Was in need of a descaler for my coffee machine. Cheap descaler deal is back
For all coffee makers and kettles.
Removes scale build up to restore the efficiency of your appliance.
Prolongs the life of your appliance
Package Dimensions: 5.1 L X 15.9 H X 5.1 W (centimeters)
CamelCamelCamel.
This is citric acid. 25g of it in water. A total rip-off.
When Nurofen did this, advertising a generic product as made for a special purpose, they got huge fines.
try https://www.coles.com.au/product/mckenzie's-citric-acid-75g-…
Obligatory comment - as per previous posts, there are DIY ways to descale using vinegar, citric acid, lemons or other things. For example:-
Descaling with water and vinegar:
* Fill the kettle with 3 cups of white vinegar and the remainder with water.
* Let this mixture stand in the kettle overnight. Do not boil.
* Empty the solution from the kettle.
* Remove any stains remaining by rubbing with a damp cloth.
* Fill the kettle with fresh, clean water, let it boil and then discard the water.
* Repeat with clean, fresh water until all traces of vinegar are removed.Descaling with water and lemon:
* Half-fill the kettle with tap water and add the juice of 1 lemon.
* Boil this mixture and let it stand for 15 minutes; repeat this process two more times, then rinse the kettle well until all traces of lemon are removed.
Or there was this suggestion to minimise scale by emptying the kettle after boiling.
I tried the above method and failed, but cant beat the Sunbeam KE0100 Liquid Descaler.
The Coles one is $5 all day every day
The Coles one says to use half the bottle! vs one capful for the Sunbeam.
One lemon would be about right, assuming you have a tree-full, not buying it. Has a couple grams of acid.
Some of the internet advice says to use a tablespoon of acid - way too much for a coffee machine, but might be OK for a kettle with years of accumulated scale.
The Sunbeam product is understood to be a low amount of citric acid in water.
As per other comments, you can buy citric acid at much lower unit cost yourself, achieving a better outcome if you are so inclined.
As indicated repeatedly, brand name descalers are often just citric acid.
Lemon juice works and has a fairly neutral smell. I use it when needed with essentially OnlyHans instructions above.
Citric acid also works and is the same thing.
I wouldn't personally recommend vinegar as it is less acidic (less effective) but more corrosive (potentially damaging to some metals) and kinda stinks.
My kettle has the element in the base plate which is common. I have found that a good way to minimise scale build up is to refill the kettle immediately after using. I guess it is like the "emptying the kettle after boiling" technique it reduces the concentration of salts remaining in the kettle.
My 2 cents worth.
Lemons or citric acid may be preferable, however vinegar has also worked fine in my experience and I haven't seen anything to suggest corrosion. Of course it does cause the odour issue that requires rinsing the kettle a few times.
for faster scale removing - use double strength vinegar. Available at Woolies/Coles
Citric acid. Odourless and you can mix whatever "strength" you need.
Thanks
FYI for anyone planning to use this for a Breville dual boiler
Key Considerations for BDB Descaling:
Risk Mitigation: The descaling process can cause the boiler to overheat if it runs dry, which is common in older, pre-2022 models, often leading to a "3-beep" error requiring repair.
Preventative Alternative: Many owners prevent scale rather than removing it by using bottled water or creating custom water recipes (e.g., using Third Wave Water) to avoid the risks associated with the descaling process.
If You Descale: Use only safe, non-corrosive descalers like Durgol or Breville-branded solutions, and follow a manual drain-and-fill method.
When to Descale: The LCD will alert you when a descale is needed, or if you notice restricted steam/water flow
You read my mind. Is there a role for preventative or regular descaling with the BDB, or just leave it until the message shows up to descale?
This is not specific to the BDB, but since descaling involves acid dislodging bits of scale buildup, doing it too often is a waste of time and money, and probably not too good for the machine.
Too little and you risk ending up with larger chunks of scale, that can cause some damage by getting stuck elsewhere when dislodged during descaling.
In other words, I would just follow the schedule the manufacturer suggests unless there was reason to think it was more or less necessary (e.g. you know your local water supply is extra hard or soft).
Don't forget to flush really well with water and pull a few shots (to be tipped down the drain!) before drinking from the machine again.
I crush a descaling tablet and dilute it in warm water before using it as a 'liquid descaler'.
100 tablets/cleans for 20 odd bucks.
Any reliable brand that are consistent?
20 odd bucks
20 is an even number.
I feel like you've missed some jv-bolding on 'even'
what brand do you use please?
Cafetto
For $20 you can buy a kilogram of citric acid from Amazon.
The recommended dose of one capful of Sunbeam KE0100 has 1-2g of citric acid (active ingredient) so 1kg will last a lifetime, and then some.
Otherwise, just get 75g for $3 from Coles. Will last years. It dissolves very easily.
That's cleaner, btw, not descaler.
Sodium percarbonate. Much cheaper than citric acid.
Try this any citrus fruit peels doesn't have to be fresh with or without the juice lemons, limes, etc. dump the whole thing into your kettle boil and leave it overnight and watch the magic happens.
A lot of people are suggesting alternative options as a descaler…. such as lemon juice, vinegar etc and that might be fine for a kettle?
But what about a steam overn? Too much vinegar, do you damage the rubber hoses. too little and the job is ineffective? I suppose I can do the maths on the quantities, but I've replaced a steam generator in my steam oven. The part was $165, plus about 3 hours of my time, so if I need to spend $5 once every 3-6 months it's a pretty good bang for buck.
Commercial products use sulfamic acid, but thats not as easy to buy as citric acid.
Citric acid works well for my Anova steam oven.
I used to work in a hospital. We used citric acid to descale all equipment that needed it. The strength is in the chemistry not the concentration. How much you use determines how much you can descale not how damaging it will be. Don't use vinegar, it is more corrosive, less effective at descaling and stinks.
$5 is the normal price for this
in fact this hasn't been over $5 since October 2024 - https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B076JD2RC1
Considering the price of citric acid on its own this is almost bordering on a neg to be honest.
is this safe for health ?
No it will instantly kill you, your children, your childrens children, and your dog.
at least the cat will find some flesh to eat
Bought this then realized my wife just uses the free lemons from our tree that have fallen on the ground.
When life gives you lemons descale your kettle.
Try citric acid for a fraction of the price.