Wipe and purge the wand after milk
Milk residue can block a steam tip. Breville's Barista Express BES870 manual instructs users to wipe the wand and tip with a damp cloth after use, then briefly steam into the drip tray. This is a BES870 example, not a replacement for your machine manual.
Use a safe daily routine
- Move the wand away from people and keep clear of the hot tip.
- Wipe the wand and tip with a damp cloth after steaming.
- Purge the wand as your manual instructs.
- Let the wand cool before you inspect the tip.
The BES870 manual warns that a blocked tip can reduce foam output. A short purge after steaming can clear milk from inside the wand, but the exact control and purge sequence differ by model.
If the tip is blocked
Turn the machine off or put it in the manual's stated safe position. Let hot parts cool. The BES870 manual calls for its supplied cleaning pin, then removal and hot-water soaking of its removable tip if the blockage remains. Do not force a tip off a machine whose manual does not say it is removable.
| Problem | Safe next step |
|---|---|
| Residue after steaming | Wipe and purge as the manual directs |
| Reduced steam flow | Stop steaming and check the manual for the correct cleaning tool |
| Tip still blocked | Use the model-approved removal and soaking process, or contact support |
For milk technique after the wand is clean, see cappuccino recipe and latte recipe.
We read Breville instruction manuals on September 21, 2026. We did not physically test, own, prepare, taste, or measure this method.
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Continue with the related methodCommon questions
What should I check before I start?
Follow your machine manual to wipe and purge the steam wand after milk. Let hot parts cool before inspecting or removing a blocked tip.
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