Rancilio's own manual recommends water hardness between 35-85 ppm, and specifically suggests testing the water coming from your group head every few months — city water hardness changes seasonally, and any softening system wears out over time.
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01Water filtration matters as much as descaling
Filtration removes particles like sand or rust that can clog small valves; a fridge filter, Brita, or whole-house filter all work. Combined with appropriate hardness, this significantly reduces how often you'll need to descale in the first place.
02Standard descaling process
- Empty the reservoir and refill with descaling solution mixed to the manufacturer's specified ratio.
- Run the solution through both the group head and steam wand, following your descaler's specific cycle instructions.
- Flush thoroughly afterward with multiple full reservoirs of plain water through both outlets before resuming normal use.
Recommended water options
Filtered and softened tap water works for most users. RO (reverse osmosis) water combined with a remineralizing product like Third Wave Water is another solid option if your tap water is particularly hard or inconsistent.
03Signs you're overdue
- Noticeably weaker steam output than before — see our low steam pressure guide
- A persistent drip from the solenoid even when idle — see our leaking guide
- Longer heat-up times than usual
After long-term storage
A machine that's been unused for an extended period may need 2-3 descaling cycles in succession rather than one — see our storage recovery guide if this applies to you.