How to Descale Your Breville Coffee Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you own aBreville coffee machine, regular descaling is key to keeping it in top condition. Over time, mineral deposits (or limescale) from the water can build up inside your machine, affecting its performance and the quality of your coffee. Descaling helps remove these deposits and keeps your machine running smoothly.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the descaling process for some of the most popular Breville models, including theBreville Barista Express,Breville Barista Pro, andBreville Bambino Plus. Each model has its own descaling procedure, so be sure to follow the steps specific to your machine.

What You Need:

• Descaling solution- we sell and recommendCafettoproducts.Cafetto Renewis our pick (It is so good that Breville re-sell it as 'Breville Branded De-scaler').
• Fresh water
• A container to catch the water during the descaling process

Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)

TheBarista Expressis one of the most popular models, and descaling it is fairly simple. Here’s how:

1. Prepare the Solution:
   Mix your descaling solution with water according to the instructions on the descaling product. Pour the solution into the water tank of your Breville Barista Express.
2. Enter Descale Mode:
   Turn off the machine. Press and hold the1 CupandPowerbuttons together until the machine enters descale mode. The buttons will light up, indicating the machine is ready to start.
3. Start the Descaling Process:
   Press the1 Cupbutton to start the descaling cycle. The machine will pump the solution through the brew head. Once done, press theSteambutton to descale the steam wand. Finally, press theHot Waterbutton to flush the solution through the hot water outlet.
4. Rinse the Machine:
   After the descaling cycle is complete, empty the water tank, rinse it thoroughly, and refill it with fresh water. Run another cycle through the1 Cup,Steam, andHot Waterfunctions to rinse the machine.
5. Finish Up:
   Once you've finished rinsing, your Breville Barista Express is descaled and ready to brew again!

Breville Barista Pro (BES878)

TheBarista Prohas a slightly different process, thanks to its digital interface.

1. Prepare the Solution:
   Mix the descaling solution with water and pour it into the water tank.
2. Enter Descale Mode:
   Turn the machine off, then press and hold the1 CupandSteambuttons simultaneously while turning the machine on. This will activate the descale mode. The display will prompt you to start the process.
3. Start Descaling:
   Follow the instructions on the screen. The machine will automatically run water through the brew head, steam wand, and hot water outlet in sequence. It will pause between each step to allow you to position the container under the appropriate spout.
4. Rinse the Machine:
   Once descaling is complete, empty the water tank, rinse it, and fill it with fresh water. The display will prompt you to run a rinsing cycle, which flushes out any remaining solution.
5. Finish Up:
   After the rinse cycle, the display will return to normal. YourBarista Prois now ready to brew again.

Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)

TheBambino Plusis a more compact machine, but it still needs regular descaling to maintain its performance.

1. Prepare the Solution:
   Mix the descaling solution with water and pour it into the water tank.
2. Enter Descale Mode:
   Press and hold the1 CupandSteambuttons for five seconds until the machine beeps and the lights start flashing.
3. Start Descaling:
   Press the1 Cupbutton to start the descaling cycle. The solution will run through the machine and the steam wand.
4. Rinse the Machine:
   Once descaling is done, empty the water tank, rinse it out, and refill it with fresh water. Press the1 Cupbutton again to start the rinse cycle. Make sure to run water through the steam wand as well by pressing theSteambutton.
5. Finish Up:
   After the rinse cycle is complete, the machine will return to its normal state, and yourBambino Plusis ready to use.

Tips for Successful Descaling

• Frequency: Descale your Breville machine every 1-2 months, depending on your water hardness. Harder water causes limescale to build up faster.
• Use Breville Descaling Solution: It’s always best to use the Breville-recommended descaling solution for the safest and most effective results.
• Don’t Skip Rinsing: After descaling, it’s crucial to thoroughly rinse the machine to remove any residual descaling solution, which could affect the taste of your coffee.

Final Thoughts

Regular descaling ensures your Breville coffee machine continues to brew high-quality coffee and lasts longer. Whether you have the Barista Express, Barista Pro, or Bambino Plus, following these steps will keep your machine in peak condition.

By making descaling a part of your coffee routine, you’ll not only maintain your machine’s performance but also ensure every cup of coffee is as delicious as the first. Happy brewing!