How to Clean a De'Longhi Espresso Machine: Complete Guide

How to Clean a De'Longhi Espresso Machine

What you clean depends on the type of machine. De'Longhi's books split it three ways: bean-to-cup machines with a removable infuser, machines with a milk carafe, and manual portafilter machines. Here's what each book asks for, and how often.

• Bean-to-cup (Magnifica S, Magnifica Start, Dinamica): empty the drip tray before its red indicator rises. Empty the grounds container whenever you remove the tray. Check the inside weekly, and clean the infuser at least monthly, with water only.
• Milk carafe models (Magnifica Duo, Dinamica Plus): run the Clean function after every milk drink.
• Manual machines (Dedica, Stilosa): rinse the filters after each use, clean the frother after milk, and run water through the spouts regularly.

De'Longhi's books also say you don't need chemical cleaners, except for descaling: "With De'Longhi superautomatic coffee machines, you need not use chemical products to clean the machine" (Magnifica S). Nothing goes in the dishwasher on the Magnifica S or Dedica.

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What You Need

• A sponge or soft cloth, and a small brush (supplied with most models)
• A vacuum cleaner (for inside the bean-to-cup machines)
• A toothpick or the supplied pin
• De'Longhi descaler for descaling, which is a separate job

No solvents, abrasive detergents, alcohol or metal objects.

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Bean-to-Cup: Daily and Weekly

1. Drip tray: empty it before the red level indicator sticks up through the cup tray. Otherwise water may overflow "and seep inside or around the machine".
2. Grounds container: empty it when the light asks, and always when you remove the drip tray.
3. Condensate tray: the small red tray behind it. Check and empty it whenever you remove the drip tray.
4. Inside the machine (about once a week): turn the machine off, unplug it, and remove the drip tray. Wipe out coffee deposits with a sponge, then vacuum the residue.
5. Coffee spouts: wipe them, and clear blocked holes with a toothpick.

The switch-on and switch-off rinses send hot water into the drip tray. That's normal.

Time: 5-10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Bean-to-Cup: Monthly

The Infuser (Brew Unit)

"The infuser must be cleaned at least once a month" (Magnifica S).

1. Turn the machine off with the power button. The infuser can't come out while it's on.
2. Remove the water tank and open the infuser door on the right side.
3. Press the two coloured release buttons inwards and pull the infuser out.
4. Soak it in water for about 5 minutes, then rinse it under the tap. "Clean the infuser without using washing up liquid as it could be damaged."
5. Brush coffee residue from the infuser housing and the support it sits on.
6. Slide it back and push PUSH until it clicks. Check that the coloured buttons have snapped out.

If it's hard to insert, press its two levers first. No grease or lubricant is mentioned.

The Pre-Ground Funnel

Check it about once a month, and clear coffee deposits with the brush.

Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

More: De'Longhi grinder cleaning.

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Milk Carafe Models: After Every Milk Drink

• Magnifica Duo: clean the carafe after each use with the Clean function, and clean it thoroughly per the book. Use milk straight from the fridge.
• Dinamica Plus: the homepage shows a milk container cleaning alarm. Run the clean when it appears.
• Dinamica: during the milk container's CLEAN, "a little hot water and steam leak out of the milk spout". That's normal.

More: De'Longhi milk frother problems.

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Manual Machines: Dedica and Stilosa

Dedica (EC685):

• Rinse the filters after each use, and clear blocked holes with the pin. Give them a full clean at least monthly.
• Coffee spouts: every 200 coffees, run about 0.5 L of water through with no coffee.
• Frother: clean it after each use. A dirty frother is one cause of no milk froth.
• Unused for more than a week: run a rinse first.
• None of the parts is dishwasher safe.

Stilosa (EC230/EC235/EC260):

• After milk, steam briefly through the wand and wipe it. The frother part comes off for rinsing.
• EC235/EC260 filters come apart: unscrew them and lift out the inner disc and perforated plate. EC230 filters are one piece.
• Switch off and unplug before cleaning. Never put parts in the dishwasher, and use no abrasive or solvent products.

Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Descaling Is Separate

Cleaning removes coffee and milk. Descaling removes scale from the water circuit, with De'Longhi descaler, when the machine asks.

• Magnifica S: a 100 ml pack to level A, then water to level B. Hold the rinse/descale button 5 seconds.
• Remove the water softener filter first.

Full steps: De'Longhi descaling guide.

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FAQ

How often should I clean my De'Longhi brew unit?

At least once a month, according to the Magnifica S book. Use water only, with no washing-up liquid.

Can I put De'Longhi parts in the dishwasher?

Not on the Magnifica S, Dedica or Stilosa. The Dinamica book allows only the drip tray grille and the milk container.

Do I need to grease the De'Longhi infuser?

The books don't mention greasing it. They say to soak and rinse it in water.

Do I need special cleaning products?

No. The Magnifica S book says you need no chemical products to clean the machine. Use De'Longhi descaler only for descaling.

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Related De'Longhi Guides

• De'Longhi Descaling Complete Guide
• De'Longhi Grinder Cleaning
• De'Longhi Milk Frother Problems
• De'Longhi Leaking Water?

Sources: De'Longhi instructions for use for the Magnifica S (ECAM22.11X), Magnifica Start, Dinamica, Dinamica Plus, Magnifica Duo, Dedica (EC685) and Stilosa (EC230/235/260).