Cleaning products for coffee machines, rating of the most popular companies

A coffee machine is a convenient technique for preparing a fragrant drink at home. For long-term operation of the device, regular care is required, which will preserve its functionality for a long time. Untimely cleaning leads to the formation of scale, which entails the wear of important parts. To prevent damage, decalcify the heating element.

Decalcification of a coffee machine - cleaning the tena of a coffee machine using chemical agents.

What is decalcification of a coffee machine

Decalcification of a coffee machine - a procedure for cleaning the heating system (heating element, boiler, fuser) of a coffee machine from limescale. In other words, this is the process of running a chemical agent through the instrument’s hydraulic system.

The use of water with increased rigidity leads to the formation of a salt crust on the walls of the device. The resulting precipitate affects not only the operation of the equipment, but also the taste of coffee. Timely removal of lime does not allow clogging of the apparatus tubes and the penetration of foreign particles into the cup.

To avoid damage to the coffee machines, you must periodically decalcify the coffee machine.

What is decalcification for?

Over time, coffee oils and scale accumulate in the machine. If you do not periodically remove them, the uninterrupted operation of the device may be impaired. The equipment will fail or will brew a coffee drink with an unpleasant aftertaste. Decalcification helps to remove hard sediment from salts, thereby prolonging the operation of the device.

Professional cleaning of the coffee machine helps get rid of scale and coffee oil.

Features of decalcification of the coffee machine

The procedure is required for all types of coffee machines. It is necessary to clean after brewing the set limit of cups of coffee. Some modern models themselves inform about the need for cleaning with an audio signal.

It is much more difficult to clean professional coffee machines connected to water supply. They need to be disassembled, so it is better to use the services of a qualified specialist.

Cleaning of professional coffee machines should be entrusted only to qualified craftsmen.

When cleaning is needed

The coffee machine needs to be cleaned if there are the following symptoms:

• during operation of the device there is extraneous noise;
• decreased coffee delivery pressure;
• a white precipitate is observed at the bottom of the circle;
• when drinking a drink, “bitterness” is felt;
• The process of making coffee has become longer.

How often to decalcify

Many modern models are equipped with a counter for the preparation of the allowable number of cups of coffee, which you need to carefully monitor.Usually, after the 200th cup, it is recommended to remove salts and scale from the heating element of the apparatus.

Shadow of a coffee machine before and after decalcification.

If very hard water is used for the coffee machine, you will need to decalcify the device after using every 30 liters of water. When using softer water, the procedure will need after 120-140 liters of water.

Advice! For timely cleaning of the coffee machine, it must be adjusted in accordance with the degree of hardness of the water.

Types of specialized means for decalcification

Basically, each manufacturer of automatic coffee brewing devices produces special calcium deposits removers only for their own models. However, you should not always adhere to this rule. Other products available in the form of powder, tablets, or liquid products are also suitable. The main thing in this matter is quality.

Liquid products

The most sought after funds:

• Saeco;
• Delonghi;
• Magnifica;
• Jura.

Selection of liquid products for decalcification of a coffee machine.

Delonghi cleaner is often used for Delonghi brand equipment. They guarantee a good result. Saeco solvent is inferior in price, but not in quality. The budget option Magnifica. The product has a less expanded composition of elements that reacts with salts. However, continuous use gives a good result.

In pill form

The above solvents are available in the form of special tablets. Their active elements work in such a way as to act directly on the desired part, prone to calcium buildup.

Means in the form of tablets for cleaning coffee machines.

A properly selected tablet product is ideal for removing lime. You can also find universal tablets on sale.

Reference! NSF certified tablets are completely safe and suitable for cleaning various metals.

How is manual cleansing performed?

Before an independent cleaning procedure, you should first study the instructions for the device. Basically, the manual cleaning method is universal for all models:

• rinse the filter and container from coffee residues;
• pour liquid solvent into a water tank to the maximum mark;
• turn on the coffee machine and open the faucet;
• drain the liquid about 150 ml;
• drain the product in small portions with an interval of 5 minutes.

If the device does not have a pulverizer, before the cleaning solution is over, you need to fill in the coffee and start the coffee preparation program. Pour the resulting drink. The carob type device or with a pulverizer does not require the addition of coffee.

When all the liquid has drained, rinse the tank well and fill it with cold clean water. Repeat the procedure.

Use of pills

Before use, completely dissolve the tablet in clean water. Fill the tank with liquid, and turn on the mode of preparation of the drink. Once half the glass is full, turn off the program. After 15 minutes, restart the machine. The remaining liquid will merge into a glass. Rinse the brewing unit and start the cooking mode twice, but without coffee and tablets.

Before using the tablets, you need to dissolve them in water.

Features of automatic cleansing

What is the automatic decalcification procedure in a modern coffee machine? This is a self-cleaning descaling function, which greatly simplifies the cleaning process.

Let's look at how to carry out the decalcification process using the Delonghi coffee machine as an example:

• remove coffee from the machine;
• fill the fluid compartment with a prepared product;
• activate the self-cleaning program;
• wait for a while to complete the procedure that the coffee machine will do on its own.

How to clean the coffee machine from limescale with citric acid

You can use coffee machines and folk remedies for decalcification, one of which is citric acid. The whole process consists of 3 stages and takes no more than half an hour.

Step-by-step instruction:

• flush the fluid reservoir;
• prepare and pour the solution (dilute 30 g of citric acid in 1 liter of water);
• in the device with automatic cleaning, start the program and wait for it to complete (if this function is not available, wait 15 minutes and turn on the cooking mode until all the liquid has finished).

Citric acid helps to get rid of scale in a coffee machine.

Rinse the container, pour clean water and turn on the coffee brewing button. Repeat the procedure two times.

What can not be done

During the procedure, it is prohibited:

• add water to the hopper if there is no requirement from the machine;
• clean the drip tray, drip pan or brew unit while the program is running;
• Do not turn off the appliance while descaling (unless this function is provided by the manufacturer).

If all the actions are performed correctly, the coffee machine will function smoothly.

Useful tips and tricks

Following simple guidelines will extend the life of your coffee machine:

• Before operating the device, carefully study the conditions of use;
• use bottled or filtered water;
• keep the device clean;
• enter data on the degree of water hardness in the menu of the coffee machine (when using hard water, decalcification is necessary at least 1 time in 30 days, if the water is soft - 1 time in 4-5 months);
• regularly remove milk deposits from the cappuccino machine.

Proper maintenance will help reduce frequent decalcifications of the coffee machine.

Conclusion

Any heater, regardless of model or brand, is prone to scale formation. Deposition of salts can damage equipment. In this connection, the decalcification of the coffee machine is required.

The frequency of the procedure depends on several factors, in particular on the hardness of the water. Following the instructions and using high-quality cleaning products, you can extend the operation of the device for a long time.

Video: Descaling the coffee machine, which tool to use?