How to determine that the device needs cleaning: signs of a dirty coffee machine
It happens that the coffee machine works as usual - it does not make noise, brews quickly, milk is supplied without interruptions - but the coffee turns out sour, with a bitter aftertaste. This means it's time to clean the device. And the bad taste of the drink is not the only sign of a clogged machine.
If the coffee machine does not have an indicator indicating the need for cleaning, determine this yourself . Characteristic features:
- the taste of coffee has changed - sour with rancidity;
- a sediment in the form of scale forms at the bottom of the mug after the coffee is drunk;
- water takes longer to heat up than usual;
- the drink is poured into the mug difficultly, slowly, in a thin stream;
- The coffee machine is louder than usual and makes a crackling noise.
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How often should you descale your coffee machine?
Machine maintenance specialists recommend cleaning once a month if the water is soft . If the hardness is increased, the car is cleaned every 2.5-3 weeks.
How to know if your water has too much hardness:
- By appearance . There is a limescale deposit on the tap from where water is drawn into the coffee machine, and a cloudy film forms on the surface of the drink.
- Based on the results of tests from the laboratory of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. There they not only determine the concentration of salts, but also record the presence of pesticides, nitrates, hydrogen sulfide, the level of iron content and organic impurities.
- Using test strips that are sold in hardware stores. Dip the paper with the reagent into water, and it changes color depending on the concentration of salts in the water. Then it is compared with the palette in the instructions and the degree of water hardness is found out - soft, medium hard, hard.
Many modern devices have an indicator indicating that cleaning is required . Depending on the problem, the icon will be different. One indicates descaling, the other indicates coffee oils.
Reference. Cleaning is carried out after a certain number of prepared servings of coffee. Usually it's 200 cups. Smart coffee machines keep count. When the critical limit is reached, the indicator reminds you to clean.
How do you know when cleaning is needed?
There are manufacturers' recommendations regarding descaling the coffee machine. The timing depends on the properties of the water:
- very tough - every month;
- medium hardness - once a quarter;
- soft - once every six months.
If the machine is used in a cafeteria, then the interval is 200 servings of coffee.
Cleaning from coffee oils is carried out accordingly once a month or every 500 servings of the drink.
Sometimes cleaning may be needed more often. The frequency of maintenance may be affected, for example, by changes in water hardness.
When the device needs premature service, malfunctions appear:
- the machine dispenses coffee in a thin stream, intermittently if it is heavily soiled;
- the device operates noisily - hums, rattles;
- a whitish sediment remains at the bottom of the cup;
- the taste of the drink deteriorates;
- The cappuccino foam changes color, takes longer to whip and will not be as elastic as before.
If any of the “symptoms” occur, you need to urgently clean the coffee machine and not wait until it completely breaks down.
Why is it important to clean your coffee machine regularly?
If you do not clean the car on time, after 2-3 months the owners of the device will receive unpleasant results.
The taste of the coffee will change for the worse due to the fact that coffee residues will accumulate in the internal channels of the machine . When served, the coffee will pass through the mucus from the residue, and then stop flowing altogether.
The preparation time for the drink will increase due to accumulated scale in the heating elements . If cleaning is not carried out for 6-7 months, the water in the boiler and thermoblock heats up more slowly due to scale. The heating element uses more electricity and then fails.
Important! Repairing the heating element is expensive. When the service center sees scale, that is, a consequence of lack of cleaning, the warranty will be canceled. This is stated in the instructions for the device.
Scale causes damage to the walls of the piston , which creates pressure for brewing coffee. The pump supplies steam through the ground grains. Without cleaning, the pressure in the coffee machine drops from 15 bar to 10 or even 7 bar, and the pump operates louder than usual. There is not enough steam in the ground grains; its strength does not fully reveal the taste. The serving size decreases and the aroma of the drink deteriorates.
Without cleaning, several elements in the coffee machine may break at the same time . You will have to spend from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. for the purchase of parts and professional repairs. Cleaning saves money and saves the car from breakdown.
Which tablets and liquids to use for descaling a coffee machine and cleaning?
High-quality regular cleaning is necessary for absolutely all coffee-making units without exception. Otherwise, the device will become unusable after a short time. There are the following types of consumables for coffee machines:
- tabletted substances (for the purpose of cleansing from essential oils and decalcifying agents);
- liquid preparations;
- disposable filters.
Disposable paper filters for coffee makers come in different sizes. Selecting this accessory for a coffee machine will not be difficult. Some models of espresso machines use a filter cartridge for the coffee machine. It provides ideal water filtration and 100% preservation of the taste characteristics of the type of coffee used.
Before you buy a coffee machine descaling and cleaning liquid cheaply in an online store at the manufacturer’s price, pay attention to the following factors:
- Preparations for removing essential oils are recommended for flushing the channels inside the device. To eliminate the consequences of using low-quality water, decalcifications are suitable;
- each product must be accompanied by a quality certificate, which is a guarantee that the substances present in the product you choose are safe and do not react with metal;
- composition and intended purpose of funds.
If you have not previously used coffee machine cleaners, before use, read the instructions for how to use coffee machine cleaning tablets or liquid preparations. If the machine is used intensively, cleaning is recommended once a month.
Tablets for coffee machines: types, application, cleaning algorithm
How to choose a cleaning agent for a coffee machine? Cleaning tablets are divided into 2 types :
- Essential oil cleansers . They are used in automatic machine cleaning programs. Reliably and safely remove deposits of essential oils (coffee fat) that have settled on the internal working surfaces of the device during operation. Popular brands: Acidem, Nivona, Urnex, Jura, Saeco, WMF, Bosch.
- Cleansing from scale and plaque . The tablets quickly remove limescale from hard-to-reach parts of the coffee machine (plastic, rubber), clean filters and nozzles through which water and coffee pass. Popular decalcification tablets: Filtero, Topperr, Top House, Bosch.
Automatic decalcification lasts 25-40 minutes, the process of removing oils lasts up to 20 minutes. After completing the process, do not add liquid to the container until the sign on the machine lights up that the cleaning is complete.
The tablets contain sulfamic and maleic acids, benzotriazole and baking soda . Therefore, they not only clean, but also have bactericidal and antifungal properties.
Advice. After complete cleaning, manual or automatic, the first cup of coffee is discarded because it contains cleaning agent residues.
Manually
If the machine does not have an automatic function , it is cleaned manually using tablets.
From oils
When cleaning coffee oils, remove the coffee from the machine and place the tablet in the ground coffee compartment . The spill will require 2 liters of water. Start the “Ground coffee” mode with the largest volume of drink, and place a cup under the pouring spout. The water entering the cup is drained into the sink.
After the brewing cycle, that is, running 2 liters, the machine is left for 30 minutes, then disassembled and all parts are washed with clean water.
Decalcification
Dissolve the tablet in 500 ml of water, pour it into the water tank and turn on any coffee preparation program . Drive the car until the liquid in the reservoir runs out. Place a cup under the spout to drain the water and product. The contents are poured into the sink. After cleaning, rinse the internal parts of the machine by running the device 2-3 times for a full cooking cycle with clean water.
Tablets for cleaning coffee machines
Types of tablets for cleaning coffee machines
In our ShopKofe online store you can buy compressed cleaning products in two types:
- for decalcification of the brewing device;
- to remove residual coffee oils.
Before purchasing a cleaning tablet, carefully study the type and instructions of the unit, which indicate the acceptable cleaning components. One tablet removes sediment, subject to regular cleaning intervals. Otherwise, multiple treatments may be required.
Descaling coffee machines
The frequency of removing calcium deposits depends on the degree of water hardness: the softer it is, the less often the coffee machine is descaled. Modern automatic units are equipped with a built-in signal function about the need for decalcification. If there is no option, you should be guided by the characteristic features. Descaling your coffee machine is required when:
- brewed coffee contains white particles of lime;
- the noise level increases during machine operation;
- the speed of dispensing the finished drink decreases;
- coffee acquires a specific taste.
Decalcifiers for espresso coffee machines require prior dilution. The resulting solution is filled with a water container. After starting the program, you must follow the instructions on the display that the coffee machine gives.
Cleaning coffee machines from oils
Coffee beans contain oils that are released during cooking. Substances settle inside the filter sieve, making it difficult for water to pass through. Tablets for cleaning coffee machines from essential oils contain components that promote the breakdown of fats. Trademarks produce this type of accessories under other names: means for cleaning coffee machines from coffee oils, for cleaning the hydraulic system. All categories perform the same task.
The cleaning agent must not be placed in a water tank. Depending on the model of the device, the professional product is placed:
- into the ground coffee compartment;
- onto a sieve for filtration.
The required function is activated on the display, after which a series of washes is performed. The solution is characterized by a transparent white color with little foam formation. At the end of the procedures, it is advisable to run clean water several times to remove any remaining tablets for cleaning coffee machines from essential oils.
Orders are accepted through our website. After confirmation of purchase, a company representative will contact you to clarify details. Delivery of products is carried out by transport, courier services, Russian Post in Moscow and cities of the Russian Federation. Transportation of parcels within the Moscow Ring Road in the amount of 3,000 rubles is free of charge. Pickup is possible from our warehouse in Moscow.
How to determine which pills you need
Manufacturers of coffee machines use a trick and indicate in the instructions the name of the brand that is best used for this brand. Often a company writes that it produces its own products, and only they need to be used. When device owners don’t find the tablets they need on sale, they worry – what can safely replace them?
However, neither company produces cleaning products . They take them from a partner company and write their name on the packaging. Therefore, any product is suitable for cleaning any coffee machine. The main thing is to follow the proportions indicated on the packaging when cleaning.
