.

What is backflushing the espresso machine?

Backflushing is a maintenance method that makes your espresso machine work optimally. It prevents clogging and keeps the brewing unit clean. In other words, backflushing extends the life of your machine.

Espresso Machine Backflushing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I backflush my espresso machine?

If you have used your espresso machine, you should backflush it once a day. We also recommend that you backflush once a week by repeating the whole process five times in a row.

What is backflushing the espresso machine?

Backflushing is a maintenance method that makes your espresso machine work optimally. It prevents clogging and keeps the brewing unit clean. In other words, backflushing extends the life of your machine.