The pre-ground coffee area needs regular attention and requires routine maintenance if you own a De’Longhi Magnifica to keep it functioning good. Over time, coffee grounds collects in funnel which impacts both machine performance and flavor.
To ensure it’s operating well, simply empty out any build-up of residue. It’s easy enough, just exercise caution that you don’t damage any inner working.
Cleaning the Infuser
To begin with, open up the top compartment of the machine. If you’re not used to it, there is no obvious entry ways, until you see that shiny surface has a hinged lid. Open it and you’ll reveal the funnel inside. Expect to find some dust in there. That’s normal.
To prevent debris from accumulating on your machine, you’ll want to knock it off.
First, grab a soft brush to rub off the dried grounds stuck onto plastic walls. By rubbing it with a brush, you can removes some of those finer particles which may otherwise not be sucked away by vacuum cleaner alone.
Once brushed, go over area again with your vacuum cleaner hose and suck up any loosened grounds and dust. To reach the inner part of the funnel, insert the hose into its port. Everything get pulled out nicely, leaving the compartment clean. Getting rid of the stale buildup will help improved the performance of machine.
This is only half of the equation. Below that, and frequently missed on hasty cleanings, lies infuser. To do this right, remove the infuser.
Often there will be a thin film of coffee particles stuck to plastic component. This is important for even extraction and brewing pressure. Gently work off any excess residue without cracking the plastic. Now you can see what’s inside center of the brewer: the brewing group. Time to wash your infuser.
The care instructions for the infuser are printed right onto it. It says, in German, not to use any cleaning agents to clean the infuser and just to wash it with water.
Adhere strictly to those directions. Any soap residue or detergent can taint your next batch of coffee.
Just place it in the sink and rinse it thoroughy with running water. There’s nothing left but the grounds as far as chemicals go. You don’t need any cleaning agents; just use a simple water wash that rinses off the leftover grounds without leaving any chemical aftertaste. Follow those warnings closely.
Rinse it.
Pick up the infuser tool and hold it up to see if there’s anything left behind. You might notice some water droplets hanging on the black plastic surface; let it air dry fully before reinserting.
If you reinstall a damp part, you run the risk of problems down the road. It’s easy enough to do and doesn’t require any additional work. When it’s dry, the infuser look good as new. All that’s left now is to return it to machine to finish the cycle and it’ll be good to go.
It sounds simple, but it’s just a couple of minutes and will improve your coffee quality. If you don’t do this regularily, it causes off flavors and clogged pathways. Plan on doing it every few weeks.
A small effort leads to a big payoff. A clean machine runs better and maybe you’ll taste the difference right away with that first cup of coffee? The coffee will be cleaner and brighter.
Maintaining your De’Longhi Magnifica isn’t all about replacing broken down components, but also prevents things from breaking down. Keeping machine clean prolongs its life.
Preventing the big headaches by doing a little maintenance will keep you out off big repair mode. It’s preventative maintenance. Save yourself the hassles and expense down the road. If maintained correctly, the machine runs well.