Coffee Equipment Upkeep

Daily

Cleaning

All coffee equipment requires regular cleaning

Regular cleaning reduces wear and prevents that build up of deposits that lead to more serious issues.

Typical tasks include cleaning steam wands and group heads, and removing fines from burrs. 

Identify the cleaning tasks required for each product and add these to your daily, weekly and monthly task schedules.

Monthly

Maintenance

Show some love and care

Most coffee equipment requires front-end servicing several times per year. These tasks include things like the replacement of group head seals, burrs and water filters.  

These tasks can either be performed in house or by an engineer during a service visit. It is important to plan who and when is going to perform these tasks so that there is no confusion.

Twice Yearly

Servicing

Regular servicing with a service contract

There are two types of service: front end service (in situ on premises) or a full service (undertaken in the engineer’s workshop).

Many businesses choose to alternate front end and full services, so a machine benefitting from bi-annual servicing would typically have one front end service and one workshop service each year.

Yearly

Boiler inspections 

PSSR 2000 regulations

Espresso machines require annual certification to comply with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR). Checks and certification can now be performed by engineers who have undergone training to become a ‘component person’. Many businesses now coincide boiler inspections with a service. 

Ad hoc

Emergency Callouts

Accidents happen

When a machine is poorly maintained and breaks down, a call-out is required.

Emergency call-outs can and do happen; but they are a sign that something went wrong long ago. It’s an indicator that routine maintenance hasn’t been performed.

During an emergency call-out, not much can be done other than a temporary fix to get the machine back up and running until a full service can be scheduled.

It’s best practice for baristas and businesses to actively plan to carry out regular cleaning, maintenance and servicing to prevent breakdown, loss of revenue, and further lift the quality of the coffee they serve their customers.

2nd Cycle

Repair, restore, rebuild

Many espresso machines can be fully repaired

Older and vintage machines can often be returned to working condition. Restoration is more challenging if parts are no longer available or if the bodywork or chassis require significant work. There are some spectacular classic espresso machines in circulation, if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one!

You can sell used coffee-making equipment to a barista or business who’ll get further use from it.