Descale Breville Barista Express – How to Keep Your Breville Barista Express Running Like New
When it comes to coffee, the Breville Barista Express reigns supreme. It’s one of the most popular home espresso machines on the market for a reason – it makes delicious, high-quality coffee with ease. But even the best machines need some occasional TLC, and that’s where descaling comes in. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to descale Breville Barista Express, so your machine keeps making great coffee for years to come!
What is descaling and why is it important?
Descaling is the process of removing mineral buildup from your espresso machine. These deposits can build up over time and eventually lead to problems with your machine, like decreased water pressure and uneven heating. Whether you’re using filtered water, distilled water, bottled water, freshwater, or tap water with a low to moderate mineral content, you should descale your equipment on a regular basis. Descaling also helps to remove any lingering coffee oils or flavors, so your cup of coffee always tastes fresh.
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What features does The Breville Barista Express have?
The Breville Barista Express has a number of features that make it stand out from other espresso machines on the market.
First, it has a built-in grinder, so you can choose your own beans and grind them fresh for each cup.
Second, it has an integrated milk frothing wand, so you can make cappuccinos and lattes with ease.
Third, it has a built-in water filter to remove impurities from your tap water and improve the taste of your coffee.
Finally, it has a pre-infusion function that evenly soaks the ground coffee before brewing, for a richer flavor.

When do you know it’s time to descale the Breville Barista Express?
There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to descale your coffee maker:
-The water takes longer than usual to heat up.
-Your coffee takes longer to brew than usual
-The water temperature is inconsistent
-There is decreased water pressure
-The machine makes strange noises
-Coffee doesn’t taste as good as it used to or tastes bad or has an unusual flavor
-Mineral deposits are on the inside of your machine
What you’ll need to descale your coffee machine?
To descale your Breville Barista Express, you’ll need:
-White vinegar or Descaling Solution, or baking soda
-2 cups (16 ounces) of water
-A small brush (to clean the drip tray and brew head)
-A toothpick or other sharp object (to clean the steam wand)
-A soft cloth
–Optional: coffee beans (for a fresh cup of coffee after descaling!)
How to descale the Breville Barista Express
Descale with the Breville descaler
It is a specialized solution that is designed to remove mineral deposits and other buildups from your coffee machine. This product can be used on a variety of espresso machines, including the Breville Barista Express.
Step 1: Pour one cup of white vinegar and four cups of water into the water tank. If you have a funnel, you can use it to pour the liquids into the tank more easily.
Step 2: Put the blind filter into the portafilter and twist it on. This will help catch any loose coffee grinds that come out during the descaling process.
Step 3: Place a large container under the coffee outlet to catch the liquid that comes out during the descaling process.
Step 4: Turn on the machine and press the espresso button. The machine will begin to pump water through the system. Allow it to run for 30 seconds, then turn off the machine.
Step 5: Let the solution sit in the machine for 30 minutes. This will give the vinegar time to break down the mineral deposits and other buildups.
Step 6: Wait 30 more minutes after your brew cycle has completed. Turn on the machine and press the espresso button one last time. The descaling solution will now be pumped through the system and out the coffee outlet. Allow the machine to run until the tank is empty.
Step 7: Fill the water tank with fresh water and repeat steps 4-6. This will help remove any residual vinegar taste from your coffee.
Step 8: Once the machine has been flushed with fresh water, you can remove the blind filter and dispose of it.
Step 9: Wipe down the inside of the machine with a damp cloth. You can also use a toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach areas.
Descale with vinegar
White vinegar is a natural, effective way to descale your coffee maker with a natural descaling solution and is easy to use. That is safe to use on your Breville Barista Express.
Step 1: Empty the water reservoir and remove the water filter.
Step 2: Add 1 cup of white vinegar and 4 cups of water to the water reservoir.
Step 3: Place a funnel over the opening of the water reservoir (this is optional, but it will help prevent spills).
Step 4: Pour the vinegar and water mixture into the funnel.
Step 5: Put the water filter back in place and close the water reservoir.
Step 6: Turn on the machine and let it run until the water reservoir is empty.
Step 7: Rinse the water reservoir with fresh water and refill it.
Step 8: Run the machine again with just fresh water to remove any lingering vinegar taste.
Step 9: Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Descale with baking soda
Baking soda is a common household product that can be used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning and descaling espresso machines. It is important to note that baking soda is not a cleaning solution. You should still clean your machine on a regular basis, even if you are using this product.
To use baking soda to descale your machine, mix a solution of one part baking soda to four parts water. Run this mixture through your machine like you would with vinegar. The baking soda will help to remove any mineral deposits or other buildup that could be causing problems with your machine.
Descale with citric acid
Citric acid is another product that you can remind. This product is a little more acidic than vinegar, so it may work better on stubborn deposits. It is important to use this product with caution, as it can damage some types of espresso machines if not used correctly.
The process of descaling with citric acid is the same as for vinegar. However, after running the cycle, you should rinse the machine thoroughly with 3-5 brew cycles. Because if not cleaned, it will affect the taste of your coffee.
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Use a commercial descaling solution
If you’re looking for an easy way to clean your machine, you can also use a commercial descaling solution. These products are designed specifically for espresso machines and can be found at most kitchen stores or online.
When using a commercial descaling solution, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging. These products usually come in a kit that includes a descaling solution and a special cleaning brush. They are typically more concentrated than vinegar or citric acid, so you will need to use less of the solution.
It is also important to rinse your machine thoroughly after using a commercial descaling solution. These products can leave behind a residue if not rinsed properly.
How often should the Breville Barista Express be descaled?
The frequency with which you need to descale your machine depends on a few factors, including how often you use it and the quality of your water. In general, we recommend descaling every 3-6 months for best results. If you notice your machine taking longer to heat up or produce coffee, descaling may be needed more frequently.
If your water is hard, you might need to descale more often. The minerals present in hard water can accumulate on your machine over time and cause issues. If you’re not sure whether you have hard water, check with your local municipality or utility provider. We recommend descaling every 1-2 months as a precautionary measure if you live in an area with harder water.
It’s generally recommended that you descale your coffee maker every three months, regardless of how often it is used. However, this isn’t always the case. You’ll also most likely get an descale alert automatically on your device after a set number of uses. The term “clean” will be illuminated next to the word “clean” when it’s time to descale your Breville espresso machine.

Tips for keeping your coffee machine in good condition
There are a few things you can do to keep your coffee machine in good condition:
-Clean your machine regularly. This includes wiping down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth and cleaning the inside of the brewing chamber and portafilter with a soft brush. Regular cleaning will help to remove buildup that can lead to descaling.
-Descale your machine regularly. This will help to remove any existing mineral deposits and prevent new ones from forming.
-Use filtered or distilled water in your machine. This will help to remove impurities from your water and reduce the risk of mineral buildup.
-Avoid using tap water with a high mineral content. If you live in an area with hard water, consider using bottled water or a water filtration system.
-If you notice any strange tastes or smells coming from your machine, descale it immediately. This will help to remove any contaminants that could be causing the issue.
-Store your machine in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent corrosion and extend the life of your machine.
What descaler does Breville recommend?
The best ways to descale your Breville espresso machine are by using the Breville Descaler (powder) or the Breville Eco Liquid Descaler (liquid form). For more information, please refer to the Breville Descaling Instructions as we mentioned above.
Conclusion
If you’re like most people, your Breville Barista Express is one of your favorite kitchen appliances. It makes delicious coffee with little effort on your part and keeps you caffeinated all morning long. But even the best machines need a little TLC every now and then, which is why we’re here to show you how to descale Breville Barista Express. This process will help remove any built-up residue or calcium deposits that can affect the taste and quality of your coffee. So if you want to keep brewing perfect cups of joe, be sure to follow these simple steps for descaling your machine. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
How do I put my Breville in descale mode?
To put your machine into descale mode, simply press and hold the button for 3 seconds. The machine will beep to indicate that it is in descale mode.
Can I run vinegar through my Breville espresso machine?
Yes, you can use vinegar to descale your Breville espresso machine. However, we recommend using the Breville Descaler or Eco Liquid Descaler for best results.
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How do you descale a Breville espresso machine without a solution?
If you don’t have a commercial descaling solution on hand, you can use a vinegar solution to descale your machine. To make a vinegar solution, mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water. This solution will be less effective than a commercial solution, but it will still help to remove some of the deposits from your machine.
How do I run a clean cycle on Breville Barista Express?
To run a clean cycle on your machine, simply fill the water tank with fresh water and press the button. The machine will automatically dispense water into the drip tray and then shut off. Repeat this process until the tank is empty.
How do you backflush Breville Barista Express?
To backflush your machine, simply insert the blind filter into the portafilter and attach it to the group head. Press and hold the button for 5 seconds to begin the backflushing process. The machine will dispense water and then stop automatically. Repeat this process 3-5 times.
What happens if you don’t descale Breville?
If you don’t descale your machine on a regular basis, it can lead to a build-up of residue or calcium deposits. This can affect the taste and quality of your coffee and make your machine less efficient. Descaling your machine regularly will help to prevent these issues.
How do I turn off Breville descale light?
Simply press and hold the button for 3 seconds to turn off the descale light. The machine will beep once to confirm that the descale light has been switched off.
How often should I change my Breville water filter?
We recommend changing your water filter every 2-3 months or as needed.
How do I clean my Breville espresso machine screen?
To clean your machine screen, simply remove it from the machine and rinse it under warm water. Gently scrub the screen with a soft brush to remove any build-up. Reattach the screen and run a clean cycle on your machine.
What is the cost of descaling my Breville barista express?
The cost of descaling will vary depending on the type of solution you use. However, we recommend using a commercial descaling solution as it is more effective at removing all the deposits from your machine.