Sanremo Espresso Machine Cleaning Tips
Sanremo coffee machines have the stunning aesthetics and dependable performance needed to make them must-have units in any café, specialty shop or restaurant that wants to serve quality espresso. Since keeping essential equipment well maintained is important, this Sanremo coffee machine cleaning guide will help you care for your unit by laying out the steps from start to finish.
These directions are applicable to YOU machines, as well as Café Racer and Zoe models, such as the Café Racer 2GR and Zoe Competition 2GR units, respectively.
Supplies
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent (for the water tank on YOU machines)
- Coffee Machine Detergent
- Cleaning Cloths
- Soft-Bristle Brush (for maintaining the grouphead gasket)
- Brewing Filter
- Blind Filter
- Coffee Cup (for flushing out the unit)
- Empty Sink or Large Basin (for soaking parts)
Don’t use corrosive chemicals like bleach or abrasive cleaners like steel wool, as well as water jets, as these can damage the unit. If your model has more than one brewing group, be sure to perform the cleaning procedure on all groups.
Daily Backflushing
Preparing the Machine
- Step 1. Turn on the unit (if needed) - Make sure the unit is powered on; if it isn’t, turn it on using the on/off switch.
- Step 2. Fill the water tank (on YOU machines, if necessary) - Check to see if the water tank on YOU units is full; if it’s not, fill it as needed.
- Step 3. Empty drip tray (as needed) - Inspect the drip tray to see if it’s full. If it’s full, empty it.
Starting the Cycle
- Step 1. Empty the portafilter - Remove the portafilter and discard the contents.
- Step 2. Insert the blind filter - Replace the brewing filter with a blind filter for the cleaning procedure.
- Step 3. Add coffee machine detergent - Put coffee machine detergent in the blind filter, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. If using powdered cleaner, stir to dissolve before proceeding.
- Step 4. Return the portafilter to the grouphead and soak for 2 minutes - Reattach the portafilter to the grouphead and let the detergent soak for 2 minutes before continuing.
- Step 5. Begin the wash cycle - Press the house-shaped icon at the top of the menu, scroll down to “Wash” and then begin the automatic wash cycle. For Café Racer and Zoe models, press the (A) and (B) buttons simultaneously to begin the washing cycle.
- Step 6. Allow the wash cycle to proceed - Give the unit time to complete the cleaning cycle. The display on YOU models will read “Wash in progress,” while on other models the (A) and (B) buttons will be illuminated.
Rinsing the Unit
- Step 1. Wash out the portafilter - Remove the portafilter from the machine at the end of the cycle and wash away any dirt or other particles in the blind filter with clean water.
- Step 2. Reattach the portafilter - Return the portafilter and blind filter to the unit, this time without detergent.
- Step 3. Start the rinse cycle - Begin the rinse cycle by pressing the house-shaped icon on YOU units and then following the on-screen prompts. For Café Racer and Zoe models, press both the (A) and (B) buttons at the same time.
- Step 4. Let the unit rinse - Allow the rinse cycle to proceed. The screen on YOU machines will display “Rinsing in progress” while the illumination of the (A) and (B) buttons on other models indicates that the cycle is in progress.
- Step 5. Insert a normal filter - Remove the portafilter once the rinsing cycle is complete, take out the blind filter and put in a normal brewing filter.
- Step 6. Brew a coffee to flush out unpleasant flavors - Place an empty cup under the spout and brew a coffee to pull out any remaining chemicals within the machine. Discard this coffee upon completion.
- Step 7. Reattach the portafilter - Return the portafilter, fitted with the brewing filter, to the grouphead.
- Step 8. Resume normal use - You may now use the unit normally; if you choose to continue with routine cleaning, follow the steps in the next section.
Weekly Cleaning
Prepping the Unit
- Step 1. Turn off the machine - Ensure that the unit is powered down before continuing. If it’s not, use the on/off switch to turn it off.
- Step 2. Prepare a detergent solution for soaking - Fill a sink, basin or other large container with warm water and detergent, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Step 3. Empty the portafilter - Remove the portafilter and discard the contents.
Cleaning the Parts
- Step 1. Soak the filter and portafilter - Take the brewing filter out of the portafilter and soak both in the prepared detergent solution. Leave them in the solution until the next time the machine will be in use.
- Step 2. Wash the grille - Remove the grille from the drip tray and wash it with warm, running water and coffee machine detergent. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth before reinstalling it in the unit.
- Step 3. Clean the steam wand and hot water tap - Check to see if there’s any crusty buildup on the steam wand(s) and hot water tap. If so, clean with warm water and an appropriate detergent.
- Step 4. Maintain the brewing group - Clean the grouphead with warm water and mild detergent, and then use a soft-bristle brush to maintain the gasket.
- Step 5. Wipe the machine exterior - Wash the outside surfaces of the unit with a damp cloth, then dry with a clean cloth.
- Step 6. Clean the water tank (YOU only) - Remove the water tank on YOU machines, clean it with warm water and mild detergent, then return it to the unit.
- Step 7. Reattach the brewing filter and portafilter - Return the brewing filter and portafilter to the unit just before the machine will be in use.
- Step 8. Resume normal operation - You may now resume normal use of the unit.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to take a look at the large library of Sanremo coffee machine manuals and diagrams on our site for more information.