ECM Mechanika Max User Guide & Cleaning

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The Mechanika Max is a heat-exchanger machine with two PID probes, Brew Temperature Control (btC) and a Flush Advisor that tells you when to flush. ECM’s in-depth tutorial video is below.

Which models this covers: For the original ECM Mechanika Max (Smart HX, rotary pump, tank or mains water), with or without flow control.

Jump to: Before first use: water and start-up · Making espresso with btC and the Flush Advisor · Steaming milk and hot water · Daily cleaning (2 minutes) · Every 2–3 weeks: cleaner backflush · Water and servicing

Watch: Mechanika Max Tutorial – Update

Official video by ECM Espresso Machines.

Before first use: water and start-up

  1. Choose tank or mains water. Fill the 3 L tank with fresh, soft water, or have the fixed water connection installed by a technician (we can do this).
  2. Switch on with the group lever down and let the machine heat fully.
  3. Set the automatic on/off timer in the menu if you want the machine ready at set times.
  4. Flush water through the group before your first shot.

Making espresso with btC and the Flush Advisor

  1. Choose one of the three btC brew temperature settings to suit your beans.
  2. If the Flush Advisor shows the brew water is too hot, flush the group until it clears – no more guessing how long to flush.
  3. Flush, dose, tamp and lock in, then lift the lever to brew. Active and passive pre-infusion can be set separately in the menu.
  4. Dial in with grind size first.

Steaming milk and hot water

  1. Purge the steam wand into the drip tray, then put the tip just under the surface of cold milk and open the steam valve. Lower the tip to heat once the milk is textured. Close the valve before lifting the jug away.
  2. Release a little steam into the drip tray afterwards to keep the steam holes clear, and wipe the wand with a damp cloth straight away.
  3. Draw hot water from the hot water valve into a cup with a heat-insulated handle – it is very hot.

Daily cleaning (2 minutes)

  1. With the machine hot, take the coffee basket out of the portafilter and fit the blind filter (the basket with no holes) supplied with your machine.
  2. Lock the portafilter into the group and run the pump for about 10 seconds, then stop. Water and coffee oils flow back out through the group into the drip tray. Repeat 4–5 times until the water runs clear. This is a water-only backflush – no cleaner needed day to day.
  3. Brush the shower screen and group gasket with a group head brush and wipe away any visible coffee, without taking parts apart.
  4. Rinse the portafilter and baskets in warm water and wipe them dry.
  5. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth straight after each use and give it a short purge to clear milk from the tip.
  6. Empty and rinse the drip tray before it gets full, and keep the water tank clean and filled with fresh water.

Every 2–3 weeks: cleaner backflush

For home use, a backflush with espresso machine cleaner every 2–3 weeks keeps the group fresh. ECM’s manuals suggest a cleaner backflush after roughly 90–140 shots, and note that using detergent too often strips lubrication from the group’s moving parts – so every 2–3 weeks is plenty at home, with water-only backflushes in between. The machine’s cleaning reminder will also prompt you.

  1. Heat the machine up fully and brush the shower screen and gasket.
  2. Fit the blind filter and add a small scoop (about 3–5 g, or the amount on the pack) of espresso machine cleaner such as Cafetto Espresso Cleaner or Cafetto EVO.
  3. Lock the portafilter in and run the pump for about 10 seconds, then stop and let the cleaner soak for 10–20 seconds. Repeat several times.
  4. Remove the portafilter, rinse the blind filter and portafilter, then backflush again with water only until no cleaner foam or smell remains.
  5. Run some fresh water through the group without the portafilter, refit your normal basket and pull one shot to discard.
  6. While the cleaner is out, you can soak the metal portafilter head and baskets (not the handle) in hot water with a little cleaner for 10 minutes, then rinse well.

Water and servicing

  • Descaling: leave this to us. Your machine should only be descaled by a qualified technician as part of its service. Call 1300 357 575 to book.
  • ECM recommends water with a hardness of no more than 4 °dH. Use a water filter or softener cartridge where your water is harder.
  • Depending on use, refresh the boiler water every 1–2 weeks by drawing hot water from the hot water valve.
  • Book a service every 12 months for home use, or every 6 months for cafés and busy commercial sites, so seals, gaskets and valves are checked before they wear.

More official Mechanika Max videos

ECM – How to make an espresso

ECM – How to foam milk

ECM – How to clean the brew group

Reorder cleaning supplies

Prefer to order by phone? Call us on 1300 357 575.

Official manual and resources

  • ECM Mechanika Max user manual: Supplied with the machine. ECM’s website now only hosts the manual for the newer Mechanika Max II, which is a different model. Misplaced yours? Call us on 1300 357 575 and we’ll help.
  • Official YouTube channel: ECM Espresso Machines

Shop this model

Need a hand?

Call Coffee Machines and Beans on 1300 357 575, or book a service.
1/48 Shandan Circuit, Albion Park Rail NSW 2527

Servicing: home users should have their machine serviced every 12 months; cafés and other busy commercial sites every 6 months.

Videos are by ECM Espresso Machines and are played from the official YouTube channel. Written steps are based on ECM’s official user manuals. Always follow the manual supplied with your machine.