Descaling your coffee machine is the single most important maintenance job there is. Limescale builds up in every device that heats water and harms the taste, the temperature and ultimately the lifespan of your machine. The good news: descaling is easy and takes half an hour at most. In this step-by-step guide you will read how to tackle it on every type of device and how often it is needed.
Why descaling matters so much
Tap water contains dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. When heated, they settle as limescale on the heating element and in the tubing of your machine. You notice the consequences step by step: brewing takes longer, the coffee is less hot, the taste becomes flatter and the device makes more noise. With severe limescale build-up, tubes can clog and the machine breaks down. Regular descaling prevents this and also keeps your warranty intact, because many manufacturers make descaling mandatory.
How often should you descale?
That depends on the water hardness in your region and how much coffee you brew. As a guideline:
- Hard water: descale every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Medium water: every 2 to 3 months.
- Soft water: every 3 to 4 months.
You can find the water hardness in your area on your water company's website. Many bean-to-cup machines have a descaling alert; set the correct water hardness once via the menu to enable it. If you use a water filter in the reservoir, you can roughly double the intervals.
Which descaler should you use?
Always use a descaler that is suitable for coffee machines, based on citric acid, lactic acid or sulphamic acid. These dissolve limescale effectively without attacking the rubber seals and metal parts. Cleaning vinegar is not recommended: it damages seals, leaves an odour behind and many manufacturers exclude vinegar damage from the warranty. Always check your machine's manual; some brands prescribe a specific product.
Step-by-step: bean-to-cup and espresso machines
Bean-to-cup machines almost always have a descaling programme. This is how you run through the process:
- Remove the water filter from the reservoir and empty the drip tray.
- Fill the reservoir with water and descaler according to the dosage on the packaging.
- Start the descaling programme via the menu and place a large container under the spout.
- Let the programme run completely; this usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Rinse the reservoir thoroughly, fill it with clean water and let the machine rinse through.
You descale an espresso machine without a programme manually: run the solution through the machine in stages via the spout and the steam wand, let the product work for 15 minutes and then flush at least two full reservoirs of clean water through.
Pod, capsule and filter machines
The same principle applies to pod and capsule machines: fill the reservoir with descaling solution, run the machine without a pod or capsule until the reservoir is empty and then rinse twice with clean water. Some brands have a special descaling mode; consult the manual. You descale a filter coffee maker by pouring the solution into the reservoir, running the device without coffee and then rinsing twice with clean water. Do not forget to give the hotplate and the jug a quick clean.
Ready for the perfect cup of coffee
With a clean, limescale-free machine you taste the difference immediately: hotter coffee, more aroma and a device that lasts years longer. Make sure you always have a descaler in stock, so you never put the job off. You will find suitable products for every type of machine in our descalers and cleaners collection. Is your machine due for replacement despite good maintenance? Then browse our range of coffee machines and find a model that suits you.
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