De'Longhi Coffee Machine Descaling: Model by Model

De'Longhi coffee machine descaling is done with the machine's own programme: when the descale light or message appears, take out the water filter, add De'Longhi descaler up to level A (100 ml), fill up with one litre of water to level B and start the cycle. On a Magnifica S, descaling takes around 45 minutes, rinses included. A Dedica takes around 25 minutes.

How do you know when a De'Longhi needs descaling?

A De'Longhi tells you with a light or a message, and the light behaves differently per model. On a Magnifica Evo a steady light means descaling is needed and a flashing light means descaling is running. On the other models it flashes when descaling is needed.

The instructions for your own model take precedence.

How often should De'Longhi descaling be done?

De'Longhi descaling is due when the light comes on, not after a set number of months. De'Longhi gives no fixed interval: the light comes on depending on the water used and the water hardness setting. Harder water brings the message sooner.

The Magnifica Evo and the Dinamica ship on level 4, the highest hardness. Dip the supplied test strip in the water for about 1 second; after about 1 minute it shows 1 to 4 red squares, one per level. The Dedica offers low, medium and high.

How do you descale a De'Longhi Magnifica S?

Descaling a De'Longhi Magnifica S takes around 45 minutes: about 25 minutes of descaling and then two rinses. Hot water with acid comes out of the steam spout and the coffee spouts, so stay clear.

1. Switch on and empty the trays. Start when the descale light flashes. With the machine ready for use, empty the drip tray and the grounds container and put them back.
2. Remove the water filter. Empty the water tank and take out the water softener filter, if one is fitted.
3. Fill the tank. Pour De'Longhi descaler in up to level A (100 ml), add one litre of water up to level B and put the tank back.
4. Set up a container. Stand a container of at least 2 litres under the steam spout and the coffee spouts.
5. Start descaling. When the coffee lights are on steadily, hold the descale button for at least 5 seconds. When the steam light flashes, turn the hot water/steam dial to I.
6. Wait for the machine to stop. Solution comes out at intervals. After about 25 minutes the machine stops, and you turn the dial to 0.
7. Rinse once. Empty the container, rinse the tank, fill it to MAX with fresh water and turn the dial to I. When the tank is empty, turn the dial back to 0.
8. Rinse again. Empty the container, put the water filter back if you removed one, fill the tank to MAX and turn the dial to I. When the machine stops, turn the dial to 0 and refill the tank.

If the tank was not filled to MAX for the rinses, the Magnifica S asks for a third rinse.

How do you descale a De'Longhi Magnifica Evo?

A Magnifica Evo uses the same quantities as a Magnifica S. Hold the descale button for at least 5 seconds until its light flashes quickly. Empty the trays and the water tank, take out the water filter, then add descaler up to level A (100 ml) and one litre of water up to level B. Stand a container of at least 2 litres under the coffee spout and the cappuccino maker, press the button and turn the steam/hot water dial to I. The descaling phase lasts about 30 minutes, then the Evo rinses twice with the tank at MAX, and the water filter goes back in at the start of the second rinse. Once the cycle is running, it cannot be interrupted.

How do you descale a De'Longhi Dedica?

A De'Longhi Dedica is descaled in around 25 minutes, once the orange light flashes. Remove the water filter if fitted, unhook the filter holder and put a 1 litre container under the hot water spout and the coffee spouts. Fill the tank with descaler and water up to MAX; the manual refers to the packaging for the amount, which for Decalk Care is 100 ml. Hold the descale button for 10 seconds until the three buttons flash in sequence, turn the steam dial to the hot water position and press the button. Now and then, close the dial so that some solution also goes through the coffee spouts. Rinse twice with the tank at MAX, refitting the filter during the second rinse. The orange light goes off when descaling is done.

Which descaler goes in a De'Longhi?

De'Longhi tells you to use only its own descaler, now called Decalk Care and formerly EcoDecalk, which is based on lactic acid of vegetable origin. The manuals add that unsuitable descalers, and irregular or incorrect descaling, can lead to faults that the manufacturer's warranty does not cover.

For espresso machines, De'Longhi advises against vinegar, which can leave odours and over time is too aggressive for some internal parts. Citric acid depends on correct dilution and use; with the wrong amount, descaling can stay incomplete.

The descale light stays on after descaling: what now?

If a De'Longhi's descale light stays on after descaling, run the descaling procedure again using water only. De'Longhi says the cycle was probably not completed correctly, skipped a step or went too quickly. Fill the tank to MAX for the last two rinses. If the light still stays on, contact De'Longhi customer care.

What next after descaling?

If you prefer another descaler, check the warranty advice above and follow the packaging. You can compare universal descalers for De'Longhi machines or browse every descaler. A compatible water filter for De'Longhi ECAM fits ECAM machines, and De'Longhi advises changing a filter after 2 months of regular use.

For descaling in general, read how to descale an espresso machine. For a De'Longhi Nespresso machine, read how to descale a Nespresso machine; for Dolce Gusto there is a descaler for Dolce Gusto.