Do you have a Breville coffee machine? If so, descaling it with vinegar is the best way to keep your Breville clean and in good condition. Descaling removes mineral deposits from the surface of your coffee maker that can affect the taste and quality of water flow. For more information on how to descale a Breville coffee machine with vinegar, read this blog post!
What you will need:
- Vinegar
- Water
How to descale a Breville coffee maker with vinegar?
Descaling your coffee brewer is easy, but it is a bit time-consuming. You will need to give your coffee machine an hour or two of constant attention to get the best results. However, if you follow these easy steps, descaling a Breville coffee maker with vinegar will be no problem for you!
Before we Begin: Unplug your coffee machine.
Unplug your coffee maker and open the water reservoir.
Step 1: Fill up the reservoir
First, pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the reservoir of your Breville maker. Vinegar is great for descaling because it is so acidic.
Next, fill the reservoir of your Breville coffee machine with warm water. If you are using a 12 cup Breville machine, that should make for a strong cleaning solution that is 4 cups of water and 8 cups of white vinegar (use a measuring cup marked in ounces or liters).
If you have a smaller coffee maker do half vinegar and half water. Note: For my Breville, one cup of vinegar added to a half full tank worked better than two cups of vinegar.
Once the water and vinegar mixture is in, plug your machine in and turn it on.
Step 2: Rinse Your Coffee Maker
Let the mixture sit in the machine for about an hour. We do this to break down and disintegrate all the mineral deposits that have piled up over time.
Step 3: Run a Descale cycle
Depending on your Breville, you may have a descale setting. Just push and hold the Strength button for 5 seconds and it should read “Descale”.
If there is no special function, turn on the machine and brew with the liquid the way you normally would with coffee.
The machine’s display will read that it is in descale mode. Run the machine until all the water and vinegar solution has been emptied into the coffee pot.
You will hear the water flow through your coffee maker, but it will not be making any coffee or espresso as you are descaling your Breville.
The mix will run through your machine and clean out all of the mineral deposits that would otherwise build up inside of your machine. This step takes about three minutes but can be longer depending on the machine and the amount of scale buildup.
Pour fresh water into the reservoir. Push and hold down the Strength button for 5 seconds to activate the descale mode again. As the water passes through the device, it should take away the smell and taste of vinegar.
Next, brew until the unit is empty.
You may want to run another batch of white vinegar and water mix if it hasn’t been done in a while. Doing a second run will ensure that your machine clears out any scale that didn’t get broken down the first time. When all the liquid is out of the device, it’s time to rinse.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2-4 if Necessary
After you empty out the used vinegar and water from your coffee maker, fill it up with fresh water once more. Then run another water cycle through your machine. Do this a few times until there is no more vinegar odor coming from the machine.
Running a few cycles of clean water through will remove any traces of vinegar from the system.
Afterward, you can continue to make coffee or espresso as usual. Congratulations! You have just descaled a Breville coffee maker with vinegar!
Breville Descaling FAQ?
Does this work on the Breville Espresso Machine?
No. There is a different approach you must take when descaling a Breville espresso machine.
Do I have to use white vinegar to descale?
Yes, you must use white vinegar because it is the most effective. Other kinds of vinegar (balsamic, malt, etc…) will not work.
Why do I need to descale my coffee machine?
This is because of deposits that build up on the metal components of your device, which can affect the taste and the quality of water flow in your Breville coffee maker. This mineral buildup can have a negative effect on your machine and potentially ruin it over time.
How long does the descaling cleaning process take?
The process of descaling your coffee maker will take about an hour or two. Possibly longer if you have to run multiple cycles of the mix.
Can I use citric acid to descale my machine?
Yes, you can use citric acid to descale your machine. However, citric acid may cause residue build-up. This could mean that it will take longer for the mineral deposits to dissolve and you may have to descale again sooner. Personally, I use white vinegar and find it works for me every time.
What are signs that I need to descale?
The coffee machine’s water flow will be reduced. Your coffee may begin to taste sour if you have not descaled in some time. So watch out for any of these signs and descale your machine more frequently.
What causes scale build-up in a coffee machine?
Scale is a result of mineral deposits that come from hard water. Over time tap water can leave mineral deposits and gradually builds up a layer on the machine that hinders its performance.
Where can I buy vinegar for my Breville coffee maker?
If you need more vinegar to descale your device, you may need to purchase it at the grocery store or on Amazon.
How often should I descale my Breville coffee maker?
Breville recommends that descaling be done once a month. However, if you use any kind of water filtration system or regularly drink softened water from the tap, you may need to do it as often as once every two weeks! Anytime your machine begins making less than perfect coffee, descale it right away!
The Bottom Line on Descaling a Breville Coffee
It is important to descale your Breville coffee brewer regularly. The process should take about an hour and will help remove any sour taste or reduced water flow from mineral deposits that have piled up over time on the metal components of your device. If you notice these signs, it may be time for a descaling cycle again!