Regular maintenance of coffee equipment is not just a whim, but a necessity to preserve the quality of the drink. Over time, mineral deposits and coffee oils accumulate inside the system, which significantly affect the taste of espresso. Many owners ignore this process until the device stops working properly.
If you notice that the drink has become sour, there was a foreign taste or decreased water flow, then it is time to act. Washing of the carob coffee machine It eliminates blockages and restores working pressure. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to carry out the cleaning procedure without damaging the equipment.
Timely maintenance of your equipment ensures that your De'Longhi or Saeco They will last for many years without expensive repairs in the service center. It is important to understand the difference between daily water rinsing and deep chemical cleaning. Let’s start by preparing the necessary funds.
Signs of cleaning and preparation
The first signal that the internal hydraulic system is contaminated is the change in the time of the strait. The water begins to drip too slowly or, conversely, pours a powerful string without the characteristic hissing. This is a clear indication that scale The canals were closed or, conversely, the gasket was worn.
It is also worth paying attention to the visual characteristics of the cream. If the foam has become pale, settles quickly or has an uneven structure, then there are problems in the system. Oily deposits from previous brews are oxidized and give the drink bitterness.
- 🔴 The cooking time of one serving increased by more than 5 seconds.
- 🔴 Water drips from the nose even after the cycle is completed.
- 🔴 There was a whistling or humming when the pump was working.
- 🔴 The indicator of the need for decalcification caught fire on the panel.
⚠️ Warning: Never use acetic acid in its pure form for carob machines. The aggressive environment can damage rubber seals and plastic elements inside the boiler, leading to leaks.
To start the work, you will need a special tool for removing scale, designed specifically for coffee equipment. Conventional household scale products for kettles may contain fragrances or components unsafe for food use in high-pressure boilers.
Tools and tools needed
The success of the operation depends on the quality of the materials used. You will need a decalcination liquid, which is sold in specialty stores, or citric acid in the correct concentration. Also, do not forget to prepare a container for collecting water of at least 1.5 liters.
It is important to have a soft sponge and a brush to clean the holder. Hard brushes can scratch the chrome coating or damage the filter mesh. Food silicone may be required to lubricate the moving parts of the brewing mechanism, although this is not always necessary for standard washing.
Check for distilled water. Using tap water for the final system rinse will nullify all efforts, as you will simply add a new batch of stiffness salts. distillate Or water purified by reverse osmosis is the perfect choice.
| Component | Appointment | Replacement frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid from scale | Dissolution of mineral deposits | Every 2-3 months |
| Grid filter | Coffee dust delay | When damaged |
| Rubber pad | Sealing the group | Every 6-12 months |
| Lubricant | Care for moving parts | Once a year. |
Prepare a dry towel or microfiber wipes. They will be needed to wipe the external surfaces and remove droplets of solution that can get on the body during the active drilling phase.
Daily washing without chemistry
Before we move on to heavy artillery, we will examine the basic care that must be performed after each use. It is a simple procedure that takes less than a minute, but it prevents coffee oils from solidifying in hard-to-reach places.
Immediately after making coffee, remove the holder and throw away the spent pill. Rinse the holdinger basket under a stream of hot water, carefully removing all the remnants of coffee dust. Pay special attention to the edges where dirt most often accumulates.
Then turn on the hot water supply without the basket installed for 5-10 seconds. This stream will wash away the rest of the coffee from the boiler and the nose. Don’t ignore this step, as dried coffee becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria.
Rub the steam tube with a wet cloth immediately after whipping the milk. The frozen milk clogs the holes and gives the drink the smell of old cheese.
Once a week, it is recommended to conduct a more thorough washing of the group. To do this, insert a special blank basket into the holdinger (or use a rubber plug), pour some water and turn the machine on for a few seconds, creating a reverse pressure effect.
Deep decalcination: a step-by-step process
Now let’s get to the basic procedure. Pour the scale removal product into the water tank according to the instructions on the package. Usually the proportion is 100 ml of the product per 1 liter of water, but for Bosch or Siemens The dosage may be different.
Turn on the coffee machine and wait for the heat. When the readiness indicator lights up, open the hot water tap (if any) or start the coffee brewing cycle without a holder. Collect about half of the solution in a container.
Leave the car alone for 15-20 minutes. This time is necessary for the chemical solution to react with scale inside the boiler and tubes. Do not turn your device off the network unless the instruction requires otherwise, as some models automatically maintain the temperature.
☑️ Checklist of decalcination
After a pause, drain the remaining solution. It is now critical to thoroughly wash the system. Pour clean water into the tank and run it through the machine completely, repeating the cycle 2-3 times. This is to remove the residues of acid and dissolved salts.
⚠️ Warning: If the water still has a chemical flavor or foam after washing, continue the washing cycles. Acid in a cup of coffee is unacceptable and dangerous to health.
Cleaning the holdinger and the brewing group
Mechanical cleaning of removable elements is no less important than chemical treatment of internal pathways. Remove the holder and remove the metal basket. Soak them in a hot solution of detergent for coffee equipment or in a strong solution of soda for 30 minutes.
Use a soft brush to remove plaque from the walls of the basket. The holes must be perfectly clean so that the water passes evenly. If you notice that the mesh is deformed or the holes are widened, it is better to replace this element.
Notice the rubber seal inside the group where the holder is inserted. Rub it with a wet cloth, removing the accumulated coffee cereal. It is here that mold is most often formed, which spoils the taste of the drink.
How often do I change the pad?
The rubber gasket of the group should be changed every 6-12 months of active use. Signs of wear: the holdinger became easy to turn, water flows along the edges during cooking, appeared to flow on the connection.
Grease the rubber seal with food silicone. This will prolong its service life and ensure the tightness of the connection. Avoid using technical lubricants as they are toxic and can dissolve in hot water.
Errors in maintenance of equipment
Many users make common mistakes that reduce the efficiency of cleaning to zero. The most common of these is the use of too hot water to prepare a solution of chemistry. Boiling water can cause a violent reaction and splashing of aggressive liquid.
Another mistake is to ignore the instructions for a particular model. For example, automatic washing some brands require sequence of button pressing. Simply turning on the heating mode without activating the decalcification program may not start the pump properly.
- 🚫 Use of abrasive sponges to clean chrome surfaces.
- 🚫 Attempt to clean the nose with a needle (you can damage the calibration of the hole).
- 🚫 Leaving water in the tank for a long time (the risk of water blooming).
- 🚫 Neglecting replacing filters in water if they are in the system
Also, do not try to disassemble the boiler yourself without the availability of skills and tools. The internal elements are under pressure and inept assembly can lead to depressurization and short circuit.
Regular prevention takes less time than complex repairs. Spend 15 minutes every two months to avoid carrying your car to the service.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Can I use citric acid instead of special products?
You can use it, but with caution. The solution should be of low concentration (no more than 20-30 grams per liter). Citric acid is less effective against complex deposits and may require more frequent use. Specialized products contain corrosion inhibitors that protect the metal.
Why did coffee taste worse after cleaning?
You probably didn’t clean the system properly. Conduct another 2-3 cycles of running clean water. It’s also possible that you used too aggressive chemistry that damaged the rubber elements and now they give a taste.
How often should I do a complete decalcification?
The frequency depends on the hardness of the water. With medium stiffness and daily use - every 2-3 months. If the water is very hard, the procedure is carried out monthly. In regions with soft water, the interval can be increased to 4-5 months.
What if the car does not turn on after cleaning?
Check if the electrical contacts were completely dry if you washed the exterior. If the machine was working normally before the chemical cleaning, it is possible that the aggressive solution has hit the electronics or sensors. In this case, you need to dry out within 24 hours or contact the service.