What is Descaling and why do you need to do it?
Descaling is the process of removing limescale build up. Limescale builds up in your machine when water is heated or left standing. Limescale can build up in your Moccamaster’s boiling element over time, and if left untreated can completely clog your boiling element.
As this scale builds up and clogs your boiling element, the flow of water slows and can eventually stop.
6 tell-tale signs that your Moccamaster may have limescale build up:
- Coffee takes longer to brew
- Coffee does not come out
- Coffee brewed is less than expected
- Coffee flavor tastes off, doesn’t taste as good as it used to
- Coffee doesn’t get as hot
- Machine starts rumbling
You MUST descale your Moccamaster to keep it running healthy. Without proper descaling, the Moccamaster that’s built to last a lifetime with proper care, can stop brewing completely.
Each new Mocccamaster comes with a 5 year warranty, but if your machine breaks from lack of descaling it voids that warranty.
How often should you descale your Moccamaster?
Every 100 brew cycles, or every 3 months. Put this as a recurring event on your calendar so you don’t forget.
How to descale your Moccamaster
Step 1: Purchase a descaling product
A scaling product breaks down the mineral buildup. Moccamaster recommends 2 products:
The Descaling powder from Urnex or the Biocaf descaling powder.
Both are bio-degradable, odorless, phosphate-free, and non-toxic. Durgol’s swiss descaler is also highly recommended.
I use the Biocaf descaling powder because all ingredients are plant-based. I get these on Amazon.
Note: Moccamaster doesn’t recommend using vinegar as it’s not strong enough to break down the build up. Stick to the descaling powders.
Step 2: Create your descaling solution
In a separate container or pitcher, mix the descaling powder with 32 ounces of warm water. Mix until the powder is completely dissolved. If you add undissolved powder to the machine, you can clog and ruin the copper boiling element.
Tip from Moccamaster: You never want to put hot or boiling water into the Moccamaster water reservoir, so if you are using boiling water to dissolve the descaling powder, cool it completely before adding it to the water container.
Step 3: Run your descaling cycle
Add your descaling solution to the water reservoir and run a brewing cycle. You do not need a filter in the brewing basket.
Once the cycle is complete, discard the descaling solution safely.
Notice how murky the solution is after the first cycle:
Step 4: Refill the water reservoir with clean water and run three cycles
Running a total of 3 clean water cycles after the descaling cycle will complete the descaling process.
That’s it! It’s not difficult at all - the Moccamaster descaling process is simple and straightforward. Especially if this is your first time descaling, you should notice a huge difference in taste and temperature after you descale your machine.
Tip: Follow up your descaling process with a deep clean. See our full guide to cleaning your Moccamaster here.
Important takeaways:
- Descale your machine every three months. Severe scale build up will cause your Moccamaster to stop brewing completely - and voids the warranty!
- Use the right water: fresh tap water, filtered water, or bottled water only. Avoid reverse osmosis water. See more information what type of water to use with the Moccamaster.
- Dissolve the descaling powder completely in water before running it through your machine. Undissolved powders can ruin your Moccamaster’s boiling element.
- Have a backstock of descaling powders. I like to order a years worth (4 packets) at once.
- After the descaling cycle, run 3 rounds of water-only cycles.
