Cleaning a Sage coffee machine comes down to three regular jobs: running the built‑in cleaning cycle, descaling, and keeping the group head, steam wand, and grinder free of old coffee and milk residue.

Quick Scoop

  • Run the machine’s automatic cleaning cycle whenever the “CLEAN ME” or “FLUSH” message appears (or about once a month if you use it daily).
  • Descale every 2–3 months with a branded descaler, not vinegar, especially in hard‑water areas.
  • Wipe and purge the steam wand after every use, and backflush the group head regularly with a cleaning tablet and blind filter.

Daily: After You Make Coffee

  • Remove the portafilter, knock out the puck, and rinse basket and handle under hot water to clear oils and fines.
  • Lock the empty portafilter back in and run a quick water shot to rinse the group head screen.
  • Empty and rinse the drip tray and wipe the tray area so coffee sludge does not build up.

After Every Milk Use

  • Immediately wipe the steam wand with a clean damp cloth so milk doesn’t bake on.
  • Purge steam for a second or two before and after steaming to clear milk from inside the wand.
  • If the wand is sputtering or blocked, use the pin supplied with Sage to carefully clear the nozzle holes (with the machine off and the wand cool).

Running the “Clean Me” / Backflush Cycle

The exact button sequence depends on your model (Barista Express, Pro, Touch, etc.), but the process is similar across Sage machines.

  1. Insert the rubber cleaning disc (blind filter) in the portafilter and add a Sage‑compatible cleaning tablet.
  1. Lock the portafilter into the group head and ensure the water tank is full and the drip tray is empty.
  1. Start the cleaning cycle:
    • On some models, hold the 1‑cup and 2‑cup buttons while pressing Power until the clean light flashes.
 * On others (e.g., Barista Pro), use the menu to select “CLEAN” or “FLUSH” and press to start.
  1. Let the 5‑minute cycle run; water and detergent will repeatedly flush through the system into the drip tray.
  1. Remove the portafilter, rinse it and the disc, then run a few blank water shots to flush out any cleaner.

Descaling the Sage Machine

  • Use Sage’s own descaling solution or a recommended espresso descaler; avoid vinegar because it can damage seals and affect taste.
  • Start the descaling programme from the menu (or as described in your model’s manual) with the tank filled to the marked level with water plus descaler.
  • Let the machine run the descale and flush cycles, empty the tray when prompted, then rinse by refilling the tank with fresh water and running the flush again.

Extra: Grinder, Hopper, and Water Tank

  • Every few weeks, empty the bean hopper, brush out old beans and coffee dust, and wipe with a dry cloth (no water or detergent inside the burrs).
  • Remove and wash the water tank with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and replace the water filter as per Sage’s schedule.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.