How to Clean a Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Quick Answer

To clean a super automatic espresso machine, start with a daily rinse of the brew group and drip tray, then perform a weekly deep clean of the brew group with cleaning tablets, and descale every 1–3 months depending on water hardness.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Routine

1. 1. Daily Rinse and Empty: After your last shot, run a hot water rinse cycle through the group head. Empty and rinse the drip tray and coffee grounds container. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth and purge steam for a few seconds. Do not leave wet grounds in the container overnight; they can mold and clog the machine.
2. 2. Weekly Brew Group Cleaning with Tablets: Remove the brew group according to your machine's manual. Place one RENEKA Cleaning Tablet in the brew group area (or in the tablet slot if your machine has one). Reinsert the brew group and run a cleaning cycle (usually a dedicated program). Afterward, rinse the brew group under warm running water and let it air dry. Never use dish soap on the brew group—it can leave residues that affect taste and damage seals.
3. 3. Descaling Every 1–3 Months: Fill the water tank with descaling solution mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Start the descaling program on your machine. When the cycle finishes, rinse the tank thoroughly and run two full tanks of fresh water through the machine to remove any leftover solution. If your machine has a water hardness setting, adjust it after descaling to optimize future cleaning intervals.
4. 4. Deep Clean the Steam Wand: Soak the tip of the steam wand in hot water mixed with a descaling solution for 10 minutes. Use a pin to clear any blocked holes. Rinse thoroughly and wipe with a clean cloth. Always purge the wand immediately after steaming milk to prevent milk solids from baking onto the tip.
5. 5. Clean the Bean Hopper and Grinder: Empty the bean hopper and wipe it with a dry cloth. Run a grinder cleaning tablet (if recommended by your machine's brand) or use a vacuum to remove ground coffee dust from the burrs. Do not use water or wet cloths inside the grinder. Oily beans can gum up the burrs; if you notice slower grinding, consider a grinder cleaning tablet designed for your model.

Products That Help

• Nivona Kaffeevollautomat CafeRomatica NICR 796: The Nivona CafeRomatica NICR 796 is a super automatic machine with a modern design and German engineering, featuring a central control knob for easy operation. Its intuitive interface makes it simple to access cleaning programs, so you can run rinse and descale cycles without digging through a manual.

  

• RENEKA Reinigungstabletten - Cleaning Tablets für Kaffeemaschinen: RENEKA Cleaning Tablets are designed to remove fats and proteins from the brew group and circulation system of espresso machines. These tablets are essential for weekly brew group cleaning, preventing oily buildup that can cause bitter shots and slow extraction.