Coffee machine descaling?

[BarbaraofSeville]

A couple of months ago we bought a Lavazza Desea coffee pod machine and are very happy with it.

However, the descaling light has just come on and we can't get the full instruction manual off the website (something to do with me buying the coffee machine and DP registering it that's too boring to sort out).

But I'm surprised it's asking for this so soon, as we have the softest water available - have never had to descale a kettle, tap, dishwasher, washing machine or shower head ever.

So how often do people with similar machines descale them and what do you use? We can buy the Lavazza branded descaler for £5, but I am also interested in alternatives, as I'd like to avoid paying that much if it's just a small bottle of white vinegar, citric acid or similar.

Not familiar with that machine, but our filter machine comes up with 'clean' based on either the sensor or just one month since the previous clean, so it might just be based on time period. We just use white vinegar.

I descale my different branded one whenever it tells me to, using an ordinary appliance descaler.

Mine last told me back near the start of lockdown and we are in a hard water area so a few months sounds really quick!

No idea about your specific machine. I assume you've googled answers?
For our kettle, I just pour in 2 bottles of the cheapest vinegar and leave overnight.

I've used white vinegar solution in the past but this stuff is brilliant

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0857KB7LB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Jgi4FbCEK85M2?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

It is expensive but we have really hard water and need something really effective.

I've got a gaggia bean to cup machine & it comes up with irritating regularity that it needs descaling & I also live in a soft water area. I do it about twice a year & do use the gaggia brand of descaler.

The instructions in the manual don't work for descaling & I found them by googling it.

The machine is five years old & on average makes 3/4 cups per day.

www.manualslib.com/manual/1615870/Lavazza-Desea.html?page=1#manual

Descaling is on P68

We have a de Longhi, and also the softest water in the Universe. So I am surprised at how sensitive the descaler sensor seems to be.

Nonetheless, just a tablespoon of citric acid seems to replace the ridiculously expensive "brand" descaler.

You dissolve it into the water tank, and then run a special programme to descale.

On ours you turn machine off;
Press the single espresso cup symbol until three lights flash (can't remember sat here)
Turn the steamer to "I" and it starts pumping until empty
Turn steam to "O" - refill tank, then steamer to "I"
Repeat last step

Job done.

Hi
I have the same machine. First of all, the video misinforms you! But generally it works...plug in machine but do not switch it on at the machine (just the 'on' light should be lit) Hold down the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock buttons on the coffee making side until a cup light flashes. press this and descaling will start. It continues until water tank is empty. Refill tank to MAX (it won't do it properly and descaling light will stay on) and press cup light again. Rinse out water tank and you're good to go.
I use Oust descaled. You might have to playa round with the two buttons you need to press and hold at the beginning.

LAVAZZA INSTRUCTIONS...Some brief instructions for proper descaling

Remove the water tank and empty it completely, then remove the milk frother
Fill the tank with a descaling solution and water as described on the packaging of the descaling product. Place the water tank back onto the coffee machine.
Place a container that holds hold more than 0.5 litres under the dispensing spout.
Plug the coffee machine in but do not turn it on.
Press and hold the ESPRESSO and ESPRESSO LUNGO buttons together for at least 5 seconds.
Press the FREE DOSE button to start the descaling cycle. If the FREE DOSE button is not pressed within 9 minutes from the signal tone, the coffee machine will switch back to stand-by mode and you will need to repeat the process to start the descaling cycle.
The coffee machine will start heating up and the FREE DOSE button will start flashing.
The machine will automatically start descaling once it has heated up.
When the machine has used all the liquid in the water tank, the process will be momentarily suspended. Empty the container used to collect the solution.
Remove the water tank, rinse and wash carefully. Fill with fresh, still, drinking water up to the MAX level.
Put the water tank back onto the machine.
Place a container that holds hold more than 0.5 litres under the dispensing spout.
Press the FREE DOSE button to start the rinse cycle.
After the machine has finished dispensing, clean with a soft, damp cloth.
Once you have cleaned the machine, the descaling process is complete. The machine is now ready to use.

I don’t think they really have sensors, I think the descaling warning just comes on after a certain number of uses. We live in a very soft water area as well, and our DeLonghi demands to be descaled about once a month.

For anyone still looking for info on this, my experience was that the descaling light came on after two weeks of use. I descaled it with their descaler (£5 from John Lewis) and its been fine for about 2 months. The light has just come back on. We live in a very hard water area, BTW. I think they programme it so you have to spend more money on their products early on.
As for descaling..if you find the buttons they suggest to press do not work, or the 9 and 3 oclock also, try the 12 and 6 oclock.

My buttons to start the descaling ar 12 and 6 also, then press the 3 o'clock.
The machine will want descaling after so many coffees not because it detects scale. If you live in a soft water area or like me only use filtered water in the machine then you only need to actually use the descaler liquid every 2nd or 3rd cycle when it asks. The other times just use plain water without the expensive lavazza liquid and it will be fine. Judge it by how bad your kettle gets over the same time period. They need to make money on the coffee and any other consumables not on the machines.