How to descale your portafilter — the right way

We see it in the workshop every week: a machine descaled with citric acid — and suddenly leaking. Gaskets soft, group head oxidized, pump labouring.

Why not citric acid?

Citric acid attacks aluminium, brass, and some gaskets. Above ~60°C it forms calcium citrate — a sticky mass that lodges exactly where you don't want it.

What we use

Only acid-free descalers based on sulfamic or lactic acid. Three products that work for 95% of all home and commercial machines:

• Pulycaff Plus (mild, weekend cleaning)
• Cafiza (group head cleaner)
• Pulycaff Decal (boiler descaling, every 6 months)

Step by step

1. Empty tank, prepare Pulycaff Decal in warm water.
2. Run solution through group head and hot water outlet.
3. Rest 20 minutes.
4. Rinse with fresh water — at least 2 tanks.
5. First espresso to the drain, not to the cup.

If unsure: bring the machine in. Service starts at €89 and saves you repairs costing many times more.