How do you maintain a Sage piston machine?
Get started with maintenance
We'll go through the 5 steps of maintenance for your Sage piston machine in this article. If you go through these steps, you can keep your coffee machine clean.
- Step 1. Clean the brew group
- Step 2. Clean the steam wand
- Step 3. Replace the water filter every 3 months
- Step 4. Run the descaling program
- Step 5. Run the cleaning program
Step 1: clean the brew group
Rinse
One of the most important parts of your piston machine is the brew group. It's also important to keep it clean. You can do that in 2 steps: rinsing and backflush. A lot of coffee residue builds up in the brew group. When these stay, they affect the coffee flavor. It's important that you rinse the machine before and after you make coffee. This leaves as little coffee residue as possible. You can rinse by running the coffee machine without coffee.
Backflush
When you backflush, you send water back into the machine with a blind filter. That's an accessory that's included by default. It's a rubber round accessory that fits in your portafilter. Place the portafilter in the machine an make a shot of espresso. This is designed in such a way the the machine applies pressure as if it's making a shot of espresso. This way, the water flows straight into the drip tray. The machine cleans the brew group and pipes. You can do this with all Sage piston machines, except the Bambino. That one does it automatically.
Step 2: clean the steam wand
We recommend to rinse the steam wand before you froth milk. After you froth the milk, it's important to wipe the wand down with a damp cloth and rinse it again. Only use this cloth for the steam wand and not the coffee residue. To clean it thoroughly, place the steam wand in a glass of hot water and let it soak. Afterwards, you can twist off the end of the steam wand and use the cleaning tool to pierce the holes. Sage machines with an automatic steam wand clean the steam wand automatically after frothing milk.
Step 3: replace the water filter every 3 months
The cleaner the water, the cleaner your coffee. That's why it's important to use a Sage water filter and replace it often. You'll get a water filter with an attachment with your Sage piston machine right away. If you use this, you prevent impurities and limescale. Replace the water filter every 3 months. The water tank will indicate how to install or replace the water filter. For example, twist the dial at the top of the filter forward 3 months. Afterwards, put it in a bowl of water and push out the air bubbles. Then, place the water filter in the water tank.
Step 4: Run the descaling program
The harder the water, the faster limescale builds up. So, you have to descale the machine when it notifies you. Make sure the drip tray and water tank are empty. Remove the water filter and take the Sage descaler that came with the machine. Mix the powder with 1L warm water and pour this in the water tank. Place a container of at least 2L under the steam wand and brew group. It differs per machine how you can run the descaling program. Check the manual of your machine for this. After you descale the machine, rinse the machine with water.
Step 5: Run the cleaning program
In addition to descaling, you can also clean the inside of the machine with a cleaning tablet. Place the container for 1 espresso in the portafilter with the rubber round accessory. Place the portafilter in the machine and make sure the water tank is filled. Also make sure the drip tray is empty. It differs per machine how you run the cleaning program, so check the manual for this. When the program is running, the machine cleans itself. This takes about 5 minutes. When the machine is done, check if the tablet is completely dissolved. If that's not the case, repeat the steps. Rinse the machine with water.
