How to clean a Breville espresso machine
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The short answer
To clean a Breville espresso machine, follow the care section of the instruction book for your exact model. Breville's blog says to rinse the portafilter and wipe the steam wand after each use, and to use "a store-bought espresso cleaning solution" for a deeper clean. 1
Start with your own manual
Breville makes many machines, and cleaning differs between them. This page can't replace your manual.
We haven't used these machines. The steps below come from Breville's own pages, so they stay general. For exact buttons and order, use the instruction book for your model.
Not sure which model you own? Our guide to the Breville range and how the models differ lists the main ones.
After every shot
Breville's blog keeps the daily routine short. Step one is to "toss out the ground puck in the portafilter." 1
Next, rinse the portafilter. The blog says to do it by "rinsing it under the faucet for a few seconds, then using a clean, dry towel to wipe it clean." 1
It adds that you should "check your tamper to make sure it's clean and dry before putting it away." 1
Then rinse the group head. The blog suggests brewing a "blank shot," meaning a shot without any grounds, which it says helps remove lingering coffee and oils. 1
New to the routine? Our walkthrough of using an espresso machine covers the steps around it.
Cleaning the steam wand
After steaming, Breville's blog says to release a little steam into a towel, and then "use a damp rag to wipe down the wand." 1
For a blocked wand, Breville has a video for the Barista Express Impress, a model we compare with the Barista Express. Its page says the video covers "everything from routine cleaning techniques" to "steam wand tip removal and unblocking." 2
Watch it before you touch the tip. Remove it only as your own manual describes.
If you pour milk drinks, our guide to latte art shows what you're steaming for.
The cleaning cycle and cleaning tablets
Breville's Barista Express Impress page says "Address a flashing maintenance light by running your Barista Express® Impress through a cleaning cycle." 3
The same page says to "Grab the silicon cleaning disc and a cleaning tablet from your included stock of supplies." It points to a tutorial video for the steps. 3
Breville sells espresso cleaning tablets. Its product page calls them "Designed to remove coffee oils and residues from the shower screen and filter baskets." 4
The page also says they're "Suitable for use with all Breville Espresso machines." On 7 November 2026 it listed them at US$14.95 and showed them out of stock. 4
If you came here for descaling, click here to read how to descale a Breville machine.
A deeper clean now and then
Breville's blog doesn't give a schedule. It says "Every once in a while, take a little more time to clean your espresso machine more thoroughly" and gives a sign to watch for. 1
The sign is brewing that takes longer than usual. The blog says "If your coffee machine is taking longer than usual to brew." 1
For a deep clean, Breville's blog says "you should always use a store-bought espresso cleaning solution." It also says to check your manual for the right one for your machine. 1
Don't open the machine. Hot water, steam and mains power are inside, so stick to the steps in your own manual. If a cycle won't finish, contact Breville support.
Our guide to the Barista Express covers one popular model.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a Breville espresso machine?
Follow the care section of your model's instruction book. Breville's blog says to rinse the portafilter and wipe the steam wand after use, and to use "a store-bought espresso cleaning solution" for a deep clean. 1
How do you clean the steam wand on a Breville?
Breville's blog says to "use a damp rag to wipe down the wand" after steaming milk. For a blocked wand, follow your own manual. 1
How do I descale a Breville espresso machine with cleaning tablets?
Breville describes its cleaning tablets as "Designed to remove coffee oils and residues from the shower screen and filter baskets." For descaling, follow your manual. 4
What do I do when the maintenance light flashes?
On the Barista Express Impress, Breville says "Address a flashing maintenance light by running your Barista Express® Impress through a cleaning cycle." Other models may differ, so check your manual. 3
Sources
- How to Clean an Espresso Machine: A Step by Step Guide, Breville. Checked 7 November 2026.
- How to clean and unblock the steam wand (Barista Express Impress), Breville. Checked 7 November 2026.
- How to perform a cleaning cycle (Barista Express Impress), Breville. Checked 7 November 2026.
- Espresso Cleaning Tablets (8), Breville. Checked 7 November 2026.