Cover image: an illustrative steam-wand scene, not a parts diagram of the BES870. The supplied cleaning-tool pin and the cool-down steps below govern tip cleaning.
Quick answer: After texturing milk on a Barista Express BES870, wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth and briefly turn the STEAM/HOT WATER dial to STEAM with the tip directed over the drip tray. This clears residual milk inside the wand. If the tip holes are blocked, put the dial in STANDBY, switch the machine off, allow it to cool, then use the supplied cleaning-tool pin. If the blockage persists, remove the tip with the tool’s integrated spanner, soak it in hot water, clear the holes and refit it.
Symptoms and likely cause
Weak, uneven steam after milk use may come from dried milk in the tip holes. The wipe and purge are the routine after-each-use steps; tip removal is a later step only when a cooled tip remains blocked. If steam is absent for reasons unrelated to milk buildup, use the BES870 steam-wand diagnosis.
Tools and safety
- A damp soft cloth and the Breville cleaning tool supplied with the machine
- A heat-safe bowl and hot water for a stubborn detached tip
Burn warning: The wand and tip can stay hot after steaming. Keep fingers clear during the purge and only use the pin or spanner after switching off and cooling. Do not use a drill bit or enlarge the holes.
Clean from simple to deeper
- Immediately after milk texturing, wipe all milk residue from the exterior of the wand with a damp cloth.
- Point the tip over the drip tray and briefly set the dial to STEAM, then return it to STANDBY. Keep your hands away from the hot discharge.
- If steam becomes weak or off-center, switch off and allow the wand to cool. Gently insert the cleaning-tool pin into each blocked tip hole.
- If it remains blocked, use the cleaning tool’s integrated spanner to remove the cooled tip. Soak the detached tip in hot water, clear its holes with the pin, then reattach it securely.
- Run a brief test purge over the tray. Stop and seek service if steam escapes at a joint, the tip will not seat, or the machine will not heat.
FAQ
Is a steam purge enough after milk?
Breville directs both wiping the outside and briefly purging the inside.
Will descaling remove dried milk in the tip?
No. Descaling treats mineral buildup in the water path; see the separate BES870 descaling guide when due.
Source: Breville BES870 instruction manual, “Cleaning the Steam Wand.”