Scale in a coffee machine spoils the taste and shortens the machine's life. Regular descaling takes a short while every so often.
Descale the office coffee machine when it prompts you, or on the schedule in the manual, taking water hardness into account. Use the descaler the manufacturer recommends and plan it outside peak hours, because the machine is unavailable during the cycle.
Why it matters
Scale restricts water flow and makes it harder to hold temperature. Coffee can come out lukewarm or taste metallic, and the machine breaks down more often.
How to prepare
- Read the manual and find the descaling program.
- Get the descaler, a container for water, and a cloth.
- Let the team know the machine will be briefly unavailable.
- Rinse the machine afterward as the manual says.
Who is responsible
Assign one person or add it to the rota. For machines serviced by a supplier, the customer support (publisher's site) page describes help and maintenance.
FAQ
Can we descale with vinegar? Manufacturers usually recommend their own products. Others may damage the machine or affect the warranty.
Does a water filter replace descaling? A filter can delay it, but it does not replace it.