Cleaning brush

A brush with stiff natural or nylon bristles, used to clear coffee grounds and oils from the group head, shower screen, and grinder. Heads come in different shapes — angled for group heads, flat for benches, slim for grinder chutes.

Why it matters — Coffee grounds and oils that build up around the shower screen and group seat dry into hard residue that channels water unevenly during the next shot. A 10-second brush between shots prevents most of that.

Good to know

• Keep a dedicated group brush next to the machine and use it after every session.
• Replace when bristles splay — a worn brush just moves grime around.

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