Dolce Gusto descaler: liquid, powder and tablets
A Dolce Gusto descaler removes the limescale that builds up in the water circuit, pump and heating element of your Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine. Here you'll find universal descalers that you can use in a Dolce Gusto: a liquid descaler in a 500 ml bottle, descaling powder in sachets and Café du Jour descaling tablets.
-
-
-
-
-
Which descaler to choose
The products in this category are universal descalers rather than a Dolce Gusto brand kit. Follow the dosage on the pack and the descaling steps in your machine's manual. The main difference is how you dose them and how many descaling cycles you get:
- Bottle Descaler 500 ml: liquid, enough for four descaling cycles. Easy to measure out.
- Bag of descaling powder: one sachet for one descaling cycle. Handy if you descale only now and then.
- Café du Jour Descaler: descaling powder, in a single 50 g sachet or a pack of four.
- Café du Jour Descaling tablets: six tablets in a pack.
This applies to every Dolce Gusto model, whether made by Krups or De'Longhi, such as the Genio S, Infinissima, Mini Me and Piccolo XS.
When to descale a Dolce Gusto
Many Dolce Gusto machines have a descaling alert, often an orange or flashing light. Without an alert, descale every three to four months, and more often if you have hard water. Other signs: the water pressure feels lower, the machine is louder than usual, or the coffee is not as hot as you are used to.
Dolce Gusto descaling step by step
The steps differ slightly per model, so keep the manual at hand. The basic routine:
- Remove any capsule and empty the drip tray.
- Mix the descaler with water in the tank, as the pack describes.
- Put a large container under the outlet, at least 1 litre.
- Start the descaling mode. On button-operated models you usually hold the button until the light changes colour.
- Let the machine run until the tank is empty.
- Rinse the tank thoroughly, fill it with fresh water and run the rinse cycle. Rinse a second time to remove the last traces of descaler.
What limescale does to your machine
Limescale insulates the heating element, so the water heats up more slowly and your coffee comes out cooler. It also narrows the water circuit, which lowers the pressure a capsule machine relies on, and in the long run it wears the pump. Regular descaling and maintenance keeps temperature and pressure where they should be.
Between descaling
- Use filtered water to slow down limescale build-up.
- Rinse the water tank every week and let it dry.
- Wipe the capsule holder and outlet after use with a damp cloth.
- Don't use vinegar: it can affect seals and leave a taste.
For other care products and accessories, see coffee accessories.