Diagnosis
Mineral buildup, or scale, is a common issue in single-serve coffee makers like the Elite Gourmet EHC113M. It occurs when calcium and magnesium from your water are left behind after heating. This scale can clog the internal tubing, slow brewing time, affect water temperature, and eventually lead to a complete malfunction or a bad taste in your coffee.
How to Fix It
To descale your Elite Gourmet EHC113M, follow these steps:
- Ensure the unit is unplugged and completely cool.
- Fill the water reservoir with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and clean, cold water.
- Place a large mug on the drip tray.
- Plug in the unit and operate it normally to brew a full reservoir of the vinegar solution. Do not add a coffee pod.
- Once the cycle is complete, turn the unit off, unplug it, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows the vinegar to dissolve the scale.
- Discard the vinegar water from the mug, then run a second full reservoir of the vinegar solution through the machine.
- Finally, thoroughly rinse the system by running at least two (preferably three) full reservoirs of clean, cold water through the appliance without any pod.
If That Didn't Work
If vinegar doesn't fully clear the buildup, you can use a commercial coffee maker descaling solution, following the product's specific instructions. For severe clogs where water barely drips, you can try manually flushing the reservoir and spray head with the vinegar solution using a small brush or soft cloth. Never use sharp objects to scrape scale, as this can damage the internal components.
Heads Up
Never run descaling solutions, vinegar or commercial, through the machine with a coffee pod in place, as this will ruin the pod and contaminate the brewer. Regular descaling every 1-3 months, depending on your water hardness, is the best preventative maintenance to keep your coffee maker functioning properly and your coffee tasting good.