How to Clean and Descale Your Espresso Maker

We all want the best tasting coffee possible in the morning. We find a routine and roast that works perfectly for us and follow that same pattern daily -  the right amount of grounds, the right temperature, the right milk to coffee ratio - but after awhile our morning caffeine boost isn't tasting the same or as good. Did I miss a step? Are my tastes changing? The easiest answer is probably that you haven't taken the time to thoroughly clean the appliance you use every morning. Scale builds up in your espresso maker or coffee machine and can greatly affect the taste and even alter the temperature at which your machine is brewing. Follow us for a fairly quick fix that you should be doing regularly to keep you coffee tasting amazing month after month.

In the video above, we are cleaning and descaling a Delonghi Espresso Machine. 

How often should I clean/descale my espresso maker?

This depends on how often you use your machine and if you have hard water. If you don't have hard water and use for 1-2 cups daily, you should aim for a thorough cleaning and descaling every 2-3 months. However, if you have hard water or make upwards of 5 cups of espresso a day, add this task to a monthly cleaning list. 

How should I clean my espresso maker?

Start by hand washing all removable parts in warm soapy water. This includes the drip tray, portafilter handle, the steamer head and the water reservoir tank. These items may need to be washed daily or weekly prevent stale coffee smell or undesirable buildup in the tank. 

Next fill your reservoir with a descaling agent such as vinegar or one that may come with your machine. Check the manual to ensure it doesn't advise against vinegar. 

Continue by running a brew cycle through both the espresso maker and the steamer/frother. Let the vinegar, or descaling agent, soak in the machine for ~10 minutes to allow it to breakdown the scale and other buildup. Run the machine until you have used all vinegar. Fill your reservoir tank with water and run, alternating between the espresso maker and the steamer, until no smell of vinegar is present during the process. This may be up to two tanks in the smaller versions (~8 cups of water). 

Be sure to thoroughly scrub the outside of the steamer as well to remove any milk that has built up over time. It has a way of sticking to the steam pipe even if you wipe it down after every use.

Common Comments

My milk is curdling after I cleaned my machine.

Run more water through the steamer/frother. Likely there is still a trace of vinegar in the line causing the milk to froth. 

Why don't I have to turn the frother on as high after cleaning? Also, the espresso seems to brew much faster. 

By removing scale you are allowing water to more quickly pass through the machine. Often, if it seems like the espresso maker is wearing out or you have to use higher settings, it is a result of scale buildup. Removing scale will allow your machine to work more efficiently.