How To Clean Nespresso Machine: Guide to Descaling & More

 How To Clean Nespresso Machine Guide: Why’s, How's, And Nespresso Machine Cleaning Tips

Sometimes, it seems like your Nespresso machine can work miracles. Waking you up with fresh coffee, this simple machine can be a big help. But how to clean Nespresso machine components? That is the exact question that we are going to discuss here. Below, you will find the basics for cleaning a Nespresso machine. With a better understanding of the how’s and why’s, you will be able to extend the life of your Nespresso coffee maker and enjoy fresher coffee than ever!

By the way, for the freshest possible cup of Joe, you should definitely consider buying coffee that comes freshly roasted on the same day that it is shipped out. To do this, simply click here and browse our extensive selection of premium flavored and gourmet coffee options! 

Nespresso Machine Basics

 The first machine for making espresso was assembled in the early 1900s. In 1905, commercial machines began getting produced on a small scale. Over the last 100 years, espresso machines have come a long way. 

The Nespresso is a hybrid coffee and espresso machine that uses Keurig-like single-serve coffee pods to make espresso quickly and conveniently. Nespresso machines brew espresso-like coffee by forcing pressurized water through fine coffee grounds to produce a strong, vibrant brew.

The Best Way to Clean Your Nespresso Machine

Now, let's get into how to clean your Nespresso machine. These tips can help you clean a specific Nespresso brand machine model, an off-brand espresso maker, and many other types of at-home coffee makers.

When Should You Clean a Nespresso Machine?

For some people, coffee is an occasional luxury or something to be enjoyed at brunch. For others, it is the primary factor of their daily disaster prevention plan. If you are in the latter category, there's a good chance that your Nespresso machine is a huge part of your morning caffeine routine. But for all of the convenience a Nespresso machine brings, remembering to clean it can be difficult. 

Many people go months or even years between cleaning their coffee machines. This can be a mistake. Not only does cleaning and descaling a coffee machine help it last longer, but it makes your coffee taste better. 

It All Depends on How Hard Your Water Is

So how often should you be cleaning and descaling your Nespresso machine? Well, that will depend on how hard the water is in your area. Hard water is water that has high mineral content. It is formed when water percolates through mineral deposits like limestone or other deposits high in calcium and magnesium. 

There are many ways to find out what the hardness of your water is. However, a good indicator of hard water is the presence of limescale, a white residue that shows up around your taps, shower heads, and any other areas where water flows. 

The harder the water is where you live, the more you will need to clean and descale your Nespresso maker. Expect to clean your Nespresso maker monthly, bi-monthly, or every 6 months per year. 

SIGNS YOUR NESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE NEEDS DESCALING

• Your machine is streaming coffee slower than usual 
• Your coffee is no longer hot 
• Your coffee has a burnt or dirty dishwater taste
• Your machine or steamer is making abnormal noises  
• You can actually see limescale on the tank or near the liquid ports

Descaling Nespresso Machines: Tips & Tricks

To descale your Nespresso maker, you should purchase a descaling kit or demineralizing solution. You can find some great options here. This will help to clean all the metal components and eliminate any limescale build-up. This makes your coffee taste better and helps your machine last much longer. 

BE SURE TO CLEAN YOUR STEAMER WAND AFTER EVERY USE

Any Barista will tell you that you need to look after your steam wand. If you use the steamer wand to steam milk, make sure to wipe it down right away when you are done. This saves you from having a thick and disgusting build-up partially-dried of milk residue. This kind of milky residue is not only unhealthy, but it can start to stink!

A good way to clean your steaming wand is to fill a cup with tap water. Then, run your steamer in the water the same way that you would with milk until the water is boiling hot. This breaks down any milk residue on the wand. You can add a little soap as well if you would like, just don’t add too much, or it may get into the interior of the wand and make your next cup of coffee taste soapy. 

Let the wand soak for about three minutes. Then, using a fibrous towel or scrubbing pad, scrub the wand up and down. If your wand is particularly dirty, a paper towel won’t work well for this scrubbing process. You need something that can give you a good grip. Scrub until your wand is shiny and totally clean. 

How to Clean Inside the Steaming Wand?

To clean the interior of a steaming wand, follow the above steps first. When the outside of the wand looks clean, dump your steamed water cup out. Refill it with fresh water and steam this new cup as a test. If the water remains clear, your wand is officially clean. If the water is murky or milky, you need to keep cleaning out your steamer wand until the inside is clean. A pipe cleaner can help with cleaning the inside of your steamer wand. 

PREVENT BACTERIAL STEAMING WAND ISSUES 

To keep the inside of your steaming wand from becoming a hotbed for bacteria and old milk, clean it after every single use. After you are done steaming your milk, clean it off from the outside with a hot damp rag. Then, blow some steam through the wand into a rag to make sure that no milk residue makes its way backward. You can also use the steam from your wand to wet the rag initially. Just be sure not to burn your hands.  

Nespresso Cleaning: Final Considerations 

When it comes down to it, cleaning a Nespresso machine involves washing the components, descaling everything (kits are easiest for this), and keeping your steaming wand pristine. Once your Nespresso machine is clean, it's time for delicious and convenient coffee. For FRESH gourmet Nespresso-style single-serve pods and K-Cups, click here!