Descaling Your Coffee Machine

Descaling Your Coffee Machine – Q&A

What is “Scale”?
The build up of minerals inside the hot parts of your coffee machine or espresso machine is commonly called lime scale. This term is derived from hard water areas in some parts of the world that have a high lime content in their water. In fact any mineral that comes out of solution from heat can deposit itself in the water carrying parts of your coffee machine. Typically this will affect your boiler, the pumps and any parts that carry hot water. Usually the areas where the water sits still for a while, such as the boiler are worst affected.

Is scale a problem?
The build up of lime scale will slow the water flow, reduce your boiler capacity and if left will eventually prevent your coffee machine working. Some boilers can end up with so much scale that they have heating problems.