HOW TO DESCALE A GAGGIA BRERA

Descaling removes mineral deposits from the internal water circuit of your Gaggia Brera. When the machine indicates that descaling is required, complete the full procedure rather than simply running descaler through the machine. Allow approximately 35 minutes to complete the cycle.

PREPARE YOUR GAGGIA BRERA

Switch the machine on and wait until it is ready for use. Empty the drip tray before starting.

If an INTENZA+ water filter is installed in the water tank, remove it before beginning the descaling procedure.

REMOVE THE PANNARELLO

Remove the Pannarello from the steam/hot-water wand before starting the descaling cycle. The descaling solution will need to dispense through the wand during the procedure.

ADD THE DESCALING SOLUTION

Remove the water tank and pour the Gaggia descaling solution into it. Add fresh drinking water up to the MAX level marked on the tank, then reinstall the tank correctly.

PLACE A CONTAINER UNDER THE WAND

Position a suitable container beneath the steam/hot-water wand. Turn the selector dial to the hot-water position and dispense approximately 300 ml of descaling solution.

Return the selector dial to its central position to stop dispensing.

ALLOW THE DESCALER TO WORK

Leave the descaling solution inside the machine for approximately five minutes. This gives the solution time to act on mineral deposits within the hydraulic circuit.

REPEAT THE DISPENSING PROCESS

Turn the selector back to the hot-water position and dispense more descaling solution through the steam/hot-water wand.

Return the selector to the central position and allow the solution to work again. Continue the dispense-and-pause sequence until the water tank is empty.

RINSE THE WATER TANK

Remove the empty water tank and rinse it thoroughly with fresh drinking water. Fill the tank to the MAX level with fresh water only and reinstall it.

RINSE THE INTERNAL CIRCUIT

Empty the container and place it back beneath the steam/hot-water wand. Turn the selector to the hot-water position and dispense the fresh water through the machine.

Continue the rinse procedure according to the Brera's descaling sequence until the water circuit has been thoroughly flushed.

COMPLETE THE DESCALING CYCLE

Once the rinsing procedure is complete, return the selector to its normal position. Refill the water tank with fresh drinking water, empty the drip tray and refit the Pannarello.

If you removed an INTENZA+ water filter before descaling, reinstall or replace the filter as appropriate before returning the machine to normal use.

How long does it take to descale a Gaggia Brera?
Allow approximately 35 minutes to complete the Gaggia Brera descaling procedure. Don't interrupt the process simply because the first tank of descaling solution has been dispensed; the subsequent fresh-water rinsing stage is an important part of the procedure.
Should I remove the water filter before descaling my Gaggia Brera?
Yes. If your Gaggia Brera has an INTENZA+ water filter installed, remove it from the water tank before beginning the descaling procedure. Once descaling and rinsing are complete, the filter can be reinstalled or replaced as appropriate.
Can I descale my Gaggia Brera with vinegar?
No. Gaggia advises against using vinegar for descaling. Use a descaling product intended for the machine and follow the Brera-specific procedure to avoid damaging the internal water circuit.

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Engineer Tip

Don't ignore the Brera's descaling warning until water flow becomes noticeably restricted. Scale accumulates inside the hydraulic and heating circuit long before you can see it. Complete the full descaling and rinse procedure when prompted, and always remove the INTENZA+ filter before starting.

How to Descale a Gaggia Brera