How to Clean a De'Longhi Rivelia Start Milk System

The De'Longhi Rivelia Start uses a removable LatteCrema Hot milk carafe for automatic milk drinks. Keeping the milk system clean is important because milk residue can build up inside the milk intake tube, delivery spout and froth-control components even when the outside of the carafe looks clean. There are two different types of milk-system cleaning on the Rivelia Start: the CLEAN cycle should be carried out when requested after preparing milk drinks, and a full carafe clean involves dismantling the milk system so that the individual milk-contact components can be thoroughly washed.

Once you've finished preparing a milk drink, don't simply remove the LatteCrema carafe. The Rivelia Start indicates when the milk system needs its automatic cleaning cycle.

Keep the LatteCrema Hot carafe connected to the machine after preparing your milk drink. Make sure there is a suitable container beneath the milk outlet because hot water and steam can be released during cleaning.

When the CLEAN indicator appears, rotate the adjustment dial on the top of the milk carafe to the CLEAN position. The Rivelia Start then carries out the milk-system rinsing operation. Hot water and steam are used to rinse the internal milk-delivery route. Caution: the outlet can become hot and steam may be released. Keep your hands away from the milk spout while cleaning is taking place.

Let the machine complete the cleaning cycle. Don't disconnect the milk carafe while the cleaning operation is running. When cleaning has finished, return the milk adjustment dial from CLEAN to its normal position as indicated by the machine/carafe.

If there is still usable milk in the carafe, remove the carafe from the machine and return it to the refrigerator rather than leaving milk standing at room temperature. The CLEAN cycle rinses the milk-delivery circuit, but it does not replace dismantling and washing the carafe.

A deeper clean means taking the LatteCrema system apart so milk residue can be removed from areas that the automatic CLEAN cycle cannot fully clean. The official Rivelia Start guide shows the carafe being dismantled into its separate milk-contact components.

Disconnect the LatteCrema Hot carafe from the Rivelia Start. If milk remains inside, empty it or transfer it appropriately before dismantling the carafe. Never try to dismantle the milk lid while it is still connected to the machine.

Lift the complete milk-system lid from the carafe. This exposes the milk intake components underneath and allows the individual parts of the milk system to be removed. Don't just rinse the assembled lid under the tap. Milk can remain inside the smaller passages.

Pull the milk intake tube away from the underside of the lid. This tube reaches down into the milk inside the carafe and needs to be clear internally. Inspect the entire tube rather than checking only its ends. Dried milk inside the tube can reduce the amount of milk reaching the frothing system and may result in poor or inconsistent froth.

Remove the milk delivery/outlet components from the lid as illustrated in the Rivelia Start cleaning instructions. Check the opening carefully for dried milk. A partially restricted milk outlet can cause weak milk flow, irregular frothing, excessive splashing, and milk dispensing more slowly than normal. The outlet needs to be clear through its complete passage.

The Rivelia Start guide specifically shows the milk adjustment component being rotated to the INSERT position as part of dismantling. Rotate the control to the indicated INSERT position and remove the component from the lid. Don't force it out from another dial position. This is an important part of the deep clean because milk residue can collect around the adjustment mechanism and its internal passages.

Continue dismantling the milk lid as shown in the cleaning diagram. The objective is to expose the individual milk-contact passages rather than washing the complete assembly as one piece. Pay particular attention to the milk intake tube, which needs milk to travel freely through it; the milk outlet, which must be completely clear; the adjustment/dial assembly, where residue can affect frothing; and the carafe/lid connections, where dried milk around seals and mating surfaces can prevent correct assembly.

The Rivelia Start guide provides a dishwasher-cleaning route for the components shown as dishwasher suitable. Dismantle the milk system before putting the appropriate parts into the dishwasher. Don't put an assembled LatteCrema lid into the dishwasher and assume the internal passages will be cleaned effectively. Only dishwasher-clean the components identified for this route in the machine's cleaning instructions.

The Rivelia Start also gives a detailed manual-cleaning method. Use water at approximately 40–50°C. Immerse the dismantled components and allow them to soak for more than 30 minutes. This gives warm water time to soften milk deposits inside and around the smaller components. After soaking, thoroughly wash and rinse every component. Pay particular attention to holes, channels and tubes where milk can remain trapped.

Wash the actual milk container separately. The Rivelia Start cleaning illustrations show the container being rinsed/washed using 40–50°C water. Make sure there is no old milk residue around the upper rim where the lid seals against the container. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Before reassembly, inspect the individual components while they're still separated. Look through the milk intake tube and check that it is completely open. Inspect the milk outlet. Check the openings around the froth adjustment mechanism. Look for dried milk around any grooves, seals or connections. A carafe can look perfectly clean externally while a small internal milk passage is still restricted. This is particularly important if you're cleaning the system because milk frothing has deteriorated.

Rinse all hand-washed components thoroughly with clean water. There should be no detergent or loosened milk residue left inside the tubes or openings. Shake excess water from the components and allow them to drain.

Once everything is clean, reinstall the components in the reverse order. Refit the froth-control assembly correctly into the lid. Refit the milk delivery components. Reconnect the milk intake tube firmly underneath the lid. Check that the tube is fully seated rather than only loosely pushed onto its connection. Finally, reinstall the lid onto the milk container.

Before preparing another milk drink, make sure the milk intake tube is fitted, the milk outlet is fitted correctly, the adjustment mechanism is properly seated, the lid is fully fitted to the container, and the carafe connects securely to the machine. Then refill the carafe with suitable cold milk and reconnect it to the Rivelia Start.

These two procedures aren't interchangeable. The CLEAN cycle should be used after preparing milk drinks when the machine requests it — it flushes the milk-delivery system using hot water/steam without requiring you to dismantle the carafe. Deep cleaning means removing and dismantling the LatteCrema carafe, and cleaning the intake tube, milk outlet, adjustment components, lid and milk container individually. This removes milk deposits from areas that an automatic rinse cannot necessarily reach. For reliable milk performance, don't rely solely on the CLEAN cycle.

If milk delivery has become weak or the froth quality has deteriorated, start by carrying out the complete deep-cleaning procedure. Don't concentrate only on the visible milk spout. The intake tube and small internal passages inside the LatteCrema lid are equally important. After cleaning, make sure the carafe has been reassembled correctly and that the intake tube is firmly attached. Also use cold milk straight from the refrigerator for the best starting conditions for automatic milk preparation.