Your machine is ready for descaling when the ‘1-cup’ button, ‘power’ button, ‘clean/descale’ indicator, and ‘hot water/steam’ indicator are illuminated. [4] X Research source
Remember to turn the steam dial back to its original position once you finish descaling the components.
Check that there isn’t any scent leftover from the descaling solution and make sure the rinsed water isn’t cloudy–it should be clear!
If you use your machine in an office (up to 6 times per day), descale your machine every 3 weeks to maintain the quality of your espresso. [11] X Research source
It’s helpful to look for similar ingredients found in Breville’s solution or purchase an alternative from the same manufacturer, like Cafetto. Caffeto’s self-branded descaler is approximately half the price of one from Breville.
Unlike vinegar, citric acid cleaning solutions don’t leave behind a sour stench![13] X Research source Since it’s naturally found in fruit, citric acid may not be as effective as the ingredients in commercial descaling solutions–it might take several cycles to completely clean your machine. [14] X Research source
The best way to prevent your coffee maker from building up calcium deposits is to use only distilled water. If you do not have distilled water and your coffee machine already has some build-up, you can use vinegar. You can wash all its parts and dry them. Then put all its parts together and fill the water tank with half water and half vinegar. Run as many cycles as possible until the tank is empty. You can use vinegar to descale, remove coffee residue, and disinfect your coffee machine. Avoid using vinegar if your machine has an aluminum heating block—the acetic acid in white vinegar can cause potential damage by eroding the interior components![16] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source Flush your machine with clean water 3-4 times to avoid a sour aftertaste in your espresso.
