Cleaning brushed stainless steel

Beginner and pro baristas share tips and tricks for making espresso.
primato
Posts: 8
Joined: 16 years ago

#1: Post by primato »

Anybody have a good technique for cleaning plating made of brushed stainless steel?

User avatar
Randy G.
Posts: 5340
Joined: 17 years ago

#2: Post by Randy G. »

Use a weak solution of espresso machine cleaner (backflush detergent) or TSP in water, wipe with a towel damp with water, and then wipe dry with a microfiber rag. That will remove fingerprints, coffee residue, etc.
EspressoMyEspresso.com - 2000-2023 - a good run, its time is done

User avatar
Psyd
Posts: 2082
Joined: 18 years ago

#3: Post by Psyd »

I use a slightly damp microfibre cloth with good results, and cheap vodka instead of expensive coffee cleaner (; >) for a food-safe cleaner. My microfibre cloths will just push any water around, and not absorb well, if they're dry. I find that dampening them and wringing them make them absorb better. YMMV.
Espresso Sniper
One Shot, One Kill

LMWDP #175

User avatar
cannonfodder
Team HB
Posts: 10497
Joined: 19 years ago

#4: Post by cannonfodder »

I just use a microfiber cloth. I will give it a blast with the steam wand to lightly moisten it and wipe away.
Dave Stephens

User avatar
DC
Posts: 117
Joined: 17 years ago

#5: Post by DC »

I don't know if you have access to WD40 (see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40) or an equivelant but it is absolutely brilliant for cleaning stainless steel, I clean all our non-food-contact SS surfaces with it.
Dave

User avatar
cannonfodder
Team HB
Posts: 10497
Joined: 19 years ago

#6: Post by cannonfodder »

That may work for a cabinet in the garage, but I don't want WD40 flavored espresso. It is not very food safe
Dave Stephens

User avatar
DC
Posts: 117
Joined: 17 years ago

#7: Post by DC »

ummm... no but I assumed by "plating made of stanless steel" he meant surfaces/outside of machine, for which a small squib on a cloth is absolutely fine.

i obviously don't use WD40 on the innards and coffee-contact surfaces :?

EDIT - modified the first post to make it more clear
Dave

User avatar
espressme
Posts: 1406
Joined: 18 years ago

#8: Post by espressme »

In the Restaurant kitchen we used sparkling water/ Carbonated water. At home the steam dampened microfiber cloth.
Really dirty incoming machine, whatever works! All of the above posters' solutions.
-Richard
richard penney LMWDP #090,

Alan Frew
Posts: 659
Joined: 16 years ago

#9: Post by Alan Frew »

primato wrote:Anybody have a good technique for cleaning plating made of brushed stainless steel?
Don't know about you amateurs, but us professionals use Windex and a paper towel. As degree of difficulty of removing crud escalates, you can take it all the way up to methylene chloride, after all, it IS stainless steel. Scratches can be treated with a gentle brushing with a Scotchbrite in the "grain" direction.

Alan

k7qz
Posts: 236
Joined: 19 years ago

#10: Post by k7qz »

I think it depends on what/where you're trying to clean. For smudges, splatters and fingerprints on the outside case of my machine, as above, Windex and a soft rag works fine. For baked on espresso gunk, I'll soak the part in espresso machine cleaner for a few hours or even overnight. If I'm trying to get coffee oil off of my backsplash (here's my original contribution to this thread...) I'll remove the cover in question, smear it with a coat of liquid dish soap (readily available in every kitchen and inexpensive) let it sit for several minutes then wash it off while scrubbing a bit with a soft rag. Rinse well, dry and re-install. If you're trying to remove scratches or pitting, well...

Besides, I don't want my machine looking too clean, people might think it's never been used and I'm an amateur barista or some such thing! :lol:

Post Reply