Cleaning tablet as a cleaning agent for coffee machines

Descaling is necessary on most coffee machines, and tablets are one of the most convenient means in this regard. Many manufacturers of coffee makers produce their own branded decalcifying tablets, and in addition, in hypermarkets and household appliance stores you can find universal options that are suitable for any equipment. We tell you all about how to choose and use anti-scale tablets for your coffee machine.

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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Method number 2 - using special cleaning products

We are talking about chemicals and universal products declared by the manufacturer. For example, products from the brands Swirl, Top House, Topperr, Delonghi.

Cleaning modern coffee machines

Let's start with “smart” appliances that have a brewed coffee counter and a multifunctional display. To clean such machines, you need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare the cleaning solution according to the instructions.
2. Pour the product into the liquid container.
3. We dismantle the container intended for waste collection and completely clean it.
4. Select automatic cleaning on the display.
5. The device will perform the remaining actions independently.

During cleaning, you need to follow the instructions that will appear on the screen. Usually the device asks you to add liquid and re-clean certain components.

Cleaning simple appliances

Do you have a standard machine that does not have automatic cleaning? Then the following instructions will help you.

1. Examine the packaging of the cleaning solution you purchased. It is necessary to prepare the product exactly according to the instructions.
2. Pour the required amount of solution into a water container.
3. Remove any remaining coffee from the filter and container.
4. Start the unit and immediately open the tap. Make sure that about 150 ml of liquid comes out of the tap. You need to repeat this procedure 4-5 times every 5 minutes, drain 100 ml of solution.
5. When the solution runs out, the tank must be rinsed several times and then pour cold water into it.
6. Repeat step four. The final stage includes washing the working unit of the coffee machine.

If your machine is equipped with a pulver, then you need to pour coffee into the device and start the preparation function. The cleaning solution must remain inside the container. After pouring out the resulting drink (DO NOT DRINK!), repeat the procedure until the cleaning agent is completely gone. In the case of a carob-type machine or if there is a sprayer, you don’t have to add coffee.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Methodology for choosing the right one

There are many varieties of Bosch products

Important:

• Bosch coffee machines have sensors that indicate clogging.
• Original tablets are used to remove contaminants.
• Do not use vinegar, citric acid, cola and other substances.

Flavored drink

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.

Tips for choosing cleaning tablets

• Ingredients.
• The tablets must have NSF certification. It confirms that this product is safe and compatible with metal.
• It is better to choose tablets that are marked with the coffee machine you are using. In this case, you do not have to worry that the car will suffer from the use of untested chemicals.

All manufacturers of equipment for making coffee, along with the supplied equipment, provide instructions for its care. Cleaning and other preventative maintenance should be carried out regularly. It is recommended to use the descaler for your coffee machine that is recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Then you won’t have to spend money on expensive repairs or buying a new coffee maker.

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 :

1. 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.
2. 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, 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.

Lemon juice or acid powder

Citric acid can be found in every home. This is not only an important and necessary additive used in the preparation of baked goods and other dishes. Many housewives know that with the help of these tiny white crystals you can quickly tidy up not only mugs, washing away traces of tea and coffee. Citric acid is used as the basis of a solution with which to clean kitchen utensils, components and parts of various household appliances. Acid powder can be replaced with fresh lemon juice; to use it, you need to know how to descale a coffee maker.

We clean the coffee machine with citric acid, which means we prepare a solution that is practically no different from lemon juice in taste and properties:

1. Stir a tablespoon of powder in a liter of hot water (acid does not dissolve in cold water).
2. Check for any remaining coffee grounds that will interfere with the cleaning process.
3. Pour the cleaning liquid into the reservoir and turn on the device.
4. After the first portion of liquid is in the prepared container, several minutes must pass before the process is repeated.

When descaling your coffee machine with citric acid, you need to monitor the concentration of the solution. For severe stains, dissolve up to 50 g of powder in hot water.

After completing cleaning, it is necessary to flush the components to remove any remaining acid. Rinse the unit with purified water, and if necessary, if you used specialized cleaning products, flush the liquid, changing it twice.

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.

Summarize

The coffee machine itself will let you know when it is time to start cleaning. You just need to monitor the water hardness. If the machine gives a signal that the device is dirty, you cannot put it off; you need to carry out the procedure on time. Timely cleaning of the device will allow you to save money and return the taste to its original shades.

In order to spend less time cleaning, you can use filtered or bottled water. If you want to rid your machine of scale, you should follow the instructions.

It is not necessary to use the cleaning products indicated in the instructions if you do not have them on hand. Citric acid may be suitable. Due to its composition, it will not have a harmful effect on the body either for you or your family. In addition, citric acid is much cheaper than advertised coffee machine cleaning products.

If you have problems with your cappuccino maker, then you cannot do without cleaning, since milk fat can adversely affect the operation of the machine.

If your machine does not form a tablet or does not form normally. Then you should look for problems and resolve the issue urgently.

Are there any products that are suitable for all cars without exception?

Yes, it's citric acid... Just kidding. In fact, some stores sell products that are not labeled by any coffee machine manufacturer. This is, say, Filtero 603. The manufacturer claims that this product has a formula with active oxygen, allowing you to expel unwanted fatty film from filters. It is cheaper than tablets from car manufacturers, and its formula is not as aggressive. True, buyers are not yet in a hurry to disassemble such chemistry - it appeared recently, and there are no reviews about its work yet. What can I say – “dark horse”...

Care and prevention measures

It is always easier to prevent a problem than to solve it later. Proper handling of your coffee machine will save you from premature breakdowns and expensive repairs.

Follow these guidelines:

• First of all, carefully read the instructions for the product if you have not already done so. The manufacturer describes in detail the operating and maintenance conditions of the device.

• Use well filtered water. And even better - bottled.

• Keep your coffee machine clean. Periodically wipe the housing with a damp and then dry cloth. Keep the spout from which the coffee comes out clean.

• Regularly clean the main components of the machine, remove scale, remaining oil, milk, and coffee grounds. For these purposes, use special products from the equipment manufacturer or those offered on the household chemicals market.

• Enter data on the hardness of the water used in the coffee machine menu. The system will notify you about the need to descale the product.

• The cappuccino maker should be regularly purged and milk deposits removed from it. It is recommended to wash it immediately after preparing milk drinks.

How to choose a cleaning product

It is best to buy a special cleaner for a specific brand of device. Such branded products are produced for coffee machines Saeco, DeLonghi, Bosch, Krups and others. They are usually not cheap, but they give the best results. In principle, these cleaners are quite interchangeable, so you can choose and buy the cheapest option.

You can also use universal cleaning products for coffee machines.

For decalcification, i.e. removing scale from metal elements, use:

• cleansing tablets;
• liquid solutions;
• citric acid.

Which manufacturers produce lines of care products for your home “barista”?

Each device has its own chemistry. Yes, if you need to clean a Krups coffee machine, look for products labeled Krups. Do you have Saeco, Bosch, Siemens, Jura or DeLonghi at home? For each of them, the listed manufacturers have also created separate products. And, in addition, in the corresponding departments of stores (most often they are on the Internet, but they are also found offline, for example, in hardware supermarkets) you can find other means for servicing coffee machines - for example, lubricant for Delonga or Saeko, or a whole care kit .

What are they and why are they needed?

Any beans (and ground coffee too) contain oils. Accumulating inside your machine, they can spoil the taste of your coffee, making it too bitter. Most often, a “colony” of oil residues is observed on the upper strainer, holder, as well as on the brass surfaces behind it - you can even see it: a kind of film. Harmless in appearance, it can very soon clog all the holes in the strainer... And as a result, the coffee becomes rancid, and it’s time to change the portafilter. It is precisely in order to drink coffee and not know grief that such tablets and other means for servicing coffee machines were invented. And they were created not by “people on the street”, but by the manufacturers of this type of equipment themselves - in general, there is no doubt that each such tool is thought out to the smallest detail.