Keeping your coffee maker clean is essential for great tasting coffee every morning. If you’ve noticed slower brewing, weaker coffee, or odd noises, it’s probably time to learn how to descale Breville coffee maker. This simple maintenance task removes the mineral scale that builds up from water, ensuring your machine works perfectly for years to come.
Scale is just limescale, those white chalky deposits from calcium and magnesium in hard water. Over time, they clog the internal tubes and heating elements of your Breville. This makes your machine less efficient, can alter your coffee’s flavor, and might even lead to costly repairs. Descaling is the solution, and it’s easier than you think.
How to Descale Breville Coffee Maker
The core process is similar for most Breville espresso machines and coffee makers, like the Barista Express, Bambino, or the Precision Brewer. Always check your specific model’s manual first, as details can vary. The general steps involve running a descaling solution through the machine’s brewing cycle.
You’ll need a descaling solution. Breville recommends their own brand, but other brands like Durgol or Dezcal that are safe for espresso machines work well too. You can also use a mixture of white vinegar and water, though some people prefer commercial solutions for less odor. Never use harsh chemicals like bleach.
Here is the basic step-by-step guide.
1. Prepare Your Machine. Ensure the water tank is completely empty. Remove any coffee grounds from the portafilter or brew basket. Take out the water filter if your model has one, as descaling can damage it.
2. Mix the Descaling Solution. Fill the water tank with fresh, cold water up to the “MAX” line. Add the entire bottle of Breville descaling solution or your chosen product according to its instructions. If using vinegar, mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
3. Enter Descaling Mode. Place a large container (at least 1 liter) under the group head (for espresso machines) and the hot water outlet if your machine has one. For drip coffee makers, place the carafe in its spot. Turn on the machine. For many Breville models, you enter descaling mode by pressing and holding the 1-cup and 2-cup buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds until the lights flash.
4. Start the Descaling Cycle. Press the program button or the 1-cup button to begin. The machine will start pumping the descaling solution through its system. It will pause automatically; this is normal. The cycle may take 15-20 minutes. Halfway through, you might need to move your container to the steam wand outlet if prompted.
5. Rinse Thoroughly. This is the most critical step! Once the descaling cycle finishes, empty and rinse the water tank very well. Fill it again with fresh, cold water only. Place your container back under the group head. Run the machine through 2-3 full tank cycles of just water to flush out any remaining descaling solution or vinegar taste. This ensures your next coffee won’t have any leftover flavor.
Preparing for the Descaling Process
Before you start, a little prep makes everything smoother. First, find a good chunk of time, about 30-45 minutes where you won’t need to use the machine. The process can’t be rushed, especially the rinsing part.
Gather your supplies: descaling solution, a large bowl or container (big enough to hold over a liter of liquid), fresh water, and a clean cloth. It’s also a smart idea to have some paper towels on hand for any drips. Clear some space around your machine so you can work comfortably.
Check your machine’s manual for any model-specific instructions. Some newer Breville machines have a dedicated descaling program that guides you through with lights on the control panel. Knowing your machine’s particular sequence prevents any confusion mid-cycle.
Step-by-Step Descaling Instructions
Let’s break down the steps with a bit more detail, focusing on common Breville espresso machines.
For Breville Espresso Machines (Barista Series, Bambino, etc.):
1. Ensure the machine is cool and turned off. Empty the drip tray and the water tank completely.
2. Add the descaling solution to the water tank, then top it up with water to the MAX line. Reinstall the tank.
3. Place the large empty container on the drip tray grate, positioning it under the group head and the steam wand.
4. Turn the machine on. To enter descaling mode, you typically press and hold the 1-cup and 2-cup buttons until all buttons flash. The machine may beep.
5. Press the 1-cup button to start. The machine will begin dispensing descaling solution intermittently. It will pause for periods; this is to let the solution soak and dissolve scale. Just wait.
6. When the tank is almost empty, the machine may stop and beep. At this point, you might need to move the container to catch water from the steam wand. Follow any on-screen or light prompts your model gives.
7. Once the solution tank is empty, the cycle ends. Rinse the water tank thoroughly and fill it with clean, cold water only.
8. Repeat the process: enter descaling mode again and run the cycle, but now with just clean water. Do this at least two full times to rinse completely. After the final rinse, your machine is ready for normal use.
For Breville Grind Control or Precision Brewer Drip Machines:
1. Remove the water reservoir and pour out any old water. Add the descaling solution and water as per instructions. Put the reservoir back.
2. Place the carafe on the warming plate. You can also remove the brew basket and put a large container directly under the shower head.
3. Start a brew cycle without any coffee in the filter. Let the full carafe of descaling solution brew through. Pause halfway and let it sit for 15 minutes, then resume.
4. Discard the liquid. Rinse the carafe and reservoir well.
5. Fill the reservoir with fresh water. Run multiple brew cycles with only water until you no longer smell vinegar or cleaner. This could take 3-4 full cycles.
Choosing the Right Descaling Solution
Your choice of descaler matters. Breville’s official solution is formulated for their machines and is very reliable. Commercial citric acid-based descalers are also excellent and often leave less odor than vinegar.
White vinegar is a common household alternative. It’s effective and inexpensive, but the smell can be strong and may linger if not rinsed extremely well. Some coffee enthusiasts believe vinegar can slightly degrade rubber seals over a very long time, though this is debated.
Lemon juice is another natural option, but it’s less effective on heavy scale. It’s also acidic and can leave a residue. For the health of your prized Breville, a dedicated descaler is usually the safest and most effective bet. It’s worth the small investment.
How Often Should You Descale?
The frequency depends entirely on your water hardness and how much you use your machine. Breville generally recommends descaling every 2-3 months under normal use. But you should adjust this based on your situation.
If you have very hard water, you might need to descale monthly. If you use filtered or soft water, you could extend it to every 4-6 months. Pay attention to your machine’s performance: slower brewing times, reduced steam power, or a change in coffee taste are all clear signs scale is building up.
Some high-end Breville models have a “Descale” alert light that will illuminate when it’s time. Don’t ignore this light! It means the machine’s internal calculations suggest significant scale buildup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Everyone makes mistakes, but avoiding these common ones will keep your Breville in top shape.
* Insufficient Rinsing: This is the biggest error. Not rinsing enough leaves cleaner or vinegar in the system, which will ruin your next several coffees. When you think you’ve rinsed enough, do one more cycle.
* Using the Wrong Cleaner: Never use abrasive cleaners, bleach, or harsh chemicals like CLR. They can damage internal seals and metal parts. Stick to descaling products meant for coffee appliances.
* Forgetting to Remove the Water Filter: If your Breville has a charcoal water filter in the tank, take it out before descaling. The descaling solution will saturate and ruin the filter, making it useless.
* Rushing the Process: The pauses during the cycle are there for a reason—to let the descaler work. Don’t try to skip or shorten them. Let the machine run its full program.
* Neglecting the Steam Wand: Remember to run the descaling solution and rinse water through the steam wand if your machine’s cycle includes it. Scale builds up there too, affecting your milk frothing.
Maintaining Your Machine Between Descalings
Regular cleaning prevents big problems and makes descaling easier. After each use, wipe the group head and steam wand with a damp cloth. Purge the steam wand for a few seconds after frothing milk to clear the tip.
Backflush your espresso machine with a blind basket and cleaning powder (like Cafiza) every week if you use it daily. This cleans the group head and shower screen of coffee oils, which is different from scale. Empty and rinse the drip tray and water tank every few days to prevent mold or slime.
Use good quality water. Filtered water is best as it reduces mineral content from the start, slowing scale formation. It also simply makes better tasting coffee. Avoid using distilled or purified water, as they can be too pure and affect the machine’s heating in some cases.
Troubleshooting Descaling Issues
Sometimes things don’t go perfectly. Here’s what to do if you encounter problems.
If your machine won’t enter descaling mode, double-check the button combination in the manual. Ensure the machine is at operating temperature and that you’re pressing the correct buttons for long enough. If the lights won’t flash, try turning the machine off and on again.
If there’s still a vinegar or chemical taste after rinsing, you need to rinse more. Run several additional water tanks through the brewing cycle. You can also try brewing a sacrificial batch of inexpensive coffee to absorb any lingering flavors before making your usual drink.
For low water flow during the cycle, don’t panic. Heavy scale can sometimes break loose and cause a temporary blockage. Pause the cycle, let the machine cool, and check for any visible debris. Continue the cycle; the pressure often clears it. If flow stops completely, you may need to contact Breville support.
The Importance of Regular Descaling
Descaling isn’t just about taste. It’s about protecting your investment. Scale acts as an insulator on the heating element, forcing it to work harder and use more electricity. Over years, this can cause the heating element to fail prematurely, which is a expensive repair.
Scale also clogs the small valves and tubes inside the machine. This leads to poor pressure, which means bad espresso extraction and weak steam for milk frothing. Your machine will simply not perform as it was designed to. Regular descaling keeps everything flowing and heating efficiently, ensuring every cup is as good as the first.
It also extends the lifespan of your machine significantly. A well-maintained Breville can last for a decade or more. Neglecting scale can shorten that to just a few years. A little maintenance goes a very long way.
FAQ Section
How do I clean my Breville coffee machine?
Daily cleaning involves wiping surfaces and rinsing parts like the portafilter. Weekly, you should backflush the group head with a cleaner like Cafiza to remove coffee oils. Descaling is a separate, less frequent process (every few months) to remove hard water minerals from inside the machine.
What can I use to descale my Breville if I don’t have the official solution?
You can use a commercial citric acid descaler like Dezcal or Durgol. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water is also a common and effective household alternative. Just be prepared for extra thorough rinsing to remove the vinegar smell.
Why is my Breville not working after descaling?
If the machine won’t run after descaling, ensure you’ve completed the full rinse cycles and exited the descaling mode properly. Try turning it off and unplugging it for 2 minutes, then restart. If it still doesn’t work, a piece of dislodged scale may be blocking a valve; contacting Breville support is the best next step.
Following this guide on how to descale Breville coffee maker will keep your machine running smoothly. It’s a simple habit that protects your appliance and guarantees your daily coffee is always at its best.