Breville espresso machines are cleaned with a built-in back-flush cycle using the cleaning disc, one tablet, and the 1 CUP basket, followed by hand-washing removable parts.
Cleaning on a Breville uses the machine’s own pump to push hot water backward through the group head, flushing old coffee oils out of the internal plumbing. That is a different job from descaling, and Breville’s manuals say so outright.
Cleaning vs. Descaling: Two Separate Jobs
Descaling removes mineral scale from the boiler and water lines; the cleaning cycle removes coffee oil and residue from the group head and brew path. Breville explicitly states the cleaning cycle is separate from descaling, so running one does not replace the other.
Skip the cleaning cycle and the symptoms show up in the cup: sour or flat shots, weak crema, and a group head that starts binding when you lock the portafilter in.
For hand-cleaning, use warm water and a gentle dishwashing liquid. Breville’s manuals prohibit abrasive cleaners, pads, or cloths that scratch, and they prohibit immersing the appliance, power cord, or plug in water or any other liquid. Let the machine cool and unplug it before removing parts where the manual calls for it.
Step-by-Step: Running the Cleaning Cycle
The core setup is identical across supported models: insert the 1 CUP filter basket into the portafilter, drop in the cleaning disc, then add one cleaning tablet. Lock the portafilter into the group head, set a large container under the spouts, fill the water tank with cold water, and empty the drip tray. From there, the button sequence is model-specific.
- Barista Express (BES870): With the machine off, press 1 CUP and 2 CUP together, then press POWER and hold all three buttons for about 10 seconds.
- Barista Express (BES870): The cycle runs about 5 minutes with water pulsing intermittently from the spouts. Three beeps mean it’s finished.
- Press MENU until CLEAN CYCLE flashes and PUSH appears, then press the illuminated MANUAL button.
- If the tablet hasn’t fully dissolved, repeat the sequence without inserting a new tablet.
| Model | How The Cycle Starts | Cycle Length |
|---|---|---|
| Barista Express (BES870) | Hold 1 CUP + 2 CUP + POWER ~10 sec | About 5 minutes |
| Dual Boiler (BES920) | MENU to CLEAN CYCLE, then MANUAL | 370-second countdown |
| Barista Touch (BES880) | Hand-clean removable parts; machine cools first | Not stated |
| Cleaning trigger | Manual start, or CLEAN ME! prompt (~200 shots) | Varies by model |
| Tablet repeat | Only if the tablet hasn’t dissolved — no new tablet | Same as first run |
Breville’s own walkthrough of the Barista Express cleaning cycle shows the full sequence on video if the button timing feels fiddly the first time. If you’re still shopping and want a machine that makes this routine easy, this roundup of the best espresso machine under 1000 covers what to look for.
Mistakes That Waste Tablets And Time
Most failed cleaning cycles come down to three errors. The first is confusing cleaning with descaling and expecting one to do the other’s job.
- Running the cycle without the cleaning disc or the correct tablet for your model.
- Starting with a full drip tray or a tank of anything but cold water.
- Dropping in a fresh tablet before confirming the previous one dissolved.
- Soaking electrical components or scrubbing parts with abrasive pads.
The Barista Touch (BES880) procedure differs from the back-flush models: unplug the machine, let it cool, then clean the water tank, portafilter, filter basket, and jug by hand with warm water and gentle dishwashing liquid before rinsing and drying them thoroughly. A gray option or a prompt that never appears usually means the button sequence didn’t register — power the machine off completely and start the hold again rather than pressing through the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the cleaning cycle also descale the machine?
No. Breville treats these as two separate processes, and the manuals state it directly. The back-flush cycle with a tablet clears coffee oils from the group head and brew path, while descaling removes mineral scale from the boiler and water lines. If your shots taste flat and the machine has never been descaled, run that procedure separately — no amount of cleaning tablets will fix scale buildup.
How often should I run a cleaning cycle?
On models without that prompt, lean on your daily volume:
Can I use a different brand of cleaning tablet?
Breville’s instructions specify one cleaning tablet sized for the cleaning disc, and the repeat rule matters more than the brand. If the tablet hasn’t fully dissolved when the cycle ends, run the sequence again without adding a new one. Using a tablet too large for the disc can block the flow path and leave residue behind in the group head.
References & Sources
- Breville. “How to Perform a Cleaning Cycle — the Barista Express.” Source for the Barista Express button sequence and cycle timing.
- Breville. “the Barista Express (BES870) Instruction Manual.” Confirms the 1 CUP basket, cleaning disc, and tablet setup.
- Breville. “Cleaning & Maintenance.” Source for weekly part cleaning, grinder and tank intervals, and prohibited cleaners.