Coffee tastes of cleaner or descaler after maintenance
The drinks made after cleaning or descaling taste soapy, chemical or sharply sour.
Applies to: Espresso machine, Espresso, Filter coffee
Safety note
Discard any drink that tastes of cleaning product. Never mix cleaning and descaling products in an attempt to neutralise one with the other.
Likely causes and adjustments
Try one adjustment at a time so you know what actually changed the result. Start with the first cause below — if it doesn't help, reveal the next.
Cause 1 of 3 · Commonly the cause
Insufficient rinsing
Did you rinse beyond the minimum the instructions specify?
Run several more plain-water cycles or tanks through, including the steam wand and hot-water outlet.
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