Urnex Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaning Powder

Urnex Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaning Powder 566g — the Industry Standard for Backflushing

You place the blind basket in the portafilter and dose half a teaspoon of Cafiza. Three grams of white powder on the stainless steel surface. You lock the portafilter into the group head and press the continuous button. Ten seconds of water through the system, ten seconds of pause, five times. When you take the portafilter off after rinsing, the water runs clear — no more cloudiness, no streaks of coffee oil. That's Cafiza in everyday life. Routine, unspectacular, effective.

For decades, Cafiza has been the industry standard for backflushing in professional cafés worldwide — developed by Urnex, specialists in coffee equipment cleaning since 1936. NSF-certified for metal compatibility and safety, kosher (pareve). In a typical household with a home espresso machine, one 566-gram tub lasts six to twelve months. Made in the USA. At Coffee Coaching Club, we are a Swiss importer of Urnex.

What Cafiza Is Made For

Cafiza solves exactly one problem: coffee oils and residues in your espresso machine's group head, valves and water paths. Every extraction leaves tiny amounts of oil behind in the lines. Over weeks or months these oils go rancid — and rancid oils pass their taste on to every extraction that follows. Cafiza breaks these oils down chemically and makes them water-soluble, so the next rinse flushes them out of the system.

The active ingredients are sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate — proven cleaning alkalis that break down fats and organic residues. Effective and NSF-certified, but more chemical in its formulation than the plant-based BioCaf line. If you want maximum cleaning power, you'll find it here. If you're looking for a gentler eco formula with the same efficiency, take a look at BioCaf.

What Cafiza is not

Cafiza is not a descaler. It does not dissolve limescale from the water — for that you need a separate descaler. Cafiza is also not suitable for aluminium parts (such as classic aluminium moka pots). Stainless steel components and group heads tolerate it.

How to Use: Backflush Routine

Requirement for backflushing: your machine needs a three-way solenoid valve. Most semi-professional home espresso machines with an E61 or saturated group have one — pump machines without this function cannot backflush; there, Cafiza is used for soaking.

1. Insert the blind basket (also called a "blank filter" or "backflush disc") into the portafilter
2. Up to half a teaspoon (3 g) of Cafiza powder into the blind basket
3. Lock the portafilter into the group head
4. Run the brew or continuous button for 10 seconds, pause 10 seconds, repeat five times
5. Remove the portafilter and rinse it under the running water from the group head
6. Reinsert the portafilter without powder and run the brew again 10 sec on, 10 sec off, five times — clear rinse
7. Swap the blind basket for a standard filter basket, pull a test espresso and discard it

Recommended frequency: a daily backflush without detergent, plus a Cafiza backflush every 50 extractions or once a week with normal home use. Professional cafés do the Cafiza backflush daily at the end of the shift.

How to Use: Soak for Portafilters and Filter Baskets

Machines without a backflush function also benefit from Cafiza — through soaking. Portafilters, filter baskets and shower screens can be soaked in a Cafiza solution.

1. Add 6 g of Cafiza to 1 litre of hot water (about one teaspoon per litre)
2. Add the filter basket, shower screen or metal portafilter parts (do not immerse wooden or plastic handles)
3. Soak for 30 minutes
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water

The soak solution can turn visibly dark — that's the dissolved coffee oils. Exactly what needs to come out.

At a Glance

Cafiza vs. BioCaf — Which One Suits You?

Both work. Cafiza is the established industry-standard solution, BioCaf the eco alternative from the same company. If you want maximum aggressiveness for heavily oiled professional machines, stick with Cafiza. If plant-based and biodegradable matter to you — and you backflush less often at home — BioCaf will get you just as far. That's our observation from the showroom, one opinion among many.

Good Companions

There is a dedicated product for the grinder: Urnex Grindz grinder cleaner — Cafiza is only for the espresso machine. For the milk system: Urnex BioCaf Alkaline Milk Cleaner 1L. You'll find the full cleaning range in our machine and grinder cleaning collection. High-quality milk pitchers and barista tools in the barista equipment collection.

Ordering, Delivery and Advice

You can order Cafiza online from Coffee Coaching Club or pick it up at the showroom in Zurich Oerlikon or Bern. Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 working days. As a Swiss importer of Urnex, we keep the entire maintenance range in stock at all times. Questions about the backflush routine: [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cafiza in any espresso machine?

For backflushing you need a machine with a three-way solenoid valve — most semi-professional home machines with an E61 or saturated group have one. Machines without this function can only use Cafiza for soaking, not for backflushing.

How often should I backflush with Cafiza?

With normal home use, once a week or every 50 extractions. At professional volumes, daily. A daily backflush without detergent complements this routine — the Cafiza treatment doesn't replace it.

Is Cafiza a descaler?

No. Cafiza dissolves coffee oils and residues, but not limescale from the water. For descaling you need a separate descaler — on many machines via a built-in descaling programme.

Can I use Cafiza for my aluminium moka pot?

No. Cafiza is not suitable for aluminium — the formula can attack the surface. For aluminium moka pots, use only water and, if needed, a mild washing-up liquid. Stainless steel moka pots tolerate Cafiza.

How long does a 566 g tub last?

With a weekly backflush in a home setting, around 6–12 months. Each backflush uses only 3 g. Stored dry and sealed, Cafiza keeps practically indefinitely.

What is the difference from BioCaf?

Cafiza uses the classic sodium percarbonate formula. BioCaf is plant-based, biodegradable and phosphate-free. Both clean effectively — Cafiza is the industry-standard solution, BioCaf the eco alternative from the same company.

Which grinder care product goes with it?

There is a dedicated product for the grinder: Urnex Grindz grinder cleaner. Cafiza is only for the espresso machine, not for the grinder.

Can I see the product in person before buying?

Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the product you have in mind is currently there.