Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone by having a coffee machine at home. Many families have this device, and those who don’t have a coffee maker certainly know how to use it. However, when it comes to decalcification of the device, some people widen their eyes from misunderstanding. But cleaning the device from scale is not just desirable, but necessary. It would be good if smart technology requires decalcification and prevents damage to the device itself. If there is no such equipment, then you need to monitor the condition of the coffee maker yourself and do not forget about descaling; fortunately, there are a great many special products on the household chemicals market these days. Today we will talk about the best descalers.
Reviews of Jura products
"Jura" is not too expensive, but at the same time a functional coffee machine for home and office. The manufacturer of this equipment, like most other companies producing similar household appliances, also took care of cleaning products for it. Owners of coffee machines also have a very good opinion about the compositions of the Jura brand. In this case, consumers prefer to use tablets. They clean coffee machines very well. Unfortunately, Jura tablets are more expensive than formulations from many other manufacturers, as they weigh a little more. Owners of coffee machines with automatic cappuccino makers also highly praise the liquid products of this brand.
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.
Criterias of choice
Before you go to the store for a cleaning product, you should be sure to read the instructions for the coffee machine itself. It usually indicates the compositions recommended for use. It is best, of course, to purchase exactly the products named by the manufacturer. Otherwise, the coffee machine may break.
In addition to the brand, when choosing a cleaning product, you should pay attention to its composition itself. In most cases, coffee machine cleaning tablets, as well as powders and liquids, contain various types of chemical components that are harmful to health. If the product contains anything like this, the coffee machine will have to be washed thoroughly after cleaning. According to the rules, after descaling or removing oils using chemical cleaning products containing harmful substances, water should be passed through the coffee machine at least 5 times.
Consumer opinion about Delonghi brand products
The compositions from this manufacturer also clean coffee machines well. However, most owners of such devices find them very expensive. The fact is that most often what is on sale is not Delongi powders or tablets, but liquid products. But cleaning a Delonghi coffee machine using them can be done with the highest quality possible. There are products designed to clean both the milk cappuccino maker and the entire hydraulic system from scale. Owners of coffee machines of this brand also consider that some inconvenience is that Delongi cleaning products are very difficult to find on the open market. Usually they have to be ordered through a service center.
Product range overview
The stores offer a variety of brands. It’s better to use branded ones recommended by the manufacturer, but this is a rather difficult question. Their composition is similar in the type of impact, and in a sense, you may simply be overpaying for the brand. On the other hand, the wrong product can destroy fragile internal parts.
- If you have a branded, high-tech, expensive coffee machine, it is better to take branded anti-scale tablets so as not to spoil anything. As a last resort, you can try universal or Melitta, but definitely no home remedies. If there are no tablets, but there is a liquid branded product, take it.
- For inexpensive coffee machines, universal decalcification tablets may be suitable; you can try options for other brands. It’s good if you bought branded ones before and know the approximate sizes and how many pieces to use.
Here are the approximate prices for anti-scale tablets for coffee machines:
- Jura, Switzerland, 3 pieces – 1600 rubles;
- Bosch Tcz8002, Germany, 3 pcs – 850 rub.;
- Melitta for filter coffee makers, 4 pcs – 350 RUR;
- Melitta for automatic coffee machines, 2 pieces – 450 rubles;
- Bosch/Siemens, 6 pcs – 700 rub.;
- Top House, universal, 8 pieces – 370 RUR;
- Topper for filter coffee machines, universal, 2 pcs – 100 rub.
You can buy anti-scale tablets for your coffee machine at a large hypermarket or order them online. Prices on different sites can vary greatly, so look for promotions and discounts, compare options and choose the best deal for you. On our website you can also familiarize yourself with the range of liquid decalcification products; perhaps you will like this particular option.
Equipment care rules
Caring for a coffee machine requires regular use of a cleaning agent, which can be citric acid. After the first week of operation of the unit, the coffee maker needs to be cleaned.
Rinsing after descaling is also a mandatory procedure for caring for the device. Coffee machines require proper care to extend their life and functionality.
The rules state:
- Remove scale after using the coffee maker for a long time at least twice a month.
- Use a product designed and created for a specific type of coffee maker.
- The cleaning tablet is lowered into the reservoir after filling the liquid.
- The use of cleaning compounds from third parties is not permitted.
- It is better if purified water is used for washing.
- The unit should be washed at least twice after using detergents.
- Cleaned with citric acid - rinse with hot water.
- In cases where the owner of the device has cleaned and washed the coffee machine, but the acidic taste remains, the filter or cleaning agent should be replaced.
- Before cleaning, be sure to make sure that there is no coffee drink or coffee grounds inside the unit.
When using cleaning liquids, do not refuse to re-rinse. This will help get rid of traces of chemicals, smell and taste.
Main types
You can purchase the cleaning composition of this group in a specialized household chemicals hypermarket. You can buy such a product in the same store where you purchased the coffee machine for your home. In some cases, cleaning compounds are sold only through the service center of a particular brand. Currently available:
- Powder. Such compositions must be diluted in water before use.
- Liquid. This group of cleaning compounds is considered, judging by reviews from coffee machine owners, the most convenient to use. Simply pour the coffee machine cleaning liquid inside the machine and turn it on. However, the compositions of this group are more expensive than others.
- Tablets. This group of cleaning products is the most economical and cheap. In addition, the tablets are easier to store.
Cleaning products differ according to their purpose. If necessary, you can purchase a composition designed both for removing settled oils and for descaling components. The latest type of coffee machine cleaner is called decalcifying.
What can replace tablets?
There are a lot of tips on the Internet on how to do without pills and get rid of scale. Thus, users recommend solvents for calcium deposits such as vinegar and citric acid, which are often used in teapots. But service centers do not recommend using these recipes often.
They are only suitable in emergency situations. If you often resort to homemade means, you can ruin the electronic system. It is forbidden to use Coca-Cola, formic, acetic, and other acids that destroy rubber seals.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
To decalcify the coffee machine, dissolve 30 g of citric acid in 1 liter of water. After cleaning is completed, the device is washed 3-4 times with water to remove lime deposits and the acid itself. Cleaning is carried out by decalcification, as in the instructions, or by simulating the process of making coffee.
A complete substitute for tablets can be products that are available in a different form.
Pros and cons of different car cleaning products
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Cleaning the machine should become a mandatory ritual for coffee connoisseurs. It doesn't matter which drug is preferred. Only with high-quality care will the device last a long time and delight you with the unsurpassed taste of the drink.
Reviews of Bosch brand products
The most popular cleaning product for coffee machines from this manufacturer among consumers is TCZ. produces several varieties of such tablets. And all of these products have very good reviews. According to consumers, a tablet from this manufacturer just needs to be thrown into a tank of water and start self-cleaning. The water in the coffee machine will turn blue. This is very convenient for subsequent rinsing. If the chemical remains on any parts of the device, it will be immediately noticeable. Bosh TCZ tablets can be used to clean almost any equipment, including the Benvenuto brand.
