How to rinse and descale your Saeco coffee machine

Saeco coffee machines are quite common in our country. They are most popular in catering establishments, offices and other places where they are actively used. Despite the high quality and reliability of such devices, they also tend to break down, since during active use they are subject to serious loads.

In order to prevent malfunctions and serious damage, maintenance measures should be carried out for preventive purposes. These include washing and cleaning. At affordable prices, repairs of Saeco coffee machines in Kyiv are carried out by the Brayval-coffee service center.

What kind of remedy is this

KAVA Descoling Agent
Only proper care can extend the life of the coffee machine. When there is limescale inside, the smart device displays the message “Descall” on the control panel.

A signal that there is a lot of lime in the device will be when the indicator lights up. This is evidence that the time has come to clean the equipment.

The best product for removing plaque from Saeco coffee machines is KAVA Descoling Agent and Saeco specialized liquid.

Advantages of the first substance:

• Cheapness;
• Duration of use: the product is enough for 6-7 cleanings.

Specialized liquid will be more expensive and is designed for 2-3 cleanings. If there are no funds, an analogue should be used. To find out how to clean your saeco coffee machine, you need to carefully read the instructions.

The cleaning process includes:

1. Filling the device reservoir with a special liquid (250 ml is required), the rest of the volume is added with water;
2. Starting the decalcification program, waiting for its completion;
3. Flushing the device and system.

Equipment needs to be cleaned regularly. If you ignore the recommendations for caring for the device, this will reduce the amount of the prepared drink, worsen its aromatic properties, lead to noisy operation and the formation of unaesthetic foam.

Cleaning other parts

The body of the device should be regularly wiped with a soft damp cloth to remove dust and other contaminants. It is important to promptly drain the liquid accumulated in the pan to avoid the appearance of mold and musty smell. Also, 1-2 times a month you need to wash this part with running water or in a dishwasher at a temperature of no more than 60 °C. It can be reinstalled only after thorough drying.

Compartment for pulp

The pulp compartment must be removed while the machine is turned on. After emptying, rinse it with running water and wipe dry.

If you empty the hopper while the device is turned off, the coffee cycle counter will not reset and the message about the need to empty the container will not disappear from the screen.

Coffee grinder

Cleaning the millstone mechanism is carried out as follows:

1. Empty the bean hopper of coffee.
2. Activate the grinding mode to get rid of the remaining grains.
3. Place the tablet or powder into the hopper.
4. Turn on grinding for 5-6 seconds.
5. Fill the compartment with grains.
6. Prepare 2-3 cups of coffee, pouring the drink down the sink each time.

As a cleaning agent, powder made from food starch is used, which absorbs accumulated fats, or special tablets, for example, Puly grind.

In order for the coffee machine grinders to remain functional for a long time, they must be cleaned regularly.

Comparison and composition of Saeco products

There are many special products designed to remove scale. But the choice of the right drug should be approached responsibly.

Cleaning products for coffee making equipment are:

Tablets

The composition is almost identical to the liquid substance. It is based on the action of active acid compounds. Before use, the drug must be diluted with liquid (the amount of the substance is prescribed in the instructions). For one-time cleaning, use 1 tablet.

There are branded and non-branded. Along with these products, tablets are produced that remove essential oils from coffee beans.

Liquid

Saeco special products
Sold at any hardware store.

Attention! When choosing a cleaning product for a specific coffee machine, carefully read the instructions. The instructions contain a list of drugs that can be used to remove plaque.

Special Saeco products - saeco descaling solution - are produced by large companies and their representatives. The solutions contain chemically active compounds (acids). The cost of funds varies from 260 to 1 thousand rubles. the most expensive product is Saeco descaling product - 1 thousand rubles. for 250 ml.*

Attention! Descaling a saeco coffee machine involves pouring a solution into the device’s reservoir.

Folk

You can save money and prepare a composition for cleaning the coffee machine from deposits yourself. You can do this using the following methods:

1. Cleaning the removable parts of the device from coffee residues, rinsing them under running water;
2. For the cleaning composition you will need: citric acid (10 g) and a liter of liquid (vinegar diluted with liquid in a ratio of 1:2);
3. The resulting composition is poured into the container of the device and left for 2 hours;
4. The drink brewing program is activated according to the volume of the available solution;
5. Clean water is poured into the device and passed through the equipment.

Important. If there is a white sediment in the drink, the procedure must be repeated.

In order not to get confused in the variety of cleaning products, you should know the advantages and disadvantages:

• Specialized plaque removal products are more effective than homemade solutions;
• Tablets have a similar spectrum of action - the difference is in the form of release of the drug;
• Liquid products can be used immediately, tablets must be dissolved before use;
• Universal products are cheaper than branded ones;
• The higher the water hardness, the more often equipment cleaning is required;

How often should you clean your coffee machine?

Cleaning a coffee machine involves:

• descaling (decalcification);
• getting rid of coffee oils;
• cleaning the cappuccino maker and milk jug;
• care for other parts - the pulp compartment, millstones, tray.

It is important to clean each part of the device regularly and with a certain frequency.

How to understand when it's time to descale

When the time comes to decalcify, a corresponding message will appear on the device display or a special indicator will light up (see instructions). However, not a single coffee machine has sensors that would detect the amount of scale. The devices count the cooked portions and, upon reaching the milestone specified by the manufacturer, inform the owner about the need for cleaning. But the rate of scale formation directly depends on the hardness of the water: the more impurities it contains, the more actively salts are deposited on the heating elements. Therefore, before using the coffee machine, it is recommended to set the water hardness level. You can check this value using a special indicator strip that comes with the device.

Special test strips will help determine the hardness of water.

The process of programming hardness for a specific coffee machine model is carried out in accordance with the instructions. And now the number of servings after which the device will need to be cleaned is determined depending on the specified indicator.

It is recommended to descale immediately after the appliance informs you that it is necessary to do so.

Some coffee machines equipped with a built-in water purification filter may not indicate at all that the device needs cleaning. A priori, it is believed that the liquid being poured is crystal clear and no scale is formed. But even in this case, experts recommend decalcification at least once a year.

The following “symptoms” indicate that it’s time to descale:

• the stream of coffee entering the cup is thinner than usual;
• white sediment in the drink;
• strong noise during operation of the device;
• The taste of the coffee deteriorates and its temperature decreases.

Prevention of rapid scale formation is to use soft water purified with a household or special filter for a coffee machine. But the most effective option is the use of a reverse osmosis purification system. It includes a filter with a special membrane, the pores of which are comparable in size to water molecules, i.e. it is permeable only to particles whose diameter is equal to or less than the diameter of water molecules. The liquid passes through the membrane and is cleared of substances dissolved in it.

Frequency of getting rid of coffee oils

A pour-over type coffee machine is equipped with a brewing unit, which during operation becomes clogged with oils and particles of ground coffee. There are two types of infusers:

1. Removable. It must be taken out and washed under running water once every 1–3 weeks. After preparing 200–500 cups of coffee, it is recommended to clean the device using special products.
2. Fixed. It must be cleaned with special products immediately after the coffee machine gives the appropriate signal (see instructions).

Owners of espresso machines in which the horn acts as a brewing unit must daily:

• Wipe the steam wand after each use of the device;
• After each cup of espresso, wipe the dispersion screen with a damp soft cloth;
• Wash the filter and holder (portafilter) after preparing the drink.

You also need to back-clean the valve 1-2 times a year or more often using a blind filter - a special filter without holes that is used to clean the brew group.

Coffee beans are rich in essential oils, which accumulate and hinder the operation of the device.

Cleaning other parts

Cleaning parts that many users forget about should also be carried out with some regularity:

• water collection tray - drain accumulated liquid daily, rinse completely 1-2 times a month;
• compartment for collecting cake - clean immediately after the device gives the corresponding signal;
• grinders - clean every 3-4 kg of coffee;
• cappuccino maker - every day, the part with both the built-in jug and the outlet tube must be disassembled (how to do this is described in the instructions for the coffee machine) and washed.

Carrying out descaling

The decalcification process does not mean regularly wiping the surfaces of the equipment, rinsing the brewer and washing the main components. Any equipment can flush the channels automatically, after pressing the “on” button.

If external washing does not extend the life of the device, then rinsing the brewing unit should not be neglected.

The device is cleaned according to the operating instructions. The decalcification process is simple, and can be done by a 14-year-old teenager.

For expensive units, the cleaning process comes down to “loading” the purifier and launching the desired program.

Common mistakes

Even with proper care of the equipment, errors cannot be ruled out.

Error 1

The steam unit is malfunctioning. Carrying out repairs on your own in the presence of such a malfunction is not possible. It wouldn’t hurt to contact the SC. Nobody repairs a failed part; it will be suggested that it be replaced with a new one.

Error 2

The temperature sensor for heating the drink has failed or is unable to determine the temperature of the drink being prepared. If the device is cooled to a minimum of 5 degrees, the temperature sensor generates an error. After heating the device to room temperature, the error disappears. If this does not happen, you need to go to a repair service.

Attention! In some devices, this error signals that the coffee grinder is blocked. A professional can do the unlocking.

Error 5

The help of a specialist is required - failure of the thermal control system. The possibility of a malfunction of the temperature sensor (thermal block) cannot be ruled out. You will not be able to repair the device yourself.

Error 8

Gearbox failure. Diagnostics will be required to help determine the exact cause of the malfunction. In most cases, the gearbox needs to be replaced.

Fill uppipe system

Cleaning the hydraulic system, filling it with liquid, turning on the steam supply mode. A similar error occurs when steam enters the hydraulic system.

Empty trays

The tray is dirty with drink residues. To restore operation, the tray is cleared of coffee residues. You can fix the error yourself. No specialist help is required;

Trays missing

Make sure there is a tray with the remaining drink. If the removable part is missing or not fixed, the system displays an error. If the tray is installed and not secured, remove it and after 15 seconds, install it again. Sometimes electrical components are cleaned to correct the problem.

Brewing unit missing

This error is the absence of a brewing unit in the equipment. To fix it, you will need to remove the brewing unit and reinsert it.

Add beans

The cause of the malfunction is the lack of grains in the machine. A similar error is issued if the grains are out.

Care instructions

saeco descaler

• If your machine has a built-in coffee grinder, you need to make sure that the unit is dry. It’s a good idea to wipe the device with a dry cloth before adding grains;
• Check the information about the presence of a filter in the machine. If you have a paper one, replace it before each brewing; nylon - the service life is 60 days of continuous preparation of the drink; gold - cannot be replaced and will last a long time;
• The automatic heating plate is wiped clean of drink residues and other dirt, then it will be able to retain the heat of the prepared drink;
• Timely cleaning of the container from coffee grounds and milk. If this recommendation is ignored, the drink will develop a sour smell and unpleasant taste.

Attention! The main causes of malfunctions are the use of hard water, sudden surges in network voltage, and disregard for equipment. saeco descaling agent is an excellent helper in the household.

*Prices are current as of October 2022.

Why clean your coffee machine?

Coffee machine service specialists assure that without regular cleaning, the device will last no more than 7–8 months. After this, you will have to contact the eco-service.kg service center. And let’s not even talk about delicious coffee. The fact is that the operation of the device is characterized by the following processes:

• the heating elements of the coffee machine become covered with scale - salt deposits destroy plastic and metal parts, increase the amount of energy consumed and the duration of preparation of the drink, and the taste of the coffee significantly deteriorates;
• the hydraulic system becomes clogged with sediments of coffee oils - it becomes difficult for water to seep through, the load on the mechanism of the device increases, the oils oxidize over time, acquiring an unpleasant taste and smell, which become the highlight of every cup of coffee;
• the internal mechanism of the cappuccino maker becomes covered with a milky coating - this is an excellent environment for the growth of bacteria;
• The liquid accumulated in the pan begins to emit a musty odor, and mold may form.

Only in a clean coffee machine can you prepare a truly tasty and aromatic drink.