How To Set Up Your Coffee Machine

Here’s how to set up your espresso machine correctly.

1) Cup Storage: Warmth Matters

Cups should be stored upside down on top of the machine, the warmest area in the café. This keeps the base of the cup warm – exactly where the coffee sits.

Avoid placing cups right-side up, as this only warms the rim and allows coffee to cool faster.

Stack cups no more than two high to ensure stability and proper heat retention.

Always face cup handles outwards to avoid putting hands inside the cup.

2) Keep Portafilters Warm

Portafilters (also called group handles) should live in the group head or on top of the machine when not in use. Warm portafilters help maintain extraction temperature and improve coffee quality.

Leaving them on the drip tray may look neat, but it slows service and affects consistency.

3) Understand the Control Panel

Most modern machines are volumetric, meaning shot volumes can be programmed:

• single-cup buttons = single shots

• double-cup buttons = double shots

A manual start/stop button allows continuous flow when needed.

4) Use the Cup Warmer and Hot Water Tap Properly

The cup warmer increases heat on top of the machine, ideal for colder environments.

The hot water tap is best used for warming cups, not for routine drink preparation.

5) Steam Wand Setup and Safety

Machines may have manual and automatic steam wands, both of which can be programmed for:

• milk temperature

• foam level

• extra-hot options

Any shiny metal parts are likely very hot – use rubber grips where provided.

6) Steam Wand Cleaning Cloths

A damp microfiber cloth should be kept on the drip tray for wiping steam wands. This cloth should:

• stay by the steam wand at all times

• never be used for anything else

• be replaced if dirty

Ideally, each steam wand has its own cloth.

7) Grinder Setup for Fresh Coffee

Only fill the hopper with enough beans for your service. Coffee degrades quickly when exposed to oxygen, losing flavour even if it remains safe to drink.

8) Keep Cleaning Tools Handy

Near the grinder, keep:

• a tamping mat and tamper

• a dry cloth for wiping portafilters

After every extraction, knock out the puck and wipe the portafilter dry to remove residue.

The Takeaway

A proper machine setup:

• keeps cups and tools warm

• improves workflow and speed

• maintains consistent coffee quality

• supports cleanliness and safety

Setting up your machine correctly at the start of the day sets your café up for success.