Cleaning Your Espresso Machine
A clean machine makes better espresso, steams milk smoother, and prevents weird tastes. Use this simple routine to keep your Talos 20 running like new—daily, weekly, and every few months.
What you’ll need
- Soft cloth or microfiber towel
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Cleaning brush (the one that came with the machine)
- Descaling tablets or liquid descaler (or diluted white vinegar)
- A 1L container (or large bowl) to catch water
Talos 20 cleaning targets
- Daily: rinse + wipe key parts after use
- Weekly: clean grinder chamber + deeper wipe-down
- Descale: every 4–6 months or after ~200 brews (or when the descaling light flashes)
How to clean it (daily routine)
- Rinse the portafilter + filter basket: knock out the puck, rinse with warm water, and let it dry.
- Empty and rinse the drip tray: wash with warm water (mild soap if needed), then dry.
- Rinse the water tank: empty old water, quick rinse, refill with fresh water.
- Purge + wipe the steam wand: after steaming milk, run steam briefly to clear milk inside the wand, then wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
- Wipe the exterior: use a damp cloth only (don’t immerse the machine).
Weekly cleaning (10-minute reset)
- Clean the grinder chamber: remove the bean hopper and inner burr.
- Brush out the grounds: use the cleaning brush to sweep the grinding chamber + outlet.
- Reinstall properly: put everything back snug and aligned.
- Deep clean removable parts: wash portafilter, baskets, drip tray, and tank with warm water + mild detergent, then dry thoroughly.
Descaling (every 4–6 months)
Descaling removes mineral buildup so your machine heats, flows, and tastes right. This cycle takes about 10 minutes.
Mix your descaling solution (choose one)
- Tablets: Add tablets to 1 liter of water and wait until fully dissolved.
- Liquid descaler: Add about ½ cup descaling solution, then fill with 1 liter warm water and mix.
- White vinegar option: Add 1.5 tbsp white vinegar, then fill with 1 liter warm water and mix.
Run the descaling cycle
- Fill the water tank with your solution and install it into the machine.
- Place a 1L container under the brew head and another under the steam wand.
- Hold Steam Preheat + Double Shot for 3 seconds (you’ll hear a buzzer).
- Turn the steam knob to the steam setting. Hot water will flow from the brew head and steam wand.
- When finished, the machine will beep again and return to standby.
Rinse cycle (don’t skip)
- Dump any remaining solution and rinse the tank thoroughly.
- Fill the tank with more than 1 liter of fresh water.
- Repeat the descaling steps (containers in place → hold buttons → run) to flush the system.
Quick tips
- Steam wand rule: purge + wipe every time you steam milk (milk residue hardens fast).
- Bad taste? Often it’s old oils/grounds—do the weekly grinder clean + rinse all removable parts.
- Never immerse the machine and avoid harsh/acidic cleaners on the body.
- Tank note: hand-wash only (not dishwasher-safe).
