Breville Infuser Coffee Machine Backflush Cleaning - Can You Use a Metal Blind Filter?

Grazz989 on 07/08/2022 - 21:54
Last edited 08/08/2022 - 10:25 by 1 other user

Hi all.

I recently bought a Breville Infuser 2nd hand, and I'd like to clean it with a backflush. Unfortunately, the guy I bought it from didn't include the rubber gasket thing you're supposed to put into the head basket. I was about to buy a new one (they're $6 on amazon, no idea if genuine or not) when a friend who's an ex-barista told me to get a fully metal blank basket instead.

While trying to research this, I found so much confusing info. Lots of youtube vids for example, show the rubber gasket being used, but 90% of the water still flowing out of the head. Half the comments say 'I did this and no water came out of the head' with replies to that saying 'yeah, the newer models don't pour water through the heads when you backflush' - Which sounds like what it should be doing, or at least not much water at all. No hint of what the hell does newer model means though … Newer revision of the rubber gasket, a different model with a different name entirely, same model with different software?

And again while I'm looking at all of this mess, my ex-barista buddy is telling me to just get a 54mm metal blind head but I don't even know if it would blow my machine up like a bomb!

… Help? Haha!

Food & Grocery Breville

Comments

  • helpdesk on 08/08/2022 - 06:59

    A metal blind basket would work best but could definitely still get away with using the rubber ones.
    The machine has an over pressure valve to protect it though the software would probably stop the flow before it blew the opv anyway.

    • Grazz989 on 08/08/2022 - 10:51

      Awesome. Alright well I'll buy one of both and see if it makes any meaningful difference. I just didn't want to blow my machine up haha!

  • theguyrules on 08/08/2022 - 09:05

    I just bought one of those rubber gaskets from amazon ($6 like you said, it arrived yesterday) and then realised my machine came with one

    • Grazz989 on 08/08/2022 - 10:51

      Haha, yeah it should definitely come with one, but people have said they're flimsy etc, it seems like they're almost disposable items so maybe having a spare isn't a bad idea anyway haha!

      • theguyrules on 08/08/2022 - 10:54

        There isnt much to it hey. I think whatever the tablets are will be more important. im guessing some sort of detergent.

        • Grazz989 on 08/08/2022 - 11:08

          Yeah, if you go to Amazon and search for like, S15 coffee machine tablets, then those are supposedly the same thing (the reviews like them in Breville machines anyway) and far cheaper than Breville branded ones.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2022 - 12:32

    I'd like to clean it with a backflush.

    If you're making 2-3 cups a day, make this a weekly or fortnightly ritual (with simple water backflush every other day).

    fully metal blank basket instead.

    Yep. That's much easier, IMHO.

    the rubber gasket being used, but 90% of the water still flowing out of the head.

    That's Breville's way of trying to idiot-proof the backflush. It means the group seal gets a bit of a wash at the same time and makes it easier to remove the group handle/portafilter after pressurising.

    'newer models don't pour water through the heads when you backflush' - Which sounds like what it should be doing, or at least not much water at all.

    It's software control over the operation of the solenoid. They improved it. Ideally, you want the detergent from the tablet or powder you're using to spend some time in the group head to dissolve the oils before you flush them out.

    my ex-barista buddy is telling me to just get a 54mm metal blind

    Listen to your EBB. 😉

    I don't even know if it would blow my machine up like a bomb!

    There is overpressure control. Just get a blind basket and get cleaning.

    • Grazz989 on 08/08/2022 - 19:58

      Does the solenoid software change improve general operation of the machine? i.e. will my machine not make as good a coffee as the new ones if it does let a bunch of water slip out when using the rubber gasket? … Actually, now that I think about, how does the solenoid operation make the difference between water escaping through the gasket or not?

      Further: If Breville saw fit to design the thing to also clean out the head gasket, does that mean I'll need to do that separately if I use a blind basket?

      Many thanks for your time!

      • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2022 - 22:00
        +1

        Does the solenoid software change improve general operation of the machine? i.e. will my machine not make as good a coffee as the new ones if it does let a bunch of water slip out when using the rubber gasket?

        Make little, if any difference to the brew performance.

        Actually, now that I think about, how does the solenoid operation make the difference between water escaping through the gasket or not?

        It's a 3 way 2 position high pressure solenoid valve (which I won't attempt to explain here or now as I need to get to bed for a 4am start tomorrow) and the update changed the amount of pressure at which the solenoid dumps residual pressure.

        Further: If Breville saw fit to design the thing to also clean out the head gasket, does that mean I'll need to do that separately if I use a blind basket?

        It just means that you'll clean the group seal and surrounds the same way cafes do. ;-)

        1. Get a group head cleaning brush (<$10 just about anywhere) and use it DAILY before step 2;

        2. With the blind filter installed, group handle loosely locked in place, and brew pump running you simply unlock the group handle when it tightens and water (and any grinds/gunk) will spill out. Quickly lock it back into position with the brew pump running and repeat a few times until what's left in the blind basket is just clear, hot water. All you're doing is spraying brew temp water around inside the group head to wash-away any loose grinds

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