How to Clean Your Espresso Pod Machine

Cleaning your espresso pod brewer is probably one of the last things you think of. Remember that this is the piece of kitchen machinery that brings you that little cup of joy in the morning or after a great dinner.  Treat it right and you continue to enjoy, treat it bad and it will die one day and you will have to replace it.  While there are not many moving parts in an espresso machine, just like a coffee machine, you do need to clean the insides out to keep it running at peak performance.  The main part that will eventually fail from neglect is the heating element.

Depending upon the hardness of your water and the amount of usage, you should be cleaning the inside of your espresso pod brewer 3-4 times per year.  This is a very simple process that is done with kitchen based white distilled vinegar (you can also purchase products especially made for this, which may work better).  This will remove any scale or mineral deposits left over from the water heating process.  Here are the steps (consult with your owners manual to insure there are no discrepancies between these and the manufacturers recommendations):

1. Unplug the brewer and empty any water in the water tank.
2. Fill the water tank with 1 quart of white distilled vinegar.
3. Do not put a pod in the brewer, just the empty pod holder.
4. Place a cup or bowl above the coffee output.
5. Plug the brewer in.
6. If there is a volume control knob, set this to maximum.
7. Press the brew button to start a brew cycle.
8. Let the machine run its cycle.
9. Repeat the brew cycle one more time.
10. Allow the machine to sit for 2-4 hours (no longer than 4 hours) to remove any scale or deposits inside the machine.
11. Pour out the remaining cleaning solution.
12. Fill the water tank with fresh clean water.
13. Wash all removable parts in soap and water and dry.
14. Reassemble the machine, but do not insert a Coffee Pod yet.
15. Press the brew button to start the brew cycle.  Repeat this 2-3 more times.
16. Again pour out all the water from the water tank and refill.
17. Consult your owners manual for cleaning your spray head (which is what sprays water onto the espresso pods).
18. If you are using a perfect pod maker for making your own coffee pods, this is probably a great time to thoroughly clean this also.

Doing this process every 3-4 months will insure that you are getting the best tasting espresso possible with your E.S.E. pod brewer.

How do Espresso Pod Brewers Work?

Espresso pods and the espresso pod brewers really came about at the same time.  The pod was originally created in 1959 by a Pennsylvania company, but it wasn’t until Illy created the ESE standard did the product really take off.  Illy also put a considerable amount of marketing and technology around the product bringing out both the brewer and the ESE pods.

A pod brewer works like a traditional espresso brewer, but is resembles a coffee maker.  This has made it widely accepted in homes and other places where espresso is appreciated, but maybe enjoyed infrequently.  Because of the electronics and other designs, the brewer can make a consistently good cup of espresso, where a traditional brewer has many variables including the human element.

E.S.E. pod brewers work by utilizing pre-ground espresso in small plastic cups called pods.  They are shaped like oversize creamer containers that you might find at your local Perkins.  Because they are pre-ground, pre-packaged, pre-packed, and perfectly measured, they have already taken a large number of variability out of making the end brew.  A human may grind the beans wrong, pack it too tight and use too much, thereby producing an inconsistent espresso shot.

This brewer is actually pretty simple.  It has a water tank, a pod holder, and an output.  Many units will also have a milk frother to allow you to make crema to complete the drink.  The user fills the water tank with water (typically enough for many cups).  They turn the unit on to allow it to bring the machine up to the proper operating temperature.  For the best end results, water temperature should be between 92 and 96 degrees.  Some more expensive models will allow you to adjust this if you like your drink a little hotter.  Some users will often heat their cup in the microwave or under hot water to insure their drink stays as hot as possible.

Place an ESE pod into the pod holder.  Push the top down to clamp the pod into place.  This will poke a hole at the top for the pressurized steam to push through the ground coffee.  A 2nd hole on the bottom of the pod will allow the finished espresso to flow out.  A typical pod brewer should produce a shot in about 45 seconds.  Because the pressure is actually very important when making espresso, a slower shot will have a muddy taste and a faster one will have less flavor.

When finished, simply open the top of the unit, remove the pod and toss it in the garbage.  Other than wiping down the milk frother and keeping the exterior of the unit clean, there is nothing more that needs to be done for maintenance.