Descaling tablets remove limescale
A descaling tablet is a descaling agent. To brew a delicious cup of coffee, water is needed. Tap water in the UK has a high water hardness and thus contains limescale. When water is heated, it leaves behind limescale deposits. Over time, this limescale builds up in the pipes of your coffee machine and in the water tank. If you don’t remove it, your machine will function less efficiently and could eventually break down. Regular descaling is essential to keep your coffee machine running smoothly.
How to Use Descaling Tablets
Descaling tablets are dissolved in water to create a descaling solution. Ideally, you dissolve the tablets separately in a container such as a measuring jug with around 500 ml of water. This solution is then poured into the water tank of your coffee machine. The ratio may vary depending on the brand and model of your machine. Do you have a water filter installed in the tank? Then be sure to remove it first, as descaler residue can remain in the filter, which could end up in your coffee—resulting in an unpleasant taste.
Next, follow the instructions in your machine’s manual to start the descaling programme. Your machine will draw the solution from the tank in phases and flush it through the internal system. It may seem like nothing is happening for a while, but during this time, the descaling solution is working inside the machine to break down limescale deposits. After the solution has passed through, it’s important to rinse your machine one or two times. To do this, remove and thoroughly rinse the water tank. Then refill it completely with clean water and run it through the machine. If your machine has an automatic descaling programme, this will happen automatically. For other machines, you’ll need to do this manually.
Cleaning tablets remove Coffee Residue
When brewing a delicious cup of coffee or espresso in a fully automatic coffee machine, coffee beans are first ground. The ground coffee then moves into the brew unit, where hot water is added to make the coffee. The coffee flows through the outlet, and the used grounds are deposited into the waste container. With each use, coffee oils, fats, and residue are left behind in the brew unit. Over time, this can form a baked-on layer that may even start to mould—resulting in an unpleasant taste. Cleaning tablets remove this build-up of coffee fats, oils, and residue from the brew unit, ensuring you can continue to enjoy the finest coffee specialities.
How to use cleaning tablets
This depends on the brand and model of your coffee machine. Most fully automatic machines have a built-in cleaning programme. When you start the programme, it will prompt you to insert a cleaning tablet. Many machines have a compartment for ground coffee—this usually leads directly to the brew unit and is commonly used to insert a cleaning tablet. With some brands, such as Melitta, the tablet is placed directly onto the brew unit during the cleaning cycle.
Once the programme continues, hot water is added to the cleaning tablet to dissolve it into a cleaning solution. This solution breaks down the fats, oils, and residues in the brew unit. The solution is then flushed through the machine. A cleaning programme is usually much shorter than a descaling one.
Does your coffee machine not have a cleaning programme, but it does have a compartment for ground coffee?
Even without a cleaning programme, you can still clean the inside of your coffee machine using cleaning tablets. For example, if you have a DeLonghi machine and want to clean it with tablets, simply follow the three easy steps in instructions tab with this product. The cleaning is done manually by placing the tablet into the compartment for ground coffee.
Does your machine have neither a cleaning programme nor a ground coffee compartment?
Even then, you can clean the brew unit of your machine with cleaning tablets—provided the brew unit is removable. Not sure if yours is? Turn off your coffee machine and remove the water tank. Can you see a small door or flap that opens? If so, open it. A removable brew unit will have handles, allowing you to take it out. (See the example in the photo below.)
Removable brew unit in a coffee machine
Dissolve two cleaning tablets in a tub, bowl, or container filled with hot water. Place the brew unit into the solution and leave it to soak for at least an hour—or even overnight. Afterwards, remove it from the solution and rinse it thoroughly with hot water. Pat the brew unit dry with a clean cloth and place it back into your coffee machine.
Conclusion
Descaling tablets remove limescale and are used in the water tank. Cleaning tablets remove coffee residue and are used in the brew unit. You need both types of tablets to properly maintain your coffee machine.
Did you know you can help prevent limescale? By using a water filter in your machine’s tank, you can significantly reduce limescale build-up.