How to descale a Delonghi Dedica

If the steam button on your Delonghi Dedica is flashing orange, it indicates that it’s time to perform the descaling process; a simple yet crucial procedure to keep your coffee maker in good condition and achieve quality espressos.

Why is descaling the Delonghi Dedica important?

Lime scale buildup is an inevitable reality in coffee makers, but it’s particularly sensitive in espresso machines like the Dedica. As water heats up and flows through the machine’s internal system, minerals deposit on the walls of its different components.

Excessive lime scale alters the taste and aroma of your coffee, resulting in a drink of lesser quality than it should be. Additionally, significant lime scale buildup can clog internal passages, reducing water flow efficiency and affecting the pressure needed to brew a good coffee.

Concerning the machine’s performance, lime scale can cause blockages, making the coffee maker work harder than necessary, increasing component wear, and decreasing its lifespan.

Materials needed for descaling your Delonghi Dedica

🔧 When preparing to descale your Delonghi Dedica coffee maker, it’s essential to have the following materials and tools:

• Containers to collect water: Prepare two containers to collect water from the coffee maker during the descaling process (one for the steam wand and another for the coffee group). This will prevent any spills and make cleanup easier.
• Absorbent paper: Have absorbent paper on hand to clean up any liquid that spills onto the coffee maker. Descalers or other products like vinegar can stain metal, so it’s essential to keep the surface clean.
• Descaler: The descaler is a key component for the process. You can choose Delonghi’s official descaler, a universal one, or use white vinegar.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the process using white vinegar with 5% acetic acid. If you decide to use a commercial descaler, follow the same steps.

Step-by-step guide to descaling your Delonghi Dedica

1. Prepare the water tank: Fill it to the MAX line using a mixture of half water and vinegar, then place it in your Delonghi Dedica.
2. Switch the Dedica to programming mode: Press and hold the button with the steam symbol until all three buttons flash simultaneously.
3. Position the containers: Place a 1-liter capacity bowl under the steam wand and a smaller one under the coffee group.
4. Enter descaling mode: Move the steam knob down to put the Dedica into descaling mode (water will come out of the steam wand).
5. Initiate the descaling process: Press the steam button to start the descaling mode. Occasionally, change the position of the steam knob to have the Dedica also expel water through the coffee group.
6. Wait patiently: The descaling process will take between 15 to 20 minutes. Be patient and allow the coffee maker to do its job.
7. Clean the water tank: When the machine stops due to lack of water, thoroughly clean the water tank. Pour out any remaining water and fill it with clean water up to the MAX line.
8. Completion of the process: Place the water tank back in the Dedica and, without selecting any other option, press the steam button once. The coffee maker will continue the cleaning process, which will be faster than the previous one.
9. Additional rinse (optional): You can allow water to pass through the coffee group head by moving the steam knob horizontally.
10. Delonghi Dedica ready for use: When the machine runs out of water, raise the steam knob upwards and leave it in the horizontal position. Your Delonghi Dedica will be ready to brew coffee.

Tips for proper cleaning of your Delonghi Dedica

Although the Delonghi Dedica signals with the orange light when to descale, you can access the settings menu to do it more frequently, as I mentioned earlier, improving the taste and performance of the coffee maker.

Doctor Cafetera

The frequency at which you should descale your Delonghi Dedica depends on various factors, such as water hardness and usage frequency. However, here are some general guidelines:

• Hard water: If you live in an area with hard water, meaning water with a high mineral concentration, it’s advisable to descale your coffee maker every 2 months. Hard water tends to accelerate mineral buildup, so regular descaling is essential.
• Usage frequency: The more you use the coffee maker, the greater the mineral buildup. If you use your coffee maker intensively, consider descaling it every 3 months, even if the water is not particularly hard.
• Filtered water: If you regularly use filtered water, you can extend the intervals between descalings. In this case, descaling every 6 months may be sufficient, but it’s still important to monitor mineral buildup.
• Indicator light: Pay attention to the descaling indicator light. Whenever it turns on, perform the descaling process. Ignoring the indication can lead to more serious issues in the long run.

Remember that these recommendations are general, and it’s important to adjust the frequency based on the specific conditions of your use and the water in your area. Regular descaling ensures optimal performance and a prolonged lifespan for your Delonghi Dedica coffee maker.

Conclusion

The importance of descaling is revealed in the inevitable accumulation of minerals, such as limescale, affecting both the coffee flavor and the internal functioning of your Dedica. These minerals can alter the espresso’s quality and compromise the efficiency of internal components, leading to more serious long-term problems.

By following this guide, you ensure not only maintaining your Delonghi Dedica in its best condition but also enjoying high-quality coffee in every cup, solidifying descaling as an essential pillar for coffee enthusiasts.