How to Descale a DeLonghi Espresso Machine with Vinegar? (is vinegar good for descaling a DeLonghi espresso machine + more information)

If you have a DeLonghi espresso machine, you should descale it regularly to extend its life. So, can you descale a DeLonghi Espresso Machine with Vinegar? Read on to find out more!

Yes. You can descale a DeLonghi espresso machine with vinegar since it works effectively. Though many people invest in the DeLonghi espresso machine, some do not know the best product to use to descale it. From the first time I tasted espresso from a coffee shop, I fell in love with it. After some time, I decided to buy the DeLonghi espresso machine. Since this machine cost me a lot of money, I had to be keen on the maintenance to enjoy its service for a long time.

An expert told me about the importance of descaling it. I was torn between using citric acid and vinegar and therefore took my time to do more research. After research, I created this post to share how to describe this espresso machine with white vinegar. By the end of it, you will not only learn the steps to follow and discover if vinegar is okay for descaling the espresso machine.

How do you descale a DeLonghi Espresso machine with vinegar (steps to follow)

Start by filling the reservoir with white vinegar and water, then plug the brewer into a power source. It would be best if you run a cleaning cycle for a while. After this, you can rinse the DeLonghi espresso machine with clean water and then make your espresso. Let us look at each step separately.

• Fill the water tank

Once you have bought white vinegar, you should measure it in a cup and pour it into the DeLonghi water tank. Fill the rest of the water tank with water. Be careful not to cross the line on the espresso machine’s gauge.

• Remove the filter from the machine.

Please remove the filter and filter basket from the DeLonghi espresso machine and clean them separately. You can use some warm water and regular soap to clean these parts. As you descale the espresso machine, avoid putting any coffee grounds into it.

• Plug the espresso machine

Once you clean the filter and add the white vinegar solution to the espresso machine, you should plug it into the power outlet. This prepares it for a brew cycle. As the brewer starts preheating, you should put a carafe on the heat plate. This will hold the descaling solution after brewing.

• Run a cleaning cycle

This step is essential since it can soften the white vinegar and clear the minerals and other materials from all the internal sections of the brewer. After the first cleaning cycle, you can repeat the process, especially if you have been using hard water to brew espresso. Running a cleaning cycle more than once ensures you get rid of all the tough grime in the DeLonghi espresso machine.

• Rinse the machine

It would help if you also took your time to rinse the DeLonghi espresso machine thoroughly to eliminate all the white vinegar cleaning solution. This ensures that you will not feel any awkward taste of the solution the next time you make a shot of espresso. Fill the reservoir with some clean water and then run a brew cycle. Doing this can help you eliminate any vinegar in the DeLonghi espresso machine.

You can rinse the machine several times as you check the color of the brewing liquid. Feel free to smell the espresso machine to determine whether it still smells like white vinegar. If it does not, then the DeLonghi espresso machine is ready to use.

Is vinegar okay for descaling DeLonghi espresso machines?

Yes. Vinegar is okay for descaling this espresso machine since it is a natural cleaner and works effectively. It can help you eliminate any limescale within the inner components of the espresso machine. Since vinegar has high acetic acid content, it can easily break down the calcium deposits on the internal parts of the espresso machine.

Vinegar can also solve other problems caused by the buildup of limescale. Many people choose vinegar to describe this machine since it is easy to access and cheaper than other products. It is also more eco-friendly compared to using commercial descaling products.

Though vinegar is okay for descaling this espresso machine, it has a strong smell that can be transferred to your coffee if you don’t rinse the appliance properly. If you choose vinegar to descale the espresso machine, you must use it correctly since doing this wrongly can damage the brewer’s internal components.

When should you descale a DeLonghi Espresso Machine with Vinegar?

This depends on the type of water you use. If, for instance, you use soft water to make your coffee using this espresso machine, you can descale it after every 4 or 3 months. However, if you use hard water to make coffee using a DeLonghi espresso machine, you should descale it every month.

Also, consider how frequently you use this espresso machine. If you use it quite often, you should not stay for so long without descaling it since limescale is more likely to build up fast. A DeLonghi espresso machine indicates when it is time to descale. You may notice the flashing of a lamp when it is time to descale it. It would be best if you did not ignore this since the lack of descaling a DeLonghi espresso machine can lead to different problems.

How much vinegar should I use when descaling the DeLonghi espresso machine?

You can make the vinegar descaling solution by mixing it in a ratio of 100 ml of vinegar with one liter of water. You should ensure that you make enough descaling solutions for the entire DeLonghi espresso machine.

Final thoughts

If you have a DeLonghi espresso machine and want to make drinks that taste great, you should describe it from time to time. This process can also prevent the espresso machine from breaking down. You can descale this espresso machine using vinegar by following the steps discussed above. Do this every few months or monthly, depending on the water you use, and mix it in the proper ratio.

FAQ section

How often should I descale my DeLonghi espresso machine?

You can descale this espresso machine every 3 to 4 months if you use it with soft water. However, if you make coffee with this machine using hard water, you should descale it monthly.

How do I know if my DeLonghi espresso machine needs descaling?

If the espresso machine starts serving weak-tasting coffee and takes a long time to brew, consider descaling it since this indicates limescale buildup.

Can I descale my espresso DeLonghi machine using baking soda?

Baking soda is more effective when cleaning the espresso machine, while vinegar is better when you want to descale it.

What happens if I don’t descale my DeLonghi espresso machine?

Mineral scale buildup can prevent water flow, making the espresso machine stop working.