Cleaning a Bosch coffee machine is always described in the instructions for the device. However, people often worry about how to clean a Bosch coffee machine even before purchasing this household appliance, in order to understand what worries await them in the future. After all, there are more and more connoisseurs of truly delicious coffee, and since the unit is not cheap, it is important to follow all operating rules in order to avoid breakdowns.
Diagnosing the problem
The user may encounter many problems when the coffee machine:
- Doesn't make coffee.
- Does not form a tablet.
- Doesn't draw water (or heat it).
- Doesn't froth milk.
- Does not grind grains.
- Problem with the capsule.
- It makes noise, buzzes, etc.
The most common reason for shortening the service life of an appliance is scale formation.
To fix the problem, you need to understand the possible causes of the failure. Among the main ones are:
- The seal is damaged.
- The filter is clogged.
- The heating element is broken.
- The air valves are clogged.
- The pressure control system has failed.
- The electric motor burned out.
- The coffee grinder is broken.
- The hydraulic system is clogged.
It is always easier to prevent a problem than to solve it later.
It is important to remember that a change in the taste of the drink is the first sign of the presence of scale, particles of which enter the drink and form sediment at the bottom of the cup. There are no scale sensors in the heating system of the coffee machine; the machine only counts the number of liters of water used. The accumulation of scale and coffee oils on parts is the most common cause of device failure. If parts wear out or the internal structure breaks down, you probably won’t be able to solve the problem yourself, but timely cleaning of the coffee maker will help prevent the formation of rust.
Proper handling of your coffee machine will save you from premature breakdowns and expensive repairs.
During the coffee brewing process, steam is pressurized through the ground coffee. As a result, coffee (or essential) oils and hard salts accumulate in areas of evaporation, forming scale and making it difficult for the coffee machine to operate.
The manufacturer describes in detail the operating and maintenance conditions of the device.
Is it possible to descale a coffee machine yourself?
The answer is yes, it is possible. There are models that have a self-cleaning function; in other cases, the device must be serviced manually. Please note that if the water used for making coffee is “soft,” cleaning should be carried out once a year, but if it is “hard,” then the machine must be checked for scale at least once every few months. But the brewing unit, just like the milk supply system, requires daily washing. In addition, the brewing group must be lubricated every two months.
Use well filtered water. And even better - bottled.
Main parts of the coffee machine design:
- Hydraulic system.
- Heating system.
- Power supply unit.
- Removable elements.
Keep your coffee machine clean.
Periodically wipe the housing with a damp and then dry cloth. Among the cleaning methods at home are the following:
- Special cleaning products (liquid solutions or tablets)
Liquid decalcifiers are dissolved according to the instructions, poured into a container and “driven” through the machine. Ordinary household chemicals for the bath or stove, dishwashing detergent, etc. are absolutely not suitable, as they contain aggressive substances that can damage structural parts. Companies often offer special cleaning products for their coffee machines, as they are designed taking into account the characteristics of the manufacturer. More expensive products may be more concentrated, which means they will last for more uses.
Regularly clean the main components of the machine, remove scale, remaining oil, milk, and coffee grounds.
There are also universal cleaners, for example, Top House. This product will help not only deal with scale, but also prevent corrosion. Topper is another versatile tool designed to accommodate delicate metal or plastic parts in the design of the coffee machine. The German company Glotuclean offers a whole line of kitchen products, including a special liquid for descaling coffee machines. This liquid is sold in liter packaging, which makes it more profitable than its competitors.
Use special products from the equipment manufacturer or those offered on the household chemicals market.
Tablets for coffee machines come in two types: for descaling and for removing oils. The first type of tablets must be diluted with water and the liquid must be poured into the water tank. The second ones are placed in the compartment for ground coffee. Similar tablets are produced by Bosch, Jura, Krups, etc. Special products are more expensive than traditional ones, but it is worth remembering that they do not leave an unpleasant odor or taste after cleaning.
Enter data on the hardness of the water used in the coffee machine menu. The system will notify you about the need to descale the product.
- Folk remedies
Most coffee machine descaling products contain citric acid. It is absolutely safe, both for equipment and for humans, and you can buy lemons in any supermarket, and the cost is much lower than that of special products.
The cleaning process will take no more than 30 minutes and will consist of 3 stages: descaling and two rinsing cycles.
To prepare the solution, you need to dilute the juice of 1 or 2 lemons (or 30 grams of powdered citric acid) with a liter of water. Pour the liquid into the water tank and leave for several hours. After this time, start the coffee program until all the liquid has been used. Afterwards, rinse the brewing unit with running water. This washing should be done twice. This method has no disadvantages.
Another folk remedy is acetic acid. For the solution, you need to dilute a glass of ordinary table vinegar with three glasses of water, i.e. in a ratio of 1:3. As in the case of citric acid, the liquid is poured into the reservoir and the coffee preparation mode is turned on.
If the coffee machine is a simple model, then we use the manual cleaning method.
It is worth noting that this method has significant disadvantages: a pungent odor and ineffective removal of coffee oils, which will mix with vinegar and spoil the taste of the drink. It is also strictly not recommended to use soda or Coca-Cola.
For capsule coffee machines, there is no need for cleaning, since the brewing unit is the capsule itself. For horn units, before cleaning, you must manually remove the horn and rinse with running water.
It is recommended to wash the device immediately after preparing milk drinks.
Important: manufacturers recommend preparing several mugs of coffee after such cleaning, but not for consumption, but in order to be sure that neither the cleaning agent nor scale particles remain on the internal surfaces of the mechanism and will not get into the drink.
- Mechanical cleaning of parts
It is recommended to clean the drain pan and cake strainer daily. To clean the coffee grinder's millstones, there are special tablets that are placed in the bean compartment and the grinding function is activated. Also, all removable parts should be cleaned from coffee grounds residue with a brush and soap (or in the dishwasher). The milk frother must be washed after each use. It should be removed from the water and steam supply tube and all removable parts should be washed with water.
Limescale is a serious problem, the occurrence of which can be avoided if cleaning procedures are carried out correctly.
Lubricating parts with food grade silicone is also quite simple. The instructions will tell you the correct sequence, but in general the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Remove the brewing group.
- Apply silicone to rubbing surfaces and spread evenly with your finger or brush.
Descaling your coffee machine helps prolong the life of your appliance.
As with anti-scale products, coffee machine manufacturers produce their own food-grade silicone or petroleum jelly.
An important distinguishing detail is that silicone should not be washed off from the surface, as it is intended to protect the elements.
Reviews of Bosch brand products
The most popular cleaning product for coffee machines from this manufacturer among consumers is TCZ. produces several varieties of such tablets. And all of these products have very good reviews. According to consumers, a tablet from this manufacturer just needs to be thrown into a tank of water and start self-cleaning. The water in the coffee machine will turn blue. This is very convenient for subsequent rinsing. If the chemical remains on any parts of the device, it will be immediately noticeable. Bosh TCZ tablets can be used to clean almost any equipment, including the Benvenuto brand.
Self-cleaning function
More expensive models have a self-cleaning function, i.e. the owner does not need to monitor the formation of scale and solve the problem. These types of coffee machines independently activate the hydraulic system cleaning function when the machine is turned on or off, or the user sets the frequency himself. There are also models in which decalcification is present, but is semi-automatic. Cleaning such machines is almost no different from the methods described above, because... The user must fill the container with cleaning solution and turn on the self-cleaning function.
Some machines have an automatic cleaning program. In this case, the descaling procedure is much simpler.
Important: the procedure for descaling the coffee machine should be carried out when the instrument has not been used, i.e. didn't heat up.
If cleaning is not carried out in a timely manner, the machine may completely fail.
The owner of the coffee machine decides which product to use. And yet it is worth noting that special means, despite their expensive cost, have a number of advantages, since they:
- “Sharpened” for their own brand.
- Delicate parts of the structure will not be damaged by alkali (which will void the warranty).
- There will be no substance residues on the inner walls after washing.
- Safe for humans.
- Efficiency guaranteed.
- Protection against future corrosion.
- The dosage of the concentrate is clearly defined on the packaging (unlike the recipe with lemon, where the amount of acid is calculated independently).
- Increases service life.
- The coffee will not have an unpleasant odor or taste.
Exposure to water with minerals leads to a problem: the liquid attracts ions, and during boiling they become sediment and settle on the walls.
Features of coffee machines of different brands
The cleaning procedure can take from twenty minutes to an hour. Most coffee machines have the same cleaning algorithm:
- Remove any remaining coffee grounds.
- Prepare a solution and pour it into a water container.
- Place an empty container under the cappuccino maker.
- Turn on the self-cleaning function (or espresso mode) and completely use up the prepared solution.
- Rinse the hopper and horn under running water.
- Repeat the procedure with clean (preferably filtered) water without detergent.
Modern machines are equipped with a special controller that reads the degree of pollution.
When cleaning, you must follow the instructions, since individual models of different brands may have their own nuances.
For example, in Saeco coffee machines, the manufacturer provides a cleaning program for the milk supply system, which is activated automatically after each preparation of coffee with milk. The cappuccino maker must be washed with running water daily, and disassembled once a week and cleaned every part. Plaque from the brewing group must be removed once a month, for which Philips produces special tablets.
Most often, the manufacturer indicates the product that is needed to work with a specific equipment.
Philips, in addition to tablets for cleaning scale, also produces a special silicone food-grade lubricant for rubbing structural parts that can quickly wear out. You should not neglect this care item, as the seals may dry out, and the sealing system of individual components may be compromised. Most manufacturers recommend lubricating the rubbing elements after every 300 cups.
If you prefer a good, noble drink, you should not skimp on choosing a good cleaning product.
But Bosch is proud of its fully automatic coffee machines, which have a special descaling program. In addition, the models of this company are equipped with a special indicator, which, after a certain number of cups have been prepared, will remind you of the need for maintenance. Also, the owner of a coffee machine of this brand can independently set the water “hardness” value, which will affect the frequency of cleaning. The company also offers its own tablets of two types: descaling and anti-corrosion, and for cleaning the system from coffee fat.
Remember that a professional approach will extend the life of your machine and make it easier to use.
The Swiss company Jura uses automatic water purification inside the machine itself, thanks to a special filter. The manufacturer claims that when using this filter, there is no need to remove limescale deposits. You only need to change the filter every two months. Moreover, their models are equipped with special washing programs.
The coffee machine must be cleaned according to the instructions.
To clean a Delonghi coffee machine, the cleaning concentrate is poured into the hopper, then hot water is added. About two cups of the “drink” are poured through the tube supplying boiling water. After this, the tap regulating the supply of hot water is turned off and the preparation of “coffee” continues. When all the liquid is gone, the procedure is repeated, but using cold water. This brand produces its Delonghi Eco cleaning product, which is recognized as one of the safest, environmentally friendly, biodegradable and does its job efficiently. By the way, this product is suitable for cleaning coffee machines and other brands, as well as regular coffee makers, kettles and other kitchen appliances.
If the water is very hard, it is important to carry out this procedure at least once a month.
Krups, like other manufacturers, produces its own descaling tablets. In any case, the main thing is to follow the instructions, because each individual model has its own mechanism design.
To summarize, it should be noted that the main points of caring for a coffee machine are as follows:
- Correct operation and careful handling (do not neglect the instructions)
- Using filtered water, or installing a special filter
- Timely cleaning of removable parts mechanically
- Regular lubrication of rubbing parts with food-grade silicone
- Regular cleansing of coffee oils
- Regular cleaning of internal surfaces from scale
You need to focus on automatic signals from the equipment or the taste of the drink.
Regular maintenance of any device guarantees its high-quality and uninterrupted operation. In addition, most manufacturers equip their devices with self-cleaning functions and produce special cleaning products that make the task easier for the user. Cleaning a coffee machine is a necessary preventative measure that will extend the life of the kitchen device, because some parts can be very expensive. The owner only needs to spend about half an hour every five to six months to avoid breakdown. The main thing is to choose a suitable descaling agent (branded or folk) and follow the instructions. With proper care and timely care, the coffee machine will last a long time and the taste of the drink will remain rich.
Folk remedies
Unfortunately, compounds intended for cleaning coffee machines are quite expensive. These household appliances require cleaning frequently (once every 1.5-2 months). Therefore, many owners of coffee machines prefer to clean them with folk remedies. Most often, a solution of citric acid is used for this purpose. As many consumers note, such a coffee machine cleaning product does not cause any particular harm to its components. However, it is recommended to use an acidic solution only for devices with a stainless steel box. It can turn aluminum black. The same applies to acetic acid diluted with water.
