We've all been there... You take a sip of that "latte" (we use the quotes for a reason) and suddenly, it's like a punch to your soul. You know the one – you look at it and wonder if it’s some kind of sad, burnt offering. And just as you’re about to throw that $7 cup of disappointment back in the barista’s face, impulse control kicks in and you stop yourself... (thankfully, right?).
But let’s be real for a second. We love blaming the coffee. “This roast is burnt!” We love blaming the barista. “They don’t know how to pull a shot!” But what about the one thing that actually makes that coffee come to life? That Italian beauty sitting there, looking all sleek and proud—yes, I’m talking about your coffee machine. No one ever says, “Hey, La Marzocco, you beautiful thing, it's all your fault!" No, instead, we just silently rage at the poor roasters, baristas, and, well, the coffee itself.
But sometimes, it’s not the beans, and it’s definitely not the hard-working, awesome roasters (yep, I’m talking about us at 18 Grams, the ones who bring you that liquid gold! 😉). It’s not the human with a latte art obsession. It’s the machine. 🤯 The one that hasn’t been properly cleaned, maintained, or looked after. That’s right, the neglected espresso machine, sitting there silently judging you.
La Vendetta della Macchina - The Machine's Revenge
What do you do if you’ve been a little too hands-off with your coffee machine, and now it’s plotting its revenge? It’s making strange, terrifying noises, water’s leaking from places it definitely shouldn’t, and every grind of coffee you try to put in your portafilter ends up a sad, soupy mess. Your once-smooth espresso dreams have turned into a full-blown nightmare. What now?
Well, this is exactly what happens when your machine isn’t properly cleaned, backflushed, or serviced regularly. Over time, coffee oils and residue can build up inside the group heads and portafilters, leading to blockages that mess with your espresso. If you haven’t descaled your machine in a while, mineral deposits can cause water flow issues, resulting in leaks and weird sounds. And let’s not forget about your grinder—it can also get clogged with old coffee grounds and oils, making it impossible to get a consistent grind. Basically, your neglected machine is showing you all the signs of wear and tear from skipping essential maintenance.
💞 Ti Amo, Macchina: You Love It, It Loves You Back
(A little dramatic? Sure. But have you seen what a clean machine can do?)
So, you've had “the talk” with your espresso machine. Maybe there were tears. Maybe it hissed at you a little. But you've finally admitted it—you’ve been a little neglectful. You’ve gone through the espresso therapy sessions, promised love, care, and a biweekly backflush.
Now comes the action part.
It's time to show your machine that you’re serious. You need the right tools—not just a soggy bar rag and good intentions. We’re talking about actual products that clean, descale, and love your machine the way it deserves to be loved. And guess what? We’ve got them all at 18 Grams—because we’re not just here for the coffee, we’re here for the commitment.
Let’s get into your machine’s love language: cleanliness.
Step 1: Descaling—Show Your Machine Some Love (And Minerals)
Over time, your coffee machine can build up mineral deposits from hard water. This happens when water evaporates, leaving behind calcium and lime (also known as scale). If you’re seeing slower water flow, strange noises, or your machine’s brewing time is off, it could be a sign that mineral build-up is affecting your machine.
Why It Matters:
If you don’t descale regularly, these minerals can block water flow, damage internal components, and affect the taste of your coffee. Descaling keeps your machine running smoothly and ensures your coffee stays delicious!
How to Use:
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Mix the Solution: Add 100ml of LOD Green to 500ml of water.
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Run the Solution: Pour it into the water tank and run it through the machine like you’re brewing coffee (follow your machine's instructions).
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Rinse: After it’s done, run clean water through the machine to rinse out any residue.
And that's it! Your machine’s ready to brew again, free of mineral build-up.
Safety Tip: LOD Green is non-toxic and eco-friendly, but avoid direct contact with skin and rinse if needed.
🔗 Shop Cafetto LOD Green Liquid Descaler
To Froth or Not to Froth—The Importance of a Clean Milk System
Whether you're using an automatic milk frother, a regular espresso machine with a steam wand, or even a manual frother and jug, all these tools come in contact with milk. After each use, tiny milk proteins and fats cling to the surfaces. Over time, these residues build up, leading to:
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Unpleasant odors
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Sour milk taste
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Bacteria growth
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Clogged milk lines or frothing systems
Regular cleaning is essential to keep your froth creamy, your milk fresh, and your machine running smoothly.
CAFETTO MFC- BLUE ALKALINE MILK FROTHER CLEANER
🔗 Shop Cafetto MFC Blue Milk Frother Cleaner
Cafetto MFC Blue is a powerful cleaner designed to tackle milk residue, fats, and proteins that build up in all parts of your milk system, from the frothing wand to milk lines and jugs. Whether you're using an automatic milk frother, a traditional steam wand, or a milk dispenser, MFC Blue ensures your system stays clean, hygienic, and in top condition for the best froth and taste.
How to Use MFC Blue:
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Mix the Solution: Add 50ml of MFC Blue to 1L of warm water.
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Clean the System: Run the solution through your frothing wand, milk lines, or soak milk jugs and automatic dispensers.
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Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, rinse the system with fresh water to remove any residue.
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Repeat as Needed: For daily use, one cleaning session is sufficient, but for a deeper clean, repeat as necessary.
INVERSO MILK JUG CLEANER
Inverso Milk Jug Cleaner is your go-to solution for keeping all milk-contact tools in tip-top shape. Whether it’s your milk jugs, frothing pitchers, automatic milk frothers, or steam wands, Inverso does the job. This powdered cleaner works by breaking down stubborn milk residue, fats, and proteins that build up over time. Simply mix it with warm water, soak your tools, and watch the grime melt away. Not only does it eliminate milk build-up, but it also sanitizes, keeping everything fresh and hygienic. And the best part? Inverso is non-toxic, so it’s safe for your equipment and the environment. Say goodbye to sour smells, greasy residue, and hidden bacteria—Inverso ensures your frothing and steaming gear stays clean, fresh, and ready to perform like a pro.
Quick Steps to Use:
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Mix: Add 10g of Inverso to 1L of warm water.
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Soak: Place your milk jug, frothing pitcher, or steam wand in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
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Rinse: After soaking, rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove any residue.
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Repeat: For deeper cleaning, repeat as needed.
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The Group Head – Where the Heart of Your Coffee Beats
You’ve already shown your espresso machine some love by descaling it and cleaning the milk system. Now, let’s talk about the group head—the real heart of your machine. Think of it like the bloodstream of your coffee-making process. If the group head is clogged with coffee oils and residue, it’s like a blocked artery—everything slows down, and your coffee just can’t flow like it should. But when it’s clean? That’s when your machine hits peak performance, the espresso flows freely, and you get that rich, smooth shot you’re craving every time.
Cleaning Products to Keep Your Group Head in Top Shape:
When it comes to keeping your espresso machine in top shape, Cafetto Espresso Clean Powder, Espresso Clean Tablets, and S15 Cleaning Tablets have got you covered. These products are designed to remove coffee oils, residue, and buildup that can affect the taste of your espresso and the performance of your machine.
Cafetto Espresso Clean Powder
A powerful yet gentle cleaner formulated with alkaline salts and surfactants to break down stubborn coffee oils and residues. It’s NSF certified, non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for use on all espresso machine parts, including brass, copper, and stainless steel.
🔗Shop Cafetto Espresso Clean Powder
Cafetto Espresso Clean Tablets
Pre-measured for easy use and perfect for those who prefer a mess-free cleaning experience. They dissolve completely and leave your machine in pristine condition.
🔗 Shop Cafetto Espresso Clean Tablets
Cafetto S15 Cleaning Tablets
Designed specifically for super-automatic espresso machines. They are non-corrosive and safe for all machine components, helping to maintain the longevity of your espresso machine while keeping it in top working order.These tablets ensure optimal cleaning performance during the machine’s automatic cleaning cycle. They are non-corrosive and safe for all machine components, helping to maintain the longevity of your espresso machine while keeping it in top working order.
🔗 Shop Cafetto S15 Cleaning Tablets
Cafetto Tevo Mini: Organic Cleaning Tablets for Home Espresso Machines (Breville, De’Longhi, and More)
🔗 Shop Cafetto Tevo Mini Cleaning Tablets
The Cafetto Tevo Mini cleaning tablets are perfect for home espresso machine owners. These organic, phosphate-free tablets are designed to clean both automatic and traditional machines, including popular home brands like Breville, De’Longhi, Rancilio, and Saeco. They effectively remove coffee oils and residue from the group head, ensuring better taste and aroma with every shot. Easy to use with their pre-measured dose, they are safe for your machine and the environment.
How to Use: Simply place one Cafetto Tevo Mini tablet into the coffee machine's group head or cleaning port, then run the cleaning cycle according to your machine's instructions. The tablet dissolves and cleans the internal components, removing coffee oils and residue. Rinse thoroughly afterward to ensure no cleaning solution remains.
Tools of the Trade: Group Head and Portafilter Brushes (Like Brushing Your Teeth, But for Your Espresso Machine)
We get it—you’ve been treating your espresso machine right with descaling, milk system cleaning, and heart (group head) maintenance. But let’s be real: like brushing your teeth daily, group head brushes and portafilter brushes are the little things that make a big difference.
These tools are your espresso machine’s daily hygiene routine, sweeping away old coffee grounds and oils that could clog up your machine and mess with your shots. A quick scrub after each use keeps things fresh, clean, and ready for that next perfect brew. Think of it as a spa treatment for your espresso machine, only less expensive and more caffeinated.
Regular cleaning with these brushes ensures smoother shots and a richer flavor profile, so your machine keeps serving you the best coffee every time. So yes, just like you wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth, don’t skip cleaning your espresso machine’s most important parts.
🔗 Shop Group Head & Portafilter Brushes
Final Brew Truth: Clean the Machine
So, let’s get this straight—your espresso machine isn’t the villain here, it’s just been misunderstood. It’s not out to ruin your coffee; it’s just asking for a little maintenance. Keep your machine clean, give it some regular TLC, and it'll keep delivering those perfect shots of espresso like the champion it is. And hey, if you’re already stocking up on all the cleaning chemicals, why not add those brushes to your cart too? Because just like you wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth (hopefully), you shouldn’t skip out on keeping your espresso gear fresh. Show your machine some love, and it’ll reward you with coffee that’s chef’s kiss. Happy brewing, folks!
KEEP YOUR MACHINE CLEAN TO SAVE THE COFFEE BEAN!
