How to Descale Your Breville Espresso Machine
Quick Answer
Descaling your Breville espresso machine removes mineral buildup that affects coffee taste. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar (or use a commercial descaler), run the solution through your machine's descale cycle, then rinse with fresh water. Most Breville models will alert you when it's time to descale. The entire process takes about 30 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Use vinegar, citric acid, or commercial descaler mixed with water.
- Most Breville machines alert you when descaling is needed.
- Run the descale cycle, then rinse with fresh water.
- Descale every 3-6 months for better coffee taste.
- Filtered water reduces scale buildup over time.
Last month, my morning espresso started tasting bitter and weak. I figured my beans had gone stale until my Barista Express started flashing its descale light. One quick descaling session later, and my coffee tasted amazing again! It reminded me just how important this simple maintenance step really is.
Luckily, Breville makes the process super easy – even for someone like me who hates cleaning appliances.
Why Descaling Your Breville Espresso Machine Matters
Ever notice your coffee tasting a bit off? This could be because of mineral deposits (also called "scale") building up inside your Breville espresso machine's plumbing and boiler. These minerals come from your water, especially if you live in an area with hard water.
Scale buildup doesn't just affect taste – it can also reduce water flow, make your machine work harder, and even shorten its lifespan. Think of it like cholesterol in arteries – too much buildup, and things stop working right!
The good news? Getting rid of scale is easy. Most Breville machines come with built-in sensors that tell you when it's time to descale. Plus, many models feature automatic descaling cycles that do most of the work for you.
According to Breville's guide on machine maintenance, "cleaning your espresso machine is crucial to keeping it in tip-top condition" and "regular cleaning ensures you get the best flavor and aroma from your espresso".
Signs Your Breville Espresso Machine Needs Descaling
One awesome thing about Breville espresso machines is most models tell you when they need descaling. Different models communicate this in different ways:
For high-end models like the Barista Touch, a message appears right on your display screen saying it's time to descale.
Mid-range models like the Barista Express and Barista Pro have a dedicated light that glows when descaling is needed.
Simpler models such as the Bambino use flashing button patterns to signal it's cleaning time.
Budget-friendly models like the Cafe Roma might not have fancy alerts. For these, you need to pay attention to changes in:
- Coffee taste (becoming bitter or weak)
- Water flow (slower than usual)
- Brewing noises (strange sounds)
- Overall performance (taking longer to heat up)
A good rule is to descale every three to six months. It depends on how often you make coffee and your water hardness. If you live in an area with very hard water, you might need to descale more frequently.
Greg from 7 Grams Coffee emphasizes that "coffee machines can harbour large amounts of bacteria, yeast, and mould" if not properly maintained, noting that "it's recommended you clean your machine once a month".
What You'll Need to Descale Your Breville
Gathering your supplies first makes the process go smoothly. Here's what you'll need:
1. Descaling solution (choose one):
White vinegar mixed 1:1 with water (most affordable option)
Commercial descaling solution (follow package instructions)
Citric acid powder mixed with water
2. Empty container (at least 68 ounces/2 liters) to catch wastewater
3. Clean, dry towel for any spills
4. About 30 minutes of time (mostly waiting for the machine to do its thing)
That's it! No fancy tools or technical skills needed.
Step-by-Step Descaling Process
Step 1: Preparing Your Machine for Descaling
First, remove the portafilter (the part that holds your coffee grounds). This should never be attached during descaling.
Turn off your machine and let it cool completely. This step is important for safety and effectiveness.
If your machine has a water filter in the tank, take it out before descaling. The filter can absorb the descaling solution and so it makes the process less effective.
Empty the drip tray and put it back in place – you'll need it to catch some of the solution during the cycle.
Step 2: Creating Your Descaling Solution
The simplest and most cost-effective solution is a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar. Just mix equal parts of each.
If you're using a commercial descaler, follow the package instructions for proper dilution. These products work well but cost more than vinegar.
Citric acid is another good option – mix about 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder per liter of water.
Pour your solution into the water tank. If your Breville has a designated "descale" line on the reservoir, fill to that line. No line? Just fill to the maximum level marked on the tank.
Place your large empty container under both the group head (where the portafilter attaches) and the steam wand to catch all the waste solution.
Step 3: Running the Descale Cycle
How you start the descale cycle depends on your specific Breville model:
For touchscreen models: Look for a "Clean" or "Descale" option in the settings or maintenance menu.
For button models: Check your user manual for the correct button combination. Many require holding multiple buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
For models without an automatic cycle: Simply run the machine as if making espresso until the tank empties.
Let the machine run its cycle. The descaling solution will pump through the internal components, dissolving mineral buildup as it goes.
For very scaled machines or hard water areas, you might want to run the descale cycle twice for extra cleaning power.
Step 4: Rinsing Your Machine
After the descaling solution runs through, empty your waste container and the drip tray.
Fill the water tank with fresh, clean water (no vinegar or descaler this time).
Run the descale cycle again with just water or run water through as if making coffee. This rinses out any remaining descaling solution.
You might need to run multiple rinse cycles if you can still smell vinegar after the first rinse.
Do a quick sniff test at the end – your machine shouldn't smell like vinegar at all before you make coffee again.
Preventing Scale Buildup in Your Breville
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Here are ways to reduce scale buildup:
Use filtered water instead of tap water. This removes many of the minerals that cause scale.
Install a water filter in your Breville's water tank. Most models come with one, and replacements are available.
Empty and dry the water tank when you won't be using the machine for several days. This prevents minerals from settling.
Wipe down the steam wand after each use. This simple habit prevents milk proteins from building up.
Consider using bottled water if you live in an area with extremely hard water.
A Clean Machine Makes Better Coffee
Taking care of your Breville espresso machine through regular descaling keeps it running efficiently and making delicious coffee for years. The process is simple: mix your solution, run it through, rinse, and you're done!
Most people find once they've done it a few times, descaling becomes just another part of their coffee routine. Your taste buds (and your machine) will thank you for the regular maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar for descaling?
Yes! Lemon juice contains citric acid, which works well for descaling. Mix it 1:1 with water just like vinegar. The downside is lemon juice costs more than vinegar but less than commercial descalers.
What is limescale exactly?
Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit that forms when water containing minerals (especially calcium and magnesium) evaporates. These minerals are naturally present in tap water, with hard water containing higher concentrations.
How often should I descale my Breville espresso machine?
Descale every 3-6 months for average use. If you make multiple coffees daily or have hard water, descale more frequently. If your coffee tastes off or the machine seems sluggish, it's probably time to descale.
Can any vinegar be used for descaling?
Regular white vinegar works best. Avoid apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar as they contain sugars and other compounds that might leave residues in your machine.
What should I do if my coffee tastes strange even after descaling?
First, make sure you've rinsed thoroughly after descaling. If taste issues persist, check that you're using fresh coffee beans, clean filters, and that your grind size is correct. A full cleaning of the portafilter and basket might also help.
Is backflushing the same as descaling?
No, they're different cleaning processes. Backflushing cleans the brew head and group head by pushing water backward through the system, often with a cleaning tablet. Descaling removes mineral buildup from the entire water pathway.
About the Author
This article was written by the Lifeboost Coffee team based on extensive testing and maintenance of various espresso machines. We consulted manufacturer guidelines, professional baristas, and home brewing experts to make sure that the process is accurate.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about descaling Breville espresso machines. Always consult your specific model's user manual for manufacturer-recommended procedures. Improper maintenance may void warranties or damage equipment.
