FAQS: COFFEE MACHINE CLEANING TABLETS

HOW DO YOU USE THE COFFEE MACHINE CLEANING TABLETS?

Dissolve one tablet in warm water. The volume of water needed to complete the cleaning program of your appliance will be set out in its operating instructions. Then follow the steps in operating instructions to complete the cleaning program. Always flush through with clean water after use

WHY CLEAN A COFFEE MACHINE?

Overtime coffee machines will build up an oily residue that naturally comes from the coffee you are using. Often the first sign is a slightly bitter taste to your drinks as this transfers to the water when passing through the brewing unit. Greasy deposits can then be seen inside your machine, which if left can start to clog the appliance and may stop it functioning as it should. Left longer bacteria and mold may start to form. Many coffee machines have a regular rinse function, but this alone isn’t enough to properly maintain your appliance. Proper cleaning and maintenance not only ensures great tasting coffee, but can reduce the likelihood of a breakdown and extend the life of your coffee machine.

  •  HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD YOU CLEAN A COFFEE MACHINE?

    As a guide once a month for a comprehensive clean is normally good advice as to how often you should clean your coffee machine. However bean to cup style appliance could require more frequent cleaning and capsule based machines less due to how the coffee is brewed. When using bean to cup products, if you use a finer grind of coffee this can lead to parts of the appliance clogging quicker and more frequent cleaning being required. Parts such as milk containers and drip trays should be cleaned daily. Many appliances will prompt when a cleaning programme is required.

  •  CAN PARTS OF THE COFFEE MACHINE BE CLEANED IN THE DISHWASHER?

    Some parts of the coffee machine may be dishwasher safe. Please refer to your user manual for guidance on this.

  • CAN I NOT USE VINEGAR TO CLEAN OR DESCALE MY APPLIANCE?

    Whilst vinegar or bicarbonate of soda have traditionally been used as cleaning agents its isn’t a good idea to use them on your coffee machine. They may damage some of the internal parts of the appliance and transfer taste and odor to the coffee you make. For some manufactures this could invalidate your warranty if you have one.

  • I HAVE HAVE FOLLOWED THE CLEANING STEPS BUT THE WATER BEING PASSED THOUGH ISN’T CLEAR

    If you haven’t regularly cleaned your appliance before it could be the case that after completing the programme particles are still visible in the water or the water is cloudy. Run fresh water through the appliance two or three more times to clear this as will be described in the rinsing steps of your coffee machine’s cleaning instructions. If this does not resolve the issue the cleaning programme, using another cleaning tablet, can be performed.

  • ARE CHEMICALS SAFE TO USE WHEN CLEANING APPLIANCES THAT PRODUCE DRINKS?

    Yes cleaning with chemicals ensures proper cleaning results. Always rinse through the appliance with water after use when cleaning with any chemical product as will be outlined in the operating instructions.

  • CAN THE CLEANING TABLETS BE USED TO CLEAN THE MILK SYSTEM

    No a specialist milk system cleaner is needed for this task. Milk resides can quickly clog your appliances and so machines with this functionality will need regular cleaning. If you haven’t made coffee using a milk functional program for a while it’s a good idea to rinse it through before use. Milk residues if left can produce a strong odor and effect the taste of your coffee. Milk pipework and dispensing units will typically need cleaning with a thin brush under a tap of warm water. Some machines then have cleaning programs to specifically target to this area of the appliance. Follow the steps within your instruction manual using a cleaning agent specifically formulated for this task.

  • I HAVE CLEANED MY COFFEE MACHINE BUT WATER ISN’T FLOWING THROUGH

    If you haven’t cleaned your coffee machine for a long period of time it could result in water or the brewed coffee not being able to flow through. If you live in a hard water area this could also be the result of an excessive build of limescale. If you have performed a clean and descale programme and this is still the case it could be due to something else. Firstly ensure the water container is full and has been mounted correctly onto the appliance. Then remove and clean the brewing unit (on applicable appliances), following the advice on how to do this as set out within your operating instructions. If you have done this it could be the case that the brewing unit hasn’t been retuned to the housing properly. Check these steps again within your instructions. If this is reoccurring issue with a bean to cup machine it could be the case that the grinding setting should be set courser option, finer ground coffee being more likely to clog the appliance. Alternatively a repair could be needed if these steps do not resolve the issue.

  •  CAN A TABLET BE USED TO CLEAN THE DRIP TRAY OF MY COFFEE MACHINE?

    Yes, if your drip tray has built up coffee residues a tablet can be used. Fill the tray with warm water , near but not to the top add a tablet and leave to soak for one hour. It’s a good idea to do this on a draining board incase the liquid spills over. Often drip trays can build up a thick layer of residue if left and so more cleaning with hot soapy water may be needed.

  • CAN I ADD MORE THAN ONE TABLET?

    There should be no need to do this. If you feel your appliance needs more cleaning run the cleaning programme a second time.

  • DO THE CLEANING TABLETS DESCALE AS WELL?

    No they don’t, our descaling product should be used by those in a hard water area.

  • HOW DO YOU CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE APPLIANCE?

    Microfiber cloths are a good option for cleaning the exterior of your coffee machine. Any abrasive cloth or strong chemical should be avoided.