How to Descale a Breville Espresso Machine: A True Story About Coffee in the Morning
It was a bright summer morning at 10 a.m. The deck blinds let in a lot of sunlight, and the room was so warm it felt like I didn’t even ask for a blanket. As a blogger who loves espresso, my days must begin with the rich smell of a freshly pulled shot from my favorite Breville espresso machine. But that day? It lied to me. The liquid that came out wasn’t espresso; it was a weak, bitter drip. The ashes were gone. Turn off the flow. How am I feeling? Shot.
I knew right then that I had missed something very important. Scaling down.
Despite my anger, I took action and decided to revive my machine. You can do it the same way I did.
Table of Contents
- What is descaling? Why Is It Important?
- How Often Should You Descale?
- Things You’ll Need for the Descaling Process:
- How to Descale a Breville Espresso Machine: Step-by-Step Process
- For Breville Barista Express Model:
- For the Bambino Plus Breville Model:
- Upkeep Tips to Keep Drama From Happening Again
- The End: A Cup Worth Caring For (Verdict)
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What is descaling? Why Is It Important?
Descaling is the process of getting rid of mineral buildup in your espresso machine. This is mostly calcium and magnesium layers that form from water over time. Over weeks or months, these deposits start to clog the internal parts, making it hard for water to move and keep the right temperature.
Your Breville machine won’t work at its best if you don’t regularly descale it. You might see:
- Longer brewing times
- Unreliable temperature
- Pressure loss
- Coffee that tastes bitter or weak
- Machines that last less long
It’s like giving your espresso machine a little spa day, trust me. It must have it.
How Often Should You Descale?
Descaling should be done every 60–90 days or 200 shots, whichever comes first. But the number can change if:
-> How hard your water is (harder water means more scale).
-> How often do you brew?
It doesn’t matter if you drink bottled or filtered water.
What did I do wrong? I didn’t descale properly for more than 4 months. Not okay at all.
Things You’ll Need for the Descaling Process:
Make sure you have these things before you start:
- Breville Descaling Solution (or an option based on citric acid)
- Water (clean water is best)
- A big bowl or bucket to catch the water
- A dry cloth
- An empty portafilter and filter basket
If your model has a cleaning or descale alert light, it’s already past the due date. Let’s make that right.
How to Descale a Breville Espresso Machine: Step-by-Step Process
-> IMP Note: This guide works for the Barista Express, the Barista Pro, the Bambino Plus, and the Oracle Touch, among other Breville types.
Step 1) Make sure the machine is empty
- Plug the machine out and turn it off.
- Take the water tank off and empty it.
- The drip tray and portafilter should be taken off.
- Get rid of any used coffee grounds.
Step 2) Get the descaling solution ready
When the descaling solution is ready, follow the directions on the bottle and mix your descaling solution with water in the tank.
-> Note: To use Breville’s approved solution, mix 1 part solution with 1 part water.
Step 3) Put the water tank back in place
- Put the full tank back into the machine by sliding it back in.
- Connect the machine and power it up.
- Let it heat up (this also sets the lines).
Step 4) Go into Descale Mode if possible
There are different ways for each Breville model to enter descaling mode. As an example:
For Breville Barista Express Model:
- Turn off the machine.
- Press and hold the “1 CUP” and “Power” buttons at the same time for 5 seconds, or until the lights flash.
For the Bambino Plus Breville Model:
- Turn off the machine.
- Hold down “1 CUP” and “Steam” for a few seconds until lights flash.
- For the correct combination, look in your manual.
Step 5) Start the descale cycle
- Press the “1 CUP” button to start the flow once you’re in descale mode.
- Keep Run the solution through the steam wand and group head.
- Keep it going until the tank is almost empty.
- Get a jar to hold the water.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not leave the machine alone. The process needs to be watched closely.
Step 6) Rinse (Washout) and Do It Again
- Take out the tank and wash it well.
- Put in new, clean water (no descaler).
- Run at least two full tanks of clean water through the steam wand and group head to get rid of any solution that is still there.
Step 7) Make sure everything is clean
- Clean the outside of the machine.
- The portafilter and basket should be rinsed.
- Wipe down the drip tray and let everything dry before putting it back together.
That’s it! The machine was descaled. We’re almost back to normal.
When I was done, I made a shot of espresso with my favorite single-origin beans. The difference was remarkable.
The pressure gauge was perfectly calibrated. The crema came back like an old friend. The shot? Just the way I like it — smooth as silk, with hints of apple and caramel.
Descaling my Breville brought it back to life. I took a sip, smiled, and then took my coffee and went back to that sunny porch. The morning finally came.
Upkeep Tips to Keep Drama From Happening Again
Since this little mess-up, I now have a strict routine for keeping my espresso fresh:
1) Check the water for dirt: To keep scale from building up, always use filtered water. It also makes the taste better.
2) Clean the group head every day: To keep coffee from building up, run water through it after each use.
3) Clean the steam wand: The milk leftovers quickly harden. After steaming, you should always clean and clear the wand.
4) Backflushing once a month: Backflush the machine and keep the inside parts clean with an espresso machine cleaner and a cleaning disc.
5) Remove scales every two to three months: Do not behave like I do. If you need to, set an alarm. You will be liked by your Breville.
The End: A Cup Worth Caring For (Verdict)
If you love espresso, you know it’s more than just a drink. It’s a habit, a pleasure, and a way of life. But that happiness goes away if we don’t use the things that make it possible.
Descaling is more than just upkeep; it’s love. It’s our way of thanking the machine for making our mornings so magical.
When your Breville breaks down again, pay attention. It wants you to care for it. If you descale it well, it will give you shot after perfect shot.
May your mornings be better and your machines be clean. Happy drinking, coffee fans! ☠
We will be adding more espresso machine tips soon at [Espresso Machine Wizard]. Also, please share your own stories about descalers in the comments. Let us make sure our machines (and mornings) work well!
-> How To Use Breville Espresso Machine
Kevin Marshal is the founder and primary writer for Espressomachinewizard.com. His passion for rich, high-quality espresso began during a semester abroad in Italy more than 15 years ago. What began as a pleasant daily practice quickly evolved into an obsession with perfecting espresso at home.
Kevin has spent years researching espresso machines, tasting beans from renowned roasters, and experimenting with various brewing methods. His objective is to help others understand the often-overwhelming world of home espresso. Kevin's goal is to make cafe-quality espresso available to everyone, from machine recommendations to shot-making advice.
Kevin lives in San Francisco, California with his wife, kid, and two rescue dogs, all of whom have refined preferences in espresso drinks!
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