Coffee machine descaler

GDB2222

I've had a L'Or Barista coffee machine for a few months, and it is nagging to be descaled. Is there a favourite descaler for this sort of machine? 

I have some citric acid crystals, and I could make my own descaler liquid. Would that be a bad idea?

How do you get the taste out, and what do you recommend please?

flaneurs_lobster

Even if you are living in a very hard water area, a few months seems a short period after which a descale is needed.

Does your kettle need the same treatment so frequently? Does the coffee machine show any signs of furring? 

Vitor

In my experience the vendors supply their own cleaning tablets and the machines have a specific cleaning cycle.

flaneurs_lobster

Vitor said:

In my experience the vendors supply their own cleaning tablets and the machines have a specific cleaning cycle.

Good point, is the machine asking to be cleaned rather than descaled? 

HumberFlyer

I have had the same machine for 11 months and gone through approx 400 capsules, we are a hard water area.... never had a warning to  descale,..... having said that after reading your post.... I did one. I used Kilrock descaler on it and did the hot water dispenser as well. 3 flushes with clean water afterwards..... no weird taste.

Emmia

On my One pod machine I use delonghi descaler liquid and cafe nu cleaner pods - I clean weekly and descale (London, hard water) monthly.

I flush through with water once more than it says to be sure of no weird taste etc.

GDB2222

Thanks everyone. I get the message that I can use any kettle descaler and flush it out thoroughly.

Emmia

Something to note, my machine's instructions specifically says not to use white vinegar to descale. I would look up what the manufacturer of your machine recommends, rather than any old descaler you have lying around (like citric acid crystals).

LightFlare

i just use generic descaler fluid from Tesco. A bottle does 10 or so and doesn’t cost much.

Dont get any after taste - if anything the first few cups taste better after a good descale.

Thats on a De’Longi dynamica bean to cup machine.

B0bbyEwing

What does the instruction manual say? Anything or nothing? 

I have a Nespresso Vertuo which flashes specific lights at me when due a descale & I use Nespresso's own descaler for it, following their guide. 

BlueonBlue

Emmia said:

Something to note, my machine's instructions specifically says not to use white vinegar to descale. I would look up what the manufacturer of your machine recommends, rather than any old descaler you have lying around (like citric acid crystals).

I wonder why they say not to use tesco white vinegar which is 35p for 500ml ?

Those cleaning tabs are probably just bicarbonate of soda .