When your espresso machine is getting expensive, it’s time to say goodbye! If you are thinking of giving up caffeine or trying another brand of coffee, then there is an easy way to get rid of all that powdery residue left over from making espresso.
This article will talk about how to descale your Nespresso coffee maker. It can be done easily at home with just some supplies. I will also include some important points about when to descale and what types of material should be removed. So keep reading for tips now!
Disclaimer: While this article contains many helpful tips, please make sure to do your research first before beginning any repair process. Changing components in a coffee maker without knowing why could potentially damage the unit or hurt yourself.
How to properly descale a coffee machine
There are several ways to descale your espresso or cappuccino maker. Some methods require you to use special tools, while others do not! It all depends on what model of coffeemaker you have as well as whether it is manual or automatic.
In this article we will talk about some easy tips for how to descale an average size espresso machine. Then we will discuss some important points about more expensive espresso machines.
To give you a good overview of everything, I have compiled a table with all of the information here. Make sure to check out the rest of the articles in our beginner’s guide section! Also, feel free to comment below if you have any questions.
Do it yourself desclosing
Even if you have no experience working with espresso machines, there are plenty of ways to do this procedure on your own. While some services offer full service coffee bar facilities, most people do not. That is why it is important to know how to make good quality espresso at home!
There are many online resources that can teach you how to make delicious espressos in all different styles and flavors. Some tips include using cold water for brewing, mixing together the right ingredients, and knowing when to stop steaming and press the machine.
Once you are able to make a perfect espresso every time, then you can start experimenting more. Many people use their homemade espresso as a base to add other flavorings to- like milk or cocoa powder.
Send it to the repair shop
If you find that your espresso machine is not working properly, try taking it somewhere where they can help fix it for you. Most coffee shops will be able to tell you how to descelle an Italian drink making process!
Most importantly, never use distilled water to make beverages with your espresso maker! This could cause damage to the parts of the device that produce steam and pressure.
Instead, pick up some bottled spring or filtered tap water so that it is completely clean. You can also buy purified water at most grocery stores these days. Make sure that it does not contain additives such as flavorings or preservatives.
Now, when you are preparing drinks, use the provided cartridges or pour yourself a cup of tea or soda first and then add milk to make your beverage.
What happens if I don’t descale?
Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to descale their coffee maker! If you use your espresso machine at work or for a business, what happens if you forget to descale it before vacation?
If you do not know how to descale your machine, then unfortunately you have no way of knowing whether or not there is any acid in your drink. Some acids such as citric acid are needed to keep your drinks tasting good, so your colleagues may not like what you give them!
There can be serious health consequences due to poor digestion caused by too much stomach acid, but also possible poisoning if enough acid is consumed.
Will my coffee taste bad?
Even though there are some who claim that new espresso machines can taste more acid than old ones, this is not true of most models. Most newer espresso machines have designed their components in such a way as to minimize acidity!
Acid is an important flavor component in many types of foods. Acidity helps make things like fruits or vegetables taste better. Therefore, having less acid in your drinks will be perceived as lacking in taste and flavor.
This could sometimes be described as “tasting watered down” or “without punch” which both are undesirable qualities for drink recipes!
Most people agree that the cream used to make lattes and other beverages is one of the top sources of acid content in a Starbucks iced beverage.
How to properly descale a coffee machine
The term “descaling” comes from the chemical process of removing dissolved minerals, such as calcium or magnesium, that can build up in your drink. When you run out of this ingredient, your beverage may no longer taste good and could even be harmful if you ingest it.
Since most people agree that drinking too much water is our body’s natural way to lose excess fluid, adding more water to your drinks is the perfect place to start when descaling. You do not need to add any additional liquid to make your drink better because the extra moisture will help wash away some of the acidity caused by the buildup.
There are two main reasons why your espresso machine will go down this path: over-extraction and incorrect use of the pump. Both of these cause acidic drops to combine with the milk in the cup, creating less flavor and possibly harming your health due to the high amount of acid in the drink.
Pour the descloaking solution into the machine
The next step in how to descale your Nespresso coffee maker is to pour the solution onto the surface of the machine. Simply use a glass or plastic cup, and pour the liquid solution over all surfaces of the device.
Make sure you spread the solution across all areas of the machine, including the water chamber, milk frothing area, and espresso dosing system. If needed, start with a small amount of solution and then rinse off any excess as necessary.
Let it sit for a few minutes
While most people agree that pre-use of your espresso machine is not good, there are some who claim this step is unnecessary and even harmful. These individuals suggest that users can use their coffee maker immediately after desiccation.
This theory was popularized in 2016 when YouTube user TheMadB0b posted an instructional video showing his method. In the video, he uses the same amount of water as our normal technique and trims down the length to only two drops!
He then spends around ten seconds using the coffee machine before complaining about the bad taste and stating that it ruined the drink. This got enough attention that other YouTubers began debunking the myth by adding their experiences with the trick.
Many believe that these issues arise because during the extended time spent without water, components dry out and become less effective. This includes things like filters and plastic parts. Changing or replacing these items could potentially ruin the quality of your next brewed beverage.
However, this does not mean that prepping drinks with dried out equipment is totally impossible or ineffective. It just means you should do so with caution until proven otherwise.