How and why should you maintain a high-quality coffee machine correctly?

A high-quality coffee machine is an important everyday companion for many people. It makes delicious coffee quickly and effortlessly, but like all complex machines, a coffee machine also needs regular maintenance to ensure it works properly for a long time. In this article, we explain why, when, and how you should maintain your coffee machine and what that means in practice.

Why is coffee machine maintenance important?

Regular maintenance of your coffee machine keeps it in good working order and extends its service life. Just like a car, which requires regular maintenance to run safely and reliably. Without regular maintenance, worn parts can impair the performance of the machine, which in the long run can lead to more expensive repairs or the purchase of a new machine.

The maintenance and cleaning instructions provided by coffee machine manufacturers emphasize the importance of regular maintenance. For example, De'Longhi's instructions recommend minor maintenance after each use.

In general, servicing a faulty coffee machine is cheaper than buying a new one. In addition, servicing your machine instead of buying a new one is an ecological choice that allows you to reduce your carbon footprint and support Finnish work.

What does coffee machine maintenance actually mean?

Basic maintenance measures can be divided into three levels:

1. Cleaning by the user - cleaning liquid and coffee residues and washing removable parts
2. Descaling - regular descaling depending on water hardness
3. Professional maintenance - more thorough cleaning, inspection and replacement of worn parts

Coffee machine manufacturers such as Braun and Kenwood emphasize the importance of regular cleaning and descaling in extending the service life of the machine.

How often should a coffee machine be serviced?

The general recommendation for coffee machine servicing is approximately every 2-3 years or whenever there are problems with the machine's operation. The service interval varies depending on the amount of use and water quality - for example, in hard or calcareous water, the machine should be serviced more frequently.

General recommendations for maintenance intervals:

• with infrequent home use: every 3 years
• with regular home use: every 2 years
• if problems arise with the machine: immediately

Over time, limescale and coffee residues can have a negative effect on the operation of the machine, which is one of the most common reasons for servicing.