Remember to keep an eye on the water level in the tank. It must always be above the minimum mark, otherwise the heating element may burn out. Many modern coffee machines are equipped with an audible alarm for a low water level.
Cleaning the coffee machine and descaling
In fully automatic coffee machines, after the extraction cycle, the “tablet” of used coffee ends up in a waste container for 10-15 portions. The container must be removed and emptied regularly, and at the end of the day, be sure to rinse and dry to avoid mold and odor.
The brewing mechanism is the heart of any coffee machine. During operation, coffee oils accumulate in it, due to which bitterness appears in drinks. Therefore, it must be cleaned at least once a month. It is enough to rinse the removable brewing mechanism under running water. To clean the non-removable mechanism and the coffee path, special tablets or powders are used, which are loaded into the ground coffee compartment. At the end of the cleaning cycle, the system must be thoroughly flushed.
If the machine is equipped with a milk frother (cappuccinatore), it must be rinsed after each use, otherwise the milk will dry up in the tubes. This will make the foaming process more difficult and will lead to the growth of bacteria. To rinse, place the milk intake tube in a container with water or detergent solution and pump through the cappuccino maker.
Even if you use filtered water, manufacturers strongly recommend descaling the coffee machine’s hydraulic system at least once every two months. For this purpose, there are special liquid and tablet formulations, but you can also use ordinary citric acid at the rate of 1 sachet (2,5 g) per 0,5-1 l of water.
Pour the solution into the reservoir. If the machine has an automatic cleaning function, start this program. If not, then within 40-50 minutes, every 5-7 minutes, drain about 100 ml of water from the boiling water supply tap. To clean the coffee path, start 2–3 coffee brewing cycles during the same time. Then repeat the procedure with clean water to remove residual solution from the hydraulic system.
These are the general rules for operating coffee machines. However, each device has its own characteristics, so before turning it on, you must carefully study the instructions.