How to descale a De'Longhi Magnifica S, step by step

The short answer

1. When: when the descale light flashes on the control panel.
2. With what: De’Longhi descaler up to level A, then water up to level B.
3. How long: about 45 minutes, rinsing included.
4. Do not cut it short: if the cycle is not completed correctly, for instance after a power cut, the manual recommends repeating it.

Everything here comes from De’Longhi’s manual (ECAM11.1XX - 12.1XX - 20.1XX - 21.1XX - 22.1XX Bean to cup espresso and cappuccino machine, Instructions for Use). We have not descaled this machine ourselves. The model in our database is the ECAM 22.110.B; its figures are in the De’Longhi Magnifica S profile.

Descaling the Magnifica S: the steps

1. Take the water filter out of the tank, if one is fitted.
2. Pour descaler into the empty tank up to level A, then add water up to level B.
3. Place a container of at least two litres under the spouts. On the Magnifica S the solution comes out of the coffee spouts and the milk frother.
4. Let the programme run. The descaling phase stops after about 25 minutes and the machine asks for fresh water.
5. Rinse: empty the container, rinse the tank, refill it with fresh water to the MAX mark and run the rinse. The machine asks for two rinses, and for a third if the tank was not filled to MAX.
6. Put the filter back, if you removed one.

The button that starts the programme is described in your own manual.

Which descaler

De’Longhi’s manual says to use De’Longhi descaler only, and that faults arising from an unsuitable descaler or from descaling incorrectly are not covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee. Why vinegar is a poor idea is covered in the general guide on how to descale a coffee machine.

De’Longhi sells its descaler as Decalk Care (reference DLSC500, 500 ml). According to the product page, 100 ml goes into the water tank, so one bottle covers five descaling cycles. On other De’Longhi country sites the same reference is called EcoDecalk (Decalk Care).

See the descaler on Amazon*

Making the alert come at the right time

The alert is only as good as the water hardness level stored in the machine. Set too soft, the alert comes too late; set too hard, you descale more often than you need to. The water hardness guide shows where to find your figure in the UK.

De’Longhi’s water filter (reference DLSC002) is, according to its product page, ideal for all De’Longhi automatic coffee makers and can be used for up to 2 months (Coffee Machine Water Filter).

See the water filter on Amazon*

Cleaning: water only for the brewing unit

Descaling deals with limescale. Coffee residue in the brewing unit is a separate job, and De’Longhi takes its own line: according to its manuals, no chemical products are required for cleaning its bean-to-cup machines.

• Brewing unit: clean it at least once a month, and only take it out with the machine switched off. Soak it in water for about five minutes, then rinse it under the tap. The manual says washing-up liquid could damage it.
• Dishwasher: the manual says none of the machine’s components can be washed in one.
• Milk frother: clean it after every use, so that milk residue does not build up and block the openings.
• Drip tray and grounds container: when you take out the drip tray, empty the grounds container too, even if it is nearly empty.
• What not to use: the manual rules out solvents, abrasive detergents and alcohol for the machine as a whole.

The schedule at a glance

When	What
After every use of the frother	Clean the frother
When the machine asks	Empty the grounds container and the drip tray
Once a month	Rinse the brewing unit with water, machine off
When the descale light flashes	Descale, about 45 minutes

How other brands handle the same chores is set out in the bean-to-cup cleaning guide.

What this page does not replace

It summarises the manual and does not replace it: the exact buttons and lights are described in the instructions for your machine. Other models in the range follow a similar sequence with different timings: the Magnifica Evo is covered in the general guide on how to descale a coffee machine. The three Magnifica models are compared on the De’Longhi coffee machine page.