Descaling

Descaling the machine should of course be done every now and then. The way to carry out this depends on the type of heating source (boiler, heat exchanger or thermoblock) and the hardness of the water in your place of residence. For most machines, once or twice a year is sufficient. Use a product specifically made for espresso machines, not cleaning vinegar. See the description per heating source for specified instructions. The use of a limescale filter/softener on the suction hose is recommended. Change it once every 3 months, more often if the water is very hard where you live. Always consult the instructions for your espresso machine or view our specific instructions per machine.

- Descaling an espresso machine with thermoblock

Machines such as QuickMill, La Piccola and Ascaso are equipped with a thermoblock. This is a technique that ensures that there is very little limescale deposits. Nevertheless, a thermoblock should also be descaled once or twice a year. Depending on the hardness of the water in your municipality and how often you steam with the machine. Descaling more often makes the pipes rough and makes it easier for lime to adhere to the pipe of the thermoblock. Use a liquid descaling agent for a thermoblock.

1. Fill the water reservoir with 250 ml of water and add 250 ml of Bio De-Scale (1:1).
2. Allow the espresso machine to reach operating temperature
3. Allow half of the contents of the water reservoir to flow through.
4. Allow the espresso machine to warm up again and run the machine briefly a few times (10 seconds on, 10 seconds off).
5. Repeat step 3 and if your espresso machine is equipped with a steam pipe, you could run the descaler through the steam pipe in this step.
6. Rinse the water tank thoroughly and fill it with clean water.
7. Run a large amount of water (at least 250ml) until the smell of the descaler has completely disappeared.

In the video below we show you how to descale your QuickMill:

- Descaling an espresso machine with a single boiler

Machines such as Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia, Ascaso, Isomac, Vibiemme, Lelit and others are equipped with a so-called single boiler. With these machines, you must heat the boiler after making coffee to be able to steam. For this heating source we recommend descaling the boiler once or twice with a powder descaler, we use Scale Clean Plus or Calcinet for this. Dissolve 1 or 2 tablespoons per liter in the water tank and let the machine run so that the boiler is filled with the solution. Let it stand for +/- 1 hour and rinse occasionally and also use the steam tap a few times. Then rinse the water tank thoroughly and fill it with clean water. After this, you must rinse the machine very thoroughly through the brewing group until the taste/odor of the descaler has completely disappeared.

- Descaling an espresso machine with a heat exchanger / HX boiler

Most machines with an E61 group are equipped with a heat exchanger. With these machines you can steam and brew coffee at the same time, but you cannot adjust the temperature of the coffee and steam independently of each other. For this heating source, we recommend descaling the boiler once or twice a year with a powder descaler. We use Scale Clean Plus or Calcinet  for this purpose. Dissolve 1 or 2 tablespoons per liter in the water tank. The heat exchanger boiler consists of 2 compartments (coffee and steam/tea), both of which need to be descaled. In the video below we show you how to descale a heat exchanger:

If your machine is connected to the water mains, you can switch the machine to the internal tank, or if that is not possible, disconnect the hose from the water mains and put it in a bucket with descaler.

- Descaling an espresso machine with a dual boiler

The luxury machines with an E61 group are equipped with 2 boilers. With these machines you can steam and brew coffee at the same time and also adjust the temperature of the coffee and steam independently of each other. We also recommend descaling the boilers with a powder descaler for this heating source once or twice a year; we use Scale Clean Plus or Calcinet for this purpose. Dissolve 1 or 2 tablespoons per liter in the water tank. These machines therefore have 2 boilers that need to be descaled. - For the coffee boiler, follow the instructions for the single boiler. - For the steam/tea boiler, follow the instructions for the heat exchanger. If your machine is connected to the water mains, you can switch the machine to the internal tank, or if that is not possible, disconnect the hose from the water mains and put it in a bucket with descaler.