Cleaning your Breville espresso machine isn’t the most glamorous part of coffee-making, but it’s one of the most important. Every shot of espresso runs water through finely ground beans and oils. Over time, those oils stick to your machine’s internal parts, leading to bitter flavors, poor extraction, and eventually clogged systems.
This is where cleaning tablets come in. They’re specifically designed to break down coffee oils, residue, and buildup inside your Breville. The best part? Using them is quick, straightforward, and extends the life of your machine. Whether you’re brand-new to Breville or a seasoned home barista, this article will help you keep your espresso tasting as fresh as the day you unboxed your machine.
Step-by-Step Guide — Breville Cleaning Tablets Instructions
Preparing the Machine and Tablet
-
Start with a machine that is cool and switched off. Remove the portafilter, drip tray, and water tank for a quick rinse.
-
Place a Breville cleaning tablet into the cleaning disc or the designated slot in your portafilter (depending on your model). The cleaning disc is a rubber insert that holds the tablet in place during the cleaning cycle.
-
Reassemble the portafilter and lock it back into the group head, just like you would when pulling a normal shot.
Running the Cleaning Cycle
-
Many Breville machines have a dedicated cleaning cycle. Check your model’s manual for exact button combinations (commonly a long press of “1 Cup” and “2 Cup” together).
-
Once started, the machine will run a series of pressure-and-release cycles that dissolve the tablet and push the solution through the system.
-
The cycle should last about 5 minutes. At the end, remove the portafilter, rinse it thoroughly, and run a water-only cycle to flush any remaining cleaner.
How to Clean Breville Espresso Machine Without Tablets
-
If you’ve run out of cleaning tablets, don’t panic! You can still clean effectively.
-
Use the cleaning disc with a small amount of hot water and a drop of unscented dish soap. Run the cleaning cycle, then flush thoroughly with multiple water-only cycles to avoid soapy aftertaste.
-
For light maintenance between tablet cleanings, backflushing with water only (using the cleaning disc without a tablet) helps keep oils from building up too quickly.
Cleaning Frequency, Tips, and Common Mistakes
How Often Should You Use Cleaning Tablets?
One of the most common questions Breville owners ask is how often they should be using cleaning tablets. The answer depends on how heavily you use your machine, but a good rule of thumb is every four to eight weeks. For those pulling multiple shots every day, closer to the three or four-week mark will keep things running smoothly. If you only use your Breville a few times a week, stretching the cycle to two months is usually safe.
Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Breville
Aside from following a schedule, it’s worth paying attention to warning signs from your machine. A sudden bitter edge to your espresso, weaker water flow from the group head, or visible buildup on the portafilter are all signals that cleaning is overdue. Treating these as cues helps you respond before the flavor of your drinks really suffers.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using Cleaning Tablets
There are also some common mistakes worth avoiding. The biggest one is skipping the rinse cycle after using a tablet. If you don’t flush the system thoroughly with clean water, a trace of detergent can linger and affect the taste of your next shot. Another is confusing cleaning tablets with descaling solution. Tablets are designed for coffee oils, while descaler removes mineral buildup — the two are not interchangeable. And finally, waiting too long between cleanings only makes the job harder. Buildup that’s left for months can clog valves and shorten the lifespan of your machine.
Why Breville Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets Matter
Breville Cleaning Tablets vs Descaler
It’s tempting to think of cleaning tablets as optional, especially if you already descale regularly. But the two processes target completely different problems. Descaler works on mineral deposits from hard water, while cleaning tablets are designed to break down coffee oils and residue. Both are essential to keeping your Breville in peak condition.
How Breville Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets Work
So how do cleaning tablets actually work? Once dissolved in the machine, they release a mild detergent that loosens and washes away oils coating the group head, solenoid valves, and internal pathways. These are places plain water can’t reach effectively. Over time, those oils can turn rancid and give your espresso an unpleasant bitterness, so removing them keeps your drinks tasting clean and balanced.
Benefits of Using Cleaning Tablets Regularly
Using cleaning tablets regularly also supports consistency. A machine that’s free from buildup delivers water at the right pressure and flows evenly through the coffee puck. That means fewer unpredictable extractions and more reliable flavor in every shot. In the long run, regular cleaning also reduces strain on pumps and seals, which translates into fewer breakdowns and a longer life for your machine.
Keep Your Breville in Peak Condition
Breville espresso machines are built for great coffee at home, but need regular care to deliver their best. Cleaning tablets make the process easy: just drop, run, and rinse. Used alongside descaling, they keep your machine tasting fresh, running smoothly, and lasting longer.
If you want every shot to taste as clean and balanced as possible, don’t treat cleaning as optional — treat it as part of your coffee ritual. And once your machine is spotless, the right brewing tools make all the difference.
Pesado’s precision-built baskets, portafilters, and distributors are designed to pair with Breville machines, helping you get café-quality consistency from every shot.
