How To Descale a Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine

[@FoghornLeghorn-I-Say]

Super helpful - thanks gents!

[@CL-io6wg]

The manual on page 34 starting 33 under boiler descaling cycle doesn't make it clear to move the wand over off the Craft for the descalation process. At this point I got stuck, nothing was running after I pressed okay. Went to this video and found that the wand on the Caraft must be moved over to the side. Makes sense. Thank you so much for this video absolute perfection ❤

[@alexnaumov4854]

Thanks for these instructional videos.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Alex, You are welcome and thank you for the comment! Marc

[@ple52]

Love these instructions, however, please notate that you have to remove the water filter before you start. Thanks!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi ple52, Thanks for adding that! Most definitely need to remove water filter prior to descaling!

[@hkwaik7332]

Whole Latte Love I didn’t read the comments before I started and I have already completed descaling without removing the water filter.. what will go wrong now?!

[@mike.thibault]

LOVE your videos!!! I have a filter on my faucet (3M Water Filtration ESP124-T) which is designed to filter out particles specifically for espresso machines. Is the Gaggia filter in the water reseviour still recommended or not needed when sourcing water through the 3M filter?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi mike, Thanks for the question. I looked up the filter looks like it uses activated carbon for chlorination removal as well as sodium based water softening to prevent scale. If using that filter there's no need to use the in-reservoir Gaggia filter. You should test the water from the filter so you can enter the hardness into the machines settings so you will be properly alerted to descale the machine when needed. Your softened water will likely extend the time period between descalings the same way the Gaggia filter would. Hope that helps!

[@mike.thibault]

@@Wholelattelovepage THANKS! More evidence of how awesome you guys are!!! Which is the reason I purchased the Academia from you! That is exactly how I ran my hardness test. **** I HIGHLY recommend anyone purchase through Wholelattelove when they purchase their next espresso machine ****

[@johnpaul-mp7zc]

Hi Guys its always a pleasure to listen to both of you. One quick question, during the descaling process of step one getting the descaled in the machine, I didn't see the fluid flushing through the coffee spouts, i only saw it running through the milk carafe spout and the water/steamer spout. So it does or doesn't run through the coffee spout in the cleaning descaling first step? Also i didn't see the half filled milk carafe drawling water from it container. was it suppose to? thanks john

[@trailcarver3018]

Nice video but it omitted one big step, as detailed on p33 of the user manual. Turn the SBS dial left (counterclockwise) all the way. Manual doesn't explain the reason, which is probably why you forgot.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi PK, Thanks for adding that! Turning the dial full counterclockwise causes the least restriction in the brew circuit.

[@Propelled]

Tips: Place the machine next to the sink, tilt the frother/steamer into sink to let that flow not go into your catch container. We use water that has been through our softener and 5 stage RO unit. Extends the need for descaling by a factor of 3 at least.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi P, Good tip! When I descale these machines I put next to the sink as well. I'll even make a "funnel" out of aluminum foil or similar to direct all the output from wand and coffee spouts into the sink. Marc

[@bryanboldt887]

Or if you have access to distilled water, same result though for most of us a PITA to go buy continually.

[@rrteach]

I am confused as to whether the carafe is full before you start and then add the descaler since the directions say to refill with the descaler.

[@Propelled]

I know it’s late but: 1: Pull the filter if you have one. 2: Pour the descaler in the water reservoir. 3. Top reservoir off with water.

[@bryanboldt887]

sounds like you are confused about where to add the descaler product. the carafe should contain only clean water. pour the descaler into the main water reservoir and add water to fill at least 3/4 level.

[@damondrion78]

Hi Mark, Tod hope you guys are well? I have a question? Can I use Urnex products exclusively to clean my Gaggia Academia? I don’t like the price of the gaggia products and I am sure there is an alternative and equally effective solution. If Urnex products are indeed suitable, which would you recommend for descaling, brew group and milk cleaning? Hope you can help and many thanks 😊

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi DD, We are well - thanks for asking and hope you are too! We always recommend using the descaler specified by the manufacturer. Like using the right oil in an auto engine it's relatively cheap insurance for an expensive machine. It comes in proper concentration for use in their machines and in the case of the Gaggia product it contains a corrosion inhibitor in addition to the acid used for descaling. But one can use other descalers. The Accademia has a stainless steel lined boiler Urnex says there Dezcal, Full Circle and Clean Cup descalers can be used in stainless boilers. Marc

[@Meetoon733]

Can you descale this without the milk frothing carafe? My used unit did not have one included.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Mitun, The machine requires the carafe attached for descaling.

[@Meetoon733]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks for getting back to me. Does WLL currently have the milk carafe for the Accademia in stock?

[@susank9627]

The descale notification won’t turn off after rescaling. How do I do it

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Susan, Thanks for the question. Are you sure it's not the change water filter icon you are seeing? I reached out to our tech support dept and they say people often confuse the 2. If you are sure it's the descale warning and you descaled it may not turn off if the descale cycle was interupted while in progress. If that's the case go through the motions of descaling without using any descaling solution. Be sure to let the cycle complete and the warning should go off. Marc

[@bryanboldt887]

if the descale notification does not reset after doing a complete cycle, there is a simple workaround that works on many Gaggia machines. Just change your water hardness setting to a different value, then back to your current value. Doing this step should reset the descale notification.

[@shaneclement3496]

Try running the ''Brew Group Cleaning Cycle''. That usually resets mine.