And then the moment arrives when your new espresso machine is ready to be unboxed. You're eager to start experimenting right away, but wait a minute: the machine comes straight from the factory, and without any preparation, you'll taste it in your espresso.
At FREKKO, we've created a step-by-step plan to ensure your espresso machine is perfectly ready for its first use.
1. Wipe it clean
While unpacking the machine, you'll be handling the parts. Clean the filter holder and any loose parts with a damp cloth. Also rinse the water tank to remove any dust or plastic particles.
Clean the water reservoir with some water.
2. Set up
Place the machine on a flat, sturdy surface. A tilted machine will result in uneven extraction and therefore poorer quality espresso.
Put down your machine.
3. Fill with water
Before using the machine for the first time, we'll thoroughly rinse it. It's best to use filtered or spring water; this prevents limescale buildup and improves the taste.
Fill the water reservoir.
4. Turn on the machine
Now you can turn on the machine. As soon as you turn it on, it will begin heating up. Depending on the model, this may take a few minutes. However, the machine doesn't need to be fully heated to flush.
Turn on your espresso machine.
5. Flush
To clean all the pipes, we first run water through the machine. Do this in increments of approximately 100 ml.
- Place an empty filter holder in the brewing unit.
- Start the water flow and let about 100 ml of water run through.
- Please note that the first time it may take a while before the first drops appear.
- Repeat this 5 times.
In total you have now run about 500 ml of water through the machine.
6. Warming up
To make good espresso, not only the machine itself but also the portafilter must be warm. Therefore, leave the portafilter in the group while it's heating up. This will ensure a more stable temperature during extraction.
Allow the machine to warm up completely before making your first espresso.
7. Hot water tap?
Do you have a machine with a double boiler? And a hot water tap? Then also flush water through the hot water tap. This will also cover the boiler and pipe. You'll need 500ml of water for this as well, as you'll need to fill the second boiler.
Turn on the hot water tap and rinse about 500 ml.
8. Espresso!
Removed all the protective film? Cleaned the filter holder? Flushed the machine? Did you forget the hot water tap? And is the machine fully heated? Then you're ready for your first espresso!
Happy brewing!
Ready for your first espresso?
FREKKO has a standard recipe for espresso. This is a guideline, a starting point from which you can begin experimenting. Every grinder and every coffee is different.
Read here: FREKKO's standard espresso recipe.
For every coffee and every coffee grinder you use the rule:
If the coffee is acidic , grind finer (flow time will be longer).
If the coffee is bitter , grind coarser (flow time will be shorter).
How do I clean my espresso machine?
The best coffee comes from a clean espresso machine. And a well-maintained espresso machine makes fewer mistakes and ensures a longer lifespan. We've created a blog post explaining how to clean your espresso machine.
Read here: How do I clean my espresso machine?
Why can't I just use tap water?
Tap water seems logical and easy, but it's really not good for espresso machines. When heated in your machine, boiler, or water tank, limescale builds up and forms a white, hard layer on interior walls, pipes, and components.
Limescale causes:
- poorer temperature stability
- unpredictable flow
- a bitter, flat coffee taste
- a machine that breaks down or requires maintenance more quickly
Therefore, always use filtered water or spring water.
Read here: What does limescale do to your espresso machine?
Which accessories are useful to use?
Good accessories make a huge difference in both taste and method. Why not make it easier on yourself? ;]
WDT tool
Use a WDT tool to "stir" the ground coffee in the filter holder. This prevents clumps and ensures a smooth distribution of the coffee in your filter holder.
Result: less channeling and a more even extraction.
Milk jug
The milk jug we offer at FREKKO has a spout suitable for both beginners and experienced home baristas. Want to truly create next-level latte art? Then you'll need a milk jug with a more pointed spout.
- 350 ml → Ideal for 1 cappuccino.
- 600 ml → Perfect for 2 cappuccinos or larger milk drinks.
Tamp station
A tamping station allows you to tamp stably, evenly, and comfortably without having to hold the portafilter. This protects your worktop and reduces pressure on the portafilter, keeping it proportional and extending its lifespan.
Libra
A good barista scale measures both your dose (in) and your yield (out). This allows you to track the flow time of your espresso and then repeat your recipe exactly.
Tamper
Tamping coffee is quite an art. You want the tamper to be perfectly level with the coffee, and you don't want to press too lightly or too hard. So, what's the difference between tampers?
- Classic tamper: manual tamping, you determine the pressure yourself.
- Spring tamper : always provides the same pressure thanks to a built-in spring.
Filter basket VST
Standard filter baskets work fine, especially for a beginner barista. But with a VST filter basket, you'll get more out of your espresso. Thanks to the extremely precise perforation, you get a predictable extraction and a fuller flavor.
- An 18-gram cup is the most commonly used size and fits almost any espresso machine.
Cleaning products
We recommend powder cleaning products because they're effective and easy to dose. What do you need?
- Backflush agent : removes coffee and oil residues in the brewing unit.
- Descaler : removes limescale in the boiler and pipes.
Ready for your first espresso!
Now that your machine is completely flushed, heated, and clean, you're ready to brew your first real espresso. Experiment with different coffee beans, try the FREKKO coffees, and discover your favorite flavor profile.
Enjoy and happy brewing!
