I'm a coffee addict and about a week ago my espresso machine started leaking from the portability because I hadn't descaled/deep cleaned it recently. These were perfect, came just at the right time. My expectations weren't too high because I had tried plain citric acid with limited success, but these tabs far exceeded them with the amount of cleaning they were able to do on my machines and other items. Espresso machine: I soaked all the pieces for the portafilter in a small bowl with 2 tabs, and they were so clean after, then I put a tab into the filter and ran the machine several times. I rinsed off the gasket, and filter, and now no more leaking! Awesome. Worked much better than plain citric acid (my usual go-to). Stovetop espresso/moka pot: It's so hard to remove the oily stuff from the coffee that hardens on the inside of these pots because of the awkward shape. I put a tab in the top and bottom with water and let them sit, then soaked everything with 2 tabs in a bowl, and the oily stuff inside the pot was dissolved almost immediately, and got every last bit off. It looks super clean now. Water scale on an old vase: Put a few tabs in an old vase I was trying to clean that had a lot of water scale. Left it till the end of the day, and the scale was about 90% off after I rinsed it out. Read more
Right on the label it says it works with all Expresso Machines. Sadly not true. I got these cleaning tablets specifically to use in my Nespresso machine, and unfortunately they are not compatible for that purpose. While the product itself seems well made and effective for traditional espresso machines, it is important to understand why it does not work properly in a Nespresso system. These tablets are designed for espresso machines that use a portafilter and backflush process. They are meant to dissolve while cleaning the group head and removing built up coffee oils from internal components. I still have the ability to make espresso and froth milk, it’s just done using a different process in the Nespresso yet I’m still required to clean and descale my machine which is why I thought this would work. Nespresso machines do not use a portafilter or backflush cycle. Instead, they rely on a capsule based brewing system with narrow internal water paths. Because of this, the tablet cannot circulate correctly through the machine and may not fully dissolve as intended. Another issue is that these tablets function more as a detergent style cleaner for coffee oils rather than a true liquid descaler. Nespresso machines require a specific descaling solution that is formulated to safely break down mineral scale without leaving residue inside the thermoblock or tubing. Using tablets like these in a Nespresso risks incomplete rinsing, leftover cleaner residue, or potential clogging over time. Positives if attempting to use in a Nespresso: The tablets dissolve well in hot water if you wanted to first boil some outside the machine and could potentially be used for cleaning removable parts like drip trays or capsule containers. Negatives when used in a Nespresso: They are not designed for capsule machines, cannot properly clean the brewing system, and do not replace Nespresso approved descaling solutions. There is also a risk of residue buildup or internal damage if used through the brew cycle. One thing to note, this is a phenomenal deal if you have the right machine -$16 bucks for 120 tablets!!! I could only wish for that pricing for the Nespresso. But just remember that it’s not so much a dealer as it is a cleaner. Overall, this is a good product for Breville, Gaggia, DeLonghi, Jura, and similar espresso machines, but it is not suitable for Nespresso machines. They are affordable, come in a large quantity, and are clearly effective for the machines they are designed for. If you own a Nespresso like me, it is best to use a liquid descaling solution specifically recommended for that system and avoid tablet based portafilter cleaners. No deals for us I guess! 5 stars for those with a portafilter or backflush cycle type machine ! Read more
TL;DR: These dissolve clean, cut coffee oils well, and are sized right for backflushing. I use 1 tablet per cleaning cycle on an E61 machine. _____ If you’re running an E61 brew group, these fit right into a standard backflush basket. Each tablet is 2g, which is exactly what I use per detergent backflush cycle. Drop one in a blind basket, run your on/off pump cycles, and you’ll see the usual brown foam as it lifts coffee oils from the group, valve, and exhaust path. They dissolve fully, which matters. No chalky chunks left in the basket or solenoid discharge, and rinsing clears fast. That’s important on E61s where residue can hang around the group passages if a cleaner doesn’t break down completely. For maintenance rhythm: • Daily: Water-only backflush • Weekly (home use): 1 tablet detergent backflush • Heavy use: 2–3× per week These are for coffee oils, not scale. You’ll still want a separate descaling process for the boiler depending on your water. Individually wrapped tabs are nice for consistency, no guessing dose, which keeps cleaning pressure and chemical strength repeatable from session to session. Good staple to keep near the machine if you care about shot clarity and not having old rancid oils wreck your extractions. Disclosure: This review is part of Amazon’s Vine Program, which provides products at a reduced cost in exchange for honest reviews (taxed as income). I personally tested this product, and my opinions are my own and uninfluenced. Read more
