ECM cleaning brush with vegan bristles – brush for group head and grinder
A few strokes over the shower screen, a quick sweep in the exit chute – and the last of the coffee dust falls away.
It's the smallest tool in the whole setup, and one with a daily effect. Freshly ground coffee releases oily components that settle on warm metal surfaces and keep reacting there. What still smelled of fresh grounds in the evening smells different the next morning – and because aroma is largely perceived retronasally as you swallow, you take that difference into the drink. A few seconds with the brush keep the path from the burrs to the portafilter clear.
Where it's used
The brush is made for the group head and the grinder. At the group, it removes coffee dust from the shower screen and gasket seat before you lock the portafilter back in. At the grinder, it reaches into the exit chute and the spots where grounds tend to collect – exactly where retention would otherwise build up and mix into the next dose.
The bristles are vegan. For many people that's a question of values, and for some it isn't – both are fine. We like that here you don't have to choose between your own values and a good tool. Our opinion is one of many.
The brush comes in two versions: with an olive wood handle and with a black handle. Bristles, ferrule and shape are the same on both; only the handle differs – and with it, what you see lying next to the grinder. Design and feel influence the enjoyment before the first sip. Which one is right is up to you.
At a glance
| Bristles |
Vegan |
| Application |
Group head and grinder |
| Versions |
Olive wood, black |
| Brand |
ECM |
| Item numbers |
89520 (olive wood), R220 (black) |
Who it's made for
For anyone who makes espresso every day – regardless of which machine and grinder sit on the counter. A brush is brand-neutral, and we always keep this one within reach next to the grinder anyway.
It's also meant for anyone who single doses and wants to give things a quick helping hand after every grind. No shot is replicable – the bean, humidity and the person change every day. A clean exit chute at least takes one variable out of the equation. What else we have in grinders and accessories is shown in the overview coffee grinder accessories and spare parts.
What goes with it
A brush keeps the surfaces clear; the inside of the group needs more. In machine and grinder cleaning you'll find what that takes: a daily backflush without detergent, and once every fifty shots or so with detergent, which takes about five minutes.
Once the grounds are in the basket, it's all about distribution. In the WDT tools, both ways sit side by side: the WDT tool from Normcore for anyone who wants it affordable and precise – the Moonraker from Weber Workshops for anyone who wants more. The same picture for tamping: Normcore Spring-Loaded for the affordable route, Weber Workshops for anyone who wants more. Particle size and its uniformity determine extraction quality – a loosened puck lets the water through equally fast everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the brush for?
For cleaning the group head and the grinder. At the group for the shower screen and gasket seat, at the grinder for the exit chute and the spots where grounds collect.
What's the difference between olive wood and black?
Only the handle. Bristles, ferrule and shape are the same on both versions, and the cleaning performance is identical.
What does vegan bristles mean?
The bristles contain no animal components. Functionally, it makes no difference for use on the group and grinder.
Does the brush replace backflushing?
No, it complements it. The brush removes the dry coffee dust from the outside, the backflush rinses the group from the inside: daily without detergent, and once every fifty shots or so with it, which takes about five minutes.
Does it also work with grinders and machines from other brands?
Yes. A cleaning brush is brand-neutral and works on any group head and any grinder.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes. You can see our range in person in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. If you order online: delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
You'll notice how much a clean exit chute brings most clearly when the bean has a distinct profile. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight stay dense and round, and chocolate and nuts come through more cleanly without yesterday's leftovers mixed in. If you're after maximum body without any acidity, reach for Very Nutty. And if you're curious, go for Wild Peach – fruity, lively, a discovery on the side. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.
