Hey, is it ok to use a toothbrush to clean out the showerscreen and the baskets? Sorry for the stupid question, but, it wont makes the holes any larger will it? What if I sortof bang the bristles against it?

I cant imagine it would, but I read some accounts that made me slightly concerned. Let me know what you think.

The bristles of a toothbrush are smaller than a "real" brewhead brush, and I think you will find that the problem is not about enlarging the holes in the screen or basket, but of bristles getting caught in the holes. But even well beyond that, the screen is not the area that most needs the attention. The area most in need of a good scrubbing after each session is the brewhead gasket. The shower screen can be cleaned quite well with a blank shot of water and a wipe with a towel. A clear-water backflush once a week, and a chemical backflush once a month will do the rest. The basket can be washed in hot water with a small amount of dish soap if necessary, and then cleaned once a month or so with backflush detergent.

I don't know that the bristles of the toothbrush can stand up to the heat. I'm not sure what they're made of but they seem meltable. Also, they will definitely wear out MUCH more quickly than say, a Pallo brush.

brad

I think that brushing the shower screen is overrated, and can easily be more detrimental than helpful. Flush some water through after removing the portafilter then just wipe with a towel. Using a brush is just as likely to shove coffee into the screen as removing it. I have a set of towel I us for coffee and I wet the corner and throw it over my shoulder before beginning a session. It is used to wipe the steam wand after the milk jug is removed, I wipe the shower screen with it, and also run it around in the group to clean the gasket after brushing. So, IMO, the fins on brushes are not necessary. On the other hand, cleaning of the gasket is very important. It helps maintain a good seal with a minimum of tightening of the portafilter, and it extends its like.

Randy G. wrote:I think that brushing the shower screen is overrated, and can easily be more detrimental than helpful. Flush some water through after removing the portafilter then just wipe with a towel. Using a brush is just as likely to shove coffee into the screen as removing it. I have a set of towel I us for coffee and I wet the corner and throw it over my shoulder before beginning a session. It is used to wipe the steam wand after the milk jug is removed, I wipe the shower screen with it, and also run it around in the group to clean the gasket after brushing. So, IMO, the fins on brushes are not necessary. On the other hand, cleaning of the gasket is very important. It helps maintain a good seal with a minimum of tightening of the portafilter, and it extends its like.

I have to disagree with a couple of things.

1. I've never had a group brush force coffee up into the screen.
2. I like to use separate towels, one for wiping milk / wand and one for wiping group / portafilter.
3. The purpose of the fins, like Chris said, is to prevent hot water from running down the handle and burning your hand. I think it's an essential feature, unless you completely avoid running the pump and brushing at the same time.

But you do make a good point that one shouldn't neglect cleaning the gasket.

DigMe wrote:I don't know that the bristles of the toothbrush can stand up to the heat. I'm not sure what they're made of but they seem meltable. Also, they will definitely wear out MUCH more quickly than say, a Pallo brush.

Agreed. I went the toothbrush route for a short time when I first got my Gaggia. The body of the toothbrush actually started to warp from heat after a few uses.

My Pallo tool, on the other hand, hasn't needed replacement after months and months of use.

workinghard wrote:Hey, is it ok to use a toothbrush to clean out the showerscreen and the baskets?

I tried an old toothbrush at first. But all my espressos seemed to have this strange minty flavor -- sort of like, um, Crest toothpaste.

Never did figure out why, but the odd flavor went away when I got a regular brewhead brush.

AndyS wrote:I tried an old toothbrush at first. But all my espressos seemed to have this strange minty flavor -- sort of like, um, Crest toothpaste.

You must have forgotten to floss your portafilter spouts first.

workinghard wrote:Hey, is it ok to use a toothbrush to clean out the showerscreen and the baskets? Sorry for the stupid question, but, it wont makes the holes any larger will it? What if I sortof bang the bristles against it?

Hi folks...
I went to a dollar store and bought two brown-bristled stiff brushes which have a straw-like (really tough) bristles on these little babies. They are natural not synthetic, and work great for scrubbing the screen...

I removed the handles (with pliers in 3 seconds) since they had little round wooden heads that the bristles were ''stuck'' into. This is my screen cleaner.

For the slot, I just take a Tupperware orange peeler, wrap a bit of my cleanup rag around it, soak it in hot water and run it around inside the slot...more efficient than any brush, and cleans better. I can feel the pressure I'm applying to the slot...