How to Descale a Saeco GranAroma

Descaling your Saeco GranAroma removes limescale from the internal water circuit and helps maintain reliable operation. The machine will notify you when descaling is required, although the programme can also be started manually.

START THE DESCALING PROGRAMME

When your Saeco GranAroma requests descaling, press the start/stop button to begin.

To start the programme manually, select the Clean icon and choose Descale.

EMPTY THE CONTAINERS

Remove the drip tray, coffee grounds container and HygieSteam container.

Empty all three containers and return them to their correct positions in the machine.

PREPARE THE DESCALING SOLUTION

Remove the water tank and empty any remaining water.

Remove the AquaClean water filter.

Pour the entire bottle of Philips descaling solution into the tank. Add water until the solution reaches the CALC CLEAN marking.

Refit the water tank securely.

Important: The manual specifies Philips descaler and warns against vinegar and descalers containing sulphuric, hydrochloric, sulphamic or acetic acid. Alternative products are not verified by this manual.

POSITION THE COLLECTION CONTAINER

Place a large container with a capacity of at least 1.5 litres beneath the coffee dispensing spout.

Make sure the HygieSteam container is correctly assembled and attached to the machine.

Place the milk tube into its designated holder on the HygieSteam container.

RUN THE DESCALING CYCLE

Follow the instructions on the display to start the automatic descaling procedure.

The programme takes approximately 30 minutes and includes both descaling and rinsing cycles.

Follow each on-screen instruction as it appears.

The manual does not list every confirmation screen. Use the machine's display for the exact actions required during the cycle.

RINSE AND COMPLETE THE PROGRAMME

When the descaling stage has finished, rinse the water tank and complete the water circuit rinsing procedure.

Follow the remaining instructions displayed by your GranAroma.

Once the programme has finished, fit a new AquaClean water filter.

Activate the filter through Clean, then AquaClean, following the on-screen instructions.

The filter must be prepared before installation, including shaking it and immersing it upside down in cold water, as described in the manual.

How long does it take to descale a Saeco GranAroma?
The automatic descaling programme takes approximately 30 minutes. This includes both the descaling and rinsing stages. Follow the machine's instructions until the programme has finished.
Can I use vinegar to descale my Saeco GranAroma?
No. The manual specifically warns against vinegar and certain acid-based descalers because they can damage the internal water circuit. Philips descaling solution is specified for this procedure, and alternative products have not been verified against the manual.
What happens if the Saeco GranAroma descaling cycle is interrupted?
Empty and thoroughly rinse the water tank, then fill it with fresh water to the CALC CLEAN marking. Switch the machine on and allow the automatic rinsing cycle to finish. Before preparing drinks, dispense half a tank of hot water and run two pre-ground coffee cycles without adding coffee. If descaling was not completed, the machine will require another descaling programme as soon as possible.

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Engineer's Tip

Always allow your Saeco GranAroma to complete both the descaling and rinsing stages. Interrupting the programme can leave descaling solution inside the water circuit. Once the cycle is complete, correctly prepare and activate a new AquaClean filter to help reduce future limescale build-up.