Weber Workshops | Spring Clean™
A revolution in espresso machine cleaning, meet the patented-mechanism Spring Clean™. Our brand new see-thru version allows you to watch the process in all its grime-removing glory.
In March of 2023, Weber Workshops is releasing its second iteration of the Spring CleanTM. In 2020 Weber Workshops released the Spring CleanTM, which featured a patented and revolutionary mechanism for effectively back-flushing to clean an espresso machine group head. The updated Spring CleanTM maintains that mechanism but encases it in a shockproof and food-safe clear plastic that puts the cleaning show in the spotlight.v
The Spring Clean is a spring-loaded piston container that attaches to a 58mm machine group head in the same way as a portafilter. When the shot is activated, the water from the group head slowly fills up 200mL of hot water, either with or without detergent and then backflushes that entire volume through the dispersion screen and pipes leading to the 3-way solenoid, eventually back to the drip tray. Compared to the standard 10~15mL per flush with a standard blind portafilter, 200mL is a maelstrom of cleansing power by comparison. This means 1 cycle with detergent and 1 cycle without cleans as much as 20 or more cycles with a standard blind portafilter, saving barista time, saving wear on the machine, and in the end saving on repair costs (the 3-way solenoid is typically the first part to require maintenance, often costing upwards of $500 on a commercial machine).
The clear-bodied construction has massive benefits in that the barista can now directly see the level of cleanliness of brew water while cleaning. Watch the detergent dissolve, see it disappear back through the system, and repeat until all water runs crystal clear in and out. The ease of use and visualization means that quick cleans are also doable between shots for a quick freshen-up of the plumbing. This can help prevent flavor cross-talk more effectively than a purge as it also cleanses the return line (which is always in contact with the brew line).
This product was designed to save time and energy for the barista while providing a better clean to the espresso machine. By making machine maintenance easier and more gratifying, this in turn both improves the quality of the coffee and reduces necessary repairs. This will increase the longevity of the machine, prevent expensive maintenance costs in the long run, and allow quick flushes between coffee varietals to eliminate cross-talk in flavors.
