Troubleshooting and maintenance for your bean-to-cup coffee machine

Automatic coffee machines are true allies for coffee lovers. However, regular, appropriate maintenance is essential to keep them running smoothly. Like all water-using appliances, they are particularly sensitive to scale and residues. It is therefore essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to guarantee both the quality of your beverages and the longevity of your machine. Proper maintenance, coupled with a few preventive gestures, will enable you to avoid common breakdowns and enjoy perfect coffee, day after day.

Optimize the use and maintenance of your automatic espresso machine for perfect coffee:

How do I set up my automatic espresso machine?

Setting up your machine properly is essential! Optimizing your machine’s settings is the first step towards quality coffee and longer machine life:

• Water hardness: First and foremost, you need to know the hardness of your tap water. This will help you maintain your coffeemaker, as well as appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, steam generators, etc.
• Grind: adjust the fineness of grind to suit the type of coffee you use. Improper grinding can lead to over- or under-extraction.
• Water quantity: By modulating the extraction time, you can modulate the quantity of water in your cup. Pay attention to the balance between fineness of grind and extraction time.

Regular maintenance of the bean-to-cup coffee machine :

A well-maintained coffee machine not only makes better coffee, but also ensures longer machine life and impeccable hygiene. Here are some basic tips for moderate use of your machine.

• Clean removable components regularly. (coffee grounds container, overflow bin, reservoir…)
• Descaling: Follow the periodicity recommended by the machine (operating instructions or indicator light), and carry out a complete descaling using products adapted to your machine.
• Every month, give the coffee group a good cleaning to remove residues and dry oils. Also check the condition of the drain nozzles and clean them if necessary.
• Annually, if you think you’ve got the skills, dismantling the covers and giving them a good blowing is beneficial.

How to make your coffee machine last as long as possible:

In addition to maintenance, a few simple gestures are all you need to push the lifespan to its maximum.

• Placement: Avoid placing in damp areas or in direct sunlight.
• Filtered water: Prefer filtered water to reduce scale build-up. Plus, there’s a good chance it will improve the taste of your drink. You can also choose to install a filter directly in the tank.
• Emptying: Empty the drip tray regularly to prevent mildew.
• Avoid over-pressurization: the finer the grind, the higher the pressure of the pump to force the water through.

How do you descale your coffee machine?

Descaling is a crucial step in prolonging the life of your machine and ensuring optimal taste in every cup. Over time, limescale builds up, especially if you use tap water. Here are the steps to properly descale your coffee machine

Preparation

• Empty the reservoir.
• Make sure the device is switched off and unplugged.

Choose a descaler

• Opt for descalers specifically designed for coffee machines. Avoid aggressive products that could damage your machine or alter the taste.
• You can also use a homemade solution, such as a mixture of water and white vinegar (but always check whether your machine allows this). Although economical and ecological, the risk with this homemade solution lies in the dosage. Too much vinegar and you’ll damage the machine’s internal components. Not enough vinegar and your descaling will be ineffective!

Processus

• Fill the tank with the solution.
• Switch on the machine and run a cycle without using coffee. Allow the solution to flow completely through the machine.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

Rinse

• Once the process is complete, empty the reservoir.
• Fill it with fresh, clean water.
• Run several cycles with clear water to remove any residual descaling solution.

Drying and reassembly

• Wipe all external parts of the machine with a soft cloth.
• Make sure all parts are securely in place.

Frequency

• Depending on water hardness and frequency of use, descaling should be carried out every 1 to 3 months.

Tip: Using filtered water can reduce limescale build-up.

How to use your coffee machine responsibly :

Responsible machine use encompasses environmental, economic and maintenance aspects.

Machine selection :

The manufacture of a coffee machine takes a heavy toll on the environment. Resource extraction, manufacturing, transport, energy… Our consumption is not neutral, and if we’re going to buy a machine, we might as well keep it running as long as possible. Among other things, this ensures rational use of resources.

Choose machines with low energy consumption, and remember to set the deep sleep setting as low as possible. There’s no need for the machine to keep the water hot between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. if you’re away, for example.

If you’re going to be away for a long time, switch on the mains switch or unplug the mains plug.

A selection of automatic coffee machines has been awarded the LONGTIME® label, confirming their reliability, robustness and reparability.

Equip yourself according to your needs:

You drink one coffee a week…maybe you don’t need an oversized, electronic machine. What’s more, coffee machines need a minimum amount of use to avoid scaling.

The choice of coffee

As you may have noticed, coffee doesn’t grow in France – at least not yet!

Coffee has a significant environmental impact, and we encourage you not to waste it and to moderate your consumption.

Make sure you choose ethical and, if possible, organic grains.

Extending product life

Is your product broken? You can’t get rid of it that easily!

Head for the distributor’s After Sale Service , your local repair shop, theRepair Cafénear you! There are many ways to go, and many solutions, before declaring the machine end-of-life.

And good news: coffee machines are eligible for the French government’s €25 repair bonus! This can potentially cover the cost of spare parts.

Troubleshooting and resolving common problems :

Coffee machines, like all household appliances, can sometimes experience problems. But before you do anything, make sure you have the necessary skills and know the safety instructions, so you don’t do worse than you did better. Here’s how to solve the most common problems:

What to do if your coffee machine trips?

• Check the electrical installation: make sure the wall socket works properly and is not overloaded.
• Look for a potential leak responsible for this phenomenon
• Find out if a particular phase is blowing your circuit breaker. If this happens while the water is heating, the resistor may be out of order.
• Consult the manual: the device may require calibration or adjustment.

What to do when your coffee machine leaks?

• First of all, beware of electrical hazards and turn off the power supply.
• Try to locate the leak as precisely as possible.
• Check gaskets: worn or badly placed gaskets can cause leaks.
• If you have the skills, try to check whether a hose is punctured or simply loose.
• Check the manual: make sure you’ve assembled the machine correctly after cleaning.

What to do when your coffee machine switches itself off?

• Power save mode: The device may have a power save mode that switches it off after a certain period of inactivity.
• Technical problem: If the problem persists, consult customer service or a qualified technician.

What to do when your coffee water is cold?

• Calibration: Some models allow temperature adjustment. See manual for instructions.
• There’s a good chance that the heating system is to blame. Ideally, the part should be dismantled and the voltages and ohmic values checked.

How do you remove your coffee group if you need to?

• Consult the manual: Most appliances have specific instructions for removing the coffee group.
• Above all, don’t use force: If the coffee group seems to be stuck, don’t force it. This could cause serious damage.

What should you do when the controls on your coffee machine stop responding?

• Reset: try unplugging the device and plugging it back in after a few minutes. Check whether there is a reset procedure specific to your product.
• Check that all removable parts are in the right place. A position sensor that is not engaged is enough to put the machine in a safe position.
• Consult customer service: if the problem persists, try to isolate whether it’s a specific function or key, or whether it could be a global electronic fault.

What to do if your coffee tastes bad?

• Cleaning: regular maintenance is essential to avoid the build-up of limescale and other coffee residues which, in the medium term, can seriously impair taste.
• Water quality: Filtered water can considerably improve the taste of coffee.
• Freshness and storage: make sure your coffee beans are fresh and stored correctly.

Check your settings and return to the original configuration if necessary.

Need more detailed repair advice?

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In conclusion, proper maintenance and set-up of your coffee machine is essential to guarantee optimum performance and prolong its life. Whether it’s to solve common problems or to optimize your settings, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and observe safety instructions. In case of doubt or persistent problems, don’t hesitate to call in a qualified technician. Take good care of your machine, and it will continue to offer you tasty coffee day after day! ☕