Fresh milk cappuccino is one of the most requested drinks in bars, offices and vending. But milk is also a delicate food: without regular fresh milk coffee machine cleaning, both the quality in the cup and hygiene safety suffer.
In this guide we explain how to clean a fresh milk coffee machine, which milk system cleaning cycles are built in, and why vending machine maintenance should be an integral part of the service.
In short: the fresh milk system must be cleaned every day with a specific product. To minimize the risk of forgetting, we have designed 2 cleaning cycles, one automatic and one manual, to be performed once a day.
Flymax Fresh Milk Models: Commercial Coffee Machines with Fresh Milk
Our Fresh Milk range includes commercial coffee machines with fresh milk designed for different settings. All of them dispense fresh milk cappuccino and other milk-based drinks, and all are designed to make maintenance easier for the operator.
Sensilatte is our touch-screen fresh milk vending machine and our most complete model. It features a 10" touch display running Android and a patented espresso brewing unit with a 7 g or 14 g chamber.
The machine also offers several types of cleaning cycles:
-
Brew group and instant ingredients wash: the machine can clean the entire mixer circuit, guiding the operator step by step.
-
Milk circuit sanitizing: the machine can sanitize the milk circuit using a specific product, guiding the operator step by step.
-
Automatic milk system rinse: 3 minutes after the last fresh milk drink is dispensed, the machine automatically rinses the milk circuit.
-
Coffee machine descaling: the machine's circuits can be descaled using a specific product, with step-by-step guidance for the operator.
-
Espresso unit cleaning: the espresso unit can be cleaned using dedicated tablets, with step-by-step guidance for the operator.
F3 Eder Fresh Milk dispenses fresh milk cappuccino thanks to an innovative dedicated system. It has a 10" touch display, 12 selections (small or large cup) and a connection to the water mains.
F3 Revolution GK Fresh Milk is our standard model. It has an LCD display with capacitive keypad, 12 selections and an interface for payment systems (Executive and MDB).
All the models above dispense fresh milk with the same milk pump and boiler system.
The Fresh Milk Vending System: Past and Present
For years, milk-based drinks in vending relied on powdered milk: practical to store and requiring no refrigeration, but with a result in the cup far from that of a bar.
Over the years, market demand has become increasingly exacting, calling for fresh milk in vending and foodservice (HoReCa) wherever powdered milk was previously used.
At Flymax we started producing fresh milk machines in 2015 and, thanks to a decade of experience, we have continued to refine our system:
How it was. Initially, the system used a steam exchanger to heat the milk and an automatic cappuccino maker that dispensed the heated, frothed milk.
Over time, thanks to customer feedback, we removed the exchanger and installed a boiler. The milk was still frothed by the steam generated by the boiler.
How it is today. Thanks to constant dialogue with our customers, we have further improved fresh milk dispensing: we no longer use a boiler to froth the milk, but a dedicated milk pump. The milk is heated by the boiler but frothed by the milk pump. This system has been extensively tested and customer feedback is very positive.
Milk System Cleaning: The Two Main Cycles
As mentioned above, the two main cleaning cycles provided on all models are:
1. Daily milk system cleaning with a specific product
At the end of the breakfast service or of the machine's use, we recommend cleaning the milk circuit every day with a specific detergent. The procedure is very simple, and on the more advanced models (Sensilatte) the machine guides the operator step by step.
We normally recommend running this cycle at the end of service, when the customer knows the machine will not be used for a few hours (e.g. overnight). In this case, simply wrap the milk intake tube in clean absorbent paper rather than placing it in water or milk, to prevent bacteria from forming and the cleaning from losing its effectiveness.
2. Automatic milk system rinse
3 minutes after the last fresh milk drink is dispensed, the machine runs an automatic rinse of the milk circuit. This prevents milk deposits from forming, which would increase the bacterial load in the circuit.
In addition to cleaning the fresh milk circuit, we recommend cleaning the dispensing compartment and the liquids drawer every day, using a clean cloth and food-safe products.
Fresh Milk Coffee Machine Cleaning: Mistakes to Avoid
-
Skipping the daily cleaning, even "just for one day".
-
Using detergents not intended for the milk circuit.
-
Forgetting the final rinse.
-
Leaving milk out of refrigeration.
-
Switching off the machine right after dispensing a fresh milk drink: always wait for the automatic rinse to run and finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a fresh milk coffee machine be cleaned?
The milk system should be cleaned every day with a specific product, as set out in the user manual.
Is the milk circuit rinse automatic?
Yes, our Fresh Milk models include an automatic milk system rinse.
Conclusions
Regular cleaning with the right products is what allows Fresh Milk models to perform at their best: consistently high-quality fresh milk cappuccino, hygiene under control and fewer corrective interventions. Consistency makes the difference.
For information on vending machine maintenance and on choosing the most suitable model, contact the Flymax team.