ShotPulled › Gear › Descale
Descale with the built-in descaling mode: HiBrew H10A Semi-Automatic
Before you start
- Time
- About 5 minutes (machine cycle, plus a few minutes for rinsing and cleaning)
- Tools
- large container for the group and steam wand
- Supplies
- food-grade citric acid (about 30 g per litre of warm water), optional; citric-acid-based commercial descaler (e.g. Urnex Dezcal, Puly Descaler) (dose as the product directs; use this or citric acid), optional
Warnings
- Do not descale with a vinegar mix: HiBrew says it can harm rubber seals and leave an odour. Source: HiBREW blog: How to Descale an Espresso Machine (step-by-step worked on the H10A)
- Never use bleach, hydrogen peroxide or other harsh chemicals in the machine. Source: HiBREW blog: How to Descale an Espresso Machine (step-by-step worked on the H10A)
- Always finish with the plain-water rinse; leftover descaler spoils the coffee and may be harmful to drink. Source: HiBREW blog: How to Descale an Espresso Machine (step-by-step worked on the H10A)
- Descaling more often than needed wears the gaskets and can cause leaks. Source: HiBREW blog: How to Descale an Espresso Machine (step-by-step worked on the H10A)
Steps
- Make up the descaling liquid: about 30 g citric acid per litre of water, or a commercial descaler dosed as its label says.
From the manual: “usually 30g citric acid per liter of water, or use a commercial product as directed”
- Leave the portafilter and its filter basket fitted in the group.
From the manual: “Leave the filter basket and portafilter in place.”
- Set a large container under both the coffee spout and the steam wand.
From the manual: “Place a large container under the coffee spout and steam wand to catch the liquid.”
- Switch the machine on and let it heat to brewing temperature.
From the manual: “Turn on your coffee machine and wait for it to reach brewing temperature.”
- Hold the double-shot and steam buttons together for about 2 seconds, until it beeps and the lights stay solid.
From the manual: “Press the double shot and steam buttons together for about 2 seconds until the machine beeps”
- Press the double-shot button; about 500 ml of solution runs through the group.
From the manual: “The machine will run about 500 ml of the solution through the brewing unit.”
- Open the steam knob and press the steam button; roughly another 500 ml comes out of the wand.
From the manual: “Turn the steam knob and press the steam button.”
- Close the steam knob, empty the container and refill the tank with fresh water.
From the manual: “Turn off the steam knob, empty the container, and fill the water reservoir with fresh water.”
- Run the group and steam-wand passes again with plain water to flush out the descaler. Repeat twice or more if needed
From the manual: “Repeat the brew cycle and steam wand process with clean water to rinse out any leftover descaling liquid.”
- Wash the portafilter, basket and group head to clear leftover solution and grounds.
From the manual: “Wash the portafilter, filter basket, and group head to remove any remaining solution or coffee grounds.”
Sources
Researched on .
Published: the sentence is on the maker’s own page or in the maker’s own document.