Topic
Descaling and filters
Much of the UK has hard water, and limescale is the commonest reason a machine slows down or stops. Set the hardness level, use a filter if the maker supports one and descale on schedule.
- 1 °Clark
- 14.25 mg/l CaCO3
- 1 °dH
- 17.85 mg/l CaCO3
UK water companies publish hardness in mg/l as calcium carbonate, while most machines ask for a level from a test strip, usually in German degrees (°dH). Our water-hardness converter turns one into the other.
A water filter cartridge in the tank reduces scale and can lengthen the time between descaling cycles; machines that support one often ask you to switch it on in the menu so the reminder adjusts.
Use the descaler the maker recommends and run the full programme. Cleaning tablets for the brew unit and milk system are a separate job from descaling.
Guides on this topic
- Sage Barista Express water filter: fitting and changing itSage Barista Express water filter guide: where the filter sits, how to soak and date it, and when to change it based on your water hardness.How-to
- How to descale the Sage Barista ExpressHow to descale the Sage Barista Express: entering descale mode, which descaler to use, rinsing afterwards and how often to descale in UK hard water areas.How-to
- How to descale a Gaggia ClassicHow to descale a Gaggia Classic, Classic Pro or Evo Pro by hand: boiler and solenoid descale, then backflush and shower screen clean for the Classic family.How-to
- How to descale a De'Longhi MagnificaHow to descale a De'Longhi Magnifica S, Start or Evo: running the descale programme, using EcoDecalk, setting water hardness and resetting the filter.How-to
- How to clean the Sage Barista ExpressHow to clean the Sage Barista Express: the clean me light, cleaning cycle with a tablet, steam wand, shower screen and grinder, and how often each needs doing.How-to
- Hard water and coffee machines: a UK guideHow UK hard water affects coffee machines: where it is hardest, how to read your supplier's mg/l figure, setting the hardness level and when filters help.Guide
- Why descale a coffee machine, and can you use vinegarWhat limescale does to coffee machine heaters and valves, why many makers advise against vinegar and recommend their own descaler, and how often to descale.Guide