Urnex BioCaf Cleaning Powder 500g — Plant-based Backflush without Phosphates
You open the can, smell nothing. No chemical odor, no harsh acid fumes in your face. You dose three grams into the blind filter, lock in the portafilter, press the continuous button. Ten seconds of brewing, ten seconds of pause, five times. The same backflush ritual as with Cafiza — but with a powder that comes from plant and mineral sources, is biodegradable, and contains not a single phosphate.
That's BioCaf. Urnex's Eco-line, which started as "Full Circle" and has been on the market as BioCaf for the last few years. Plant-based, biodegradable, phosphate-free — and just as effective for home use as classic Cafiza. According to the manufacturer, a 500-gram can is sufficient for about 100 applications (backflush or soak combined). NSF-certified. Made in the USA. We at Coffee Coaching Club are the exclusive Swiss importer for Urnex and the BioCaf line.
What differentiates BioCaf from Cafiza
Both clean espresso machines, both work via backflush and soak, and both come from the same company. The differences lie in the formulation and its consequences:
Plant-based and mineral-based ingredients
BioCaf uses ingredients from renewable, natural sources — no petroleum derivatives. All ingredients are transparently listed. For those who value eco-labels or want to reduce their ecological footprint in the cafe, this is the honest alternative.
Phosphate-free
Phosphates are found in many classic cleaners and enter water bodies via wastewater. Phosphate input promotes algal blooms and harms aquatic ecosystems. BioCaf completely avoids them — at the same time, the powder is gentler on plumbing and rubber seals.
Odorless
No sharp cleaning odor when opening the can, no residual aroma in the shot after rinsing. Those sensitive to chemical odors or storing the powder in an open kitchen benefit from this.
Equivalent effectiveness in home use
BioCaf removes coffee oils, residues, and discolorations from the brew group, valves, and water paths — the same tasks as Cafiza. For heavily oiled professional machines with high brewing volume, Cafiza tends to be more aggressive. For home use with normal usage, both are equally effective. This is our observation from the showroom, one opinion among many.
Application: Backflush Routine
Prerequisite: Three-way solenoid valve in the machine (standard for E61 and saturated brew groups).
- Insert blind filter into the portafilter
- Up to half a teaspoon (3 g) of BioCaf powder into the blind filter
- Insert portafilter into the brew group
- Activate brew button for 10 seconds, 10 seconds pause, five times
- Remove portafilter, rinse under running water
- Reinsert portafilter without powder, rinse thoroughly 5 × 10 seconds
- Pull a test espresso and discard
Application: Soak for filter baskets and accessories
- 6 g BioCaf in 1 liter of warm water
- Place filter baskets, shower screens, portafilter metal parts (no wood or plastic) in the solution
- Soak for 30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water
The soak solution can also be used for: coffee brewer filter baskets, carafes, dosing cups, and generally for stainless steel components with coffee stains.
At a glance
| Application |
Backflush and soak for espresso machines, cleaning coffee equipment |
| Form |
Powder, odorless |
| Ingredients |
Plant- and mineral-based, biodegradable, phosphate-free |
| Certifications |
NSF |
| Dosage Backflush |
3 g per shot |
| Dosage Soak |
6 g per 1 L warm water, 30 minutes |
| Yield |
approx. 100 applications (backflush or soak combined, according to manufacturer) |
| Capacity |
500 g (17.6 oz) |
| Made in |
USA |
| Note |
Not a descaler, not for aluminum |
Suitable companions
If you need a classic sodium percarbonate formula for heavily oiled professional machines: Urnex Cafiza 566g. For the grinder: Urnex Grindz Grinder Cleaner. For the milk system from the same Eco-line: Urnex BioCaf Alkaline Milk Cleaner 1L. The entire cleaning assortment: Machine and Grinder Cleaning Collection. Precise scales for dosing: Normcore Barista Tools.
Ordering, Delivery, and Advice
BioCaf 500g can be ordered online from Coffee Coaching Club or picked up at the showroom in Zurich Oerlikon or Bern. Delivery throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 2–4 business days. As the exclusive Swiss importer for Urnex, we are the Swiss point of contact for all maintenance questions: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BioCaf and Cafiza?
BioCaf is plant-based, biodegradable, and phosphate-free. Cafiza uses a classic sodium percarbonate formula. Both clean effectively — BioCaf is the eco-alternative for home and medium-sized cafe use. Cafiza tends to be more aggressive for heavily oiled professional machines.
Is BioCaf really as effective as Cafiza?
Yes, for home use. For very heavily oiled professional machines with high volume, Cafiza can work faster — but this is irrelevant with a weekly routine.
Can I use BioCaf in a super-automatic machine?
Yes. BioCaf is suitable for super-automatic and traditional espresso machines. For super-automatic machines, use the cleaning cycle according to the device's operating instructions.
How many applications per can?
According to the manufacturer, about 100 applications (backflush or soak combined). With weekly home backflush, a 500g can lasts about two years.
Is BioCaf NSF-certified?
Yes, NSF-certified.
Can I use BioCaf to clean other coffee equipment?
Yes. Also suitable for coffee brewer filter baskets, carafes, servers, and dosing cups. Soak solution 6 g per liter, soak for 30 minutes.
Is BioCaf environmentally friendly to dispose of?
Yes. Biodegradable and phosphate-free — the residues from backflush and soak solutions can be disposed of via normal wastewater without harming aquatic ecosystems.
Can I see BioCaf live before purchasing?
Yes. Both showrooms have the entire Urnex range on site: Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and Zurich Oerlikon at Hagenholzstrasse 50b.
Roastery Tip
BioCaf is my top recommendation for home setups that value clean machine maintenance without an ecological footprint. My suggestion from showroom practice: if you use an espresso machine with light roasted beans like Wild Peach, the odorless BioCaf formula is a real advantage — no residual aroma in the system after rinsing. With dense beans like Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight, the difference is less significant because the bean aromas mask any residual character. Clean is clean — the question is just how you get there. BioCaf is the honest eco-way. This is my view from the roastery, one of many.
