Cleaning the grinder, group and steam wand
Because the grinder, dosing and tamping are built in, day-to-day cleaning is as important as descaling. Coffee oils and fines build up in the burrs and around the group; milk residue clogs the steam wand if it isn't purged after every session.
Wipe the wand after every milk drink; brush the grinder and group weekly with regular use
Check your manual: Cleaning frequency depends on how often you pull shots and steam milk - check your manual for the grinder, group and steam-wand cleaning steps specific to the La Specialista Touch.
Step by step
- Purge and wipe the steam wand immediately after every milk session so milk never dries inside the tip.
- Brush out the grinder chamber and exit chute with a dry grinder brush to clear fines that would otherwise go stale.
- Remove and rinse the portafilter and baskets, and periodically brush the group screen to clear coffee oils.
- Wipe down the Smart Tamping Station and drip area so grounds don't accumulate.
- Don't backflush - this is a thermoblock machine without a commercial solenoid group and isn't designed for portafilter backflushing.
- Keep water away from the grinder burrs; brush them dry.
What you'll need
- Espresso-machine / grinder cleaning brush
- Espresso-machine cleaning detergent for soaking baskets
See the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch upgrade guide →
De'Longhi La Specialista Touch maintenance questions
How often should I perform cleaning the grinder, group and steam wand?
Use the cadence above as a planning reminder, then follow the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch manual because water hardness, usage, model revision, and machine alerts can change the interval.
Can I substitute a different cleaning procedure or product?
Do not assume procedures are interchangeable. Cleaning frequency depends on how often you pull shots and steam milk - check your manual for the grinder, group and steam-wand cleaning steps specific to the La Specialista Touch.