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Backflush (clean)
Locking a blind basket into the group and running a short brew cycle with espresso machine cleaner, forcing cleaning solution backwards through the three-way valve to flush oils and residue.
Category: Maintenance & Servicing
Running a detergent cycle through the group head with a blind basket installed. The detergent dissolves coffee oils trapped in the brew path that water alone can't clear.
Why it matters — A weekly detergent backflush keeps the 3-way solenoid, shower screen, and group seat clean. Without it, oils harden, the solenoid gums, and the dispersion plate starts to retain odours.
Good to know
- Dose: a half-teaspoon of Cafiza or Puly Caff in the blind basket. Multiple short pulses (5 seconds on, 5 seconds off) work better than one long pull.
- Always finish with several water-only backflush cycles to rinse all detergent from the brew path.