Gaggia Accademia (Pre 2022): Descaling Process and Information

by Whole Latte Love 2 min read Updated: May 28, 2025
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Learn how to descale your Gaggia Accademia, as well as how often you should descale, and why it is so important.

Descale Frequency and Water Quality

Considerations

Things we love

Things to consider

  • Water completely free of minerals (like RO of distilled water) can cause "mineral leeching" in your machine
  • Occasional descaling is still recommended with any scale prevention method
  • Using good water to start with can save a ton of time and money down the road
  • Not all filters are meant to prevent scale (Check with manufacturer)

    Flow issues or other error codes may prevent the machine from completing the automated cycle. To exit the descale cycle, the automated cycle must either complete in the normal way, or a hard reset will need to be performed. Turning the machine off or unplugging the machine alone will not perform a hard reset. The main menu cannot be accessed while the descale cycle is in process, so selecting Factory Reset from the main menu is not an option. The steam out will perform the same type of hard reset and can be done in the middle of a descale cycle. Carafe Connection (or Dispensing Arm Positioning) Issues can also stop the process. If the automated process cannot be completed, see our article on the Manual Descaling Procedure.

    Here are the descaling recommendations based on water usage and water hardness. Any type of water hardness testing strips or kits should let you know where your water would fall on that chart:

    Descale Frequency

     

    Water Hardness

    Without Water Filter

    With Water Filter

    1

    Soft water (up to 7°dH)

    Approx. every 6 months / 240 litres

    Approx. every 12 months / 480 litres

    2

    Medium water (7° - 14°dH)

    Approx. every 3 months / 120 litres

    Approx. every 6 months / 240 litres

    3

    Medium water (7° - 14°dH)

    Approx. every 6 weeks / 60 litres

    Approx. every 3 months / 120 litres

    4

    Very hard water (over 21°dH)

    Approx. every 4 weeks / 30 litres

    Approx. every 6 weeks / 60 litres

    The default water hardness level is 3. Each liter of water corresponds to approximately 2,000 pulses.

    Warranty Disclaimer: Failure of normal wear and tear items such as group gaskets, seals, and shower screens are not covered under warranty. Issues due to scale build-up, coffee oil build-up, or lack of maintenance are not covered.

    Whole Latte Love

    Whole Latte Love