How To Empty Nespresso Machine And Drain Water For Storage

Whether you are going away for a little vacation or just taking a little break from coffee, it is important to empty Nespresso machines before a period of non-use. Draining the internal water and following the other steps at the end of this article are the best things you can do to prepare your Nespresso for storage while you won’t be using it. You’ll also need to drain the water tank if you are shipping your machine into Nespresso for repairs. Keep reading to learn all about how to empty Nespresso machine models for the Vertuo and Original series.

Why Is It Important To Empty A Nespresso Machine?

When you make a coffee or espresso with your Nespresso, water gets pulled through the machine to be heated. If all you did was dump the water out of your water tank before going away, there would still be water in the pipes inside the machine. Water contains minerals that will form limescale buildup, especially when still. This buildup can cause all of sorts of problems with your machine, including blockages, leaks, or coffee that tastes bad. You would have to descale to remove this buildup. In addition, if you are leaving your coffee maker behind in a cold climate, this water could also freeze and damage your machine.

How To Empty Nespresso Vertuo Models

Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop, Vertuo or Evoluo

1. Empty the water tank. Put it back securely on the machine.
2. Put a container under the coffee outlet.
3. Unplug the power cord.
4. Open the head to eject any used capsule inside.
5. Close the head and turn the handle left to lock it.
6. Push and hold the button while pugging the cord back into the wall outlet. Release the button when the machine starts draining water into the container.
7. The button will blink orange while the machine is emptying. This should take about 30 seconds. When done, the machine will shut off automatically.

Vertuo Plus

1. Empty the water tank. Put it back securely on the machine.
2. Open the head to eject any uses capsule that may be inside.
3. Push the lever down for 3 seconds to power off the unit.
4. Put a container under the coffee outlet.
5. Press and hold both the lever and the button at the same time for 3 seconds. A steady orange light will turn on to indicate that you are in the special functions menu.
6. Push the lever down two times to select the empty cycle. The light will start blinking orange. Press the button once to confirm and start the empty cycle. If you take longer than 2 minutes to push the button, the machine will exit the special functions menu. You will have to repeat steps 3 and 5.
7. The orange light will blink while water is draining from the Nespresso VertuoPlus. It will shut off automatically when the cycle is over. You should not need to, but just an FYI that you won’t be able to use your machine for 10 minutes after draining.

How To Empty Nespresso Original Models

Gran Lattissima

1. Turn the machine on. Remove the milk jug and the water tank.
2. Lift and close the lever to eject any used capsule.
3. Place a container under the coffee outlet.
4. Press the hot milk and flat white buttons at the same time. The descale and cleaning alerts will start to blink.
5. Press the espresso button. The emptying should start. If it doesn’t, press the espresso button a second time. The lights will blink while it is draining.
6. The machine will shut off automatically when done.

Lattissima One

1. Remove the milk jug and the water tank. Turn the machine on.
2. Lift and close the lever to eject any used capsule.
3. Place a container under the coffee outlet.
4. Press the milk button for 3 seconds to enter menu mode. The descale and clean alert lights will blink.
5. Press the milk drink and lungo buttons at the same time.
6. The milk drink button will start to blink. Press it to start emptying. The coffee buttons will blink until the process is done. The machine will shut itself off when done.

Lattissima Touch

1. Turn the machine on. Remove the milk jug and the water tank.
2. Lift and close the lever to eject any used capsule.
3. Place a container under the coffee outlet.
4. Press the warm milk froth and latte macchiato buttons at the same time for 3 seconds. The descale and cleaning alerts will start to blink.
5. In a single continuous movement, press the cappuccino and then espresso buttons.
6. The warm milk froth button will start to blink. Press it once to start emptying mode. The coffee buttons will blink while draining is in process. The machine will shut itself off when done.

Lattissima Pro

Press the gears icon on the menu. Scroll down and select “empty fluid system.” Follow the instructions that appear on the display.

Creatista Pro or Plus

Enter the maintenance part of your menu on your display. Select the empty cycle option and follow the instructions displayed.

Essenza Mini or Essenza Plus, CitiZ, Pixie, Inissia

1. Turn the machine off by pressing the lungo and espresso button at the same time.
2. Remove the water tank. Lift the lever to eject any used capsule and then leave it open.
3. Place a container under the coffee outlet.
4. Press both the lungo and espresso button together for five seconds. The lights will blink during the emptying process.
5. The coffee maker will shut off when the draining cycle is done. Close the lever.

Other Steps To Take For Nespresso Storage

In addition to draining the Nespresso of water, you’ll always want to do these additional steps before leaving your machine in storage.

1. Empty the used capsule container. Wash it with soap and water, then dry it.
2. Empty the drip tray. Wash this with soap and warm water. Dry it completely.
3. Dump any remaining water from the water reservoir. Rinse the tank with fresh water and then dry it.
4. Unplug the machine from the wall outlet.

That’s it! You’ve taken all the right steps to prepare your Nespresso machine for storage. When you are ready to use it again, you should run a cleaning cycle first. Also, don’t forgot to store your pods in a cool, dry and dark place while you gone. This will help preserve their freshness.