Anti-scale solution for Philips Saeco coffee machine

Saeco coffee machines are quite common in our country. They are most popular in catering establishments, offices and other places where they are actively used. Despite the high quality and reliability of such devices, they also tend to break down, since during active use they are subject to serious loads.

In order to prevent malfunctions and serious damage, maintenance measures should be carried out for preventive purposes. These include washing and cleaning. At affordable prices, repairs of Saeco coffee machines in Kyiv are carried out by the Brayval-coffee service center.

Features of Saeco coffee machines

The creators of Philips Saeco coffee machines tried to ensure that the interests of everyone were taken into account. Among the range of products, there is room for both simple and inexpensive products and more advanced and expensive models. Despite this, there are several indicators that the price indicator does not apply to. Any of the Saeco coffee machines has the following qualities:

modern decoration and design;
simple and intuitive controls;
reliability and ergonomics;
a wide choice of programs.

How to clean coffee oils from a Philips coffee machine?

Place a coffee oil remover tablet in a cup and fill it with 150 ml of hot water. Wait until the tablet is completely dissolved. Use a coffee oil remover solution to clean the brew group filter. Use a soft sponge or brush to clean the filter.

Interesting materials:

How do you pay for a reservation on Booking? How does a sprain occur? How is excise duty paid? How to get medical examination 2022? How to complete a quest beyond the ordinary? How to pass an interview at the US Embassy? How to pass an interview in the USA? How to get to business class at the airport? How to make offsets between organizations? What are the maritime borders of Russia?

Why does scale form?

All the good things that a Saeco coffee machine has can be ruined by just one thing – scale. Like any equipment that requires heating water to operate, coffee machines are also susceptible to this negative factor.

Water is the main cause of scale formation, but it’s not the liquid, but the impurities that are present in it. Salts, trace elements, sulfates, nitrates, the chain can be continued for a long time, because in each area this set is completely individual. Not only tap water is dangerous, but also purchased water; it does not protect the device, but only delays the inevitable.

Is it time to descale your coffee machine?

The coffee machine should be cleaned regularly. But the regularity of cleaning directly depends on the quality of the water. If the water is hard, then the procedure should be performed approximately once a month, if it is very soft - once every six months.

There is another criterion: you should think about cleaning the device after it has prepared approximately 200 cups of coffee. Some models are equipped with special counters for this and “tell” the owner when it’s time to clean. If the unit is not so smart, then you should pay attention to factors such as:

the stream of coffee pouring into the cup becomes much thinner than usual;
strong hum;
the appearance of a whitish sediment in the drink.

If such signs appear, then you should start preparing for the fact that you will have to descale the coffee machine.

How to Know When Cleaning Is Needed

The frequency of cleaning a Saeco coffee machine is a purely personal matter. It is very stupid to wait for any special signals, because a stage may come at which ordinary cleaning is no longer sufficient, and you will have to make expensive repairs.

If you know that you have hard water in your area, then monthly preventive measures are a must. If it is soft, then a six-month cleaning frequency is quite acceptable.

But those who neglected the timely procedure may notice the following problems:

the finished coffee began to flow out more slowly and with less pressure;
the operation of the machine is accompanied by an unusual hum;
a white sediment appeared at the bottom of the cup of drink.

These are the very critical signs that indicate that your Saeco coffee machine requires cleaning.

Why and how often do you need to rinse and descale your Saeco coffee machine?

In many cases, the device itself gives signals indicating that the boiler in which the water is heated needs to be rinsed and cleaned.

Otherwise, the device will perform worse, and over time, serious damage may occur that will require expensive repairs or replacement of parts. Why bring it to this? So when exactly do you need to descale your device?

There are several “symptoms” that indicate this:

Heating water takes longer than usual
The coffee is not as hot as it should be and was before
The finished drink has a strange and unpleasant taste and smell
There is no steam coming out of the steam wand, or very little steam.

In modern models with a display, the system itself will inform you if it is time to wash.

If it is a coffee machine without a display, rinsing should be done approximately every 500 cups.

Cleaning methods

The instructions for your Saeco coffee machine describe in detail how to descale it. But if you came here, it may be lost or additional methods and tools are needed.

The Xsmall series has a special automatic cleaning function. She does the washing herself at startup and at the end of the program. If the coffee machine is a little cheaper, then all responsibility falls on the owner.

A good decalcifier (cleaner) is a product purchased at hardware stores. Such compositions are produced by the same companies that make the coffee maker itself. The packaging describes the method of use and dosage, which makes it easier to use.

For those who prefer proven home methods, citric acid can serve as an analogue. This food additive actively fights scale.

Initially, all removable parts of the Saeco coffee machine are washed, after which a solution is made from powder (cleaning agent) and hot water (per 30 grams, 4 tablespoons of liquid). The mixture is poured into the compartment with the same volume of cold water added, after which the program starts. When ½ of the solution has poured out, you need to pause the program so that the second half of the solution can begin thorough cleaning. A 30-minute stop will be enough, after which we complete the task we started. You can get rid of the sour taste by running clean water through the coffee maker a couple of times.

Descaling version 2.1. How to descale a Saeco Xsmall coffee machine?

If the red light » " on your coffee machine is flashing quickly and the green light » " is on, you need to descale the machine according to version 2.1 according to the instructions below. Note. If you are unsure about which descaling version to choose, please refer to the following related articles for details: “Which descaling version is suitable for the Xsmall model?”

Attention!

Once you have started the descaling procedure, you must complete it without turning off the coffee machine.
The complete descaling process takes approximately 30 minutes and consists of 3 main cycles: 1 descaling cycle and 2 rinsing cycles.
Attention! Do not use vinegar to descale. Use Saeco descaling agent. Saeco descaling agent can be purchased in our online store.
During the procedure, you cannot turn off the coffee machine using the on/off button. If you unplug the power cord to stop, you must plug it back in and complete the descaling procedure. Make sure the control dial is in the " " position and turn on the machine using the On/Off button. The machine will automatically resume the descaling procedure from step 6.

Descaling procedure version 2.1. Before you begin the descaling procedure, you must complete the following steps.

Drain the drip tray.
Prepare a large container with a capacity of about 1.2 liters to collect water during the descaling process.
Remove the optional INTENZA+ filter from the water tank. (if available)
Remove the panarello/cappuccino maker. (if available)

Descaling cycle:

Empty the water tank and pour in the entire amount of Philips/Saeco descaling solution. Add water to the MAX mark and replace the tank.
Turn off the machine by pressing the on/off button.
Turn the dial to the "" position.
Place a large container under the steam/hot water wand.
Press and hold the "" and "" buttons at the same time for 5 seconds. The red "" light will begin to flash quickly and will continue to flash throughout the descaling cycle.
The machine will dispense descaling solution into the drip tray every few minutes. The liquid does not come from the steam/hot water wand. This will take about 5 minutes. Wait until the green "" indicator lights up. Attention! If you did not turn off the machine before pressing the buttons, it will start dispensing coffee instead of starting the descaling cycle. If this happens, repeat the steps from step 2.
When the green "" indicator lights up, move the control dial to the "" position.
After about 1 minute, liquid will start flowing from the steam/hot water wand at minute intervals until the tank is empty. This will take about 15 minutes.
When the green "" indicator begins to pulse slowly, move the dial to the "" position. The red "" indicator will light up.
Drain the large container and drip tray and replace them.
Read also: Removing engine oil stains from jeans: a review of effective methods

First wash cycle

Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh water to the MAX line. Install it in your car.
When the green "" indicator lights up, move the control dial to the "" position. The machine will fill the inner contour.
After this, the green indicator “” will begin to pulsate slowly. Turn the dial to the "" position.
The machine will start dispensing water into the drip tray. The liquid does not come from the steam/hot water wand.
When the green "" indicator lights up, move the control dial to the "" position. The steam/hot water wand will then dispense water until the tank is empty.
After this, the green indicator “” will begin to pulsate slowly. Turn the dial to the "" position. The red "" indicator will light up.

Second wash cycle.

Drain the large container and drip tray and replace them.
Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh water to the MAX line. Install it in your car.
When the green "" indicator lights up, move the control dial to the "" position.
The steam/hot water wand will continue to supply water until the tank is empty.
The machine will then turn off. The red indicator "" will go out. Turn the dial to the "" position.
Rinse the drip tray and replace it. Reinstall the panarello/cappuccino maker and INTENZA+ filter (if applicable).
Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh water to the MAX line. Install it in your car.
Turn on the coffee machine.

This manual is relevant for all models of the Saeco Xsmall line of coffee machines if the serial number of the coffee machine is from TW901241438213 to TW901434485351:

Saeco Xsmall HD8642/01 Black Saeco Xsmall HD8644/01 Black Saeco Xsmall HD8646/01 Black Philips Saeco Xsmall Steam HD8743/19 Black Philips Saeco Xsmall Class HD8745/09 White Philips Saeco Xsmall Class HD8745/19 Black Philips Saeco Xsmall Chrome HD8747/09

You can always order a descaling service at our service center at a very reasonable price!

What causes a coffee machine to become dirty?

The coffee machine gets dirty faster and more heavily than any other appliance in the kitchen. It not only heats water, but also drives coffee and milk through it. Like any other device, it becomes covered with dirt and dust. You have to deal with the following types of pollution:

External – dust, fingerprints and kitchen grease.
Internal – scale, film from coffee oils and milk. As a result of heating, contaminants turn into solid deposits.

It is the oil in the coffee beans that creates that magnificent foam on the surface of the espresso. The other side of the coin is that with each portion of coffee prepared, the sieve inside the machine becomes clogged with oils.

Which descaling procedure to choose?

There are different Saeco Minuto models on sale.

If your Saeco Minuto coffee machine has a display, follow the instructions in the “Descaling instructions for Minuto coffee machines with display” section.
If your Saeco Minuto coffee machine does not have a display, follow the instructions in the “Descaling instructions for Minuto coffee machines without a display” section.

Here you will find a video on descaling most models of Saeco Minuto coffee machines. After watching it, you will get a general idea of the process.

Remember, detailed instructions for descaling are provided in the operating instructions for the coffee machine.

Cleaning the coffee machine with citric acid

How to clean a coffee machine?
Although stores today have a huge selection of tablets, gels and other decalcification products, many owners, when choosing what to wash their coffee machine with, prefer “good old” citric acid. And not unreasonably:

a completely safe and harmless substance to human health;
effectively removes even the most stubborn scale;
does not release toxic elements during heating;
budget product at an affordable price;
Available in almost any hardware or grocery store.

To clean a coffee machine at home, you need to dilute a solution of approximately 25-30 g of lemon powder per 1 liter of water. It is best to buy one packet of acid in a dosage of 25 g, and if you can’t find it, buy 3 small ones of 10 g each. The decalcification process itself will take no more than 30-45 minutes.

Let's take a closer look at how to clean a coffee machine with citric acid:

Unplug the equipment from the outlet.
Take out the water tank and rinse it thoroughly under the tap.
Pour the prepared solution inside.
To clean your Philips coffee machine, return the cleaning agent reservoir.
If your machine has an auto-clean function, just run it.
If there is no such option, how to descale your machine with citric acid? Count 15-20 minutes, then begin the process of preparing drinks without adding raw materials.
Stop operating the machine when the entire volume of solution has been used up.
Turn off the device, remove the tank, and rinse it thoroughly again.
Pour plain water into the container and start cooking “idle”.
You will need to use up all the water again.
Repeat the “rinse” again to thoroughly rinse out the acid.

This type of cleaning should be done every 250 cups of coffee. If you use hard water - more often, if distilled liquid - less often.

How to adjust the grind level in a coffee machine?

To adjust the grind, turn it one turn to the left or right. On the coffee machine, the degree of grinding is indicated by a numerical value or a dot of the appropriate size. The smaller the dot, the smaller the grind. The lower the number, the smaller the grind.

Interesting materials:

How to remove label adhesive from dishes? How to remove adhesive film from a table? How to remove log from Android? How to descale with citric acid? How to descale an electric kettle? How to remove the source collar? How to relieve swelling after a bite? How to remove UEFI password? How to remove old film from PVC windows? How to remove film from stuck polycarbonate?

What to clean with?

As a rule, all manufacturers make special products for decalcifying their devices. Recommended “drugs” are usually indicated in the instructions already mentioned above. However, there are also universal means that may well serve as their replacement.

In principle, you can do without branded chemicals and use folk remedies, for example: lemon juice. Using this product you can even clean an electric kettle from scale or, for example, an oven from grease. Hence the conclusion: citric acid is not only a food additive.

Care instructions

saeco descaler

If your machine has a built-in coffee grinder, you need to make sure that the unit is dry. It’s a good idea to wipe the device with a dry cloth before adding grains;
Check the information about the presence of a filter in the machine. If you have a paper one, replace it before each brewing; nylon - the service life is 60 days of continuous preparation of the drink; gold - cannot be replaced and will last a long time;
The automatic heating plate is wiped clean of drink residues and other dirt, then it will be able to retain the heat of the prepared drink;
Timely cleaning of the container from coffee grounds and milk. If this recommendation is ignored, the drink will develop a sour smell and unpleasant taste.

Attention! The main causes of malfunctions are the use of hard water, sudden surges in network voltage, and disregard for equipment. saeco descaling agent is an excellent helper in the household.

*Prices are current as of October 2022.

Stages of the long journey...

How to clean a coffee machine with citric acid will be discussed a little later. First, let's talk about how to clean using manufacturer-recommended or universal cleaning products.

If the machine belongs to the “smart” category, i.e. has a display and a counter for brewed cups of coffee, then everything is simple.

Prepare the solution according to the instructions.
Pour it into the water tank.
Empty the waste container of coffee residues.
Start automatic cleaning and follow the instructions that the coffee machine itself will periodically give (most often it requires adding water and cleaning the tray again).

The machine will do the rest on its own.

If such a function is not provided by the unit’s designers, then proceed as follows:

Prepare the solution according to the instructions on the package.
Pour it into the water tank.
Clean the waste container and filter from coffee residues.
Turn on the device and open the tap, from which boiling water should flow. You need to drain 100-150 ml of liquid.
Repeat the draining procedure 4-5 times approximately every 5-7 minutes, draining 80-100 ml of liquid.
If the device is not equipped with a sprayer, then add coffee and start the preparation program without draining the cleaning solution. If there is a pulver or the coffee maker is of the carob type, then the program can be started without pouring coffee.
Pour out the resulting “drink” (you should absolutely not drink it!!!) and repeat the procedure until the poured solution runs out.
Rinse the water tank, fill with cold water and repeat steps. 3 – 7.
Rinse the working unit of the unit with running water.

Ready! The coffee machine is now clean and able to brew normal coffee again.

Of course, the above are general cleaning principles. For example, some coffee machines are equipped with special containers where the cleaning agent is placed in tablet form. So, in any case, you should first read the instruction manual.

What kind of remedy is this

KAVA Descoling Agent
Only proper care can extend the life of the coffee machine. When there is limescale inside, the smart device displays the message “Descall” on the control panel.

A signal that there is a lot of lime in the device will be when the indicator lights up. This is evidence that the time has come to clean the equipment.

The best product for removing plaque from Saeco coffee machines is KAVA Descoling Agent and Saeco specialized liquid.

Advantages of the first substance:

Cheapness;
Duration of use: the product is enough for 6-7 cleanings.

Specialized liquid will be more expensive and is designed for 2-3 cleanings. If there are no funds, an analogue should be used. To find out how to clean your saeco coffee machine, you need to carefully read the instructions.

The cleaning process includes:

Filling the device reservoir with a special liquid (250 ml is required), the rest of the volume is added with water;
Starting the decalcification program, waiting for its completion;
Flushing the device and system.

Equipment needs to be cleaned regularly. If you ignore the recommendations for caring for the device, this will reduce the amount of the prepared drink, worsen its aromatic properties, lead to noisy operation and the formation of unaesthetic foam.