Descaling Coffee Machine
August 25, 2009 by
Filed under Coffee Care
Coffee machine needs to be kept in good working condition to produce good tasting coffee. Over time, if the coffee machine is not cleaned properly, it will definitely cause problems in the future. One method that should be done regularly is descaling. Descaling is a term that enable the user to remove the lime that can cause damages to the boiler and pump.
When the coffee machine is first bought, most of the time, you will find descaling instructions in the user’s manual. Sometimes, the instructions can be unclear so here are so information that might be helpful.
Descaling should be done when the coffee machine is cold. Once the coffee machine is cold enough to touch, grab a container and fill with water and citric acid solution. Avoid using vinegar when descaling because it will not remove the lime deposits.
Once the solution and water is mixed, pour it into the coffee machine water container. If the machine is unplugged, plug the machine into the socket and turn it on. The user should then start to pump water out of the nozzle for 20 to 30 seconds before turning it off. Not all models will have this function and for those than don’t, it will need to be pumped through the group handle.
For the lime to dissolve, it only takes about 10 minutes. The process should be repeated a couple more times so the liquid content in the container is completely pumped out. The entire process of descaling usually takes about an hour to complete since it is done 4 to 5 times.
The last part of descaling is to make a fresh cup of coffee. Run the coffee with clean water as if you are making coffee. After the coffee machine complete its cycle, throw the coffee away. Doing so will ensure that all the lime has been removed from the machine.
Descaling should be done once a month to keep the coffee machine in good working condition and produce good tasting coffee. If the machine is used frequently, it might need to be cleaned every 2 weeks or so. Once the descaling process is complete, the taste of your coffee will be like when the machine was first purchased.
