In the world of specialty coffee , where every espresso or cappuccino shot is a masterpiece of precision and balance, a coffee machine is an essential partner for any coffee enthusiast or owner. However, some common mistakes can significantly reduce the lifespan of a coffee machine , affecting beverage quality, increasing costs, and causing unwanted downtime. If you use professional coffee machines like the Ariete Zoe coffee machine for home use or the Sanremo 2 Group coffee machine in a commercial coffee shop, avoiding these mistakes can extend the machine's lifespan from 5-7 years to 15 years or more. In this comprehensive guide for 2025, we review the top five common mistakes that shorten the lifespan of a coffee machine , detailing their impact, how to avoid them, and practical maintenance tips. We also cover the most frequently asked questions on the topic, urging you to visit the Coffee Luxury store for coffee supplies such as water filters, specialized cleaning materials, and regular maintenance services that help avoid these mistakes. Order now from the Coffee Luxury store .
Why should you avoid common mistakes in coffee machine maintenance? Introduction: How it affects lifespan
Before diving into the details, let's understand why common coffee machine maintenance mistakes are such a risk. The average lifespan of a coffee machine is 5-15 years, depending on the type and usage, but mistakes can cut that lifespan by half. According to reports from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), in 2025, 70% of malfunctions were caused by improper maintenance, resulting in losses of up to 5,000 riyals annually for cafe owners in repairs and downtime. These mistakes not only shorten the lifespan, but also affect the quality of specialty coffee , as they can change the taste to bitter or metallic and reduce the crema in espresso. Avoiding them means financial savings, continued production, and perfect coffee every day. At Coffee Luxury , we see daily how our services help avoid these mistakes, extending the lifespan of machines by up to 50% for our customers—start today by requesting a free consultation from our website!
Mistake 1: Not Cleaning Regularly – How Does Oil Buildup Destroy Your Machine?
One of the top 5 common mistakes that shorten the life of a coffee machine is not cleaning it daily or weekly. Oils and coffee residue build up inside the portafilter, group heads, and boilers, causing clogging and corrosion. This mistake reduces its lifespan by up to 40%, as it causes overheating inside the machine, which burns out internal components like pumps and boilers. For example, in machines like the Shambali M23 2 GROUP , this buildup can cause uneven extraction, affect the taste by adding unwanted bitterness, and increase energy consumption by 20% due to the extra effort put on the machine.
To avoid this mistake, clean daily with a specialized cleaning solution like Puly Caff. Wash the portafilter and heads for 5 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Weekly, backflush with a cleaning tablet to remove internal deposits. These simple steps take 10-15 minutes a day but can prevent up to 3,000 riyals in damage. At Luxury Coffee , we offer a free daily cleaning kit with every machine, including a Puly Caff and brush, to help you avoid this common mistake and prolong the life of your machine.
Mistake 2: Using unfiltered water – limescale buildup is a boiler killer
Using unfiltered or hard water (high in minerals such as calcium) is a serious mistake that reduces the life of your coffee machine by 30-50%. Limescale builds up inside the boiler and pipes, causing clogging, pressure drops, and overheating, which can burn out parts. This mistake is common in hard-water areas like Riyadh or Jeddah, where it can destroy a machine's boiler in as little as two years, affecting the taste by adding a bitter, metallic flavor and reducing the crema in your espresso by 40%.
To avoid this, use a water filter such as an activated carbon filter or an ion exchange system to reduce hardness to 150-200 ppm, the ideal level for extracting flavors without deterioration. Descaling weekly with a solution such as Durgol to remove scale, and replacing the filter every three months. These measures extend the life of the filter by 50% and improve the taste, as shown in commercial coffee shops. At Coffee Luxury , our specialty filters are available for 150 riyals, with a free water test to determine the correct type for your machine, completely eliminating this common mistake.
Mistake 3: Leaving the machine running for long periods without use – over-running
Leaving the machine running for long hours without use is a common mistake that reduces the lifespan of a coffee machine by 20-30%. This causes constant heating of the internal components, leading to oil drying out and corrosion in the pumps and boilers. This mistake increases energy consumption by 15% and causes electrical malfunctions, especially in automatic machines like the San Remo Zoe Professional 2 Group , where the thermostat can burn out in less than a year.
To avoid this, turn off the machine after use, or use an automatic timer to shut it off after 30 minutes of inactivity. In cafes, preheat the machine 15-20 minutes before opening. This extends its life by 30% and saves on bills. Secret: At Coffee Luxury , our smart timers, available for 100 riyals, help avoid this mistake and prolong the life of your machine.
Mistake 4: Using improper coffee beans or grinding – putting pressure on mechanical parts
Using too greasy beans or grinding too coarse or too fine a grind can reduce the machine's lifespan by 25-40%. This can clog the grinders or portafilter, straining the pumps and motors. This common mistake among beginners leads to unbalanced extraction and rapid wear of the blades in internal grinders, such as the Sanremo 2 Group coffee machine .
To avoid this, choose medium-fat beans, such as Kenyan AA coffee , and use a medium-fine grind (similar to fine salt) for espresso. Adjust your grinder daily for humidity and clean it weekly. This extends the life of the grinder by 50% and improves the taste. At Coffee Luxury , professional coffee grinders come with a free grinding guide to help you avoid this mistake.
Mistake 5: Neglecting periodic maintenance and professional inspections – hidden buildup
Neglecting regular maintenance, such as not checking boilers or replacing worn parts, is the biggest mistake that reduces the machine's lifespan by 50%. This allows hidden buildup that can lead to major malfunctions such as pump damage or electrical fires. This mistake is common in busy cafes, leading to unplanned shutdowns that can cause daily losses of up to 1,000 riyals.
To avoid this, have a monthly maintenance service for a deep cleaning, and an annual maintenance visit by a professional technician for an electrical and mechanical check. Use a maintenance schedule to track the steps. This extends the lifespan by 50% and maintains quality. At Luxury Coffee , the annual maintenance service (800 riyals) includes a full checkup, with 24/7 support to avoid this error completely.
Top Frequently Asked Questions About Common Coffee Machine Maintenance Mistakes
Based on inquiries from our Coffee Luxury customers, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the top 5 common mistakes that shorten the life of your coffee maker :
- What are the most common mistakes that shorten the life of a coffee machine? Not cleaning it regularly, using unfiltered water, leaving the machine running, using the wrong beans, and neglecting regular maintenance.
- How does not cleaning affect the lifespan of your coffee machine? It causes clogging and corrosion, reduces its lifespan by 40%, and changes the taste to bitter.
- Can limescale buildup be prevented in a coffee maker? Yes, by using a water filter and weekly decalcification, which extends its life by 50%.
- What is the effect of using greasy beans on a coffee machine? It causes clogging of the grinders, reduces the lifespan by 25%, and affects the taste.
- How often do I need regular maintenance for my coffee machine? Daily for cleaning, weekly for descaling, monthly for inspection, and annually for professional maintenance.
- How do I know if my machine needs repair? By dropping pressure, changing taste, or making strange noises—don't wait, consult a technician immediately.
- Does Rafa Coffee's maintenance services cover all types? Yes, they include all professional coffee machines, such as the Sanremo 2 Group coffee machine , with full support.
Avoid common mistakes with Luxury Coffee and order now.
Finally, the top 5 common mistakes that shorten the life of your coffee machine can be easily avoided through a regular maintenance routine, which will prolong the life of your machine and preserve the exceptional quality of specialty coffee . At Luxury Coffee , we aim to help you avoid these mistakes through comprehensive maintenance services, coffee supplies such as filters and cleaning materials, and expert technical support. Don't let a simple mistake ruin your investment. Shop now.