Reddit mentions: The best coffee & espresso cleaning products

Wow, those are some great videos, thanks for sharing! Maybe I'm a noob at Instagram but I scrolled a few pages and I didn't see any of the Gaggia Espresso.

I was reading that you can use this steam wand on the Gaggia Classic, and I'm guessing they have the same steam wand standard? The little plastic piece at the end that I'm missing is about $20 so might as well do this upgrade for $20.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rancilio-Silvia-V1-V2-Steam-Wand-Gaggia-Classic-Steam-Tube-Conversion-Kit-/271383061059

> The Espresso model doesn't have a solenoid

Well that explains my confusion partly and why all the valves look different in my search. I guess it's just the pump then? Where the plastic water tube connects to the reservoir before the part the heats up. The brass part is the part right before the part that heats up.

EDIT: Here's a picture with the part circled - http://i.imgur.com/YSV6QlN.png

> Get yourself a bag of citric acid from Amazon or wherever and look up instructions for descaling using it.

I have a large container of Dezcal that I used to descale it. Any reason to also use citric acid or should that cover it?

> the shower screen holder

I actually got that part off OK and soaked it in Cafiza to clean it up.

> You'll need a 58mm tamper for that one.

That's what I got with my calipers. I have this one in my cart:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018GGYQWM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2XWFJK5V0K9BH

Thanks for the comment, great to hear from another owner and great to see just how capable the machine is.

I love mine. Temperature is an issue, sure, but I preheat it just by running water through it slowly with the handles slightly up. I've never immersed the whole portafilter in hot water but that's a good idea. I generally use between 13 and 14.5 g of grounds. When I'm about to pull the shot, I fill the cylinder about 3/4 full, lift the handles and then slowly pull down till I meet resistance. I lift up and pull down again till the same spot. Finally I lift up and pull down all the way to extract the shot. I pull over a scale and target a 55–60% extraction. When I didn't know any better and used World Market coffee I had around, I made what I thought at the time was the best coffee I'd ever made. It was true until I got into single origins (anything Ethiopian as espresso is amazing). My friend with a Silvia was impressed.

Definitely get a tamper (49 mm). I got this one. I also got a naked portafilter that's been helping/bewildering/saddening me.

You might also consider a knock box like this for knocking the pucks into. Finally, if you want to get into milk steaming, get yourself one of these.

Awesome choice! The grinder will serve you even if you decide to upgrade your machine down the line and will help with your pulls. Don't forget to descale your machine every few months. I've listed some of my favorite things below, only the descaler is needed and almost any name brand works. The rest are awesome tools me and my wife use everyday. Be sure and keep up on maintinence and cleaning and the machine will last you forever.

This will help you steam milk to the right temperature:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016CDFC6?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf


Urnex Dezcal 5 Pack:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4E7QYO?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

These guys make the best tampers for whenever you a nice one!:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/GRIND-DOSE-TAMP_c_291.html

Group head brush:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XC5H333/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CjIJAbXCXXVP2

What a steal! I got mine for $250 and considered it a good deal.

1. Nice start with the descaling.
   
   
2. Now I'm going to tell you to spend money. I just outfitted a Silvia myself so everything linked should be available and compatible.
   
   

• You need a good grinder. I bought the Breville smart grinder pro because I couldn't afford anything nicer. It works well, but there is a large gap between grind settings (~6-7ml difference when brewing for 30s) and the grinds do come out a little clumped.
  
  
• Clean your machine. I bought a blind basked and Cafiza cleaning tablets which work well.
  
  
• a bottomless protafilter has helped me get my technique down.
  
  
• Get good fresh coffee to practice. You can't dial in with an old bag of supermarket coffee. Go to a coffee shop you like and get a shot and buy some beans. Then go home and dial in until your shot tastes like the one at the shop.
  
  
• Steaming milk with Mrs. Silvia takes some practice. Buy and extra gallon and practice. You will get the hang of it after a few tries.
  
  

3. what /u/tricross mentioned
   
   links to the things mentioned
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G40VNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAAJRH1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ24BH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY2EB10/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vinegar works better from my experience, but yes 1:1 amounts of vinegar to water or lemon juice to water will work. Or you can just buy descaling solution (check out the Coffee & Espresso Machine Cleaning Products section on Amazon). You're supposed to descale your coffee maker and electric kettle every month to every few months (depending on your water and how frequently you use it) to prevent hard water and mineral buildup. This descaling solution on Amazon is probably the best deal that I've found as it's only about $5-6 and is good for 3 uses so that breaks down to only $1.50 to $2 per cleaning.

Like everyone else has suggested, the Encore is a phenomenal grinder, and happens to be slightly under budget on Amazon.

I have it, and it's absolutely wonderful. And yes, investing in a solid grinder is perhaps the most important step in your coffee setup.

As for cleaning, I believe it comes with a brush which works well. If not, any coffee grinder brush will do. It's easy to maintain. If you are really serious about getting a good clean, buy some Grindz

Baratza Encore

Grindz

EDIT: just read the bit about the kettle. Go ahead and buy a gooseneck! As for cleaning it, just boil that sucker with water, vinegar, and lemon juice. Let it sit for a bit, then pour it all out the spout. Get in there with a rag if you need to! I live in a dorm with the hardest water I've ever seen, and this method cleans mine spotless.

I think you're talking about Urnex Grindz:

https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Professional-Grinder-Cleaning-Tablets/dp/B0027DVML4/

I'm on the fence on how effective they are, but they're theoretically better than nothing. For a dirty grinder like that though Grindz would just be the start.

I'd also suggest to OP to get one of the purpose-built brushes. Not those little paint brush looking things, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Number-One-Machine-Cleaner-Espresso-Cleaning/dp/B01AJV504U/

Makes it way easier

(no affiliation to Amazon or any of these sellers, just first results)

Help you learn. You can see exactly what's going on with your shots. Also, it's just cool.

I have this tamp but I'll probably upgrade to a precision. It's a solid cheap option, though:

Tamper - Espresso Tamper - mm... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJ8MGWZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And then this leveler:

Coffee Tamper Coffee... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M986PM7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Since I'm in Amazon, you're gonna want to pick up some descaler. There's probably a cheaper option but this is what's recommended by Gaggia:

Gaggia Decalcifier Descaler... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IABPSNY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Then some cafiza to back flush:

Urnex Espresso Machine Cleaning... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001418KNS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you're buying used, I'd highly recommend pulling the boiler apart to make sure it's not super gross and just soak it in descaler.

Don't use vinegar or citric acid to decalcify; Durgol is where it's at. Yeah, it's expensive. But check out this video of it in action compared to vinegar or citric acid. For backflushing, use either Joe Glo or Puro. Cafiza doens't clean as well in my experience.

As for the grinder, they're pretty easy to take apart and clean. Might want to see about getting new burrs for it, too.

I've never used a knockbox, but I agree with the rest. Also:

A small, digital scale in grams. Besides the grind's coarseness, accuracy and consistency are key.

If you're making milk drinks, a pitcher. Milk poured to the crease in the middle is perfect for a (6 oz) capp.

A thermometer for steaming milk, if you don't yet trust your instincts (I don't).

A blind basket for back flushing and cleaning.

Caffiza for occasional deep cleaning.

Nice-to-have: A vacuum sealed coffee canister so that beans stay fresher a bit longer.

Our favorite cups: Cremaware

Some additional thoughts:

If you haven't done this already, give your machine a quick sanity test before spending money on parts. Make sure it powers up, heats up to the point where the lights stop flashing, push one of the brew buttons and make sure water is pumped out the group head, and verify that the steam and hot water functions work.

When you get the portafilter, you should immediately clean and descale the machine. In order to clean it you need a cleaning disc. It's included with new machines, so if you are lucky yours should have one, but if not you will need to get one. Unlike most machines, Breville doesn't use a blind basket, their disc has a small hole in it so the cleaning solution is both backflushed as well as cleans out the portafilter. You will also need cleaning tablets.

Breville recommends vinegar for descaling, but you might want to use Dezcal instead.

If you're making coffee at home frequently, I really recommend getting a cleaning product like Cafiza.

Coffee stains the way it does due to a build-up of its oils that aren't so soluble in water. What Cafiza does is react with the oils to turn them into "soap". So it's really the most effective tool for removing coffee stains, and it won't add any residual soap stains or flavor or anything like that.

You just add a very small amount of Cafiza to hot water and place the stained equipment in it. Be sure to rinse very thoroughly after a brief soak. And don't touch the hot Cafiza water. Your equipment will be cleaner than it has been in ages, and a canister should last you a very, very long time.

So the manual will tell you this but never adjust the grind size to a smaller one without the grinder running or being completely clean. Beans get lodged between the burrs and if you adjust to a smaller grind size sometimes the particle will prohibit the correct adjustment. Also I would not clean it out every two weeks. I used to do clean it every week. No difference in taste. Once a month is fine and remember to season your grinder with 5-10 grams of coffee after cleaning.

Get yourself a coffee cleaning brush you will need one to dust out the burrs and insides in addition to the tools they provide. This one works great https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A3XWNBW

I have a Breville Infuser, so I wanted to chime in on a few things. I'm sorry if they have already been covered.

You should have four baskets:

1. A single walled, single shot
   
   
2. A single walled, double shot
   
   
3. A double walled, single shot
   
   
4. A double walled, double shot
   
   
   Take the single walled, single shot and the double walled, double shot, and put them away. You will rarely use them. The double walled baskets are used to make sufficient pressure for pre-ground beans; you have a grinder so you don't need them (and an awesome at that). The single shot basket is a smaller size than the double sized basket, and it is best to dial in for one dosage (unless if you like suffering :P ).
   
   Take the double walled, single shot basket and keep that with the silicon cleaning disk, and with your cleaning tablets (I'm just linking the one I use). I also recommend checking the manual for how to perform a back flush.
   
   
   The default settings for the 1 cup will actually push through about 2 ounces of water, but coffee grounds hold onto water, so you will have about 1 ounce of coffee in the cup. The same is true with the 2 cup button: it will actually push through about 3 ounces of water, but with coffee you will about 2 ounces in the cup.
   
   At this point, you should only be looking at your single walled, double shot basket. That's the only one I use. The dosage amount for it is between 14 grams to 16 grams. I dose closer to 16 grams because that's what I like, but you can also try 14 grams and 15 grams.
   
   That's all I can think of off the top of my head that I haven't seen covered. I hope you find this helpful.

Not as much air pressure, but I use a Giottos Rocket Blaster. Combine this with food safe cleaning tablets like grindz and you're good to go.

http://imgur.com/hpvDWrh

• Chemex
  
• Baby Gaggia Twin - Craigslist purchase
  
• Knockbox (not pictured) - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016J7YQM
  
• tamper - purchased locally from http://www.aboutthecoffee.com/
  
• Breville Smart Grinder
  
• Moka Pot
  
• Bonavita Variable Gooseneck - essential!
  
• Bodum French Press
  
• new scale to replace one in the picture - http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-SC-2KG-Digital-Pocket/dp/B001RF3XJ2
  
• coffee canisters from Sweet Maria's
  
• Behmor 1600 (not pictured but love it!)

http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-02025-Cafiza-20oz-powder/dp/B001418KNS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342543094&sr=8-2&keywords=espresso+cleaner

I use this to clean my piece. You put a spoonful in a zip lock bag with hot water and the piece you want to clean. Shake the bag around and in a minute or two, the water is completely black and bam, 95% clean. Grab a qtip and wipe away the extra gunk in the bowl and you're good to go.

I have a pretty deep chamber, so I also blow out the remaining gunk out into a tissue. Takes about 45 min (depending on the size of the piece). Looks brand new as the day you bought it afterwards.

Powder espresso machine cleaner

Rinse, place powder on glass, scrub with a bit of vinegar, rinse clean, place again, scrub again
Use gloves glasses and a dust mask, ventilation for the room is great and don't generate an open flame without letting the room exhaust

Puro Caff - 20 Ounce - Espresso Machine Cleaner Cleaning Powder Back Flush Espresso Machines Clean Airpots https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016C2NZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DInPCbBA7W010

Short of doing a full rebuild, there's not really a way to eliminate every trace of the old coffee grounds and oils.

If you get it reasonably clean--brush out the burrs and such with a soft-bristled brush, like a small natural-bristle soft paintbrush or a basting brush or a grinder brush; wipe surfaces/hopper and such clean with a damp cloth; etc.--and start using it, that's probably the best thing.

I have the hydroflask (and previously the Kleen Kantee) and I had the same issue until I started using Urnex coffee pot cleaner in them.

It works wonders. Put a little bit of the cleaner in, then add boiling water to just about the top, add the lid, give it a gental shake to mix, and let it sit for a while. I then scrub it out with a bottle brush / sponge (what we use to clean our babies bottles), and then follow that up by a normal wash and rinse. I do this once a week and it has kept my Hydroflask nice and clean on the inside and removes the smell.

I do the same process for my Bonavita 1900TS carafe.

I've got one of the old timey cream colored baby gaggias. I use "Full circle" coffee and espresso equipment descaling powder. Make sure you follow the directions.
I also have some Cafiza, but I only use it to soak parts of the machine. If your machine is like mine, you can remove the screen above the portafilter and there's also a few hex bolts to remove and clean the metal plate above the screen.

Pretty sure these came up last time someone asked— saved it for when the time comes for my machine. I’d check the reviews for extra confirmation.

tablets

I don't think there is anything wrong with descaling your machine. I had a Gaggia for 6-7 years and never had any issues arising from a regular descale using Baby Puly http://www.amazon.co.uk/Descaler-Baby-Puly-Cleaner-Sachets/dp/B002EJ6EHS (and sometimes generic citric acid). There seem to be fairly clear instructions on doing it in the KES100 manual. Remember to wash the machine through afterwards with clean water to remove the descaled. If you feel particularly nervous, grab some of this http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003FO1340 which Gaggia recommend for their machines (though my guess is its much the same as any other descaler...)

Going forward, you may want to fill the machine using Brita filtered water to discourage scale formation, particularly if you live in a hard wear area.

Getting the shower screen off and cleaning that whole area with Puly or Cafiza coffee detergent also seems like a good idea, given you dont know the history of the machine - there may well be a fair amount of stale coffee gunge around there. Again, this should be fairly simply to do and the manual provides instructions that seem sensible.

Hijacking top comment to recommend this product.
https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Professional-Grinder-Cleaning-Tablets/dp/B0014J7FUY/ref=asc_df_B0014J7FUY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309735741984&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2266436962078040546&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004361&hvtargid=aud-800703102928:pla-347658283862&psc=1

If OP wants to keep the coffee maker in good condition this is necessary anyway.

I used to work in coffee and this is the industry standard.

Thanks! Here you go!

Vario 886 Grinder

Pocket scale

Distributor

Dosing Funnel

Espro calibrated tamper VST 58.35 Flat

Grindenstein Knock box

Presto timer

18g VST portafilter basket

IMS E61 shower screen

E61 thermometer

Grindz, which work brilliantly!

Your simple reply fixed my problem. I ordered this stuff http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FDDV8A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 as a result of reading your reply and it washed away the soap taste. Amazing stuff, thanks!

Most specialty coffee shops use this stuff Cafiza to clean coffee gear:

https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Cafiza-Espresso-Machine-Cleaner/dp/B001418KNS

You'd only need a pinch of it or so. Add hot water and let it soak. It should almost definitely get rid of any of the onion oil/smell.

http://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Supply-Grinder-Brush-7-5/dp/B000OORIAM

Get yourself a brush like that. You can find em on ebay too. Just remove the top burr n give it a quick brushing. As long as it isn't a really oily dark roast you'll be fine

Also you areant supposed to get your grinder wet >.> so washing it is off limits. If it's a really oily bean run some minute rice through it

Fill with hot water and a little bit of Cafiza for 30 ish minutes, then swish a sponge around with the end of a stick or something. Works great at my coffee shop.

I soak all of my coffee related devices and containers using this every few months.

Does a great job of removing any kind of tastes in general.

I would use this stuff to descale the machine. It goes into the water tank.

http://www.amazon.com/Durgol-Universal-Express-Multipurpose-Decalcifier/dp/B000NGQR4E?ie=UTF8&keywords=Durgol&qid=1465490177&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3

And use this stuff (NEVER IN THE WATER TANK!!!)

http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Cafiza-Espresso-Machine-Cleaner/dp/B001418KNS?ie=UTF8&keywords=Cafiza&qid=1465491567&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

with a

Backflush insert like this every other week.

http://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Supply-58-Milimeter-Backflush-Insert/dp/B0016C8ZO4?ie=UTF8&keywords=Blond%20Portafilter&qid=1465491618&ref_=sr_1_sc_1&sr=8-1-spell

There's a product called Cafiza that's used to clean out espresso machines. But I occasionally use a spoonful of it on my mug every so often since I don't like all the gunk coating the insides either. All you do is add a spoonful or two of the Cafiza, some water, let it soak for about 20 minutes, and then toss the water and rinse it. All the coffee stains wipe right off and my mug looks like new every time. This stuff was made to take coffee stains out and a little bit goes a long way.

https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Dezcal-Activated-Remover-Bottle/dp/B004L8V966/

I use Dezcal, but it's mainly just citric acid that was recommended before. Scale comes out with no effort. I think it's 1-2 tablespoons/liter, and pouring it through the spout should take care of any possible buildup there.

Urnex Original Urn and Brewer Cleaner - 100 [1 Ounce Packets] - Professional Coffee Equipment Cleaner For Air Pot Glass Bowl Server Stainless Steel Plastic Glass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004L8XAW2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0jg6Bb38CHYW2

What's your water source? Hard water could lend itself to a salty taste.

Your machine might also need cleaning. Try running some vinegar through a few times then rinse it with water a few times maybe. Cafiza cleaning powder is even better.

Most likely it's the extraction though, like /u/hifideo said. Try adjusting dose, grind, time/water, and tamping pressure. You want it coming out like honey and to stop even after the stream turns blonde.

For the espresso: Get a tamper

For the cleaning: Get Espresso machine cleaner like [1]

The basket is porbably a backflush insert, so I assume your machine has a three way solenoid valve: Just put a bit of it in the backflush insert and backflush a few times.

[1]http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Cafiza-Espresso-Machine-Cleaner/dp/B001418KNS/ref=sr_1_sc_1/190-5191694-6192036?ie=UTF8&qid=1410953416&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=puly+caf

you should soak everything in cafiza, and backflush with it as well.

Then run a half cup of minute rice ( specifically minute rice, not regular rice which doesn't soak up oils as well ) through your grinder.

Cafiza is $10 for a lifetime supply and the rice similarly

Cafiza


Dezcal


Backflush disk if you don't have one


Silvia group head gasket with new better shower screen

Boom, this will last you for ten years, and you have a new machine!

egads! you can buy this on Amazon! Urnex Original Urn and Brewer Cleaner there's also a cheaper 48 counts option. my house will never be the same! (you can also buy Cafiza tablets on Amazon.)

Just so you know, you can cut off amazon links after the /dp/###### part

https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Professional-Grinder-Cleaning-Tablets/dp/B0014J7FUY

You can even remove the description line, if you really decide to care.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014J7FUY

Others have mentioned that your grind is too coarse but if the fines are something that you've just noticed, they can increase without proper cleaning of your burrs. Get some grindz or run some white rice through there (followed by a few beans until all traces of the rice/grindz have gone). Alternatively, you can strip the grinder and get at it with an old toothbrush.

As you inherited it you may not know the internal condition of the machine. I recommend buying this first off.
Once you have got to grips with using it also think about investing in this steam wand upgrade its so much better than the stock gaggia one (classic owner here).

use normal water and use something like this from time to time and you won't have to risk it.
http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Clearly-Coffee-Cleaner-14-Ounce/dp/B000FDDV8A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372263388&sr=8-2&keywords=coffee+cleaner

This is the exact thing I bought 3 years ago (actually, tomorrow will be literally 3 years). It's a steam distiller that then charcoal filters. It's a 2 in one. The charcoal filter a) catches V.O.C.s b) adds a pleasing taste of creamy wondrousness and c) removes the taste of dry-boiled shit that gets left behind.

This thing has lasted for 3 years, being used every other day.

What you need to know about this thing It requires 2 things, 1) charcoal post filters (which are stupid easy to install) and 2) a descaler. The post filter is installed, like, one every couple months and the de-scaler like once per week. You use about a third of a bottle per de-scaling.

tl;dr I can't praise it enough

edit: Pr0-mode is to leave the top off until the water starts to boil, then put the top on. That way everything with a lower boiling point than water can leave, thereby letting you use your carbon filters for longer. Unnecessary step for sure, but just something I thought of.

This will melt the coffee off

https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Professional-Espresso-Machine-Cleaning/dp/B001418KNS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521157376&sr=8-3&keywords=cafiza

This is what most coffee shops actually use to clean their machines

It really is incredible. Between that and Cafiza, you can clean almost anything in your kitchen.

The guys from I Brew My Own Coffee use [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Cafiza-Professional-Espresso-Machine-Cleaning/dp/B001418KNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484838183&sr=8-1&keywords=cafiza) stuff to clean all of their coffee gear( i have not used it yet).

Edit: Updated Link

I use these in my BDB (with the provided silicon disc) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003S4918M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_45V3AbFQE9HG0

They work well in general. Only thing I have noticed is that you sometimes have to run the cleaning program twice to fully get rid of residue. This doesn't really bother me since it's an automated cleaning program anyway. Maybe next time I'll get powder.

Some people use something like this to air blast grounds out.

You can also run Grindz through your grinder. I wouldn't use rice.

Also a small brush as previously mentioned.

Don't replace it, soak it in Puro Caff. It will be brand new, I promise. Everyone in /r/coffee should own it.

You'd be amazed at how clean you can get that with no effort just by just putting it in the dishwasher. Or a quick soak in some Cafiza which you probably have just lying around. ;)

Hmm...I hadn't heard that. I did some quick Googling, and what I've found so far is that rice may cause problems with the mechanism of more expensive burr or conical grinders, due to the dust it can create.

I use this grinder by Krups, which is far less complicated. However, in reading the comments about cleaning, someone said that rice can fog up the plastic. There was a recommendation for this cleaning brush, which I'll probably end up getting.

Thank you!

You don't need anything special to descale your kettle, just boil the water, add some vinegar and let it rest for an hour or so.

To clean your Chemex, you could try some backflushing chemicals like http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-02025-Cafiza-20oz-powder/dp/B001418KNS/ref=pd_sim_k_1 I know its more for espresso machines however it does get rid of all the oils on my portafilter so it should work on your Chemex?

I use a Rocket Blower and occasionally run an ounce of Rolled oats through. Knock suggests uncooked rice but other grinder manufacturers claim it's too hard and can damage burrs. Grindz is what others recommend.

As far as a deep clean? not really sure. I think Knock suggested just brushing the burrs, but you can't reach them without taking the whole thing apart which then voids your warranty. Hmmm.

Coffee has oils in it, and oils go rancid.

Please, buy some Cafiza and clean out your friend's coffee mug.

You can also eliminate the url altogether. Put what ever text you want in brackets in front of the url info, then parentheses around the link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014J7FUY
[amazon link](url address)
amazon link

Don't shy away from cleaning the grinder regularly. When they say "grinds" in the video they are talking about this sort of thing.

Look into Cafiza. It's meant to dissolve oils left by coffee in espresso machines but I also used it to clean a Swell bottle that I forgot in my garage with milk and after cleaning with it, it doesn't smell like anything or have any taste. I tried bleach previously and boiling water to no avail.

I use these:

https://smile.amazon.com/Urnex-Professional-Grinder-Cleaning-Tablets/dp/B0014J7FUY?sa-no-redirect=1

In my Sette 270.

I looked, and I have this stuff, actually, for milk wand cleaning:

https://smile.amazon.com/Urnex-Circle-Espresso-Machine-Cleaning/dp/B004NRXFP8?sa-no-redirect=1

These seem to work

http://www.amazon.com/Grindz-Tablets-Single-Grinder-Cleaner/dp/B0027DVML4


Alternatively if you plan on grinding through white rice, do diligent research before trying.

Grindz is one of them.

This:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008A1B76C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_.1MQAbABPH7S5

Here's the manual, it has some cleaning instructions.

I use these cleaning tablets instead of Breville's, you get considerably more for the price.

I use this powder to descale. You'll have to figure out the reservoir size and then how much powder to add based on the powder's instructions.

You could try soaking in this stuff with boiling hot water. It will deodorize plastics, if the stink hasn't soaked in too deeply. But it's basically like using the dishwasher in terms of the chemistry.

I've descaled my Rocket Giotto Evo II. The hot water nozzle was clogged and water would only slowly come out. After a descale (using Urnex Descaler https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Espresso-Machine-Descaler-Activated/dp/B004L8V966) everything has functioned perfectly.

Honestly.. I think Rocket is not recommending descale for a couple of reasons. 1) Too often can damage a machine, especially if not well flushed. 2) They want to sell their water softening packets.

The product I linked above is used professionally, descaling once and a while is not going to break your machine. If you're worried about hardness build up I'd just follow the directions on the Dezcal container and do it.

Encore doesn't come with a ceramic burr set. It's steel so that's not good. Hope s/he dried it off right away instead of letting it air dry.

Definitely unnecessary to replace it. You can replace the burr for much cheaper than replacement if worst comes to worst. I would open it up (lots of youtube videos on how to do it from baratza themselves) and clean out the lower burr chamber and the chute. Then buy some grindz and run it through. Run some coffee through it and it should be fine. This is assuming your burr is ok. If not, well you can always take it as a good chance to upgrade your burrs to the M2 ones.

I keep a bag of these Grinding beans for when I run something oily and nasty through it like that. It gets gunky after a single hopper of that stuff.

Ive been using these in my xelsis for about 6 months with no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Espresso-Machine-Cleaning-Tablets/dp/B003S4918M

I use the same stuff on my espresso maker as my glassware; Cafiza. It's very soluble, no residue, and does not affect flavor. I'll wash my glassware once or twice a month outside of very hot water rinses.

would not a grinder cleaner work? This one specifically says to use after flavored coffees so your flavors don't mix.

Edit to add: also, maybe this is a good excuse to buy yourself a fancy electric grinder and give the skerton to the hubby to abuse with his coffee.