How To Descale Smeg Coffee Machine The Right Way

The water used to brew your coffee has minerals that build up inside your Smeg machine over time. These minerals are not toxic but they can impact the flow, temperature and performance of your coffee maker. They can affect the taste of your coffee too. Descaling is the process of removing that mineral scale build up. When done regularly, descaling can help extend the life of your Smeg espresso machine or coffee maker. Keep reading to learn all about how to descale Smeg coffee machine and espresso machines.

How Often To Descale Smeg Coffee Machine

A good rule of thumb is that you should descale your Smeg every 3 months or after 90 uses, whichever comes first. Most Smeg coffee makers will have a flashing red light or orange light that turns on when it is time to descale your machine.

If you have “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should clean your machine more frequently. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, get a low-cost water testing kit.

Can You Use Vinegar To Descale Smeg Coffee Machine?

You should not descale your Smeg coffee or espresso machine with vinegar. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid and apple cider has 5-6%. This specific type of acid can wear down metal and cause your machine to leak.

Instead of vinegar, the best way to clean a Smeg coffee machine is with one of these descalers. These solutions contain safer and effective types of cleansing acids that won’t damage your coffee maker.

What Descaler Does Smeg Recommend?

Durgol Swiss Steamer

The product featured in the videos below from Smeg USA is the Durgol Swiss steamer. It is a professional grade cleaner that will remove buildup of calcium and limescale. The fast and effective formula is gentle but still powerful enough to clean your Smeg. Made in Switzerland, it will leave no residue or lingering odor.

De’Longhi EcoDecalk

The De’Longhi Decalk is the Smeg recommended descaler outside of the US. It is made in Italy with high quality, plant-based lactic acid that works fast to clean your machine. It is up to 3 times more effective than traditional descalers. The 16.90 fl oz bottle is made of recycled material and contains enough solution for up to 5 uses.

How To Descale Smeg Coffee Machine

1. Make sure there are no coffee grounds in the filter
2. Put half of the recommended Smeg descaler solution into the carafe
3. Fill the rest of the carafe with water so that it is almost at the max line
4. Pour the mixture into the coffee maker and place the carafe back in its home location
5. Press the on/off button and auto start button simultaneously for 5 seconds. Both buttons will begin to flash. Close the lid to start descaling
6. When all of the solution has gone through the machine and into the carafe, the display will return to the clock and the red dot will disappear. The on/off button and auto start button will no longer be lit
7. Next, rinse the coffee maker twice, adding only fresh water to the machine (no solution)
8. After the two rinses, thoroughly clean the carafe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNRytiH1Rrk

How to Descale Smeg Espresso Machine

1. Fill half of the water tank with the recommended Smeg espresso machine descaler
2. Add water
3. Make sure steam valve is in off position
4. Remove filter folder
5. Wait until the first two buttons stop flashing
6. Press and hold the steam button for 10 seconds until all three buttons begin to flash
7. Get two containers. Put one under the frother and one under the grouphead
8. Turn the steam valve to the steam position and press the steam button
9. Close the steam valve every now and then to descale the grouphead
10. Continue the process for about 20 minutes
11. Empty the two containers and place back in their positions
12. Rinse the water tank and fill it up with only water (no solution)
13. Press the steam button once to begin the rinsing process
14. Close the steam valve a few times to rinse the grouphead
15. Repeat steps 11-14 a second time
16. If the steam button is still red or orange after the second rinse, repeat steps 11-14 a third time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOPbrPLobE8

Smeg Kettle Descaling

A Smeg kettle can be descaled like any other electric kettle. Simply fill the kettle with equal parts of hot water and the recommended solution. Smeg recommends letting it sit overnight. However, if you are in a hurry you can speed it up by boiling water and then letting it cool for 30 to 60 minutes.

Either way, be sure to rinse the kettle afterwards by filling it with only fresh water and bringing it to a boil. Repeat this rinse twice to remove any residue.