How to descale a La Pavoni lever
Short answer
Use a citric descaler. The older US manuals name Urnex and say to descale 2 to 3 times a year (Europiccola) or 4 to 5 times a year (Professional), more in hard water. Fill the boiler with descaling solution, heat it, run it through the group and steam wand, then flush with clean water.
How often
| Source | Interval |
|---|---|
| Older US Europiccola manual | 2 to 3 times a year, depending on use |
| Older US Professional manual | 4 to 5 times a year, depending on use |
| Kanen Coffee | Every 6 months with filtered water, every 3 months unfiltered |
Hard water means more often. Slow heat-up and weak steam are signs it is overdue.
What to use
The older US manual names Urnex descalers and describes them as made from citric powders. Kanen Coffee also uses citric acid and warns against vinegar and harsh cleaners on the soldered boiler.
Steps
This follows the older US manual’s method, with Kanen’s soak time:
- Unplug, cool and release pressure. Open the steam knob, then remove the cap.
- Fill with descaling solution to the top of the sight glass, mixed as the product directs. The Urnex Dezcal listing gives 1 oz of powder per 32 oz of water.
- Heat the machine, then let the solution work. Kanen suggests a 20 to 30 minute soak.
- Run solution through the group by lifting the lever without coffee, and through the steam wand, until the boiler is about a quarter full.
- Switch off, cool, release pressure and drain.
- Flush by filling with clean water and running it through the group and wand. Repeat until no taste of descaler remains.
Never open the cap while the machine is hot or under pressure.
Parts for this job
Urnex Dezcal descaler
Listed for: Boilers and heating elements
Citric-based, and Urnex is the brand the older US manual names.
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Related
Questions owners ask
Can I use vinegar?
Sources disagree. La Pavoni's current manual suggests a little white vinegar as one option for the first clean. Kanen Coffee says never to use vinegar because acetic acid pits copper. A citric descaler avoids the question.
The inside of the boiler turned pinkish after descaling. Is that damage?
An owner on r/LaPavoniLovers notes that brass goes that colour after acid descaling or cleaning.
Sources
Older US La Pavoni manuals; European Gift and Houseware, the US importer, and its US manuals; La Pavoni manuals, parts lists and product pages; Kanen Coffee repair notes; Amazon US product listings; r/LaPavoniLovers owner community.
Not yet confirmed: La Pavoni's current manual gives no descaling procedure or interval. We will update this page when a primary source confirms it.