DeLonghi is a popular brand amongst coffee lovers for its wide range of espresso and coffee machines. Moreover, these machines will offer you an unforgettable coffee taste. However, these machines require maintenance because when maintained and cleaned frequently, the coffee quality remains consistent.
Moreover, the lifespan of the machine also increases. Therefore, in this article, we have brought you a detailed guide on how you can clean and maintain your espresso machine easily.
Because of a range of models manufactured by DeLonghi, it is impossible to cover a detailed cleaning guide for each machine. However, we have covered the parts which are common in all DeLonghi espresso machines from our personal experiences and global surveys.
Moreover, we have given some maintenance tips and frequently asked questions at the end of this article for a better understanding
Now. Let’s get started with the major part of the topic, which is how to clean a DeLonghi espresso machine.
Here are some steps you should follow to clean and maintain your DeLonghi espresso machine on a weekly basis.
You will require the following items while cleaning your DeLonghi espresso machine-
- Espresso machine Cleaner
- Small cleaning brush
- Blind portafilter basket
- Damp cloth
- Water container, and water.
How to Clean DeLonghi Espresso Machine
Step 1: detach the water container and fill it with water at least half its quantity and reattach it to the espresso machine carefully. Lastly, plug the machine into the mains.
Step 2: remove the portafilter and also the basket inside it. Moreover, replace it with a blind basket. Add a teaspoon of espresso machine cleaner or the specified quantity in the blind basket. You can get an espresso machine cleaner at your nearby store.
Step 3: carefully attach the portafilter filled with the cleaner to the group head and run a brewing cycle by pressing the espresso button on your machine. Moreover, place a water container to collect the residue water.
Step 4: You should repeat steps 2 and 3 at least 2 times by adding some more espresso machine cleaner in the portafilter at each cycle.
Step 5: Now that you have cleaned your DeLonghi machine internally, run a cleaning cycle again but this time, only with water so that the chemicals get flushed out.
Step 6: detach the portafilter from the group head and take a small non-metallic brush to clean the group head so to make sure there is no coffee residue left in it.
Step 7: take some water in the milk container and add some espresso machine cleaner to it. Start the steam wand by rotating the knob and with its nozzle submerged in the water solution. This step makes sure that the steam wand is cleaned from inside.
Moreover, repeat the same step but now with only water. If your machine has an inbuilt milk frother, you can clean it by detaching it. However, they are not dishwasher safe so you have to wash them by hand.
Step 8: take some boiling water and place the used portafilter baskets and portafilter into the water. Moreover, add some cleaning agent and let them sit idle for at least 15-20 minutes. Lastly, clean and wipe them with a dry damp cloth.
Step 9: clean and wipe the drip tray, group head and portafilters. Reassemble them afterwards. Moreover, make sure there is no moisture left, otherwise, your machine may turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and molds.
How to descale a DeLonghi espresso machine?
Descaling is a process of cleaning the buildup inside an espresso machine formed due to minerals in the water used. It is done by using a descaling agent.
Moreover, it is recommended to descale an espresso machine after every 2 months or precisely 200 cups for a longer life and better functionality.
Step 1: detach the water container from the espresso machine and add water to it. Add the descaling agent into the water for making a descaling agent. Moreover, the water quantity will be specified on the descaling agent sachet. Keep the solution idle for at least 10-15 minutes. You can get a descaling agent easily at your nearby store or DeLonghi website.
Step 2: take a water container and place it below the nozzle and on the drip tray. However, you can also remove the drip tray if you need. Make sure the water container is large enough to collect the residual water.
Step 3: Meanwhile, plug in the machine into the mains and attach the porta filter with the blind basket on. Start it by pressing the espresso button. Otherwise, there will be different buttons for descaling. Now, your cleaning cycle will start.
Step 4: now you can see the water pouring out of your espresso machine with all the residue accumulated inside. Repeat the process once again as it will remove more residue. This step will require at least 10 minutes to finish.
Step 5: Lastly, repeat the cleaning cycle again with only water so there will be no chemical smell and bad odors left in the espresso machine
Now, you can use your espresso machine or store it for a long time after wiping it dry.
If you need help with using a espresso machine, we will guide you with our article- How to use a DeLonghi espresso machine
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use vinegar for descaling my DeLonghi espresso machine?
As said earlier in this article you can use vinegar for descaling but at your own risk because many experts recommend using descaling agents available in your nearby store for descaling. If you have an espresso machine cleaning experience, then go for it.
How long should I use an espresso machine before descaling?
On average, you can use your espresso machine for 2 months before descaling. However, the frequency of descaling totally depends on your usage and the water you use. We recommend using only filtered water in an espresso machine which will decrease the descaling frequency.
Where can I get a descaling agent?
You can easily get a descaling agent at your nearby store or you can also get it online from the DeLonghi website. Moreover, descaling agents are available in powdered or liquid form.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered each and every way to clean and maintain your espresso machine so that you can get a perfect coffee making experience.
Cleaning your espresso machine is as important as using it because it makes your machine work even better and with a longer lifespan. Therefore, do take some time out of your busy schedule for your lovely espresso machine.
You can also check out our article on how to clean a Breville espresso machine for a detailed cleaning guide of Breville machines.
