How to descale a De'Longhi Dedica, step by step

The short answer

1. When: when the orange light on the steam button flashes.
2. With what: De’Longhi descaler, diluted with water up to the MAX level.
3. How long: about 25 minutes, then two rinses.
4. Before you start: the filter holder is not attached, and a 1 litre container stands under the spouts.

Everything here comes from De’Longhi’s manual (De’Longhi, instructions for use EC685, EC695 and EC785). We have not descaled this machine ourselves. The model’s figures are in the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 profile.

Descaling the Dedica: the steps

1. Take the filter holder off. Place a container with a capacity of 1 litre under the hot water and steam dispenser and under the boiler outlet.
2. Fill the tank: pour in the descaler and add water up to the MAX level.
3. Press and hold the steam button for 10 seconds, until the three buttons flash in sequence.
4. Turn the steam dial to the steam and hot water position.
5. Press the steam button: the programme starts. The solution comes out of the hot water and steam dispenser, with pauses, until the tank is empty.
6. Close the steam dial from time to time. A little solution then runs through the coffee spouts, so that circuit is descaled too.
7. Rinse: empty the container and put it back. Take out the tank, rinse it, fill it with fresh water and refit it. With the steam dial open, press the steam button.
8. Rinse a second time in the same way. If a water filter was in the tank before, put it back for this rinse.
9. Finish: when the tank is empty, the orange light goes off. Close the steam dial and fill the tank with fresh water.

The orange light keeps flashing throughout, to show the cycle is still under way.

If the cycle is interrupted

If the cycle is not correctly completed, for instance after a power failure, De’Longhi recommends repeating it. For some versions (the manual calls them “EX4”), two further points apply: a descaling cycle started by mistake can be stopped by holding the steam button for at least 10 seconds, and after a power failure the appliance stays in descaling mode until the cycle has ended.

Which descaler

The manual says to use De’Longhi descaler only. Using an unsuitable descaler, or descaling incorrectly, may result in faults not covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee.

De’Longhi sells its descaler as Decalk Care (reference DLSC500, 500 ml). According to the product page it is recommended for all De’Longhi coffee makers, and 100 ml goes into the water tank. On other De’Longhi country sites the same reference is called EcoDecalk (Decalk Care).

See the descaler on Amazon*

Setting the water hardness

The Dedica asks for descaling according to the water hardness level you have stored. The settings menu has three levels according to the manual: low, medium and high. De’Longhi recommends setting the hardness as soon as possible, and a strip for checking water hardness is among the accessories. The water hardness guide shows where to find your figure in the UK.

A water softener filter is available as an accessory according to the manual; it is not supplied with the machine.

Cleaning: filters, spouts, tank and frother

For the whole machine, the manual says that none of the components or accessories is dishwasher safe. Solvents, abrasive detergents and alcohol are ruled out, as are metal objects for scraping off deposits. A soft damp cloth is enough.

• Coffee filters: rinse under running water after each use. At least once a month, pull out the perforated filter, rinse it and check that the holes are clear; clean them with a pin if necessary.
• Coffee spouts: after every 200 coffees, run about 0.5 litres of water through the spouts, without ground coffee.
• Water tank: clean it about once a month with a damp cloth and a little mild washing-up liquid.
• Drip tray: empty and clean it before the red level indicator starts to protrude from the cup tray.
• Frother: clean it after each use. Release steam for a few seconds, switch the appliance off, let the frother cool, take it off and check that the holes are clear.
• Filter holder: clean it regularly.
• After more than a week without use: run a rinse cycle as for first use.

The schedule at a glance

When	What
After each coffee	Rinse the filter under running water
After each use of the frother	Clean the frother
Before the red indicator protrudes	Empty and clean the drip tray
Once a month	Clean the filters thoroughly, clean the water tank
Every 200 coffees	Run about 0.5 litres of water through the coffee spouts
When the orange light flashes	Descale, about 25 minutes

What this page does not replace

It summarises the manual and does not replace it: the figures for each step are in the instructions for your machine. The page follows the manual for the EC685, EC695 and EC785; the Dedica Duo EC890 has its own.

How the Dedica’s footprint compares with other machines is shown on the small espresso machine page. For a De’Longhi bean-to-cup machine, see how to descale a De’Longhi Magnifica S; for the general principles, how to descale a coffee machine.