To clean a DeLonghi coffee machine properly, these are the main steps: Daily Cleaning:
- Run the machine's rinse function every morning to clear leftover coffee by filling the water tank with fresh water and pressing the rinse button.
- After brewing, promptly empty used coffee grounds and wipe the brewing area.
- Clean the steam wand by running steam briefly and wiping it.
- Empty and clean the drip tray and water tank to prevent moisture buildup overnight.
Weekly/Thorough Cleaning:
- Remove the brewing unit (infuser) and soak it in lukewarm water for about 5 minutes, without detergent.
- While soaking, pump the infuser underwater by squeezing and expanding the levers to remove residue.
- Rinse thoroughly under tap water and dry completely before reinserting.
- Clean small holes and crevices carefully.
Descaling (every 1-2 months or as prompted by the machine):
- Use DeLonghi's EcoDecalk solution: mix 100 ml with 1 L of water.
- Empty the drip tray and grounds container, remove the water filter if present.
- Pour descaling solution into the water tank and start the descaling cycle.
- After the cycle, run two complete rinse cycles with fresh water.
- Do not interrupt the descaling process.
Additional Tips:
- Clean the brewing unit weekly with water only (no detergent).
- Applying food-safe lubricant on specific parts of the brew group gears as needed can maintain smooth operation.
- Cleaning and possibly replacing the water filter every six months or after 80 pots of coffee is recommended.
These practices keep the machine working optimally, improve coffee taste, and extend machine lifespan.
If a detailed step-by-step guide or video is preferred, many resources including manufacturer's manuals and tutorials on YouTube are available as well.
