It’s worth noting right away that most modern automatic coffee makers (and not only) provide self-cleaning programs, and the most advanced models even have a whole set of similar service functions. But this is far from the only necessary care.

Why is washing so important for coffee makers? What about other coffee makers?

Sometimes there is an opinion that since coffee makers provide maximum automation, this also applies to maintenance, that is, it is not required at all or minimal. In reality, everything is not quite like that. The more your coffee device can do at the touch of a button, the more difficult it is to clean.

Making dairy drinks can be straightforward with a regular drip coffee maker or a machine lacking a cappuccino feature. These machines don't have a milk system, eliminating the need for extra cleaning. However, coffee machines with automatic cappuccino makers demand additional care steps, illustrating the varied maintenance requirements among different models.

The milk machine requires maintenance of the cappuccino maker, but it is partly automated when it comes to steam cleaning.

Cost is another crucial factor to consider. In the household category, coffee machines are the priciest due to their intricate structure. Negligent cleaning can elevate the risk of malfunctions, resulting in higher repair costs compared to simpler and more budget-friendly alternatives.

And one more important argument to close the topic of caring for conventional coffee makers. Almost all of them involve only one or two mandatory cleaning procedures:

  • an ordinary Turk and a geyser (without connecting to the mains) — they are washed like ordinary dishes;
  • an electric Turk and a geyser coffee maker operating from the mains are carefully washed, plus you can periodically clean the scale by analogy with teapots;
  • drip models — care is limited to the fight against hardness salts (sometimes there is a decalcification progress indicator or even an auto-program);
  • holder coffee makers. After use, the holder must be cleaned and washed. Additionally, scale should be resisted;
  • capsule models are as automated as possible, but you still need to remove used capsules and use the decalcification program in a timely manner.

While coffee makers may not be significantly more complex, their overall maintenance checklist tends to be more comprehensive. Emphasizing the importance of diligent execution is crucial to avoiding premature repairs or, worse yet, the need to invest in a costly new device.

Self-cleaning coffee makers

How often should you clean your coffee maker?

Certain maintenance tasks are a daily necessity, usually performed with each use. Fortunately, modern makers simplify this process. They automatically flush channels when turned on or off, ensuring water flow doesn't directly correlate with cups consumed. Automation also prompts users for various cleaning tasks, while models with displays provide step-by-step instructions, making the process more user-friendly.

Manufacturers typically provide explicit care instructions in the manual, often supplemented by instructional videos on official websites. The cleaning frequency is directly proportional to usage intensity, meaning more frequent coffee preparation requires more regular at-home maintenance.

Approximate care instructions:

  • automatic and semi-automatic cappuccino maker — daily;
  • water tray — once every few days;
  • container for coffee grounds — once or twice a week;
  • washing the brewing unit — weekly;
  • removing coffee oils and lubricating the brewing unit — every 500 cups (or every six months);
  • descaling — once every few months, but if there are filters — less often — up to one procedure a year. Next, we will go through the main points of maintaince, depending on the frequency with which they need to be performed.

Cleaning the milk pathway

For coffee makers with automatic or semi-automatic cappuccino makers, a key maintenance step involves cleaning the pathway for milk foam delivery to the cup. Neglecting this process can lead to two potential issues. First, the system may clog due to dried milk drops, affecting its functionality. Second, it can result in fermentation and bacterial growth, posing health risks.

You need to clean the milk pathway in any cappuccino maker — both with a built-in jug and with an outlet tube. Most modern coffee machines have special programs (usually based on steam to remove milk residues and hygienic processing). When to use them:

  • ideally after each latte or cappuccino preparation cycle. If you make two or three milk drinks at once, then after the last one you should start the auto program. If you drink cappuccino in the morning and then at lunch, it is better to cleanse after each cycle;
  • According to the instructions, it is often permissible to perform the corresponding auto program once a day, but provided that you strictly adhere to other recommendations for caring for the cappuccino maker.

Then, once a week, it is recommended to disassemble the components of the milk system: the procedure is quite simple and does not take much time. Typically these parts are made of plastic and can be washed under running water or placed in the dishwasher. When a milk jug is included, it and its contents are stored in the fridge. It is recommended to wash this container at least once a week by hand or again in the dishwasher.

The milk frother usually consists of easy-to-clean plastic parts.

Maintaining the milk system goes beyond automatic steam cleaning and occasional component disassembly. Some manufacturers suggest a thorough monthly cleaning (or less frequently) using their designated products. The approach to this procedure varies among coffee makers. Advanced models may feature a special cycle involving the addition of "chemicals" and water to an external milk jug or built-in tank, followed by the activation of an auto program. Alternatively, some models recommend disassembling the system and soaking the components in a cleaning solution, not just washing them.

In practice, many users limit themselves to the steam program and periodic disassembly of the milk frother with washing without “chemicals”. Indeed, this is enough for the circuit not to become clogged and to function properly. But to extend the overall life of the coffee machine, we recommend that you follow all the care procedures prescribed in the instructions for your device.

Coffee makers with milk tank

Washing the tray

The second most frequent maintenance task in coffee makers (and the primary one for those making only black coffee) involves removing, emptying, and cleaning the drip tray to eliminate residual coffee oils and milk. This is typically necessary every few days as the liquid accumulates. Many devices feature a straightforward indicator — a rising red float signaling when it's time to drain the water.

Cleaning the tray does not cause any problems, the main thing is not to forget about filling it.

Although care is straightforward, it can be quite routine, leading some users to attempt skipping it. However, neglecting to empty the tray may result in dirty water spilling all over the kitchen, necessitating more labor-intensive cleaning. Additionally, the humid environment can foster bacterial growth, making regular maintenance crucial.

Removing coffee grounds

Another essential and straightforward coffee maker maintenance task is emptying the used coffee grounds container. Typically, this container holds 10 to 20 servings. For instance, if users consume an average of 3 cups of coffee per day and the container accommodates 18 coffee ground tablets, it needs to be emptied every 6 days.

Modern models typically feature a fill warning, either through a display message or indicator light. The maintenance process is uncomplicated — remove the tank, discard the coffee grounds, and usually, a quick rinse of the container with running water suffices. Kitchen cleaning products can also be used if desired.

Cleaning the brewing unit

Coffee machines, unlike coffee makers, include a brewing unit, such as a holder in carob models or a packaged tablet in capsule models. This brewing unit, akin to a "teapot," accumulates ground coffee particles and oils over time, requiring regular care.

A typical routine for a coffee maker owner is cleaning the brewing unit.

All current coffee makers can be divided into two large camps — some have a removable brewing unit (BU), such as Saeco, De'Longhi, Bosch, Melitta, and others have a non-removable brewer (primarily Jura and Krups). Accordingly, the principles of caring for them differ.

The first ones need to be washed regularly, periodically cleaned of coffee oils, and lubricated. The second — non-removable brewing units — can only be removed at a service or repair shop, so most types of care are not available to them. This is both a plus and a minus, which we will talk about later.

For coffee makers with a removable brewing unit, it's recommended to take it out and rinse it under running water about once a week. No harsh chemicals or strenuous effort are required. After washing, allow the unit to air-dry naturally without wiping, and then reinstall it. Specific removal instructions are typically provided in the model-specific manual.

Cleaning the brewing unit of coffee oils

This is a recommended procedure for every coffee maker, whether it has a removable brewing unit or not. Coffee oils create a coating on the unit that can adversely affect its performance. While regularly washing the unit under water addresses the issue to some extent, it doesn't provide a 100% solution. For example, De'Longhi models don't mention this cleaning in the manuals, but Saeco does, making it advisable. In the case of Jura and Krups, where the brewing unit cannot be removed, this becomes a mandatory procedure.

Special tablets are the solution for combating coffee oils.

The general advice for this care routine is cleaning every 200 to 500 cups or within a time frame of one to several months, depending on the manufacturer. Special cleaning tablets are recommended to remove coffee oils. While using the brand's own consumables is logical, universal tablets from third-party manufacturers are also available and are often more cost-effective than branded ones.

Most current models have an automatic program for cleaning coffee oils. Here you need to do the following:

  • add water to the tank;
  • place a large container under the dispenser (spout);
  • throw one special tablet into the ground coffee chamber;
  • run a special cycle.

In models with a removable brewing unit, it is then recommended to remove the unit and rinse it under running water.

De'Longhi coffee makers do not have a separate self-cleaning program for coffee oils. Here you need to throw the tablet into the shaft, activate the mode for ground coffee and start preparing the drink of the maximum volume that is possible (the more water you pass, the more effective the cycle will be) and repeat it at least twice.

When automation fails to initiate the preparation due to the absence of ground coffee in the shaft or its complete absence, some tricks are necessary. In the first scenario, adding a special tablet and initiating regular flushing (De'Longhi, for example, has a dedicated button for this on the control panel) is the initial step. After approximately 20 ml of water is dispensed, the device should be unplugged for about 10 minutes. Upon restarting, the intermittent procedure should be repeated at least 5 times. In the absence of ground coffee, the following steps should be taken:

  • remove the brewing unit;
  • place a cleaning tablet into the coffee tamping funnel;
  • return the brewing unit back;
  • start the device and at the initial washing stage, unplug it and wait for at least 10 minutes;
  • Then, after the second start, you need to start cleaning the coffee pathway (if there is such a cycle) or alternate on-off switching again (if there is none).

It's worth reiterating that this type of care is recommended for all coffee makers with a removable brewing unit but is typically not critical with regular washing. However, for Jura and Krups models, it is mandatory to ensure the device's prolonged lifespan.

Popular automatic coffee machines

Lubricating the brewing unit

For coffee machines with a removable brewing unit, lubrication is necessary every 500 cups or every 3 to 6 months. This unit has many moving parts that essentially perform the functions of a barista — tamping a coffee tablet before applying hot water under pressure to it. It is regular lubrication that will ensure the brewing unit operates quietly and properly. For these purposes, manufacturers offer branded products, but you can also use regular silicone food grade lubricants, which are cheaper.

Lubrication is not a frequent, but also important procedure for caring for a coffee machine.

The brewing unit must be removed, then rinsed and allowed to dry. Next, in accordance with the video instructions on the manufacturer’s official website, you can find out exactly where to apply the lubricant. As a rule, these are two or three zones per brewing unit. Finally, all that remains is to install the unit in the coffee machine.

Failure to lubricate the brewing unit increases the likelihood of unwanted sounds, particularly squeaks, and raises the risk of jamming or complete block breakdown. Notably, De'Longhi, unlike competitors like Saeco, doesn't mention lubrication in their instructions. However, service center statistics reveal that after a year of intensive use, parts in De'Longhi's brewing unit may fail, necessitating replacement. In essence, lubrication is essential for any coffee machine with a removable brewing unit.

While opting for a coffee machine with a non-removable brewing unit may seem to simplify maintenance by eliminating the need for weekly washing and semi-annual lubrication, there are potential drawbacks. After a couple of years of use, the coffee's taste may deteriorate as tablets to combat oils can't clean the internal components entirely. Professional maintenance becomes necessary, akin to a car, and is not a free procedure. Ultimately, you may end up paying extra for slightly less labor-intensive care. Without any service at all, there's a risk of a costly breakdown over time, potentially requiring the replacement of the brewing unit.

Descaling

The most common cause of coffee machine breakdowns is the accumulation of salt deposits. As a preventive measure, nearly all current models include decalcification programs and issue warnings about the necessary procedure. Each device's instructions detail specific steps to combat scale. While there is no universal algorithm, most methods involve the use of special products — liquids or tablets added to the water tank — followed by the activation of the auto program. The entire decalcification process, displayed on the coffee machine's screen, typically lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.

Liquid cleaning agents are usually suggested for descaling.

The frequency of scale removal depends on several factors:

  • operating intensity of the coffee machine. A special scale detection sensor has not yet been invented; usually there is a factory setting, for example, for 200 or 500 cycles, the counter is triggered and a recommendation is given to perform decalcification.
  • hardness of water. The higher it is, the more often scale control is required.
  • presence/absence of a special filter.

Note that to reduce water hardness, you can use different filtration systems — external or internal. If there is a last element, then until its resource is used, the automation, as a rule, does not count the cups until decalcification. In general, a simple filter jug by default purifies water better than a built-in proprietary solution, and it definitely costs less.

Typically, descaling is recommended every few months. However, if you use a home reverse osmosis system or bottled water, the presence of hardness salts inside the coffee machine is minimal. In such cases, the corresponding program can be activated annually for preventive measures.

Is it possible to do without branded decalcification products? In general, yes. It is permissible to buy universal “chemicals” that are intended for use with household appliances. But vinegar, cola or citric acid are definitely a bad choice. The first two “folk remedies” cannot be used at all, and the third is less effective than specialized anti-scale preparations, but more aggressive (potentially harmful).

Main conclusions

A coffee machine is a rather demanding appliance for proper home care. If you want full automation even in this aspect, then you should rather go to coffee shops regularly or look at capsule models (which means compromising on the quality of coffee and paying more for capsules).

The Jura brewing unit can only be removed by specialists, and this is a special service.

Common cleaning tasks include washing the cappuccino maker, emptying the tray, and clearing the grounds container. These procedures are quick and straightforward. Less frequent but crucial maintenance tasks involve washing the brewing unit and addressing scale buildup.

Caring for Jura and Krups models is simpler due to their non-removable brewing units. However, it's ideal to take these coffee machines to a professional service for cleaning every one or two years.

A coffee machine is a relatively expensive piece of equipment, and cutting corners on cleaning solutions may not be the best approach. While opting for universal tablets is a cost-saving alternative, using specialized products serves the same purpose. While homemade remedies may be slightly cheaper, they might not effectively contribute to the primary goal of maintenance, which is extending the device's lifespan.

The primary guide for proper coffee machine care is not this article but rather the model-specific instructions. Many modern devices with displays offer on-screen step-by-step guides. However, it's noteworthy that popular De'Longhi devices, for some reason, do not explicitly mention the necessity of removing coffee oils and lubricating the brewer in their instructions. In contrast, the main competitor, Saeco, and other brands with removable brewing units clearly state these requirements, contributing to their reputation for reliability.