Master the Art: Essential Tips for How to Flush Coffee Machine Breville

Coffee lovers, rejoice! Your Breville coffee machine is a prized possession, delivering delicious brews that brighten your mornings and fuel your afternoons. But just like any beloved appliance, it needs regular maintenance to keep performing at its best. One essential part of this care routine is knowing how to flush your Breville coffee machine.
This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, explaining why flushing is crucial, how often you should do it, and the different methods for different Breville models. By mastering this simple technique, you’ll ensure your coffee machine stays clean, prevent mineral buildup, and enjoy the best possible flavor from your brew.

Why Flush Your Breville Coffee Machine?

Flushing your Breville coffee machine isn‘t just about aesthetics; it’s crucial for maintaining its functionality and preserving the quality of your coffee. Here’s why:

• Removes Coffee Oils and Grounds: Coffee oils and grounds can accumulate in the brewing system over time, leading to a stale, bitter taste in your coffee. Regular flushing helps remove these residues, ensuring a fresh and clean flavor profile.
• Prevents Mineral Buildup: Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can build up in your coffee machine’s internal components, leading to blockages and decreased performance. Flushing helps prevent this buildup, extending the life of your appliance.
• Ensures Proper Water Flow: Mineral deposits can also obstruct the water flow through the brewing system, leading to inconsistent brewing and weak coffee. Flushing clears these obstructions, ensuring a smooth and efficient water flow for optimal extraction.
• Prevents Mold and Bacteria Growth: The warm, moist environment inside your coffee machine can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Flushing removes these contaminants, promoting a hygienic brewing environment.

How Often Should You Flush Your Breville Coffee Machine?

The frequency of flushing your Breville coffee machine depends on several factors, including the hardness of your water, how often you use the machine, and the type of coffee you brew.

• Hard Water: If your water is hard, you should flush your machine more often, ideally after every 3-5 uses.
• Frequent Use: For daily users, weekly flushing is recommended.
• Less Frequent Use: If you use your machine only a few times a week, flushing once a month should suffice.

How to Flush Your Breville Coffee Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide

The flushing process for Breville coffee machines is straightforward. Here’s a general guide, but always refer to your machine’s user manual for specific instructions:
1. Empty the Water Tank and Drip Tray: Begin by emptying the water tank and drip tray, discarding any leftover coffee grounds or water.
2. Fill the Water Tank with Fresh Water: Refill the water tank with fresh, cold water.
3. Run a Brewing Cycle: Start a brewing cycle without any coffee grounds in the filter basket.
4. Discard the Water: Once the brewing cycle is complete, discard the water that has collected in the drip tray.
5. Repeat the Process: Repeat steps 2-4 for a second brewing cycle. This ensures the system is thoroughly flushed.
6. Clean the Filter Basket and Accessories: Remove the filter basket and any other removable parts and clean them with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry completely.

Flushing Your Breville Coffee Machine: Model-Specific Instructions

While the general process remains similar, some Breville models may have slightly different flushing procedures. Here are some specific instructions for popular models:
Breville Barista Express:

• Descaling: This model includes a descaling program that should be run every 3-6 months, depending on water hardness. It involves filling the water tank with descaling solution and running a dedicated descaling cycle.
• Flushing: After descaling, it’s recommended to run a few flushing cycles with plain water to remove any residual descaling solution.

Breville Duo Temp Pro:

• Flushing: This model has a dedicated “Clean” setting for flushing. Simply select this setting and run a brewing cycle without any coffee grounds.

Breville Infuser:

• Flushing: The Infuser model does not have a dedicated flushing setting. Therefore, you can follow the general flushing procedure outlined above.

Breville Bambino Plus:

• Flushing: Similar to the Infuser, the Bambino Plus does not have a dedicated flushing setting. Follow the general flushing procedure.

Advanced Tips for Maintaining Your Breville Coffee Machine

Beyond regular flushing, you can further enhance the longevity and performance of your Breville coffee machine with these additional tips:

• Use Filtered Water: Hard water can cause mineral buildup, so using filtered water is highly recommended.
• Clean the Group Head: The group head is the part where the coffee grounds are tamped and brewed. It should be cleaned regularly with a dedicated group head brush and a cleaning solution.
• Descale Regularly: Descaling is essential for removing mineral buildup from the internal components. Refer to your machine’s user manual for specific descaling instructions and frequency.
• Store Your Machine Properly: When not in use, store your coffee machine in a dry and dust-free environment.

The Final Brew: Keeping Your Breville Coffee Machine in Tip-Top Shape

By mastering the art of flushing and incorporating these maintenance tips, you’ll enjoy consistently delicious coffee from your Breville machine for years to come. Remember, a clean machine is a happy machine, and a happy machine brews the best coffee!

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: Can I use vinegar to flush my Breville coffee machine?
A: While vinegar is an effective descaling agent, it can leave a lingering odor and taste in your machine. It’s best to use a dedicated descaling solution designed specifically for coffee machines.
Q: How do I know if my Breville coffee machine needs descaling?
A: Signs that your machine needs descaling include a decrease in water flow, a change in coffee taste (bitter or sour), or a buildup of white residue around the group head.
Q: Can I use a dishwasher to clean the filter basket and other parts?
A: It’s generally not recommended to use a dishwasher for cleaning coffee machine parts. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage the materials.
Q: How often should I clean the group head?
A: It’s a good practice to clean the group head after every 10-15 uses or at least once a week.
Q: What should I do if my Breville coffee machine is still not brewing good coffee after flushing and descaling?
A: If you’ve followed all the cleaning and maintenance procedures and your coffee machine is still not brewing well, it’s best to contact Breville customer support for troubleshooting and potential repairs.