How to Take Care of Your Commercial Coffee Machine

A commercial coffee machine is one of the most valuable investments a business can make. Whether you run a bustling café, a busy office, or a hospitality venue, your machine is at the heart of your drinks service, delivering great-tasting coffee to clients, colleagues and customers every day.

To keep it performing at its best, regular maintenance and cleaning are essential. Looking after your machine not only prolongs its lifespan but also ensures every cup meets the high standards your business expects. In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions by commercial coffee machine owners. Including how long a machine should last, the cleaning products you’ll need and how often to carry out maintenance.

How Long Should a Commercial Coffee Machine Last?

With proper care, a high-quality commercial coffee machine should last between 5 and 10 years, sometimes longer. However, this depends heavily on:

• Usage levels: A machine making hundreds of drinks per day will naturally experience more wear than one used by a small office.
• Maintenance routine: Daily cleaning and regular servicing are critical to keeping components working efficiently.
• Water quality: Limescale build-up is one of the leading causes of machine damage. Using filtration systems helps to prevent this.
• Servicing and repairs: Having a professional service plan in place ensures minor issues are dealt with efficiently before they become costly breakdowns.

By sticking to a strong cleaning schedule and booking regular servicing, you can maximise the return on your investment and avoid premature replacements.

What Cleaning Products Should I Use for My Commercial Coffee Machine?

Not all cleaning products are suitable for professional coffee machines. Using the wrong chemicals could damage components, affect taste, or even void your warranty. Stick to products designed specifically for commercial use:

• Group head cleaner (powder or tablets) to remove coffee oils and residue from traditional espresso machines.
• Descaler to reduce limescale build-up, which is especially important in hard water areas.
• Milk system cleaner for automatic steam wands and fresh milk systems.
• Cleaning brushes and cloths for wiping down external parts, drip trays and steam nozzles.

It’s also important to avoid generic household detergents, which may be too harsh or leave residues that alter the flavour of your coffee.

How Often Should a Commercial Coffee Machine Be Cleaned?

The short answer is every day!

Coffee oils, milk proteins and limescale build up quickly and if left unchecked, they can clog filters, damage parts and ruin the taste of drinks.

Here’s the recommended cleaning schedule for a traditional espresso machine:

• Daily: Backflush group heads, clean steam wands, empty drip trays, wipe down surfaces, and run cleaning cycles (if available).
• Weekly: Deep clean group heads with chemical cleaner, soak portafilters and baskets and flush milk lines.
• Monthly: Check water filter systems and descale if necessary.
• Annually: Book a professional service to carry out a full inspection and replace worn parts.

Here’s the recommended cleaning schedule for a bean to cup coffee machine:

• Daily: Run the daily clean function on your machine; step-by-step instructions will appear on the screen to make things easy and hassle-free.
• Weekly: Depending on your model and usage, a deeper weekly clean may also be needed. This will often involve a more in-depth automated cleaning, alongside checking the hoppers, brew units and grinders.
• Monthly: Check water filter systems and descale if necessary. If not checked in the weekly clean, it is recommended that you check the hoppers, brew units and grinders.
• Annually: Book a professional service to carry out a full inspection and replace worn parts.

Following routines like the above helps keep your machine hygienic, efficient and ready to deliver quality drinks day after day.

For a more detailed look at cleaning routines and step-by-step instructions, check out our Ultimate Coffee Machine Cleaning Guide.

Do Coffee Machines Need Professional Servicing?

While daily cleaning is to be done in-house, professional servicing is essential for spotting issues that might not be visible. Technicians can check pressure levels, calibrate grinders, replace seals, descale boilers and anything else that might be needed. This sort of inspection will help keep your machine working in prime condition.

At Liquidline, we are proud to offer nationwide servicing and maintenance packages, with fast response times and preventative care to keep your equipment running smoothly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, some cleaning habits can do more harm than good. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:

• Using household vinegar or bleach for descaling.
• Leaving milk residue on steam wands overnight.
• Ignoring minor leaks or drops in performance.
• Forgetting to replace water filters regularly.

Avoiding these pitfalls can save you costly repairs and ensure every cup tastes just as it should.

Extending The Life & Performance of Your Machine

Taking care of your commercial coffee machine isn’t complicated, but it does require consistency. With daily cleaning, the right products and regular servicing, your machine can deliver great-tasting coffee for years to come.

At Liquidline, we don’t just supply premium commercial coffee machines, we support you with expert advice, nationwide servicing and tailored maintenance plans to help you get the most out of your investment. Contact us today to find out how we can support your business.