Descaling the De’Longhi La Specialista: explained

If you keep your espresso machine free from limescale, it lasts longer and your coffee tastes better. This also applies to your De’Longhi La Specialista.

Below, we explain how descaling your De’Longhi La Specialista works.

Descaling your De’Longhi La Specialista: step by step

When the descale light turns on on your De’Longhi La Specialista, you know it is time for a descaling cycle. This is the light at the bottom left of your display.

Here is how to do it step by step.

Remove the water filter from your water tank and throw it away.
Empty the drip tray and the water tank of your La Specialista.
Mix one sachet of espresso machine descaler with 1 litre of water in your water tank.
Place a container under the brew group and steam wand. Ideally, it should hold at least 2 litres.
Turn the knob on the La Specialista to the descale symbol. This is the same symbol as the light that is on.
Press the OK button to start the descaling programme. This takes a few minutes.
The OK light will now turn white and the descale light will flash. This means you need to flush the machine once more.
Empty the water tank and rinse it thoroughly. Also empty the container you used to collect the water.
Fill the water tank up to the MAX line and place the container back.
Press OK again to start flushing.
Empty the container, drip tray and water tank. Refill the water tank to MAX and put the drip tray back.
Turn the knob back to espresso. You will see that the descale light turns off.
Install a new water filter as you normally would.
Done! You can enjoy clean-tasting espresso again with your descaled De’Longhi La Specialista.

How often should you descale your De’Longhi La Specialista?

You should descale your De’Longhi La Specialista at least once every three months. In some cases, it is better to do this more often.

This depends on how intensively you use your machine, and:

how hard your water is
how often you use your machine for tea

We always recommend descaling your machine when you replace your water filter. This is handy because you need to remove the filter from the water tank during descaling anyway. It also helps you remember both tasks more easily.

Why a water filter matters for your La Specialista

With a good water filter, you help keep your machine free from limescale. This helps it last longer and keeps the taste of your espresso protected.

In your De’Longhi La Specialista, you can use our De’Longhi water filter alternative. It works in the same way as the standard De’Longhi DLSC002 water filter cartridge. Only your wallet will notice the difference. 😉

Cleaning the brew group of your De’Longhi La Specialista

Besides the descaling cycle, the De’Longhi La Specialista also has a cleaning programme. Also useful to know how that works.

When the orange cleaning light on your display turns on, you know it is time. But we recommend running this programme weekly with just water.

Once every three months, we recommend using some brew group cleaner.

Here is how to clean the brew group of your De’Longhi La Specialista:

Place the single basket in your portafilter with the black cleaning disc inside.
Place the portafilter back into your machine.
Press and hold the hot water button.
The cleaning light will start flashing: the cleaning programme has started.
If you used cleaning detergent: rinse your portafilter and let some water run through the brew group. This flushes out any cleaning detergent residue from your machine.
You are done!