Descale

Which method, and when

Breville changed the method around 2016. Check the light under PROGRAM, and your manual.

• US or Australian machine with a CLEAN / DESCALE light (US books from 2016 on): use Descale mode when the light is solid. Flashing means the cleaning cycle, not descaling.
• Sage machine in the UK or EU (CLEAN ME light): also has Descale mode, but the UK guide says the machine will not prompt you. Descale every 90 days at water hardness level 4 and every 60 days at level 6.
• US machine with a CLEAN ME light (the 2012 to 2015 books): descale by hand with vinegar, every month, as those books say.

Descaling is a warranty matter: Sage excludes damage from not descaling.

Descale mode

The manual's steps. Take the water filter out and empty the drip tray first, and do not take the tank out during descaling.

1. Dissolve 1 sachet of Breville or Sage descaler in 1 litre of water in the tank.
2. Hold 2 CUP, then press and hold POWER. POWER flashes while it heats; it is ready when POWER, 1 CUP, the CLEAN light and the STEAM light are all steady.
3. Press 1 CUP. The coffee side runs for about 25 seconds.
4. Turn the dial towards the steam icon for about 13 seconds, then towards the hot-water icon for about 8 seconds, then back to STANDBY.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the tank is empty. About half is left after the first round.
6. Rinse the tank, fill it to MAX (2 litres) with fresh cold water, repeat steps 3 and 4, then press POWER to finish.

If you leave it for 5 minutes it switches itself off: start again from step 2.

Early US machines: vinegar by hand

The early US books (A12 and C15) call this "decalcifying" and advise it every month, and before a holiday. Only for machines whose book has no Descale mode.

1. Switch off and fill the tank with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and cold tap water.
2. Take the portafilter out and put a large container under the group and the wand.
3. Switch on, and when it is ready hold 1 CUP until half the mix has gone through the group.
4. Run hot water for about 30 seconds, then steam for about 2 minutes.
5. Hold 1 CUP again until the tank is empty.
6. Rinse the tank, fill it with fresh water and repeat steps 2 to 5.

The books say repeat the vinegar run in hard water areas.

Breville / Sage Barista Express: every job