Do you feel frustrated that your Breville Barista Express espresso machine isn’t delivering the delicious, full-bodied coffee you crave? You may be having a problem with scale build up.
Over time, minerals found in water can leave deposits inside espressos machines and reduce its ability to produce a perfect cup of joe. If this seems like an issue, it’s important to descale your Breville Barista Express!
With the right knowledge and materials, correctly descaling your machine is not only easy but will also help ensure that every cup of coffee is as flavorful and aromatic as intended. This post will guide readers through understanding how to descale breville barista express.
The barista express from Breville is one of the most popular espresso machines on the market. It’s incredibly versatile and can make cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and more!
But to keep it running optimally you will need to descale it regularly. Today we are going to walk you through all the steps for how do descale a Breville Barista Express so that you can get years of coffee-making enjoyment out of your machine!
Why May You Want to Descale Breville Barista Express?
1 . To Increase the Longevity of Your Machine
One of the main reasons you should descale your Breville Barista Express is to increase its longevity. The build-up of limescale and other minerals can damage the components of your machine over time, reducing its efficiency and decreasing its lifespan.
2 . To Ensure Optimum Performance
Another reason for descaling a Breville Barista Express is to ensure optimum performance. Limescale build-up can cause components to overheat or not reach their intended temperature, meaning that your coffee may not be extracted as efficiently as it could be. Descalers help to reduce the amount of limescale in and on your machine, allowing it to operate more effectively and efficiently.
3 . To Keep Your Coffee Tasting Its Best
The final reason for descaling your machine is to keep your coffee tasting its best. Build-up of limescale and other minerals can affect the taste of your coffee due to their mineral content, leading to a bitter or metallic taste in the cup. Descalers help to remove this build-up and keep it from affecting the flavour of your coffee.
How to Descale Breville Barista Express in 7 Easy Steps
Step 1: Gather All The Tools You May Need
The very first step is to gather all the tools you may need ahead of time. This includes a descaling solution, clean clothes and water. You should also make sure that the Breville Barista Express has been unplugged before beginning any descaling process.
Step 2: Remove The Drip Tray And Empty Its Contents
The next step is to remove the drip tray and empty its contents. After the tray is emptied, rinse it with water to remove any particles that may be stuck to it.
Step 3: Prepare The Descale Solution
The descale solution needs to be prepared according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Once the solution is ready, pour it into the reservoir of your Breville Barista Express.
Step 4: Place Your Clean Cloth In The Drip Tray
Place your clean cloth in the drip tray to catch any liquid that may come out during the descaling process. This helps to keep the area around your machine clean and free of any spills or messes.
Step 5: Activate The Descaling Cycle
Now that the descaling solution is in the reservoir, you can activate the descaling cycle on your Breville Barista Express. This will start a series of automated cycles to ensure that all calcium deposits have been removed from your machine.
Step 6: Rinse Out The Descale Solution
Once the descaling cycle has finished, it is important to rinse out the descale solution from the reservoir. This helps to ensure that all of the calcium deposits have been removed from your machine and that it is ready for use.
Step 7: Wipe Down The Machine
The final step in descaling your Breville Barista Express is to wipe down the machine with a clean cloth. This will help to remove any residual descale solution or water that may still be on the machine. This helps to ensure that your machine is clean and ready for use.
By following these simple steps, you can easily descale your Breville Barista Express and keep it in excellent working condition! With regular descaling, you can extend the lifespan of your machine and ensure that it always produces perfect espresso.
It is also important to note that while descaling your machine, you should never use boiling water or any harsh chemicals as they can damage the internal components of your Breville Barista Express. Stick to using the manufacturer-recommended descale solution for best results.
10 Extra Tips to Descale Breville Barista Express
1. Use the Right Descaling Solution for Your Machine
This is very important when descaling your Breville Barista Express machine. Depending on the type of water you have in your area, it’s best to pick a solution that has been specifically formulated for that kind of water.
2. Buy the Descaling Kit from Breville
The kit includes everything you need to complete the process, including a special descaling solution that has been designed specifically for your Breville Barista Express. It also comes with a cleaning cloth, so you can clean up any messes from the descaling process.
3. Follow the Descaling Instructions Carefully
If the instructions aren’t followed carefully, it could result in damage to your machine and potentially void its warranty. Make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.
4. Clean the Exterior of Your Machine
Before you begin descaling it, clean the exterior of your machine to make sure there is no dirt or grime that could be transferred into the inner workings of your machine. This should be done with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
5. Run the Breville Barista Express Without Coffee Beans
Once you have the descaling solution prepared, run your machine without any coffee beans in it. This will help flush out and loosen any buildup inside your machine before you start descaling it.
6. Use a Fresh Descaling Solution Every Time You Descale
It’s important to use a fresh descaling solution every time you descale your machine. It’s not advisable to reuse the same solution as it could lead to inconsistencies in the descaling process.
7. Rinse Thoroughly After Descalin
Once you have finished descaling your machine, make sure to thoroughly rinse all of the parts that were exposed to the descaling solution. This will help to remove any leftover residue and ensure that it won’t contaminate your coffee when you next use your machine.
8. Don’t Rush Descalin
Take your time when descaling your Breville Barista Express. It’s important to give the descaling solution enough time to do its job, so don’t try to hurry the process in order to save time.
9. Replace Any Worn Parts
When you are descaling your machine, take a look at any parts that may be worn or damaged and replace them before using it again. This will help keep your machine working properly and extend its life.
10. Make Sure Your Machine is Dry Before Using it Again
Once you have finished descaling your Breville Barista Express, make sure to dry off all of the parts thoroughly before use. This will help to prevent any water from getting inside your machine and causing damage or problems.
By following these extra tips, you can be sure that descaling your Breville Barista Express machine will be a successful task. Descaling is an important part of keeping your machine running efficiently and making sure it lasts for years to come.
How to Maintain Your Breville Barista Express
Keeping your Breville Barista Express in good shape is essential to ensuring that it works great for years of use. Here are some tips to help you maintain your machine:
1. Clean Your Group Head Regularly
Your group head is part of your Breville Barista Express that makes contact with the coffee beans and dispenses water into your cup. It’s important to clean it regularly, as any residue or buildup on it can affect the extraction of the espresso and flavor of your coffee.
2. Use Filtered Water
Using filtered water in your Breville Barista Express will help to ensure that you don’t experience any issues with scale buildup, as it won’t contain the minerals and chemicals that can cause this problem.
3. Clean Your Portafilter After Every Use
Your portafilter is the part of your machine that holds the coffee grounds and dispenses the espresso. Make sure to clean it after every use to remove any grounds or buildup that could affect the flavor of your espresso.
4. Clean Your Spouts Regularly
Your spouts are responsible for delivering water to your cup, so it’s important to keep them clean. Make sure to clean them regularly with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
5. Clean Your Steam Wands Regularly
If you’re using your Breville Barista Express for things like frothing milk, then it’s important to keep the steam wands clean. This will help ensure that you get the best flavor out of your espresso drinks.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Breville Barista Express will stay in top shape and make great espresso drinks for years to come! With proper maintenance and descaling, your machine will be able to give you the perfect cup of coffee every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Precautions Should I Take When Descaling Breville Barista Express?
When descaling the Breville Barista Express, it is important to use only coffee machine descaling solutions designed specifically for espresso machines.
Other acidic cleaning agents may damage the internal components of the machine and should be avoided. Additionally, make sure that all removable parts are properly re-installed after descaling and any hoses or tubes connected to the water tank are free from clogs. The Breville Barista Express should be unplugged before descaling and cleaned routinely to ensure peak performance.
What Happens If I Don’t Descale My Breville Barista Express?
If the descaling process is neglected on the Breville Barista Express, limescale buildup can cause damage to vital components of the espresso machine. This can lead to irregular water flow and temperature changes, resulting in poor espresso extraction or occasional clogging of lines.
Additionally, the buildup of limescale deposits on the heating element can reduce its lifespan and cause it to malfunction over time. Therefore, it is essential to descale your Breville Barista Express regularly for optimal performance and longevity.
How Often Should I Descale My Breville Barista Express?
It is recommended to descale your Breville Barista Express at least once every three months, depending on the hardness of water in your area. If you are using soft water, descaling may be less frequent, while hard water may require more regular descaling. Additionally, if you notice a gradual decline in the performance of your espresso machine, descaling may be necessary.
Conclusion
Working on the Breville Barista Express can be an incredibly enjoyable experience and it can make a great addition to any coffee lovers’ kitchen. Being able to descale it properly is key to reaching optimal performance and will ensure you get the most out of your machine for years to come.
Descaling is a relatively simple procedure and by following the steps outlined in this guide, we hope that you have been able to learn how to descale breville barista express quickly and easily.
Be sure to keep up regular maintenance on your machine in other ways as well, such as keeping it clean and ensuring the grounds chamber is emptied regularly. With some effort on your part, you’ll be able to enjoy excellent espresso drinks for many more years!