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Short answer: rinse the milk system daily and clean it thoroughly at least weekly to every 15 days. Rinse the brew unit weekly, and descale when the machine asks. Use only the manufacturer's own cleaning and descaling tablets: vinegar and citric acid can damage the machine.
1. Milk system: the most important task
Milk residue is the biggest hygiene risk.
- Daily: the machine rinses the milk system automatically after a milk drink (Gaggenau uses steam). Miele recommends cleaning the milk valve every day.
- Thorough clean:
- Gaggenau: manually, at least once a week.
- Miele: the milk system cleaning programme (about 20 minutes), with a cleaning cartridge or two cleaning sticks. If automatic cleaning is switched off, it is due after 15 days at the latest.
In stock: Miele milk system cleaner and Miele AutoCleaner.
2. Brew unit
- Weekly: remove the brew unit and rinse it under warm water, without detergent. It must not go in the dishwasher.
- Degreasing:
- Miele prompts you after about 200 drinks; the programme uses 1 cleaning tablet and takes about 10 minutes.
- Gaggenau and NEFF have cleaning programmes that use their own cleaning tablets.
- NEFF: the cleaning tablet goes only in the brew chamber.
- Yearly: Miele recommends greasing the brew unit with silicone grease.
3. Descaling
- The machine counts uses and tells you when it is time for descaling; Miele shows how many uses are left. If you ignore the prompt, the machine may lock itself: Miele, for example, locks when the counter reaches zero.
- Duration: about 20–35 minutes, depending on the model.
- Manufacturer tablets only. Gaggenau and Miele warn that vinegar, citric acid and other acids can damage the machine.
- Miele's automatic descaling cartridge lasts about 7–12 months.
- NEFF: remove the water filter before descaling.
4. Water hardness and the water filter
- Set the water hardness in the machine menu after measuring it with the test strip. NEFF's levels:
- 1 = 1–7 °dH
- 2 = 8–14 °dH
- 3 = 15–21 °dH
- 4 = 22–30 °dH
- Water filter: it reduces scale build-up and how often you need descaling. Change it when the machine prompts you; Gaggenau and NEFF say after 2 months at the latest.
- Very hard water: above 21 °dH, Miele suggests using bottled water.
Water hardness varies a lot across Estonia. Measure yours before setting up the machine.
Maintenance schedule
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Daily | Milk system rinse (automatic), clean the milk valve |
| Weekly | Rinse the brew unit, thorough milk system clean |
| When prompted | Degreasing (cleaning tablet), descaling |
| Every 2 months at the latest | Change the water filter |
| Yearly | Grease the brew unit (Miele) |
In our range
- Miele: descaling tablets, descaling cartridge, AutoCleaner, milk system cleaner, cleaning tablets.
- Franke: Marathoni descaler.
See also: Coffee machines · Coffee machine buying guide
FAQ
Can I descale a coffee machine with vinegar?
No. Miele and Gaggenau warn that vinegar and other acids can damage the machine. Use the manufacturer's tablets.
How often should I clean the milk system?
It rinses automatically every day. Clean it thoroughly once a week, or when the machine prompts you.
Can the brew unit go in the dishwasher?
No. Rinse it with warm water only.