Cockroaches in a Coffee Machine: How to Get Them Out and Stop Them Coming Back
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. Cockroaches move into coffee machines for the warmth, the dark space inside the casing, and the coffee and milk residue. To get them out, unplug the machine, empty and wash every removable part, leave the machine unplugged in a bright spot, treat the kitchen […]
How to Clean a Coffee Machine Inside: Brew Unit, Group Head, Milk System and Water Circuit
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. To clean a coffee machine inside, rinse the brew path after every session, flush the milk system after every milk drink, clean the brew unit or group head weekly, run the machine’s cleaning cycle monthly, and descale when the machine asks. Skip these and […]
Why Does My Coffee Taste Burnt or Bitter? Machine Causes and Fixes
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. Coffee tastes burnt or bitter when old coffee oil in the machine goes rancid, when the coffee over-extracts from too fine a grind or too long a shot, when the water runs too hot, or when the beans are a dark, oily roast. Clean […]
How Hard Water Damages a Coffee Machine, and How to Stop Limescale
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. Hard water damages a coffee machine by leaving limescale inside the heater, pump, valves and pipes. The scale insulates the heater, narrows the water path and stops valves closing, so the coffee runs cooler, the flow weakens and leaks start inside the casing. To […]
Coffee Machine Tips for Beginners: Using Your Home Machine Without Breaking It
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. The most important tips for a new home coffee machine are setting the water hardness on day one, using fresh medium-roast beans, adjusting the grind only while the grinder runs, emptying the drip tray and grounds container daily, flushing the milk system after every […]
All You Need To Know About Adjusting A Coffee Grinder
Adjusting A Coffee Grinder Do you have a coffee grinder at home that you can’t seem to get the settings right for? Do you always seem to end up with either a grind that’s too coarse or too fine? Making the perfect cup of coffee requires several steps, not least of which is getting the […]
The Importance Of Tamping Coffee
Importance Of Tamping Coffee Making a perfect coffee is an art. It requires great artistic skill and a lot of effort. The coffee grounds used to the final step of coffee serving, each counts. Tamping coffee is one of the important steps in the process of coffee making. Proper tamping allows water to flow without […]
What Is Purging on a Coffee Machine? Steam Wand and Group Head Purging Explained
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. Purging on a coffee machine means opening the steam wand or running the group head for a second or two to clear out water, milk or old coffee before or after use. Purge the steam wand before frothing to blow out condensed water, and […]
How Often Should a Coffee Machine Be Serviced? Intervals, Warning Signs and What a Service Includes
Written by the technicians at our Randburg workshop. Updated November 2026. A home coffee machine used every day needs a workshop service once a year. An office machine needs one every six months, and a café machine every three to six months depending on volume. Book sooner if the coffee runs cooler, the pump gets […]