Cafetto Espresso Machine and Coffee Equipment Cleaners

Adding chemical to a coffee machine is only the start of cleaning. The cleaning cycle isn't complete until correct dosage, contact time, mechanical action, rinsing, and checking the first beverage have all been carried out. Cafetto coffee machine cleaning products offer separate formulations for the different residues found on the espresso group, milk line, grinder, filter brewer, and general bar surfaces.

Cafetto is a professional coffee equipment cleaning brand founded by Christopher Short in Australia, marking its twentieth anniversary in 2023. Its product program covers espresso machine powders and tablets, milk line products, grinder cleaners, descalers, filter brewer cleaning, and bar accessories. The active selection on Mutfak10 focuses on the EC2 espresso machine cleaning powder.

Coffee Oil, Milkstone and Scale Are Not the Same Residue

Oil, fine particles and dark stains from roasted coffee accumulate in the espresso group. These residues can create a stale coffee taste on the interior surfaces of the group valve, shower screen, basket and portafilter.

The milk line contains protein, fat and mineral compounds. A group detergent developed for coffee oil doesn't cover all the cleaning needs of an automatic milk line. Alkaline and acidic milk products manage different residues depending on the model.

Scale, meanwhile, is the mineral buildup that forms in the boiler and water paths as water is heated. Espresso backflush powder shouldn't be used as a descaling product. Scale maintenance should follow the machine manufacturer's procedure and the water system.

Where Is EC2 Used?

Cafetto EC2 is a fast-dissolving, easy-to-rinse cleaning powder geared toward removing coffee oils and stains from espresso machines. It can be used in traditional espresso machines for group backflushing and for soaking filter basket and portafilter parts.

The active EC2 product on Mutfak10 is listed at 1,100 grams. Since regional packaging and product labels can vary, dosage should be applied according to the instructions on the box and the espresso machine manufacturer's recommendation.

EC2 shouldn't be added arbitrarily to the milk line, grinder hopper, or drinking water filter. The appropriate Cafetto product group should be chosen for each piece of equipment.

How Is the Backflush Cycle Set Up?

For backflushing, the normal perforated basket is removed and a blind filter is placed in the portafilter. The amount of EC2 specified on the label is added, and the portafilter is attached to the group. The machine manufacturer's on-off cycle times are applied.

Running the pump continuously against a blind filter for a long time can put unnecessary load on the machine. Cafetto's product instructions and the espresso machine's maintenance program should be followed together.

After the chemical cycle, the portafilter is removed, the group is rinsed, and sufficient backflushing is done with clean water only. An espresso prepared and poured out at the final stage helps confirm no chemical odor or taste remains.

Every Espresso Group Should Be Cleaned Separately

In a two- or three-group machine, using chemical in only one group doesn't clean the other valves and water paths. Each group should be processed separately with its own blind filter and cycle.

Rather than shutting down all groups at once during service, cleaning can be done sequentially according to the business's procedure. The portafilter containing chemical shouldn't be used for coffee preparation, and the working area should be clearly marked.

A blind filter shouldn't be fitted to a machine without backflushing capability. The cleaning method for home-type or differently structured group machines should be confirmed from the user manual.

Soaking Portafilters and Baskets

Portafilter baskets, blind filters, and metal parts that only contact water and coffee can be soaked in suitable hot water and EC2 solution according to the product instructions. Coffee oils are removed from the surface along with mechanical brushing.

The portafilter's handle, wood, or painted surface shouldn't be fully immersed in the chemical solution. Only the level to which the metal head can be soaked should be determined by the product structure.

After soaking, parts should be thoroughly rinsed under running clean water, and the basket holes should be checked against light. Holes shouldn't be widened with a metal pin.

Shower Screen and Group Gasket

While backflushing is geared toward the water paths inside the group, it may not fully remove coffee stuck to the shower screen's outer surface. The area around the screen and the gasket groove should be cleaned daily using a group brush.

The group brush should be used in a way that prevents hot water from splashing onto the hand while the machine is running. A steam wand cloth or a general counter cloth shouldn't be used for group cleaning.

If the gasket has hardened, cracked, or is leaking water around the portafilter, chemical cleaning won't solve the problem. Mechanical part maintenance and replacement is required.

A Separate Cleaning Cycle for the Milk Line

Cafetto's MFC product family includes liquid or tablet options geared toward controlling milk residue, milkstone, and hard water buildup. Automatic milk machines, cappuccinatori, cooler hoses, and frother parts should be processed according to the model's procedure.

Alkaline products act differently on organic milk fat and protein than acidic products do on mineral and milkstone buildup. The two chemicals shouldn't be mixed directly.

Once cleaning is complete, the milk line should be rinsed with clean water and it should be confirmed that no chemical transfers into the food product. Hoses, containers, and connections should also be cleaned externally.

Why Does Grinder Cleaning Need a Separate Product?

Oil and fine particles build up on the burrs, grinding chamber and outlet channel of a coffee grinder. Espresso machine powder shouldn't be poured into the grinder hopper.

Products like Cafetto Grinder Clean and GC2 are geared toward managing coffee residue by passing through the grinding system. The compatibility of the product used with the burr and grinder type should be confirmed.

After cleaning, a small amount of coffee should be ground and discarded to remove product residue. The grinder's electrical body shouldn't be washed with water.

Cleaning Log and Rinse Verification

Group brushing, portafilter washing, steam wand and counter cleaning should be done every shift; chemical backflushing should be applied on the defined schedule. Frequency is determined by daily shot count and the machine manufacturer's instructions.

The date, time, product used, staff member, and check result can be recorded on a cleaning form. Simply leaving the chemical next to the machine doesn't prove the process was carried out.

If odor, sliminess, or foam is observed after rinsing, the equipment shouldn't go into service. The clean water cycle should continue, and the product label and safety data sheet should be checked in a questionable case.

Chemical Safety and Storage

Cafetto products should be stored in their original, labeled packaging, separate from coffee, milk, and other food. Powder product shouldn't be transferred to another container, and the dosing scoop shouldn't be used for food prep.

Staff should know the protective equipment, first aid, and spill instructions on the product label. Different cleaners shouldn't be mixed in the same container.

Safety data sheets should be kept where employees can access them. If packaging is damaged or product identity is unclear, the chemical shouldn't be used.

Featured Highlights

• Separate product families for the espresso group, milk line, grinder, filter brewer, and scale maintenance
• A fast-dissolving, easy-to-rinse powder formulation in EC2 for coffee oils and stains
• An application arrangement combining backflushing, metal part soaking, and verification with clean water
• Per-product safety data sheets and, in selected lines, environmental or food safety certifications

How Should a Cafetto Cleaning Program Be Set Up?

Coffee, milk, water-mineral, and grinder residues on the machine should be listed separately. The appropriate product, dose, contact time, rinsing, and responsible staff member should be defined for each section.

The chemical program should be compared against the espresso machine, grinder, and milk system manufacturers' maintenance instructions. Visual and sensory checks should be done before the first product is served after cleaning.

Cafetto EC2 on Mutfak10

The EC2 espresso cleaning powder in the active Cafetto selection on Mutfak10 can be reviewed on the Cafetto coffee machine cleaning products page, operated by Arlinoks. Selection should weigh soil type, equipment section, packaging, and manufacturer instructions together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cafetto EC2 be used on the milk line?

EC2 is geared toward the espresso group, portafilter and coffee oil residue. A separate product suited to the milk system, such as Cafetto MFC, should be used for the milk hose and frother.

Does Cafetto EC2 remove limescale?

EC2's primary job is cleaning coffee oils and stains. A separate descaler compatible with the machine, along with the manufacturer's procedure, is needed for mineral scale in the boiler and water paths.

Can espresso be prepared right after chemical backflushing?

A sufficient clean-water cycle should be run first, the group and portafilter rinsed, and an espresso prepared and discarded. If chemical odor, foam, or taste is detected, the machine shouldn't go into service.