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Have you ever noticed that your coffee maker or kettle isn’t performing as efficiently as it once did? Maybe it’s taking longer to brew coffee or heat water. If this sounds familiar, you might need a descaling solution.
Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits, primarily calcium and magnesium, that can accumulate inside appliances like coffee makers, kettles, and even dishwashers. There are two common descaling products on the market: descaling liquid and descaling tablets.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between these two options to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.
Descaling liquid is a popular choice for those looking to rid their appliances of mineral build-up. It typically comes in a 200ml bottle, providing two descaling cycles. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using descaling liquid:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Descaling tablets are an alternative to descaling liquid, but also an easy-to-use solution. These tablets are specially designed to remove limescale and mineral build-up efficiently. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of using descaling tablets:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The choice between descaling liquid and descaling tablets ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:
Descaling is an essential maintenance task to keep your coffee machine running efficiently and to extend its lifespan. Whether you choose descaling liquid or descaling tablets, both options are effective at removing mineral deposits and limescale. Your decision should be based on factors like appliance compatibility, cost, and personal preference.
Regular descaling will help ensure your machine continues to perform at its best and provide you with great-tasting coffee, tea, and more.
You may have a coffee obsession and want to buy a coffee machine, but you’re not sure where to begin or what to look out for. Because let’s face it, there are hundreds of coffee machine types on the market.
Before you decide to buy a coffee machine, consider a few factors that will determine whether the coffee maker will fulfil your actual needs. Coffee machines are used by certain coffee drinkers to brew coffee at home, at work, at restaurants, and in cafés. Furthermore, whatever you intend to use your coffee machine for, you need to ensure that it meets your expectations.
Here are the Top 4 Things you need to check before buying a coffee machine:
Coffee enthusiasts can choose from a variety of coffee machines, each with its own set of features and functionality:
Capsule Coffee Machine – The ultimate convenience to make professional coffee at home within seconds. Simply insert a coffee pod, enjoy. This is perfect for convenience coffee lovers who want a good cup on the go.
Bean To Cup – A bean to cup machine grinds beans fresh to preserve the flavour of oils in the beans. Perfect for office settings where 5 or more people make coffee at the same time.
Manual Espresso – Looking to get more involved in actual coffee making with a professional taste? Then you should try a manual Espresso machine. Once you’ve mastered the skills, you’ll be able to make coffee exactly to your liking.
Filter Coffee – An affordable and reliable coffee maker that allows you to brew a large pot of coffee at once. All you need are your favourite coffee grounds and some cold water to make a wonderful cup of coffee.
You should think about how many individuals the coffee maker will serve as well as how many cups it can brew. You’ll need a machine with a huge capacity if you plan on serving a significant number of individuals, however if you’re buying one for your home, you’ll require something much smaller. Consider a capsule or vending machine if you need a machine that brews quickly.
When it comes to determining which machine to buy, maintenance is crucial. You should be aware that you will need to clean your machine on a daily basis in order for it to last. The longevity and functionality of your coffee machine are determined by how well you maintain it. Varied machines have different requirements when it comes to maintenance. You’ll need to commit to daily cleaning and more intensive cleaning on occasion if you want to keep enjoying a superb cup of coffee.
Convenience and user friendliness are usually at the top of the list when looking for a new coffee maker, and understandably so, but it’s also critical that the coffee machine is safe to use. To determine whether a coffee machine is safe to use look for one that has a BPA-Free label on it. Coffee machines with plastic material inside are dangerous, when this plastic comes into contact with hot liquids it releases a chemical known as BPA which is harmful to your health.
When purchasing a coffee machine, make sure it is convenient, safe to use, and easy to operate. A coffee machine that checks all of those criteria is dependable and capable of producing nearly any coffee beverage. How can you know if a coffee maker is worthwhile? Simply said, the finest machine to buy is one that is simple to use, does not endanger your health or safety, and comes with a guarantee, maintenance, and repair in the event it malfunctions.
Descaling & Cleaning your Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Coffee Machine doesn’t need to be a big task. In fact it can be a rewarding experience. After you give your machine that spring clean, you will be rewarded with a hot, fresh cup of coffee. That is ultimately what you really want to get out of your coffee machine, right?
So, let’s discuss why and how you should be cleaning your Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Machine.
Whether you use your machine daily or only every now and then, here is a fact for you: Every time you brew a coffee, the water that is running through your machine leaves mineral and limescale residue on the heating element and piping of your coffee machine. This limescale build-up also leads to weak machine performance, and it can result in cold, bad-tasting coffee or lead to leaks and blockage which might cause damage to your machine. It can also clog the water/brewing needle which can affect the flow of your coffee and make it slow. A tip to slow down the build-up of limescale is to use filtered water in your machine’s reservoir. However even with using filtered water, there will be a time where limescale needs to be attended to.
Apart from the limescale on the inside of your Capsule Coffee machine, there is also other areas that can get dirty. Don’t forget to clean the capsule holder and your drip tray. These can all build up coffee residue that needs to be cleaned. The residue can cause bacteria and foul smells that are definitely not wanted inside your next cup of coffee.
Thankfully there is fairly easy ways to clean your machine without the need for elbow grease and industrial-grade detergents.
There is two steps to keeping your machine maintained well so it can give you the best coffee and last a long time.
The first step is descaling. A descaler is key to remove limescale and mineral build-up from a coffee machine’s heating element and piping. Plus descaling also removes the residue build-up from your coffee machine’s brewing needle. Below is a quick breakdown on how to descale.
First check your machine manufacturer’s instruction manual for descaling and rinsing procedures.
The second step is cleaning. Usually it is recommended to use a Cleaning Capsule for this step, but in the case of the Dolce Gusto®, the actual capsule you use serves as the brew chamber. So you only need to clean the rest of your machine which is the capsule holder and drip tray. Remove the capsule holder and drip tray and soak it in hot water with dish soap. Then give it a clean with a toothbrush and/or cloth, and rinse. Lastly, use a brush with medium-hard bristles to gently clean where the capsule holder fits in to remove the residue.
It is safe to say that you have just spring cleaned your Dolce Gusto® coffee machine. Here’s to great coffee!
Learn how to clean your Keurig® K-Cup® coffee maker. As a proud owner of a K-Cup® brewer, you want to ensure that you always get the best cup of coffee from your machine. After all, there is nothing like that first cup of your favorite coffee, at the press of a button.
Maintaining the best cup of coffee requires just a bit of care and cleaning of your brewer, though. Continue reading to learn how to best clean your Keurig® K-Cup® coffee maker.
Each coffee pod you brew causes coffee oil and residue to build up in the brewing chamber and nozzle of your brewer. This build-up leads to poor flow when you brew a pod, and poor coffee taste. What’s worse is that bacteria can also develop in and around your brewer.
Additionally, the heating system inside the machine also builds up limescale due to calcium and mineral deposits present in the water that is brewed. This limescale build-up causes poor machine performance, which leads to brewing cold coffee.
It should now be clear that your coffee maker does require care from time to time.
Cleaning your K-Cup® brewer doesn’t take much time or work, and can be done with one complete Caffenu® K-Cup® Maintenance Kit. The kit consists of cleaning pods and a liquid descaler.
To effectively rid your machine’s brewing chamber and nozzle of old coffee oils and bitter tannins, you must use the Caffenu® K-Cup® compatible cleaning pods.
To rid your heating element of limescale build-up, you will need the Caffenu® Eco liquid descaler. Find out how using the Caffenu® liquid descaler beats using the common household vinegar to descale.
RECOMMENDED USAGE: Use one cleaning pod after every 30 cups, or after making flavored beverages/tea. Use at least once a month.
Fill water reservoir, place large mug under brew spout.
TIP: From time to time, it is recommended to clean the water entry and exit needles using straightened paperclip or similar object. Most effective after use of cleaning pod and before rinsing.
Power on brewer; place large mug under brew spout.
*Some Mini Coffee Makers may require you to lift and lower handle first to fill water compartment.
Important: Descale at least every 3-6 months. Do not wait for descaler light to come on.
Before descaling: • Ensure brewers are empty (no pods/cups/carafe to be inserted during procedure) • Ensure water reservoirs are empty • Remove filters (if fitted) and set aside • Disable auto off (if available).
After descaling: Clean the appliance. Wipe surrounding surfaces with a damp cloth.
Important: Descale at least every 3-6 months.
Before descaling: Ensure brewers are empty (no pods/cups/carafe to be inserted during procedure.
*For B/K130 brewers: Do steps 2 and 3 in reverse order, to be able to open water reservoir lid.
After descaling: Clean the appliance. Wipe surrounding surfaces with a damp cloth.
Proper descaling and maintenance of your coffee machine is vital for its lifespan and the quality of coffee it brews. All coffee machines with water reservoirs build up limescale and calcium deposits in their heating components, like the element, thermoblock and piping. The question that remains is: What should I use for proper descaling? And can I use Vinegar to descale my Coffee Machine?
To answer this question, it is important to understand what descaling means and which build-ups you are trying to remove from your coffee machine when descaling. One such build-up is limescale.
Limescale comes from calcium and mineral deposits present in water, especially municipal water. This build-up forms on your coffee machine’s internal parts, causing weak machine performance. Colder, poorer-tasting coffee comes with that poor performance.
There is ways to minimize the amount of limescale that builds up inside your coffee machine. For example, you can consider using fresh filtered water in your machine, as it keeps the build-up to a minimum, learn more here. However, the best and only solution to preventing and especially for removing limescale, is through proper and also regular descaling.
Descaling is the act of removing the above-mentioned deposits from your coffee machine, to remove limescale and rust from the internal elements and heating elements. But what you use to descale can make a big difference. We have all heard of a few ways to “descale” a coffee machine, and vinegar seems to come up a lot as a recommendation.
Some articles likely mention using common household vinegar to descale, which unfortunately does not turn out to be very effective. Vinegar is very weak and mild acid which is not effective to remove limescale or rust. Plus, you run the risk of leaving a vinegar taste in your machine. Vinegar has a potent smell which can take ages to get out of the pipes of your machine. And coffee and vinegar taste is not a good combination for your next cup.
A premium and food safe way to ensure the proper descaling of your coffee machine is using a lactic acid based descaling solution. Lactic acid is used in many detergents and soaps due to its natural antibacterial properties. Lactic acid effectively removes limescale build-up from a coffee machine’s internals, while leaving little to no residue behind. It is also very effective in the removal of rust.
We recommend looking for a lactic acid based solution (not to be confused with citric acid, as it is less effective) that is good to the environment as well. Our Caffenu® Eco Liquid Descaler is an eco-friendly, phosphate-free solution that uses a food safe, high-grade lactic acid from Europe which effectively removes any build-up that may hinder the performance of your coffee machine, be it a household or commercial machine. Additional additives have been added to assist in the breakdown of the deposits. It has naturally antibacterial properties for a hygienic rinse and provides a sanitising action for all your machine’s internal components. Most importantly it has no smell and leaves zero taint or stains ensuring you get the best coffee out of your coffee machine.
Nespresso® machines are nifty appliances, always there to provide a quick and easy coffee. It is a give and take relationship, though. It provides the quality coffee we require, but we also need to take care of it to retain that quality. This is where descaling your machine comes in.
Care comes in the form of descaling and cleaning. Descaling is crucial in removing the build-up of calcium and magnesium deposits that form limescale on the heating element and thermoblock in your machine.
Calcium and magnesium deposits come from the minerals in your tap water. The “harder” the water, the more minerals present. Each brew with your Nespresso® machine causes the deposits to accumulate and develop limescale.
Accumulation of limescale on your machine’s heating components prevents them from heating the water to its optimal temperature, resulting in cold, poor-tasting coffee.
Certain machines such as the Nespresso® Lattissima, and VertuoPlus inform you when to descale. On the Lattissima an orange light on the button will alert you, and the VertuoPlus will shine half green, half orange.
It’s okay If your machine does not alert you. Most manufacturers recommend that you descale your machine every 3-6 months to keep the heating components in tip-top condition. The recommended usage also depends on the water hardness in your area.
You can find out if your water is hard with a simple and easy DIY test. You will need a clean and clear empty bottle with a cap, and some pure liquid soap.
Fill the bottle one-third full of tap water, add a few drops of liquid soap and shake well for a few seconds. If there is a lack of foamy bubbles and the water appears cloudy and/or milky, your water is likely hard.
First check your machine manufacturer’s instruction manual for descaling and rinsing procedures.
The recent global developments and the ongoing pandemic we find ourselves in have made one thing clear: Daily cleaning routines are now more important than ever. This applies to many areas of your life, and your kitchen and household appliances like your coffee machine should be included. After all, you use it on a daily basis and want to ensure you drink germ-free fresh coffee.
If you want to enjoy your next cup of coffee, you need daily cleaning routines to keep your equipment clean. Unfortunately, very often the wrong cleaners are used. Incorrect detergents and soaps leave residues, odours and deposits that should have no place in your next coffee or tea.
Should you have been made to believe that hot water and a bit of vinegar will do the trick, you are unfortunately on the wrong track. There is a reason we use soap to wash our hands. And a detergent when washing dishes. The detergent part is needed to break down oils and remove bacteria and germs from your hands, dishes, and your coffee machine needs this too.
The same applies for removing mineral and calcium deposits (the white stuff you see in your kettle). You need an acidic solution to break down the residue. Decalcifying your espresso machine just with vinegar isn’t effective enough and can leave a bad vinegar smell. Vinegar and coffee? Not recommended!
To make it easy for you, we wrote a guide on the best way to clean your coffee equipment, simply find your coffee machine type below. “I regret cleaning my coffee machine”, said no one ever, we promise! And protecting yourself and your favourite beverage has never been more important.
Here is your guide on the most popular coffee machines and how to clean them correctly…
Don’t think that your coffee machine will clean itself when you flush it out with water. Hot water alone does not break down coffee oils. Machines such as Nespresso®, Lavazza A Modo Mio®, Caffitaly® require two food safe cleaning processes:
Firstly, run a Caffenu® cleaning capsule at least once a month through your machine to properly clean the machine’s coffee brewing chamber and rest of the front end. Tip: Use the cleaning solution afterwards to soak your drip tray and capsule basket, works like a charm!
Secondly, descaling. The Caffenu® Eco Descaler cleans the back end of the coffee machine’s internals, removing harmful calcium, lime scale and mineral build up. The Eco descaler also has a natural antibacterial action to give a hygienic clean. Your machine will thank you with hotter coffee, too! Descale every 3 months or when descaling light comes on. For generic usage instructions on how to descale, see here.
Bean to cup machines require two cleaning processes, cleaning with tablets and descaling.
Step 1: The Caffenu® cleaning tablets, specifically the retail blister pack is perfect for home use to remove dirty old oils and odours and should be used at least once a month.
For detailed instructions on how to use the cleaning tablets in your machine, see here.
Step 2: The Caffenu® Eco Descaler removes lime scale and should be used according to the user manual instructions supplied by your machine’s manufacturer.
Descale every 3 months or when descaling light comes on. For generic usage instructions on how to descale, see here.
Optional Step 3: If your coffee machine also has a steam wand, clean it with a milk system cleaner.
The milk system cleaner removes sour milk residues and also sanitizes your equipment. Find more info on how to clean here.
Step 1 & Step 2: To clean bigger machines, you should use the appropriate size Caffenu® cleaning tablets in a jar, along with the Caffenu milk system cleaner to thoroughly clean the machine, and remove bitter tannins, coffee residues and oils. The tablets should be used once a week if you use your machine a lot or at least once a month. This will keep your machine clean and prevent misfunction but more importantly provide great coffee.
For detailed instructions on how to use the cleaning tablets in your machine, see here. The milk system cleaner should be used regularly (at least weekly) to prevent milk blockages and ensure hygienic milk circuits. General instructions on how to clean your automatic one touch milk circuit can be found here.
Step 3: Any coffee machine/hot water appliance needs descaling so be sure to familiarise yourself with the Caffenu® Eco Descaler.
Don’t worry though, descaling is only required every 3 months or so. However, please be aware that not every machine have a descaling light to alert you, so be sure to descale anyway!
Cleaning your commercial coffee machine requires the Caffenu® Cleaning Powder. The fast-acting, concentrated formula ensures removal of old coffee oils, build up and bitter tannins from your machine’s group heads, lines and valves. It is also ideal for soaking removable parts like portafilters, filter baskets and shower screens. The powder is great to use in your daily backflush cleaning routine.
The Caffenu Group Head Cleaning Brush is a multi-functional tool designed with an ergonomic handle and unique water deflector fins which keep your hand safe from hot water while cleaning your group head, shower screen and group seal. It also has an integrated measuring spoon for easy and convenient dosing of cleaning powder.
Take your milk jug/pitcher, and mix milk system cleaner at a 1 to 10 ratio with water in jug. Eg. if jug can hold 500 ml, pour 50 ml of milk cleaner into jug and fill the rest of the jug with warm water. Operate steam wand several times in jug filled with solution, then let steam wand and any other milk accessories you’d like to clean sit inside jug with solution for about 20min. Take steam wand out of jug and wipe down with a damp cloth. Then thoroughly rinse jug and other accessories and fill with clean water. To rinse, operate steam wand in clean water several times. This will ensure your one-way valve stays clean, protecting your boiler and getting rid of milk deposits inside steam wands which can cause blockages. The milk system cleaner also contains a sanitizer for a hygienic clean.
Are you aware, that your coffee machine is a breeding ground for bacteria and old coffee build up? The residue and build-up mainly sits inside the brewing chamber and nozzle of your machine.
Descaling doesn´t hurt, but it doesn´t help. A descaler only removes the lime scale on the boiler of your machine (the white stuff you see in your kettle). But it doesn´t have the required foaming agent or pressure build-up to remove residue and bacteria on the brewing chamber of your machine.
If you don´t clean the brewing chamber of your machine, it cannot only affect the taste of your coffee, but more importantly your health! Shocking stats about dirty Nespresso® machines revealed here.
The Caffenu® cleaning capsule was specifically designed to clean the brewing chamber of your Nespresso® coffee machine. The capsule releases a powerful foaming agent that gets rid of residue build-up and bacteria in just 2 minutes. It is therefor different to a descaler which only removes lime scale on the boiler of your machine.
Recommended by Award-Winning Baristas: Any Barista will tell you that only a healthy coffee machine, can make the perfect coffee! You cannot expect your coffee to taste exceptional, if you are using equipment which hasn´t been cleaned.
Use One Capsule After Every 30 CupsUse one cleaning capsule after every 30 cups, or at least once a month for best results. Descaling is only required every 3-6 months, depending on the water hardness.
Try our Descaling and Cleaning Kit to combine descaling and cleaning for your machine.
Happy machine, happy coffee. Caffenu®!
Nespresso® coffee machines have become more popular than ever before. People have moved away from cheaper instant brands in favour of top quality sourced blends with unique flavours and aromas.
More coffee lovers are enjoying the convenience of having an Espresso or Cappuccino available at the push of a button. With a wide variety of coffee blends available, including flavoured coffees, hot chocolate and even tea capsules, there are so many options to choose from. It’s simply a matter of which blend to try next.
Originally developed for the home consumer, Nespresso® coffee machines have now made their way into offices and boardrooms, sometimes churning out up to 100 cups of steaming coffee a day. As a result of this, a high demand for an effective, top quality coffee machine cleaner has surfaced. Just like a vending machine or bean-to-cup machine, Nespresso® pod machines need to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent blockages and other problems that arise as a result of high use.
Up until now, there has been only one effective way to clean a Nespresso® coffee machine. With the help of a descaler, one can simply clean out the inside of the pump and boiler of the machine. However, the descaler does not clean the brewing chamber of the machine, which is right where the nozzle sits and exactly where your coffee gets extracted every time you push the button. (Read about the difference between descaling your machine vs. using a Cleaning Capsule here.)
Over time, a lot of residue builds up and remains behind in the brewing chamber. Odours and old coffee residue can end up in your cup, block your machine, or even worse, ruin that amazing coffee taste. These areas in the machine are impossible to reach using the usual cleaning and descaling procedures. (What is hiding inside your Nespresso® machine. Find out here.)
This is why the Caffenu® Cleaning Capsule was invented.
The Caffenu® Cleaning Capsule cleans the brewing chamber of your Nespresso® coffee machine within two minutes, releasing a unique foaming action inside the chamber that flushes out the old residue and build up at the push of a button.
You simply insert the Caffenu® Cleaning Capsule like you would a normal coffee capsule, and watch as the contents of the capsule flush out the residue that have remained inside your coffee machine. The results speak for themselves. Watch a demo video below.
Never before has there been a more convenient way to effectively clean your Nespresso® machine with so many additional benefits.
There are several benefits in using this innovative cleaning capsule:
The best way to clean your Nespresso® coffee pod machine would be to combine the two methods mentioned above: using a descaler and also using a cleaning capsule.
By taking good care of your coffee pod machine, you can make sure it lasts for years as you experience your coffee like nu again.
If you are interested in purchasing the product for yourself, you can check here if we got a stockist in your area/country.
Should you want to become a distributor, please contact us here.
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