How to descale Nespresso Pixie coffee machine?
Are you a coffee lover who owns a Nespresso Pixie? If so, you may have noticed a decreased quality of your coffee lately. This could be due to a limescale build-up in the machine’s pipes.
Don’t worry – this is a common issue that can be easily resolved with a descaling process. In this blog post, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of descaling your Nespresso Pixie, which only takes 20 minutes.
By doing this twice a year, you can prevent limescale build-up and prolong the life of your machine. Keep reading to find out how to proceed.
Descaling steps for Nespresso Pixie coffee machine
We are going to explain how to descale your Nespresso Pixie in 3 steps. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1. Prepare for descaling
- Step 2. Perform descaling
- Step 3. Rinse the machine
Material Needed:
- 1 liter container
- Nespresso descaler or universal descaler
How often to descale the Nespresso Pixie?
We recommend that you descale your Nespresso machine every 6 months. The device does not inform you about this automatically, you have to think about it yourself. You can use a universal descaler or the Nespresso descaler.
However, the frequency of descaling a coffee machine depends upon how much it is used. Here is a table for your better understanding:
| Number of Coffees Per Day | Recommended Descaling Frequency |
| 1-2 | Every 6 Months |
| 3-4 | Every 4 Months |
| 5-8 | Every 3 Months |
| 8-10 | Every Month |
How to descale a Nespresso Pixie Machine
Step 1: Prepare the descaling
- Locate the power button on the machine and turn it on.
- Pull up the lever to access the used coffee capsule and let it fall into the collection container.
- Remove the drip tray and collection container, making sure to empty the drip tray into the sink and the collection container as well.
- Place the cleaned drip tray and collection container back into the machine.
- Lift the drip tray again and position a collection container with a minimum capacity of 1 liter under the coffee spout.
- Fill the water tank with 500 milliliters of water and add the Nespresso descaler to the tank.
Step 2: Start descaling
- To descale your Nespresso machine, you’ll need to activate the descaling cycle first.
- Press and hold both buttons for 5 seconds and wait until they start flashing.
- The buttons will start flashing rapidly, one after the other.
- Press the “lungo” button to start the descaling process.
- The machine will begin to circulate the descaler.
- Once the descaling cycle is complete, fill the water tank with the descaler solution that was used to rinse the machine.
- Place an empty collection container back under the coffee spout.
- Press the “lungo” button again to give the machine a final rinse with the descaler solution.
Step 3: Rinse the machine
- First, remove the water tank from your Nespresso machine and rinse it thoroughly.
- Fill the tank with fresh drinking water and place it back in the machine.
- Empty the collection container and put it back under the coffee spout.
- Press the “lungo” button to rinse the machine with water.
- Once the machine has finished rinsing, remove the collection container and empty its contents into the sink.
- Take out the drip tray and capsule collection container from the machine and empty them into the sink as well.
- Put the drip tray and capsule collection container back into the machine.
- Finally, press and hold both the “espresso” and “lungo” buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds to exit the menu.
Your Nespresso Pixie has been successfully descaled.
Final Words: How to descale Nespresso Pixie machine
To sum up, descaling your Nespresso Pixie Espresso machine is crucial for keeping your coffee machine in top condition and ensuring that your coffee tastes its best.
Always be sure to use the Nespresso descaling solution and avoid using other agents that may damage your machine.
With regular descaling, you can continue to enjoy the rich and flavorful coffee your Pixie Espresso machine can produce, while also prolonging its lifespan.
If you own Essenza mini, you can descale following this guide.
Can you use vinegar instead of a descaling solution?
While cleaning your Nespresso machine with vinegar may seem like a good idea, it can cause damage to your machine. Vinegar can peel off scale buildup in flakes that can clog your machine and cause irreparable damage. It’s best to stick with a commercial descaling product to ensure the longevity of your machine.
What is descaling solution made of?
Descaling solution is typically an acidic chemical that can dissolve mineral salts such as oxides and carbonates. The most common descaling agents include acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. While all of these chemicals are food-safe, citric and acetic acid can leave a noticeable taste in your machine. Lactic acid is usually preferred to avoid this issue.
Can you make your own descaling solution?
You can make your own descaling solution using vinegar or citric acid, but it’s recommended to use a commercial descaling product in a concentration that won’t damage your machine.
Can I use any descaler in my Nespresso Pixie?
Yes, you can use any brand of descaler in your Nespresso Pixie.
What happens if you don’t descale your coffee machine?
Without descaling, scale can build up inside the pipes and restrict water flow. In the thermoblock, this can prevent water from reaching the optimal brewing temperature and lead to weak coffee flavor. Severe buildup can even completely clog the water flow and cause the machine to stop working.
Is descaling solution toxic?
Nespresso’s descaling solution is non-toxic and eco-friendly, made from lactic acid which is food-safe in moderate doses. However, other descaling solutions may use caustic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide which are highly toxic. Always check the label to ensure your descaling solution is safe to use.
Can you descale with baking soda?
We don’t recommend using baking soda to descale your Nespresso machine as it can be abrasive and damage the machine.
How often should I descale my Nespresso machine?
We recommend descaling your Nespresso machine every 3 months to ensure optimal performance.
How do I know if my Nespresso machine needs descaling?
If you notice a decrease in the volume of coffee being produced or a change in taste, it may be time to descale your machine.
Can I use tap water to descale my Nespresso machine?
Yes, tap water can be used to descale your Nespresso machine.
How long does the descaling process take?
The descaling process can take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I use a different descaling solution than the one recommended by Nespresso?
We recommend using only Nespresso-approved descaling solutions to ensure the longevity of your machine.
Can I use descaling solution on other parts of my Nespresso machine?
No, descaling solution should only be used to descale the water tank and the internal parts of the machine that come into contact with water.
Is descaling my Nespresso machine difficult?
No, descaling your Nespresso machine is a simple process that can be completed in a few easy steps.
Can I descale my Nespresso machine manually?
Yes, you can descale your Nespresso machine manually using a descaling solution and following the instructions provided by Nespresso.
How do I dispose of the used descaling solution?
You should dispose of the used descaling solution according to your local regulations. In most cases, it can be safely poured down the drain.
Can descaling my Nespresso machine improve the taste of my coffee?
Yes, descaling your Nespresso machine can improve the taste of your coffee by removing any built-up mineral deposits that may affect the flavor.
