Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Timothy Byron Smith

Your Nespresso Pixie is a dependable coffee companion, ensuring a great cup whenever you want it. To maintain its performance, regular cleaning is crucial. If you detect any taste or performance issues, it’s likely time to descale your Nespresso Pixie, a simple 20-minute maintenance process.

In this article, we’ll walk you through effective descaling steps to keep your Pixie in prime condition for the ultimate brewing experience.

Table of Contents

Why is Descaling Important?

Descaling is vital because it removes mineral buildup in your Nespresso Pixie machine, preserving the taste and quality of your coffee while ensuring efficient operation and extending the machine’s lifespan. This is particularly crucial for those in areas with hard water, as high mineral content can lead to quicker buildup, affecting coffee quality. In the US, 85% of regions have hard water (Water Quality Association), making it essential to assess your water’s hardness with a test kit if unsure.

How Often Should You Descale Your Nespresso Pixie Machine?

Nespresso recommends descaling your machine every three months or after every 300 uses.

If your area has hard water, you may need to descale your machine every two months. You can also know if your machine needs descaling if you notice any of the following:

Your coffee has a bitter taste
Your coffee has a weaker taste than usual
Your machine makes more noise than usual
The flow of water is slower than usual

What You Will Need

To descale your Nespresso Pixie machine, you will need the following:

Nespresso descaling kit

Container that can hold at least 1 liter of water
Fresh, cold water

You can purchase the Nespresso descaling kit from Amazon or at your nearest Nespresso boutiques.

Descaling Your Nespresso Pixie In Just 4 Steps

Follow these simple steps to effectively descale your Nespresso Pixie and ensure it continues to make delicious coffee:

descale-Nespresso-pixie-with-Nespresso-descaling-solution — Source: Nespresso

1. Preparing Your Pixie

Lift the bar and check if there are any capsules inserted in the machine. If present, empty the Nespresso machine.
Take out the empty capsule container and drain the drip tray.

Position a cup or container beneath the dispenser to catch the liquid during the descaling process. Make sure it can hold at least 1 liter of liquid.
Fill the water tank with 500ml of clean water and mix in the Nespresso descaling solution.
Turn on your Pixie by pressing the small cup button and allow it to heat up.

2. Starting the Descaling Process

This step will take approximately 10 minutes.

Activate the descaling mode on your Nespresso Pixie by Pressing and holding both the large and small cup buttons for 3 seconds to enter descaling mode.
Both the bottoms will light up and start flashing rapidly, indicating that you are in descaling mode.

Once the lights stop, press the large cup button to initiate the descaling process.
The water tank will start to drain and water will flow through the machine, and dispense into the empty cup or container you placed underneath.
Once the solution is completely drained, put the used solution in the water tank and again press the large cup button to repeat the process again.

3. Rinsing Your Nespresso Pixie

After completing the descaling process, empty and rinse the water tank thoroughly to remove any traces of the descaling solution.
Refill the water tank with fresh water to the top and put the container beneath the dispenser.

Restart the descaling cycle for a third and final time, by pressing the large cup button allowing the machine to empty the tank completely.
Discard the water from the cup or container.

4. Exiting Descaling Mode

Press and hold both the two buttons simultaneously for three seconds to deactivate the descaling mode.
Congratulations! Your Nespresso Pixie has been descaled and is ready to produce exceptional coffee once again.

How To Descale Nespresso Pixie

Frequently AskedQuestions

How do I descale my Nespresso Pixie with vinegar?

To descale your Nespresso Pixie with vinegar, create a descaling solution by mixing one part white distilled vinegar with two parts water. Fill the coffee maker’s reservoir with the solution and turn it on, as if making coffee. Let the cycle run through the machine, which may take several minutes. After the cycle is complete, let the solution sit in the pot for about 15 minutes before pouring it out. This process will help to remove mineral buildup and improve the taste and quality of your coffee.

Can I descale Nespresso without a solution?

Yes, you can descale your Nespresso machine without a descaling solution. To do this, begin by emptying and cleaning the water tank thoroughly. Refill the water tank with fresh water, then replace it and run a cycle with just water. Press the button to start the cycle, and the machine will run through a cycle of clean water. Once the cycle is complete, the machine will stop, and you can proceed to use it as usual.

Can I use lemon juice to descale my Nespresso machine?

Yes, you can use lemon juice to descale your Nespresso machine. To use lemon juice for descaling, mix equal parts water and lemon juice, fill the water tank with the solution, and run a cycle. After the cycle is complete, run a cycle with clean water to rinse the machine thoroughly.

Conclusion

Descaling your Nespresso Pixie machine is a simple and necessary process to ensure that your machine continues to function properly and produce great-tasting coffee.

Following these steps will help you maintain your machine’s optimal performance and extend its lifespan. Remember to descale your machine every three months, or more frequently if you have hard water.

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