Owner's guide
Neretva Espresso Machine Manual
Welcome to the official owner's guide for our 15 bar and 20 bar espresso machines. Below you'll find everything from unboxing and your first shot to deep cleaning, descaling and troubleshooting — written by the team that builds them.
1. Setup & First Use
Before pulling your first shot of espresso, it is critical to prime the machine and clean the internal components.
- Unbox & wash. Wash the water reservoir, portafilter, and drip tray with warm soapy water.
- Fill the reservoir. Fill the tank with fresh, filtered water up to the MAX line.
- Power on. Plug in the machine and turn it on. Wait for the indicator light to show it has reached operating temperature.
- Flush the system. Run hot water through the empty portafilter (no coffee) and through the steam wand. This removes factory residue and primes the pump.
2. How to Use Your Machine
Extracting the perfect shot requires the right technique.
- Dose & tamp. Add fresh, finely ground coffee into the filter basket. Level it off and tamp firmly with consistent pressure.
- Lock in. Insert the portafilter into the group head and twist to the right until it is tight and secure.
- Brew. Press the brew button. A typical shot should take between 20 to 30 seconds to extract, featuring a rich, golden crema.
- Froth your milk. Switch to steam mode. Once hot, purge the wand, submerge the tip slightly below the milk surface in your pitcher, and texturize until it reaches approximately 150°F (65°C).
3. Cleaning & Maintenance
Routine maintenance keeps every shot tasting the way we intended. Follow this simple schedule.
After every session
Empty the drip tray. Wipe down the steam wand immediately after frothing with a damp cloth, and purge it with steam for 2 seconds.
Portafilter care
Clean the portafilter and filter baskets using hot water and a brush to clear clogged holes.
Group head check
Check the shower screen for coffee oil build-up and wipe the group head clean.
4. How to Descale Your Machine
Descaling removes mineral buildup from the boiler and pipes. Depending on your water hardness, aim to descale every 1 to 3 months.
- Prepare the solution. Mix a commercial descaler or equal parts white vinegar and water in the reservoir.
- Run the cycle. Place a large container under the group head. Run half the solution through the brew circuit and the other half through the steam wand.
- Rinse. Discard the descaling mixture. Fill the reservoir with fresh water. Run two entire tanks of fresh water through both the brew head and steam wand to ensure no residue remains.
5. Troubleshooting
The most common issues our support team hears about — and the quickest fixes.
Machine won't pump water
Ensure the tank is fully seated. If it's a new setup, the machine may be air-locked. Run the steam wand to pull water through the pump.
Water leaking from portafilter
Check the group head gasket for wear or coffee grounds. Ensure the portafilter is locked tightly.
No crema
Use fresher coffee beans. Try a finer grind size or apply more tamp pressure.
Steam wand lacks pressure
Use a pin to clean the small tip holes. Descale the machine.
Have a question that isn't covered here? Browse the full Neretva FAQ for more answers from our team.
6. Model Differences (15 Bar vs 20 Bar)
While the operation steps are identical across our 15 bar and 20 bar machines, the 20 bar model utilizes a slightly stronger vibratory pump. This may allow for a slightly finer grind setting, but the cleaning, descaling, and daily use instructions in this guide remain exactly the same for both.