Coffee Machine Descaling consumables

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Pumpedd

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#222776 28-Aug-2017 11:19

I have a good auto coffee machine that requires tablets for cleaning and descaling at regular intervals. In fact if I dont the machine refuses to operate.

Both cleaning tablets and descaling tablets are very expensive (Jura) for all that is in them.

Does anyone know of a place where cheaper consumables are available?

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#1853964 28-Aug-2017 12:38

I use these guys for Sunbeam tablets, haven't looked hard for alternatives, not sure how they price against your tablets.

https://www.needapart.co.nz/

jonb

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#1853986 28-Aug-2017 13:25

Try running it through a 1:1 white vinegar solution

gajan

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#1854016 28-Aug-2017 13:47

"cafetto" make generic cleaner tablets. They had some for Jura machines - which were significantly cheaper than original Jura ones...

Officemax seems to have them.

My comments and remarks are not necessarily of my employer.

random173

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#1854034 28-Aug-2017 14:02

My machine doesn't need capsules as such, but I've always grabbed cleaning powder from Trademe and found it to be much cheaper than retail outlets.

Dratsab

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#1854115 28-Aug-2017 14:55

I just descaled SWMBO's DeLonghi coffee machine recently. Used official Delonghi product (EcoDecalk) which cost me $29. It'll do 4 descaling procedures so at $7.25 a time I didn't think that was too bad a price. The suggestion by jonb is probably the cheapest by a long shot, just remember to run longer water cycle through the machine than you would with a commercial (citric acid based) product to flush away any vinegar residue/flavour.

richms

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#1854163 28-Aug-2017 15:52

My jura always demands this at inoppertune times, so I have some on hand. I tried getting them from the actual jura people but their website was a non functional mess, ended up ordering from noel leeming. Yeah, expensive for what they are but at the end of it I know its not going to trash my machine which TBH gets stuff all use now anyway.

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ObidiahSlope

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#1854200 28-Aug-2017 17:01

If the parts can be disassembled soak them overnight in a bath started with boiling water and dishwasher powder.

PS. I was referring to metal parts not plastic.

Obsequious hypocrite

KellyP

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#1854221 28-Aug-2017 17:41

I'm using this with a Gaggia Brera. Good results, no issues.

If it's really bad it may be a good idea to get it serviced professionally.

Pumpedd

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#1854422 28-Aug-2017 22:43

James Bond:

I'm using this with a Gaggia Brera. Good results, no issues.

If it's really bad it may be a good idea to get it serviced professionally.

Thanks....thats $10 a descale which is what most seem to be..but its a rip off considering whats inside.

Fred99

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#1854465 28-Aug-2017 23:43

My Rocket Evoluzione V2 has been in constant use for 5 years, I've replaced the element last year and stripped the group head down to replace all the seals, there was basically no scale at all in the boiler or group.

That's Chch water with relatively low hardness, Descaling would probably do it more harm than good. Depends where you are and what the water supply is like, but I'd be a bit annoyed to have a machine that told me when to descale based on time.

For cleaning I use Impress brand espresso shampoo which is granular. I understand that the main active is trisodium phosphate. For descaling, I'd use citric acid.

mattwnz

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#1854478 29-Aug-2017 00:00

I used to use a powder with my water distiller to clean of scale, but was wondering where to buy replacement powder. I see aliexpress sell something that may work, but looks to use Citric Acid

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Efficient-food-grade-citric-acid-detergent-boiler-water-electrical-kettle-descaling-agent-scale-remover/32749660042.html

And this

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/238g-food-grade-Citric-Acid-use-to-Urnex-Cafiza-Espresso-And-Cappuccino-and-water-kettle-cleaning/32781739448.html

Not sure how safe it is though.

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Fred99

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#1854483 29-Aug-2017 00:16

Citric acid is safe health-wise, except it'll dissolve some traces of metal from boilers etc. Descale a coffee machine with a copper boiler and the water will be quite green for a while - until it's flushed a few times. I'd rather not drink that. As far as other machine materials go, then it's probably not great for rubber seals etc to be soaking in hot acidic water frequently. Occasionally and as needed, then sure, but not just because some electronic timer device tells you it's needed.

richms

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#1854485 29-Aug-2017 00:40

I think the timer on mine is based on the water hardness value I set it up with as I get it way less frequent than other people seem to.

Richard rich.ms

surfisup1000

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#1854526 29-Aug-2017 08:14

Pumpedd:

I have a good auto coffee machine that requires tablets for cleaning and descaling at regular intervals. In fact if I dont the machine refuses to operate.

Both cleaning tablets and descaling tablets are very expensive (Jura) for all that is in them.

Does anyone know of a place where cheaper consumables are available?

What is the machine?

I have the panasonic fully auto machine that was reduced from $2,000 to $400 several years back and it is wonderful.... but, I know it will soon ask to be cleaned and it is the same, refuses to operate until done. I can trick it but i should follow the maintenance recommendations.

KellyP

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#1854533 29-Aug-2017 08:32

Pumpedd:

James Bond:

I'm using this with a Gaggia Brera. Good results, no issues.

If it's really bad it may be a good idea to get it serviced professionally.

Thanks....thats $10 a descale which is what most seem to be..but its a rip off considering whats inside.

Yup it's not cheap - I'm in Christchurch where the water isn't hard. I would only run the solution 3 times per year or when the machine tells me to do it (It's only a counter based on how many coffee's I've made)

I purchased the above at OfficeMax for about $32. I would probably look for a cheaper option next time around however the Brera doesn't take the tablets as some of the other super-automatics do so my options are limited.

Edit: Just came across this. Better value.

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