How to Descale Breville Espresso Machine: Expert Guide

You want your Breville espresso machine to keep making that perfect cup of coffee every day, right? I know how frustrating it is when your espresso tastes off or the machine acts slow. The best way to fix this is to descale it regularly. Descaling removes the hard water build-up inside your machine, making it work like new again. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to descale your Breville espresso machine, step by step, in simple words. You’ll be able to do it yourself without any hassle and enjoy great coffee again.

Prepare Your Machine for Descaling

Before you start descaling your Breville espresso machine, it’s important to get everything ready so the process goes smoothly. First, unplug your machine to be safe. Take out any coffee pods or capsules if you use them. Empty the water tank and remove it from the machine. You also want to empty the drip tray and any used coffee grounds. If your machine has a filter, remove it. This helps the descaling liquid flow properly through the machine.

Next, find a suitable descaling solution. You can buy a special Breville descaler or use a homemade mixture like vinegar and water, but the official descaler is better for your machine. Read the instructions on the bottle to mix the right amount with water. Fill the water tank with the descaling solution and put it back on the machine.

Make sure your machine is on a flat surface and near a sink or a place where you can empty the water easily. Have a container ready to catch the water that comes out during descaling. This preparation step is very important because if you don’t clean and get ready properly, the descaling will not work well, and you might damage the machine.

• Unplug the machine and remove coffee pods.
• Empty and remove the water tank, drip tray, and coffee grounds.
• Remove any filters from the machine.
• Prepare and fill the water tank with the descaling solution.
• Place the machine on a flat surface near a sink.
• Have a container ready to catch water during the process.

Start the Descaling Cycle

Now that your machine is ready and filled with descaling solution, it’s time to begin the descaling cycle. Turn on your Breville espresso machine. Depending on your model, you might have a descaling button or a combination of buttons to press for starting the descaling mode. Check your user manual to know exactly how to do this, but usually, it’s holding down the power and brew buttons at the same time.

Once the machine is in descaling mode, it will start pushing the descaling solution through the water lines and heating elements. You will see the liquid coming out of the coffee spouts into the container you placed earlier. This process might take 20 to 30 minutes or longer depending on how clogged your machine is.

Don’t rush this part. Let the machine do its job fully. Some machines will pause during the cycle to allow the solution to work on the build-up inside. You might hear some strange noises or see steam; this is normal. If your machine stops, follow the manual’s instructions to continue or restart the cycle.

• Turn on the machine and enter descaling mode.
• Let the machine push descaling solution through all water lines.
• Place a container to catch the output liquid.
• Wait patiently for 20-30 minutes or as per manual.
• Follow any pauses or instructions during the cycle.

Rinse the Machine Thoroughly

After the descaling cycle is complete, it’s very important to rinse your machine thoroughly. This step removes all the leftover descaling solution so your next coffee won’t taste strange or bad. Start by emptying the water tank and rinsing it well with clean water.

Fill the tank with fresh, clean water only (no descaling solution this time). Place it back on the machine. Run the machine through a full brewing cycle or descaling rinse cycle if your model has it. Let the water flow through the system just like during descaling. Catch this water in your container or sink.

You should repeat this rinse cycle at least two to three times to make sure all the descaling liquid is gone. Some machines will alert you when the rinse is done. Also, rinse out the drip tray and any removable parts you took off earlier.

Remember, if you skip or do a weak rinse, the descaling chemicals can mix with your coffee and taste bad, and it can even harm your health.

• Empty and clean the water tank.
• Fill with fresh water and run a rinse cycle.
• Catch the water in a container or sink.
• Repeat rinse cycles 2-3 times.
• Clean drip tray and removable parts.

Clean and Reassemble Your Machine

Once your Breville espresso machine is fully rinsed, it’s time to clean and put everything back together. Start by wiping the outside of your machine with a soft damp cloth to remove any splashes or dust. Check the water tank and drip tray; make sure they are clean and dry.

If your machine has a coffee filter or any other removable parts, clean them with warm soapy water, rinse well, and dry them before putting them back. Some parts might be dishwasher safe, but check the manual first.

After everything is cleaned, reassemble your machine carefully. Put the water tank back in place, reattach the drip tray, and insert any filters. Make sure all parts fit snugly and there are no loose pieces.

Cleaning your machine after descaling helps keep it working well and makes your espresso taste better. Also, it keeps your machine looking nice and new.

• Wipe down the machine’s outside.
• Clean water tank and drip tray thoroughly.
• Wash and dry filters and removable parts.
• Reassemble all parts correctly.
• Check for any loose or missing pieces.

Test Your Machine with a Water-Only Brew

Before making your favorite espresso, it’s a good idea to test your machine using only water to make sure everything is working right after descaling. This step helps check that there is no leftover taste or residue inside the machine.

Fill the water tank with fresh water. Turn the machine on and run a full brew cycle without putting any coffee in the filter. Watch the flow of water from the spouts. It should be steady and smooth without any strange noises or smells.

Taste the water that comes out. It should be clean, with no sour or chemical taste. If you still notice an off taste, run another rinse cycle or two until the water tastes fresh.

Testing your machine this way ensures your espresso will taste perfect and your machine is ready for daily use.

• Fill water tank with fresh water.
• Run a full brew cycle without coffee.
• Check water flow for smoothness.
• Taste the water for any strange flavors.
• Repeat rinse cycles if needed.

Maintain Regular Descaling Schedule

Descaling your Breville espresso machine is not a one-time thing. To keep your machine working well and your coffee tasting great, you need to descale regularly. How often depends on how often you use the machine and the hardness of your water.

If you use your machine daily, descaling every 1 to 3 months is a good rule. If you live in an area with hard water, you might need to do it more often. You can also install a water softener filter if you want to reduce mineral build-up.

Besides descaling, clean your machine’s parts regularly. Wipe down the exterior, clean the drip tray, and empty coffee grounds daily. This keeps the machine hygienic and prevents other problems.

Setting a regular schedule for descaling will save you from costly repairs and keep your espresso tasting fresh and smooth all the time.

• Descale every 1 to 3 months if used daily.
• Adjust schedule based on water hardness.
• Clean machine parts daily.
• Consider water softener filters.
• Follow a regular maintenance plan.

Final Thoughts

Descaling your Breville espresso machine might sound difficult, but it is actually simple when you know the right way. Taking time to prepare, run the descaling cycle, rinse thoroughly, clean, and test the machine will keep it working perfectly. Regular descaling means your espresso will taste fresh, and your machine will last longer. Remember, patience and care during the process make a big difference. Now, you can enjoy your coffee every day without worrying about scale build-up ruining the flavor or machine performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it necessary to use Breville’s official descaling solution?

It is not always necessary to use Breville’s official descaling solution, but it is highly recommended. Official descalers are designed specifically for Breville machines and are safe for the internal parts, ensuring they don’t cause damage. Some people use homemade solutions like vinegar and water, but these can sometimes harm the machine’s components or leave a strong smell that is hard to remove. If you want the safest and most effective option, use the official descaler.

Can I descale my machine without unplugging it first?

No, you should never descale your Breville espresso machine without unplugging it first. Unplugging is important for your safety to prevent electric shock or damage to the machine during cleaning. Always make sure the machine is off and unplugged before you start removing parts or filling the water tank with descaling solution.

Do I need to descale the machine if I use bottled water?

Using bottled or filtered water can reduce the amount of scale build-up, but you still need to descale your machine regularly. Even filtered water contains some minerals that build up over time. Descaling keeps the internal parts clean and working well, so your machine lasts longer and your espresso tastes great.

Is it safe to use vinegar for descaling?

While vinegar is a common household descaler, it is not the safest choice for your Breville espresso machine. Vinegar’s strong acidity can damage rubber seals and other parts inside the machine. It also leaves a strong smell and taste that can be hard to get rid of. It’s better to use a descaling product made for espresso machines to avoid these problems.

Can I descale my machine if it has a milk frother attached?

Yes, you can descale your Breville espresso machine even if it has a milk frother. However, you should clean the milk frother separately according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Descaling only works on the water circuits inside the machine. Be careful not to run descaling solution through the milk frother, as it can damage it.

Do I need to remove the coffee filter before descaling?

Yes, you should remove the coffee filter before starting the descaling process. The filter can block the flow of descaling solution and stop the cleaning from reaching all the internal parts. Removing the filter also makes sure no coffee grounds get wet and make a mess during descaling.

Is it okay to use cold water in the descaling solution?

It’s best to use warm or room temperature water when mixing your descaling solution. Cold water may slow down the descaling process because the chemicals work better at warmer temperatures. Follow the instructions on your descaling solution for the best temperature to use.

Can I skip rinsing after descaling?

No, you should never skip rinsing your machine after descaling. Rinsing removes the descaling chemicals left inside your machine. If you don’t rinse well, the leftover chemicals can affect the taste of your coffee and could even be harmful. Always run multiple rinse cycles with clean water to make sure your machine is completely clean.