Why Does My Delonghi Coffee Machine Needs descale so Often?

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If you make coffee every morning in the Delonghi coffee machine, then it must need cleaning/ or a regular descale process. When coffee machines are not descaled/ cleaned on time, limescale builds up, and at worst, fungus grows in your machine. This further makes your Delonghi coffee machine less efficient.

Therefore, you must descale the Delonghi coffee machine frequently to get better coffee, prolong its life and prevent your machine from mold and mildew. However, Delonghi coffee machine descaling depends on how often you use it.

Now, you must be wondering why your coffee machine needs descaling and how can you do it easily at home.

Read on! In this article, we have got you covered.

For the Keurig K-Slim model describe light reasons and solutions, read this post instead.

Why Does Delonghi Coffee Machine Need Descaling?

Delonghi Espresso makers are one of the best when it comes to quality and longevity.

Delonghi coffee maker may look neat and shiny on the outside however it can be nasty and sticky on the inside and hence has to be descaled. Limescale, which is hard and white sometimes called ‘scale,’ is what is left over from heated water. If you use hard water to make your coffee, it is brimming with very high levels of both calcium and magnesium salts.

Moreover, heat in the Delonghi coffee machine breaks down the deposited salts and converts them into solid limescale and hence the process to descale is necessary. The limescale particles affect almost every part of the machine that carries water. The boiler is the most influential part of it. When water sits in there for a while too, it can suffer more limescale deposited.

Well, limescale is not toxic, although when it solidifies inside the intricate parts of your Delonghi coffee maker, it affects the brewing process, leading to less effective heating. Furthermore, it ruins the taste of your coffee. Even if you use soft water, you’ll have to get rid of limescale at some point.

Besides that, the layers of deposited minerals create a big mess. Thus, your coffee machine needs descaling. The purpose of descaling is to remove dirt and mineral residues inside the coffee machine’s components that are difficult to access.

How to Know Your Coffee Machine Needs a Descale?

The frequency of descaling Delonghi coffee machines also depends on your usage. If you use your coffee machine more often, you may also need to descale it more frequently. If used less often, descaling every two months with a descaling solution can help.

Also, a few signs indicate your coffee maker needs descaling. When you notice some chalky and white residues in the coffee or a bit changed taste then it’s time to descale.

Additionally, some machines while brewing gives a gurgling sound or any unusual sound or a notable failure to reach the right temperature. This sign further indicates that your best-loved machine needs descaling.

On the other hand, there are some models in which light indicators, bells, and whistles are present. These alarms on the coffee machine turn on when the time for descaling arrives. However, older models come without these advanced features. You can also descale your Delonghi coffee machine when you notice you have brewed coffee excessively times.

Some residual particles stick and build up over a certain time when you use your coffee machine. This deposition further leads to a big mess which is hard to remove. Delonghi coffee machine has many parts that make it work. Although, some parts such as the coffee basket and carafe are removable and can be cleaned easily with no hassle. Whereas some areas which are hard to reach are cleaned by descaling.

How to do Delonghi Coffee Machine Descaling? A Step-by-Step Guide

For regular cleaning, you just need a bit of warm soapy water, and a well-ventilated area to air dry. For unremovable deep parts inside the machine, you need descaling.

You can’t use mineral and tap water in the coffee brewing world. Tap water is rather obvious why you shouldn’t use it however, anything that isn’t purified or filtered will promote the build-up of limescale. Even if you are using the right water, it is crucial to descale your coffee maker now and again to freshen it up.

There are a few steps on how to descale your Delonghi Coffee Machine

Step 1: Indication for Descaling

Delonghi coffee machine models have different automatic lights that glow on the machine’s steam symbol when it requires immediate descaling. When the light turns on, ensure you descale the machine to avoid damaging and affecting the brew quality.

Step 2: Getting a Delonghi descaler

There is a wide variety of descalers. You can get generic coffee machine descaling solutions. Although, purchasing the Delonghi coffee machine descaler gives the best results.

Step 3: Remove the water tank

Turn the machine on and wait for it to heat up. Remove the water reservoir from the back of the machine. Fill the water reservoir with around 1 liter of water before adding the descaling solution.

Step 4: Add in the Descaler

Pour the descaling solution into the water and dilute it.

Step 5: Fill the container with water

Next, place the water tank back in place on the Delonghi coffee machine. Next, fill the container or a bowl with up to 1.5 liter water. Now keep the water-filled container under the machine’s steam wand and boiler outlet.

Step 6: Press the steam button

To initiate the automatic descaling program, you only do access the settings menu by holding and pressing the steam button for 10 seconds. Turn the steam dial on, then press the steam button. Automatic descaling begins. Wait for 10 seconds and turn the steam dial off.

Step 7: Allow water to pass

Continue this process periodically until this descaling program finishes. Allow the coffee machine to run until all the water passes from the reservoir through the machine and exits into the water bowl or container. Don’t worry if you find impurities in the water. It means the descaling has been done!

Step 8: See the color

When the orange color (depending on the machine model) steam button blinks descaling is completed. Ensure that the solution is properly flashed out. The descaling process is not completely done. You will notice the light continues to glow. You need to repeat the process without a descaling solution this time.

Step 9: Refill the tank

Remove the water reservoir from the machine and refill the tank with water. Fix the water tank, ensuring it sits properly on the machine.

Step 10: Turn the steam valve

To repeat the cleaning process, press the steam button. The machine will descale once more; the process might take between 20 to 30 minutes. Watch the machine lights/indicator to know when to close the steam knob once the cleaning is complete.

Now, it’s time to make coffee!