How often do you need to descale your coffee machine?
For many Australians, so deep is our love of coffee that our espresso machine is practically a member of the family. It takes care of us, keeping us caffeinated and ready to face the day - so we need to reciprocate the favour every now and then.
In addition to emptying the drip tray and rinsing some components after use, you’ll need to descale your espresso maker occasionally. Here, we take a look at what you need to do to keep your coffee companion running smoothly and making fresh-tasting coffee.
What is descaling and why does it matter?
Descaling is a process that removes a buildup of minerals from your coffee machine. These minerals, like calcium and magnesium, can stick to the inside of your machine over time. Commonly referred to as limescale buildup, it can affect how well your machine works and even change the taste of your coffee. Descaling is crucial to keeping your machine in good shape and your cup of coffee tasting its best.
How often should you descale your coffee maker?
On average, descaling every two to three months is a good rule of thumb, but if your machine starts acting up or you notice changes in how it works or the taste of your drinks, it could be time to descale. How frequently you need to descale it can be affected by how much the machine is used, as well as whether you live in a hard or soft water area.
What's water hardness?
Water hardness refers to the level of minerals in your water. Some areas of Australia, like SA and WA, have 'hard water' with more minerals in it. These mineral residues can build up in your coffee machine and cause limescale to form more quickly than it might in soft water areas, like much of NSW and VIC. You can buy simple test kits to check whether your tap water is hard or soft. Alternatively, if you find that your kettle often needs to be cleaned of limescale buildup on its element and interior surfaces, odds are that you’re in a hard water area and will need to clean your espresso machine more frequently as well.
Signs your espresso machine needs descaling
Your coffee machine gives you hints when it's time to run a descaling cycle. If you notice that your coffee takes longer to brew, the water flow is slower than usual, or you hear strange noises, it's a sign that mineral buildup might be causing issues. Many machines now also alert you with a light or message on the display screen. Some app-connected models will even notify you via your phone. When you see these signs, it's time to give your machine a little TLC.
Descaling solutions and tablets
There are different ways to descale your coffee machine. You can buy descaling products, either solutions or tablets, or you can make your own using household ingredients like vinegar, citric acid or baking soda and water. Most appliance brands recommend that you don’t clean your coffee maker with homemade products like these though, because although effective, they can be a little harsh on the machine’s components. In fact, doing so may actually void your warranty, so you could be better off using the recommended cleaning tablets or solutions - particularly while the machine is under warranty.
Manual vs. Automatic coffee machine descaling
Some espresso makers have an automatic descaling function, which is a handy way to keep them clean. Even with this feature, though, it's a good idea to manually descale your machine every so often. Manual descaling ensures that any stubborn buildup or residue the automatic setting might miss gets cleaned.
How to descale your coffee machine
Descaling might sound like something unpleasant you’d do to prepare a fish for dinner, but it’s a whole lot cleaner and easier than that. Every coffee machine is a bit different, so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but generally, the process will look something like this.
- Power off the machine: Turn off and unplug your coffee machine.
- Prepare the solution or tablets: If you are using descaling tablets, drop the appropriate number into the water reservoir, crushing them first if the instructions specify. If you are using a descaling solution, mix it according to the instructions.
- Add water: Fill the water reservoir with the solution, or if using tablets, with fresh water (the tablets will dissolve as the water is added).
- Start the descale cycle: Turn on the machine and follow the manufacturer's guidelines to start the descaling process. This usually involves selecting a specific descaling cycle or activating a sequence of buttons. The solution then moves through the internal components, cleaning and breaking down any scale buildup.
- Rinse the system: After the descale cycle is complete, follow up with multiple cycles of clean water to thoroughly flush out any remaining cleaning solution and loosened mineral particles. This includes running hot water through the steam wand, if applicable.
- Reassemble: Wipe down the exterior of the machine and reassemble all detached components.
- Grab a brew: Your machine is now descaled and ready to make you a beautifully clean, fresh-tasting coffee.
Keeping it fresh
In the scheme of things, descaling isn’t too unpleasant a chore and can go a long way to keeping your machine running smoothly. If you're not comfortable with DIY descaling your machine though, you could seek the services of a professional - or better yet, ask a handy friend. Some people will try to slow the build-up of limescale by using filtered water in their coffee machines, but the fact is that while these can reduce chlorine, iron and some other chemicals, they don’t remove calcium.
If you’re looking for a new espresso machine, Appliances Online has a large range to choose from, including manual, automatic and semi-automatic, as well as Nespresso models from Breville and DeLonghi.
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