Jura Descaling Guide: E6, E8, S8, Z6 and Z10 Steps and Times

How Jura Descaling Works

A Jura descales only when it asks. Descale appears in the E6/E8 Cockpit, Decalcify machine on the S8, Z6 and Z10. You run the built-in program with 3 JURA descaling tablets dissolved in 17 oz (500 ml) of water (Z6 and Z10: 20 oz / 600 ml). It takes about 40 minutes on the E6 and E8, and 45 on the S8, Z6 and Z10. Let it run to the end.

Two things surprise owners. With a CLEARYL Smart filter fitted, the machine never asks for descaling at all. And JURA warns that "non-recommended descaling agents (e.g. vinegar)" could damage the machine, so the tablets aren't optional.

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What You Need

The tablets are an irritant: avoid skin and eye contact, and wipe up splashes on marble or other sensitive surfaces straight away.

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Step 1: Wait for the Prompt (or Check Your Filter)

Jura works out when to descale from your water hardness setting and how much water has gone through. There's no fixed month interval.

1. No prompt, and a CLEARYL Smart filter in the tank? That's normal: "you will not be prompted to descale". Change the filter when the filter symbol turns red instead.
2. No filter? Check the water hardness setting (1-30 °dH on the E6 and E8) matches your water. Measure it with the supplied test strip.
3. "Too hot" when you try to start? The system is too hot for a maintenance program. Wait a few minutes, or make a coffee or hot water first.

Time: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 2: Start the Descaling Program

The entry differs by control layout.

1. E6 and E8: open the JURA Cockpit (E8: page through the start screen until it shows), press Descale, then Start.
2. S8: touch Decalcify machine, then Descale, then Start, and Start again.
3. Z6: with Decalcify machine showing, press the Rotary Switch, press it again at Descale, then press Start twice.
4. Z10: start it from the Decalcify machine message, as the display guides you.

Time: 1 minute
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 3: Empty, Dissolve and Fill

When the display shows Empty drip tray:

1. Empty the drip tray and the coffee grounds container, and put them back.
2. Remove and empty the water tank.
3. Completely dissolve 3 JURA descaling tablets in 17 oz (500 ml) of water (Z6: 20 oz / 600 ml of lukewarm water). This can take several minutes.
4. Pour the solution into the empty tank and put it back in the machine.

Time: 5-10 minutes
Cost: 3 JURA descaling tablets
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 4: Let the Solution Run Through

1. Place receptacles where the machine tells you. E8: under the hot-water nozzle and the fine foam frother. S8: under the coffee spout and the fine foam frother. Z6: under the hot water spout.
2. Press Next (Z6: press the Rotary Switch).
3. "Machine is being descaled" shows, and water flows out repeatedly, with pauses. That's normal.
4. When Empty drip tray appears, empty the drip tray and grounds container and put them back.

Time: Most of the program
Difficulty: Easy

Don't interrupt it. JURA's notice: "If the descaling operation is interrupted, there may be damage to the machine."

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Step 5: Rinse and Finish

1. Empty the receptacles and put them back.
2. Remove the water tank and rinse it thoroughly.
3. Fill it with fresh, cold water and put it back.
4. Press Next. Water again flows out repeatedly.
5. When Empty drip tray shows, empty the tray and the grounds container one last time.

Time: The rest of the program
Difficulty: Easy

If the program stops unexpectedly, JURA's instruction is to rinse the water tank thoroughly.

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Step 6: Descale the Water Tank Now and Then

Limescale also forms in the tank itself. The E6, Z6 and Z10 manuals list it as the reason Fill water tank may not appear when the tank is empty.

1. Remove the tank and take out the CLEARYL filter if one is fitted.
2. Fill the tank and dissolve 3 JURA descaling tablets in it.
3. Leave it for several hours (overnight works).
4. Empty and rinse the tank thoroughly, refit the filter, and refill with fresh water.

Time: Several hours (hands-on 5 minutes)
Cost: 3 JURA descaling tablets
Difficulty: Easy

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If the Descale Message Won't Clear

Jura has no button to reset the descale message. It clears when the program runs from start to finish. The manuals don't describe a manual counter reset, so:

• Run the program again from the prompt, and let every stage finish, including both drip-tray emptying steps.
• Didn't the program start? Check the machine isn't showing Too hot. If it is, wait or make a drink first.
• Message back much sooner than expected? Check the water hardness setting against a test strip. A wrong setting changes how often it asks.
• Any other "Error" message, or the program won't run at all: switch off and contact JURA.

The Jura troubleshooting guide covers the other display messages.

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Model Differences

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When to Call JURA

• An "Error" other than Error 2 or Error 5 (those two mean the machine got too cold: let it warm to room temperature)
• The program keeps stopping part-way
• A smell of burning or visible damage: unplug at once

JURA USA: 1-800-220-5701 · Canada: 1-855-544-8600.

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Keep Descaling Rare

• Use a CLEARYL Smart filter and change it when the filter symbol turns red. The machine then won't ask for descaling.
• Set the water hardness at first use with the test strip.
• Change the water daily and rinse the tank.
• Never put mineral or carbonated water in the tank. JURA lists it among the things that void the warranty.

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FAQ

Can I descale a Jura with vinegar?

No. JURA warns that "non-recommended descaling agents (e.g. vinegar) may contain substances that could damage the machine or leave residues", and says to use only original JURA descaling tablets.

How often does a Jura need descaling?

Only when it asks. The machine calculates it from your water hardness setting and use. With a CLEARYL Smart filter in the tank, it doesn't ask for descaling at all.

How long does Jura descaling take?

About 40 minutes on the E6, E8 and GIGA 6, and about 45 minutes on the S8, Z6 and Z10. You'll empty the drip tray and refill the tank part-way through.

Do I remove the CLEARYL filter before descaling?

With a filter fitted, the machine doesn't prompt for descaling. Take the filter out when you descale the water tank itself, and put it back afterward.

What if I turn the machine off during descaling?

Avoid it. JURA says an interrupted descale "may" damage the machine, and that if the operation stops unexpectedly, you should rinse the water tank thoroughly.

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Related Jura Guides

• Jura Troubleshooting Guide: every display message
• Jura Maintenance and Cleaning: cleaning, filters and the milk system
• Jura E8 Problems: the E8's messages
• Descaling Tablets vs Vinegar vs Citric Acid: what each brand allows

Sources: JURA Instructions for Use for the E6 (NAC), E8 (NAC), S8, Z6, Z10 (NAA) and GIGA 6 (US).