Delonghi Magnifica Descale Instructions: A Complete Guide

The water used to brew coffee causes lime scale and calcium mineral buildup inside your Delonghi Magnifica machine. While not toxic, these can block the espresso maker’s water flow and impact temperature and overall performance. It can affect the taste of your espresso too. Descaling is the name of the process that removes these minerals to extend the life of your Delonghi espresso machine. Keep reading to find Delonghi Magnifica descale instructions for every model.

How Often To Descale Delonghi Magnifica

Your Delonghi Magnifica espresso maker will have a pair of flashing lights that will turn on when it is time to descale. One light will look like water drops and the other will show triangles. Some models like the Magnifica S may only have the triangles. You will still be able to brew coffee after this light has come on, but you should descale as soon as possible.

However, you don’t have to wait for this light to turn on. A good rule of thumb is that a you should descale your coffee maker after 3 months or 90 uses, whichever comes first.

This is true if you are using filtered water, bottled water or tap water with a low to normal mineral count. You should descale your Delonghi Magnifica more often if your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit. This will allow you to set the water hardness level on your Magnifica machine so that the descale alert activates at the right time.

Can You Descale Delonghi Magnifica With Vinegar?

You should not use water and vinegar for descaling Delonghi Magnifica machines. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid and apple cider has 5-6%. This type of acid can wear down metal and cause leaks. Plus, vinegar cannot remove oils left by used espresso beans.

Instead, the best way to descale a Magnifica espresso machine is with a descaling agent made by Delonghi. It has safe and effective types of cleansers, like lactic or citric acid, that won’t damage your brewer. Using DIY solutions to descale your De’Longhi may damage your machine and void your warranty.

Delonghi Magnifica Descaling Solution

Delonghi Ecodecalk Descaler

The Ecodecalk descaler is the official espresso machine descaling solution from Delonghi. It is made in Italy with high quality, plant-based lactic acid that is both safe and effective in cleaning your machine. The ingredients are natural and fully biodegradable. A 16.90 fl oz bottle has enough solution for up to 5 uses. Smaller bottles may be considered more convenient because they are already portioned for a single use.

Delonghi Magnifica Descale Instructions

Once you have your Delonghi solution, follow these simple steps on how to descale your Magnifica machine. Note that it takes about 30-60 minutes to finish.

1. Empty the water tank. Pour the solution into the tank. Follow the steps on the pack.
2. Place a container that can hold 4 cups of water under the frother.
3. Turn the unit on and wait for the green cup lights to come on and be steady.
4. Press down and hold the descale button for at least 5 seconds. The warning light will turn on and the cup lights will turn off. The Delonghi descaling cycle has started.
5. Turn the steam knob half a turn to the left. Solution will come out of the frother.
6. The unit will sound like it is starting and stopping. That is the normal process. When done, the green carafe light will turn on. Turn the steam knob half a turn to the right.
7. Next, rinse to remove any residue from the solution. Start with the water tank. Rinse it and fill it with fresh water only. Put the tank back.
8. Empty the container with the used solution. Place it back under the frother.
9. Turn the steam knob counter-clockwise until hot water starts to drip into the container.
10. When the rinse cycle is done and the tank is empty, the red lights will turn off. The green carafe light will turn on.
11. Turn the steam knob clockwise. Refill the tank with fresh water. Your machine is ready for use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7uloMYLy3Y

How To Descale Delonghi Magnifica S Smart

1. Turn the unit on.
2. Empty the water tank. Remove the filter if present.
3. Pour the solution into the tank up to level A. Add fresh drinking water up to level B. Place a 1.5L empty container under the cappuccino maker.
4. Press the descale button once.
5. Press the brew button twice. This will start the brewing process. You will notice that it rinses, then pauses. There may be several minutes of inactivity between rinses. After about 20 minutes the water tank should empty and several lights will come on.
6. Discard the water from the container and place back.
7. Remove the water tank. Rinse it well. Fill it to the max line with fresh water only and return it to the unit.
8. Press the OK button to start the rinse cycle. It will go until the tank is empty and several lights turn on.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for a second rinse to remove any residue.
10. Refill the tank. Your Magnifica S is now ready to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX3CfGl-PEk

How To Descale Delonghi Magnifica XS

1. Turn the unit on. Wait until it is ready for use.
2. Empty the water tank. Remove the filter if present. Empty the drip tray and grounds container and place back.
3. Pour the solution into the tank up to level A. Add fresh drinking water up to level B. Place a 1.5L empty container under the cappuccino maker.
4. Wait for the coffee lights to turn steady.
5. Press and hold the descale button for 5 seconds. The descale light will steady.
6. The steam light will start flashing. Turn the steam dial half a turn to the | position. The process will start. Solution will flow through the unit into the container. You will notice that it rinses, then pauses. There may be many minutes of inactivity between rinses.
7. After about 30 minutes, the water tank should empty. The add water and steam lights will flash. Turn the steam dial clockwise all the way to 0.
8. Empty the container. Return it under the cappuccino maker.
9. Rinse the water tank. Fill it with clean water and place it back.
10. The steam light will start flashing. Turn the steam dial half a turn to the | position. Hot water will come out of the spout. When the tank is empty, the steam light will flash.
11. Turn the dial to the 0 position. The descale light will turn off. Refill the water tank. Your Magnifica is ready for use!

If you need instructions on how to descale other Delonghi Magnifica espresso maker models, let us know in the comments. If you have a Nespresso made by Delonghi, see our instructions on how to descale Delonghi Nespresso machines.