Weekly backflush

The cleaning cycle: get it ready

The manual's cleaning cycle is a backflush, separate from descaling. Run it when the CLEAN / DESCALE light (UK: CLEAN ME) flashes, not on a fixed day; Breville does not say how many shots set it off.

1. Wait for the CLEAN light to flash.
2. Put the 1 CUP basket in the portafilter, then the cleaning disc.
3. Put 1 cleaning tablet in the centre of the disc (the manual) and lock the portafilter in. Sage now sells its Group Head Cleaner as powder: tip in one 5 g sachet in place of the tablet.
4. Put a large container under the spouts.
5. Fill the tank with cold water and empty the drip tray.
6. Press POWER to switch the machine off.

The cleaning cycle: run it

The manual's steps.

1. Hold 1 CUP and 2 CUP together, then press POWER and hold all three for about 10 seconds (US manual) or 3 seconds (UK guide).
2. Wait about 5 minutes while water flushes in bursts. The machine beeps when it is done: 2 beeps in the current US manual, 3 in older books.
3. Check the tablet or powder has dissolved. If not, run the cycle again.
4. Take the disc out, lock the portafilter back in and press 2 CUP to rinse (UK guide).
5. Wipe off splashes and empty the container and the tray.

With a disc that has no centre hole, almost no water comes through the portafilter: that is normal (UK guide).

Breville / Sage Barista Express: every job