A fully automatic coffee machine processes water and coffee beans every day and, with many beverage specialities, milk as well. This creates very different types of residue inside the machine: minerals from the water can accumulate as limescale, coffee oils and coffee fats adhere to coffee-carrying components, and milk residues can build up in hoses, nozzles and milk systems.
Effective care of the fully automatic coffee machine therefore does not consist of a single measure. Cleaning, descaling, milk system care, water filtration and care of seals each fulfil different tasks.
At NEW-Kaffeevollautomaten you will find various care and cleaning products for these purposes. A particular focus is our Clean o Coffee care range with cleaning tablets, descaling tablets, liquid professional descaler and milk system cleaners for different applications.
In addition, we offer selected care products such as the DeLonghi EcoDecalk DLSC500 descaler, the Jura CLARIS Smart+ water filter, care accessories and our food-grade silicone grease in the 6 g tube.
Why is regular care of a fully automatic coffee machine important?
Inside a fully automatic coffee machine, moisture, heat, coffee particles, coffee oils and, depending on the equipment, milk come into contact with numerous pipes, valves, seals and other components. Many of these areas are not directly visible during normal operation.
Automatic rinsing programmes remove some fresh residues, but do not necessarily replace all cleaning and care programmes specified by the manufacturer. Depending on the model, use and water hardness, modern fully automatic coffee machines therefore regularly request cleaning or descaling.
Consistent care serves several purposes: hygienic cleanliness, reliable machine function, water and coffee paths that remain as clear as possible, protection against heavy deposits and coffee flavour that remains as unaffected as possible.
It is particularly important to distinguish between the different types of deposits. A different care product is used for coffee grease than for limescale. A milk system cleaner, in turn, is specifically intended for milk-carrying components. Silicone grease has a completely different purpose again and is not used for cleaning, but for lubricating suitable seals.
Cleaning a fully automatic coffee machine is not the same as descaling a fully automatic coffee machine
The terms cleaning and descaling are often mixed up in everyday use. Technically, however, they are two different care procedures.
When cleaning a fully automatic coffee machine, the main purpose is to dissolve coffee residues. Coffee beans contain natural oils and fats. During grinding and brewing, these enter the coffee-carrying areas and can accumulate, for example, in the brewing unit, on screens or in the coffee outlet.
When descaling the fully automatic coffee machine, on the other hand, mineral deposits caused by the water used are treated. How quickly limescale forms depends, among other things, on the local water hardness, water consumption and the machine.
A cleaning process therefore does not replace necessary descaling, and a descaler does not replace a cleaning tablet. For comprehensive machine care, the respective measures must be considered separately.
Our Clean o Coffee care range for fully automatic coffee machines
With Clean o Coffee, NEW-Kaffeevollautomaten offers its own care range for different areas of coffee machine cleaning. Instead of one universal product for every type of soiling, the range comprises different product groups, each with its own task.
These include 2-phase cleaning tablets, coffee grease remover cleaning tablets, descaling tablets, liquid professional descaler and milk system cleaner.
Our Clean o Coffee cleaning products are manufactured in Germany. The respective products contain information on application, dosage, ingredients and safety instructions. The operating and care instructions provided by the machine manufacturer must also always be observed, as cleaning programmes and procedures can differ depending on the fully automatic coffee machine.
Cleaning tablets against coffee oils and coffee fats
During brewing, not only soluble aromatic substances are extracted from the ground coffee. Natural coffee oils and coffee fats also enter the coffee-carrying areas. Over time, residues can accumulate there on surfaces.
For this reason, many fully automatic coffee machines have a special cleaning programme. A suitable cleaning tablet for fully automatic coffee machines is inserted at the time specified by the machine. The machine dissolves the tablet with water and then carries out the programmed cleaning and rinsing cycles.
It is important to allow the cleaning programme to run completely and to follow the instructions of the respective manufacturer.
Clean o Coffee 2-phase cleaning tablets
Our Clean o Coffee 2-phase cleaning tablets each weigh 3.5 g and have a diameter of 15 mm. They are designed for effective cleaning of coffee-carrying areas.
The 2-phase principle combines two functions: Phase 1 dissolves coffee residues such as coffee oil and coffee grease, while Phase 2 serves to protect the treated surfaces.
The tablets can be used in numerous suitable fully automatic coffee machines. However, which cleaning agents are permitted for a particular model and how the cleaning cycle is started should always be checked in the operating instructions.
For different levels of consumption, we offer the 2-phase cleaning tablets as, among others, a pack of 14, pack of 40 and pack of 80.
Clean o Coffee coffee grease remover – 100 cleaning tablets
Another option is our 100 Clean o Coffee coffee machine cleaning tablets. The tablets each weigh 2 g and are intended as coffee grease removers for use in suitable cleaning programmes.
They are designed to dissolve coffee residues, coffee oil and coffee grease from coffee-carrying areas and, thanks to the larger pack size, are particularly suitable for regular use.
A larger supply pack can be particularly useful in repair businesses, offices, catering establishments or anywhere where several machines are regularly maintained.
Why limescale forms in a fully automatic coffee machine
Drinking water contains naturally occurring minerals. When the water is heated, mineral deposits can form in the water-carrying system. The rate at which this happens depends strongly on regional water hardness and the amount of water passing through the machine.
Limescale can accumulate particularly in heated and water-carrying areas. Heavier deposits can change the cross-section of pipes and impair heat transfer at heated components.
For this reason, descaling requested by the fully automatic coffee machine should not be permanently ignored.
Clean o Coffee professional descaler with colour indicator
Our Clean o Coffee professional descaler with colour indicator in the 750 ml bottle is a liquid descaler for suitable fully automatic coffee machines, espresso machines, filter coffee machines and other appliances.
The formulation contains, among other ingredients, sulfamic acid, maleic acid and citric acid. The descaler is designed to dissolve limescale and scale deposits.
A special feature is the colour indicator. It provides a visual indication of the saturation level of the descaling solution. As saturation increases, the colour becomes lighter.
The 750 ml bottle is economical and, according to our product information, is designed for approximately 8 to 10 applications. For this product, we recommend a dosage of 100 ml per 1.5 litres of water. Any differing specifications provided by the respective machine manufacturer must always be observed.
Descaling tablets – compact and easy to dose
In addition to liquid descalers, descaling tablets can also be used depending on the machine and the manufacturer's specifications.
The Clean o Coffee descaling tablets each weigh 18 g and are individually packed in a flowpack. They are dissolved in water before use. According to our product information, one tablet is dissolved in 0.5 litres of warm water.
For normal requirements, we offer, for example, the pack of 6 Clean o Coffee descaling tablets. For higher consumption, a pack of 30 descaling tablets is also available.
For workshops, resellers and larger commercial requirements, we additionally offer 500 Clean o Coffee descaling tablets in flowpacks.
DeLonghi EcoDecalk – descaler for DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machines
If you would like to use a corresponding manufacturer descaler for a DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machine, you will also find the DeLonghi EcoDecalk DLSC500 descaler in our range.
According to the manufacturer, the 500 ml bottle is intended for five descaling cycles. EcoDecalk is based on lactic acid and was offered by DeLonghi specifically for descaling coffee machines.
Which descaling programme needs to be started on a particular DeLonghi model varies depending on the machine generation. The respective operating instructions should therefore be observed.
Cleaning the milk system – particularly important for cappuccino and latte macchiato
Milk places different demands on the care of a fully automatic coffee machine than coffee or water. Residues can remain after use in milk hoses, cappuccinators, fine foam nozzles, milk containers and other milk-carrying components.
For this reason, the milk system and milk frother should be cleaned regularly. Many machines also have automatic or guided rinsing programmes.
Rinsing with water alone may be intended for immediate intermediate rinsing. For the intensive cleaning required by the manufacturer, specially developed milk system cleaners are used instead.
Clean o Coffee milk system cleaner 250 ml
The Clean o Coffee milk foam cleaner and milk system cleaner 250 ml is a special cleaner for milk-carrying components.
It is suitable, among other things, for milk frothing nozzles, milk hoses, cappuccinators and milk containers and is designed to dissolve milk scale, milk fats and other milk residues.
The 250 ml size is particularly suitable for private users and manageable regular care requirements. According to our application recommendation, 10 ml of cleaner is diluted with 500 ml of water. The specifications of the respective fully automatic coffee machine must also be observed.
Clean o Coffee milk system cleaner 1 litre with dosing chamber
For higher consumption, the Clean o Coffee milk system cleaner 1 litre with dosing chamber is available.
The larger bottle is aimed particularly at users who clean their milk system frequently as well as commercial users. The integrated dosing chamber makes it easier to measure the required amount of cleaner.
Especially in catering establishments, offices or where large quantities of cappuccino, latte macchiato and other milk drinks are consumed, the requirement for milk system cleaner can be considerably higher than in a household with occasional milk use.
Mechanical cleaning of milk hoses
Chemical and mechanical cleaning can complement each other for suitable components. Narrow milk hoses in particular can contain areas that are difficult to access.
Our brush for milk suction hoses on fully automatic coffee machines can be used to additionally clean suitable hoses mechanically.
Before dismantling or cleaning individual components, it should be checked which parts may be removed according to the manufacturer and which cleaning method is specified.
Water filters as part of fully automatic coffee machine care
A water filter in the fully automatic coffee machine has a different task from a descaler. It treats the water used before or during use and, depending on the filter system, can reduce certain substances.
This can reduce the limescale load on the machine. However, a water filter does not automatically mean that all other care work is no longer necessary. Filters must also be replaced according to the manufacturer's specifications.
For suitable Jura fully automatic coffee machines, for example, we offer the Jura CLARIS Smart+ Filter 24233 set of 3.
The upper section of the filter uses ion exchange and activated carbon. The Smart+ generation additionally has a depot in the lower section which, according to the manufacturer, is intended to help reduce limescale deposits around the bottom of the tank.
Silicone grease – care for O-rings and moving seals
Not all care of a fully automatic coffee machine is carried out using cleaning chemicals. Suitable lubrication can also be important for seals and mechanical components intended for this purpose.
Our food-grade silicone grease NEW-009 in the 6 g tube is intended as a sealing and sliding lubricant, among other applications, for suitable O-rings and brewing units in fully automatic coffee machines.
The transparent silicone grease has been tested according to LFGB, is odourless and tasteless and is neutral towards many plastics and elastomers. It is suitable, for example, for appropriate seals in Jura, DeLonghi, Philips, Saeco, Miele, Siemens, AEG, Bosch and Krups fully automatic coffee machines.
Silicone grease should be used sparingly. A large quantity of grease does not replace either a damaged seal or necessary cleaning.
All available sizes and quantities can be found in our food-grade silicone grease category.
100 g silicone grease for workshops, catering and higher requirements
In addition to the compact 6 g tube, we offer a 100 g tube of food-grade silicone grease.
The larger version is particularly suitable for professional repair businesses, catering establishments and users with regular maintenance requirements. It can be used for maintaining suitable seals, O-rings and moving plastic parts.
Which areas of a fully automatic coffee machine require regular attention?
The precise care routine always depends on the respective machine. In general, however, there are several areas that should be regularly checked or cleaned on many fully automatic coffee machines.
These include the water tank, drip tray, coffee grounds container, coffee outlet, brewing unit or brew group, milk hoses, milk frothing nozzle and milk container. In addition, depending on the model and equipment, the machine carries out automatic cleaning, rinsing or descaling programmes.
Removable components should only be cleaned in the manner specified by the machine manufacturer. Not every component is dishwasher-safe and not every brewing unit may be treated with cleaning agents.
A sensible care routine for fully automatic coffee machines
After daily use
The water tank, drip tray and coffee grounds container should be checked according to use and regularly emptied or cleaned. After preparing milk beverages, the milk system in particular should be rinsed or cleaned according to the machine manufacturer's specifications.
Regularly
Removable brewing units and other accessible components should be cleaned at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. On suitable components, O-rings can be checked and, if necessary, sparingly lubricated with food-grade silicone grease.
When the machine requests cleaning
If the fully automatic coffee machine requests a cleaning programme, the programme specified for the respective machine should be carried out using a suitable cleaning tablet.
When the machine requests descaling
Descaling should be carried out in accordance with the operating instructions using a suitable coffee machine descaler or the designated descaling tablets.
Why water hardness plays an important role
How quickly a fully automatic coffee machine develops limescale cannot be stated as a fixed value for every machine and every household. Water hardness is an important factor.
With harder water, more limescale-forming minerals enter the machine. Many modern fully automatic coffee machines therefore allow the local water hardness to be set. Based on this, the machine can calculate the required descaling intervals, among other things.
When setting up a new fully automatic coffee machine, the water hardness should therefore be set correctly. If a compatible water filter is used, the corresponding settings and replacement intervals specified by the machine manufacturer must also be observed.
Using automatic care programmes correctly
Many modern fully automatic coffee machines assist the user with automatic or guided care programmes. For example, the machine indicates when a cleaning tablet is required, when descaling is due or when a water filter should be replaced.
These programmes control water quantity, contact times and rinsing processes to suit the respective machine design. Once a cleaning or descaling programme has been started, it should therefore, wherever possible, be completed fully and in accordance with the operating instructions.
Independently shortening individual rinsing phases or using a dosage of care product not specified by the manufacturer is not recommended.
Typical mistakes when caring for a fully automatic coffee machine
A common mistake is to regard cleaning and descaling as the same process. However, a cleaning tablet is fundamentally intended for different deposits than a descaler.
A milk system cleaner should likewise be used specifically for the milk-carrying components intended for it. Household cleaners, washing-up liquid or arbitrary acids are not automatically suitable for the internal components of a fully automatic coffee machine.
The principle that “more is better” does not automatically apply to dosage either. Care products should be used in accordance with the respective product information and the operating instructions of the fully automatic coffee machine.
The same applies to silicone grease: seals only require a thin layer of lubrication at suitable points. Excess grease provides no additional benefit.
Care products for private customers, workshops and catering establishments
The care requirements of a single fully automatic coffee machine in a private household differ considerably from those of a workshop, office or catering business.
For this reason, we offer numerous Clean o Coffee care products in different pack sizes. Private customers can select smaller quantities according to their requirements, while commercial customers can use larger pack sizes.
For higher requirements, for example, 480 Clean o Coffee 2-phase cleaning tablets, 672 Clean o Coffee 2-phase cleaning tablets and 960 Clean o Coffee 2-phase cleaning tablets are available.
Solutions for regularly higher consumption are also available with the descaling tablets in the large pack of 500 and the 1-litre milk system cleaner with dosing chamber.
Care and repair belong together
Regular care can reduce soiling and deposits. However, it cannot repair a component that is already worn or damaged.
If, for example, an O-ring is damaged, a hose leaks, a valve is defective or another component is mechanically worn, a suitable spare part for the fully automatic coffee machine may be required despite correct care.
Conversely, it makes sense to also consider the maintenance condition of the machine during repair and servicing. If, for example, a brewing unit is overhauled, cleaning, checking the seals and, where appropriate, sparingly lubricating suitable O-rings can form part of the maintenance.
Which care products do I need for my fully automatic coffee machine?
Which products are actually required depends on the equipment and use of the machine. A fully automatic coffee machine without a milk system, for example, does not require a milk system cleaner for a milk system that does not exist.
As a guide, care tasks can be divided into five areas:
Cleaning tablets for coffee oils and coffee fats, descaler against mineral limescale deposits, milk system cleaner for milk-carrying components, water filters for water treatment and food-grade silicone grease for suitable seals.
The specific selection should then be made based on compatibility and the operating instructions of the fully automatic coffee machine.
Frequently asked questions about caring for fully automatic coffee machines
How often does a fully automatic coffee machine need to be cleaned?
This cannot be answered with the same fixed interval for every machine. Use, beverage volume, design and manufacturer differ. Many machines indicate themselves when an internal cleaning programme is required. Accessible areas such as the drip tray, coffee grounds container and especially components of the milk system require attention considerably more frequently depending on use.
How often does a fully automatic coffee machine need to be descaled?
The descaling interval depends particularly on water hardness, water consumption, filter use and machine settings. Modern fully automatic coffee machines generally request descaling automatically.
Can a cleaning tablet descale the fully automatic coffee machine?
No. Cleaning tablets are intended for coffee-related residues such as coffee oils and coffee fats. A suitable descaler is required to remove limescale.
Can descaler also be used for the milk system?
Not automatically. Specially developed milk system cleaners are available for milk systems. The respective product and manufacturer information should be observed.
Why does the milk system need to be cleaned so regularly?
Milk contains, among other things, fat and protein. Residues can remain in narrow hoses, nozzles and connecting elements. Regular milk system care is therefore one of the particularly important maintenance tasks for machines with cappuccino, latte macchiato or milk frothing functions.
Do I still need care products despite using a water filter?
Yes. A water filter replaces neither the removal of coffee grease nor cleaning of the milk system. Whether and when descaling is necessary despite a filter depends on the machine, filter and manufacturer's specifications.
Why is silicone grease used in fully automatic coffee machines?
Suitable food-grade silicone grease can be used as a sliding and sealing lubricant on O-rings and moving sealing points intended for this purpose. The seal should only be lightly greased and must still be replaced if damaged.
Are Clean o Coffee care products available for commercial users?
Yes. In addition to smaller packs, we offer various bulk packs for workshops, commercial users and higher regular consumption. These include larger quantities of cleaning tablets and descaling tablets as well as the 1-litre milk system cleaner with integrated dosing chamber.
Fully automatic coffee machine care at NEW-Kaffeevollautomaten
Proper care begins with distinguishing between the different tasks. Limescale, coffee grease and milk residues occur in different ways and therefore require different care products.
With our Clean o Coffee care range, we offer solutions for regular cleaning, descaling and milk system care of fully automatic coffee machines. The range is complemented by water filters, care accessories, DeLonghi EcoDecalk and our food-grade silicone grease for suitable seals and O-rings.
Different pack sizes are available, from small packs for private fully automatic coffee machines to bulk packs for repair businesses and commercial requirements.
All currently available products can be found in our category for care, cleaning and care products for fully automatic coffee machines.
