<p>Technically you can use whatever you want to descale a machine. </p>

<p>Keep in mind the manufacturer recommends using certain things for a reason. It could be the material inside the machine are sensitive to certain thing, or how much of the descaling solution is left behind. </p>

<p>You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Breville for instance recommends using white vinegar (acetic acid) and water at a 50/50 mix for descaling.</p>

<p>If you do not want follow the manufacturers instruction, I would use white vinegar at a 50/50 mix. This method has been used for ages to descale coffee machines. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-24T18:16:33.557Z
I wouldn't recommend heated vinegar with aluminium, it [may corrode](http://www.electrochemsci.org/papers/vol9/91005496.pdf). Breville probably recommends it in combination with stainless steel boilers.
JJJ
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-25T15:57:08.360Z
de-scaling is an occasional and quick event.  the 50/50 this in this answer works and exposure to the acid after rinsing is 0
lbf
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-23T14:48:40.097Z
2019-04-23T14:48:40.097Z
SaggingRufus
<p>I was given a very special Krups coffee machine that grinds and makes the coffee, for a big birthday. Can I use citric acid rather than extremely expensive Krups descaling powder?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-27T21:53:31.147Z
Related: https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/3756/what-can-i-use-to-clean-my-machine-as-a-substitute-for-original-cleaners
Stephie
<cleaning>
Ignoring Krups instructions re descaling
Steph J
# Ignoring Krups instructions re descaling

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-26)

I was given a very special Krups coffee machine that grinds and makes the coffee, for a big birthday. Can I use citric acid rather than extremely expensive Krups descaling powder?

**Tags:** cleaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related: https://coffee.stackexchange.com/questions/3756/what-can-i-use-to-clean-my-machine-as-a-substitute-for-original-cleaners  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-04-23. Score: 2

Technically you can use whatever you want to descale a machine.

Keep in mind the manufacturer recommends using certain things for a reason. It could be the material inside the machine are sensitive to certain thing, or how much of the descaling solution is left behind.

You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Breville for instance recommends using white vinegar (acetic acid) and water at a 50/50 mix for descaling.

If you do not want follow the manufacturers instruction, I would use white vinegar at a 50/50 mix. This method has been used for ages to descale coffee machines.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I wouldn't recommend heated vinegar with aluminium, it [may corrode](http://www.electrochemsci.org/papers/vol9/91005496.pdf). Breville probably recommends it in combination with stainless steel boilers.  
> **username_4**: de-scaling is an occasional and quick event.  the 50/50 this in this answer works and exposure to the acid after rinsing is 0  

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