Keeping your Breville Bambino (BES450) espresso machine clean and descaled is key to ensuring it brews delicious espresso for years to come. Here's a detailed guide:
Cleaning:
Steam Wand:
After frothing milk, immediately wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth. If the wand's tip holes get blocked, purge the wand by briefly activating the steam function. For persistent blockages, unscrew the steam wand tip with the included cleaning tool (usually found under the water tank). Use the tool to clear the holes, rinse the tip, dry it, and reattach it.
Group Head Rinse:
Run a fresh water flush by pressing the '2 Cup' button. This helps remove coffee grounds.
Filter Baskets and Portafilter:
Rinse these under hot water immediately after each use to remove coffee oils. Use the steam wand cleaning tool to clear any blocked holes in the filter baskets, if needed.
Shower Screen:
Wipe the inside of the group head and the shower screen with a damp cloth to remove loose coffee particles. Periodically run hot water through the machine with the filter basket and portafilter in place to further rinse away residue.
Drip Tray:
Empty and clean the drip tray after each use, or when the indicator rises above the grid. Wash the tray and grid with warm, soapy water.
Outer Housing:
Wipe the exterior of the machine with a soft, damp cloth and then polish it with a dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or pads, as they can scratch the stainless steel.
Descaling:
When the '2 Cup' button on your Bambino espresso machine starts to flash continuously, it's time to descale. Follow these steps:
Fill the water tank to the 'DESCALE' line. Add the descaling solution recommended by Breville (or a descaling solution suitable for espresso machines). Place a container under the group head and the steam wand to collect the descaling solution.
Press the '2 Cup' and Steam buttons simultaneously to start the descaling cycle. Follow the on-screen prompts (if available) to complete the process. This typically involves running the descaling solution through the machine and then rinsing with fresh water. Be sure to completely rinse and refill the water tank after descaling.
Regular cleaning and descaling will keep your Breville Bambino working at its best, ensuring you get the perfect espresso every time.
