What does descaling mean?
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What is descaling?
To keep your coffee machine or pod machine running smoothly, regular descaling is essential. Descaling is the process of removing the scale buildup - typically a white, crusty substance composed of calcium and magnesium from tap water - that accumulates any appliances that are exposed to water.
The more frequently you descale, the easier it is to maintain your coffee machine. Using a special descaling solution, you can effectively clean the internal components of your coffee maker, ensuring it remains in top condition. (And while you’re at it, now might be a good time to give your kettle some attention too. Maybe your shower tiles as well? Yeah, limescale is everywhere!)
Do I have to descale my coffee machine?
The short answer? Absolutely yes.
Regardless of whether you have a pod coffee machine or an espresso machine, descaling needs to be part of your cleaning routine. Luckily, descaling only needs to happen every couple of months, so don’t stress thinking you need to do a deep clean every time you whip up a frothy cappuccino.
There’s a few signs to look out for when it comes to deciding if your coffee machine is due a good descaling.
- Your coffee tastes extra bitter and burnt
- The water in the machine isn’t flowing well
- Your machine is making strange sounds
- The water isn’t heating well
How to descale a coffee machine
The process of descaling can vary slightly between machines, but the general gist is the same. For instance, this is the process for descaling a DeLonghi coffee machine.
- Mix descaling solution
This can be purchased through DeLonghi. It’s a specially designed solution to deep clean your coffee machine.
- Fill the water reservoir
Fill the water reservoir according to manufacturer’s instructions that come with your specific machine (and be careful not to overfill) with hot water and the descaling solution.
- Run the descale cycle
Your DeLonghi machine’s user manual will have clear instructions on how to run the descale cycle. Keep running the cycle until the solution has flowed through the entire machine.
- Flush with water
Now it’s time to get rid of any lingering descaling solution from your machine so it doesn't ruin your coffee. Flush out your machine with water a few times.- you do this by running the descaling cycle, but without the descaling solution.
As for other brands, ALDI has this step-by-step instruction guide for cleaning their Expressi machine.
- Remove and empty the water tank.
- Refill the water tank with a descaling solution (not included) and water as specified on the instructions of the descaling solution. Refit the tank back into the unit.
- Place a cup/container under the dispenser.
- Dispense the descaling solution by alternately pressing the espresso and lungo buttons, emptying the cup/container as necessary.
- Repeat until the water tank is completely empty.
- Remove the water tank, wash, rinse and then fill completely with clean drinking water.
- Place your cup/container under the dispenser and rinse the machine through with this fresh water by alternately pressing the espresso and lungo buttons.
As you can see, the process is very similar.
Nespresso on the other hand has a specific descaling guide for each of its pod coffee machines (including video guides) that you can check out.
FAQs
Cleaning is the ongoing, regular maintenance of your machine to keep it clean from coffee granules, bacteria and mould. Descaling on the other hand is done to specifically clean limescale from your coffee machine.
If you don’t descale your pod coffee machine regularly, your coffee may taste super weird (aka bitter and burnt), and your machine may start to malfunction or stop working.
The general rule of thumb is to give your pod coffee machine a descale every 6 months or so. If it’s been about 6 months since you last descaled it, then it’s due for another one.
Nespresso has a video guide to show you exactly how to clean each of their machines. Check out their website!
Loads of online recipes will suggest using a homemade concoction with vinegar to clean your coffee machine, but most brands will advise against this, especially for descaling. This is because vinegar can damage the machine.
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