Descaling the Breville Bambino Plus
Descaling clears mineral scale from the ThermoJet heater and water path. How often you need it depends mostly on your water hardness - soft or filtered water means far less often.
Every 2–3 months, or sooner when the descale light appears
| Soft / filtered water | Every 3–4 months |
| Medium-hardness water | Every 2–3 months |
| Hard water | Every 4–6 weeks |
Check your manual: These intervals are general guidance. Always follow the descaling interval and procedure in your Bambino Plus manual - your local water hardness determines how often you actually need to descale.
Step by step
- Empty the drip tray and water tank, and remove the portafilter.
- Fill the tank with a descaling solution mixed to the ratio on the bottle (use a descaler rated for espresso machines).
- Run the machine's descale function as described in your Bambino Plus manual.
- Refill with fresh water and run two to three full tanks through to rinse before making coffee again.
- Avoid vinegar - it can degrade the internal seals over time. Use a descaler made for espresso machines.
- Always rinse thoroughly after descaling so the next shot doesn't taste of solution.
What you'll need
- Espresso machine descaler (Breville-compatible)
See the Breville Bambino Plus upgrade guide →
Breville Bambino Plus maintenance questions
How often should I perform descaling the breville bambino plus?
Use the cadence above as a planning reminder, then follow the Breville Bambino Plus manual because water hardness, usage, model revision, and machine alerts can change the interval.
Can I substitute a different cleaning procedure or product?
Do not assume procedures are interchangeable. These intervals are general guidance. Always follow the descaling interval and procedure in your Bambino Plus manual - your local water hardness determines how often you actually need to descale.