How to Descale Your Smeg Espresso Machine: Steal Our Method

Ever wondered how to descale your Smeg Espresso Machine? 

It’s no surprise that Smeg espresso machines are becoming popular; they are great, allowing you to use coffee grounds or pods –  it’s always to be given options. But how can you descale one? Stick around, I go over a bunch of tips and tricks on how to descale a Smeg espresso machine the right way and enjoy excellent espressos, lattes and cappuccino day in, day out. 

Let’s jump in. 

What you should know about Smeg espresso machines

Smeg espresso machines are known for their slim and minimalistic style.

They look like vintage espresso machines yet they are powerful enough to make delicious espresso-based drinks including cappuccino, latte and americano. 

It measures 6x13x13 and weighs around 10 pounds. Another factor that makes them easy to use is that they don’t need any special installation. All you need to do is plug them, turn them on and start brewing. 

They give you the option to pull a single or double espresso at a time which is great if you want to make stronger coffee and you don’t need to repeat this process twice. 

Brewing is done with a click of a button (overall it has 3 buttons keeping things very simple) and the machine has also a wand attached, enabling you to froth milk for making lattes or cappuccinos. Plus,s the machine preheats quickly, meaning that your espresso is done in no time. Do you know how to drain a Bunn coffee brewer?

Here are a few specifications you should be aware of: 

• Different colour options: Pastel blue, pastel green, pastel blue, red, cream, black, white and pink 
• Water tank capacity: 1.13 L
• Electric Power (Watts): 1350
• Voltage: 120V
• Removable water tank: Yes

How do you use a Smeg espresso machine

As already mentioned, it’s pretty easy to use a Smeg espresso machine.

Let’s go over the steps: 

• Take off the water tank, fill it up with fresh water (about 1L) and put it back in
• Turn the machine on (it has a ‘turn on’ button on the side
• The machine has 3 buttons: ‘single espresso’, ‘double espresso’, ‘steaming’ 
• Once you turn the machine on the button will start blinking, meaning that the water is being heated. When the water hits the required temperature the lights stay constantly on and the machine is ready to use
• Add coffee grounds to the filter that fits in the portafilter and place the portafilter on the machine
• Press either the ‘single espresso’ or ‘double espresso’ depending on which one you prefer
• If you want to make longer coffees, keep one of these two buttons pressed for some time
• To use the wand you need to press the ‘steamer’ button and wait till the machine reaches the right temperature
• Add cold milk to your jug, pull down the steam lever and submerge the wand into the jug to steam milk

Overall, it’s an easy-to-use machine (it can’t be complicated when it only has 3 buttons).

How to descale your Smeg espresso coffee machine?

Let’s see how to go about descaling your Smeg machine.

What you’ll need?

• Nokalk descaling solution (recommended by the manufacturer)
• Alternatively, you can use white vinegar

How to go about it? 

• Fill up the water tank and add a packet of the descaling solution to it
• Turn the machine on and give it a few moments until the cup lights are constant
• Keep the ‘steam’ button pressed for about 10 seconds
• Move the lever to the upright position and press again the ‘steam’ button to start the process
• When the water tank runs out of water, it means the descaling cycle is completed
• Take off the tank, rinse it, fill it up with water and put it back in
• Repeat the process without adding any descaling solution to the water tank (this way you rinse the system and get rid of the descaling solution from the machine

Can you descale your Smeg machine with vinegar? 

Yes, you can but keep in mind that using vinegar isn’t as effective as using the descaling solution. 

This practically means that you have to run a few more descaling cycles to get rid of water deposits built up on the inside of your machine. 

To use vinegar all you need to do is mix water and vinegar (equal parts or 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water) and pour the mix into the water tank. (You practically replace vinegar with the descaling solution). 

Now, just repeat the steps discussed above to descale your machine. 

Let’s wrap it up 

Descaling your Smeg espresso machine should be great fun. It’s this little extra effort we should put in to enjoy great coffee. If you’re big on espresso and latte and all-things coffee, then descaling your machine is worth it. Do you know how to descale your Wolf coffee machine or how to use a Yabano espresso brewer?