Cleaning & Descaling

A home espresso machine is basically a small pressure vessel that pushes hot water through coffee oils and mineral-heavy tap water, all day, for years. Keep it clean and it lasts a decade; neglect it and it clogs, tastes bitter, and dies early. This section covers the upkeep that actually matters: backflushing, descaling on the right schedule, cleaning the group head and shower screen, keeping the steam wand clear, and choosing water that won’t scale up your boiler. We spell out how often to do each task, which products are worth buying, and the shortcuts that quietly damage seals. Whether you run a modest De’Longhi or a serious dual boiler, these routines keep your shots tasting clean and your repair bills at zero.