Guide · Bean-to-cup machines
How to descale a De'Longhi Rivelia
How to descale a De'Longhi Rivelia from De'Longhi's manual: the on-screen alert, De'Longhi descaler, a 1.5 litre container, the filter step and the rinses, in about 30 minutes.
A De’Longhi Rivelia descale is guided step by step on the touchscreen, so you don’t need to remember button sequences. What you do need is the right descaler, a large container and about half an hour. We haven’t tested this in person. The steps below come from De’Longhi’s Rivelia instructions for the EXAM44X.5Y models, which we read on 3 Oct 2026. Always check the manual for your own machine. Read how we compare.
Short answer: how to descale a De’Longhi Rivelia
When the descale message appears, press “Yes” and follow the screen. You’ll fit the hot water spout, empty the drip tray and grounds container, and remove the water filter. Then pour one 100 ml pack of De’Longhi descaler into the empty tank up to level A, and add 1 litre of water to level B. Put a 1.5 litre container under the spouts and start. After the descaling stage, the machine runs at least two rinses with fresh water.
Who it isn’t for: owners of other De’Longhi bean-to-cup machines. The Magnifica and Eletta ranges have their own steps.
When the Rivelia needs descaling
The Rivelia shows a descale message on the homepage when it’s time. If you press “Cancel”, a reminder symbol stays on the homepage, and the message comes back each time you switch the machine on.
How often depends on the water hardness setting. The manual says to use the “Total hardness test” strip from the accessories pack. Dip it in a glass of water for about a second, shake it lightly, and after about a minute count the red squares (1 to 4). Then set the matching level on the screen. Setting the real hardness of your water can mean descaling is needed less often.
What you need
- De’Longhi descaler. The manual says to use only descaler supplied by De’Longhi. It warns that unsuitable descaler, or descaling that isn’t done properly and on time, can cause faults not covered by the guarantee. The cycle uses one 100 ml pack. At Currys, the De’Longhi DLSC101 EcoDecalk Mini (100 ml) was £4.99, checked 3 Oct 2026. The DLSC200 EcoDecalk Mini (two 100 ml bottles) was £7.99, checked 3 Oct 2026. The DLSC500 (500 ml) was £9.49, checked 3 Oct 2026, prices can change.
- A container that holds at least 1.5 litres, to go under the coffee and hot water spouts.
- The hot water spout, which lives in the accessories compartment on top of the machine.
- About 30 minutes.
The manual warns that hot water containing acid comes out of the spouts, so take care to avoid contact with it. Descaler can also damage delicate surfaces, so dry any spills straight away.
How to descale a De’Longhi Rivelia: step by step
- Start the procedure. When the message appears, press “Yes”. If you want to start it yourself, tap the menu icon on the homepage, scroll to “Descale” and press “Read more”.
- Have the descaler ready. On some models, the screen shows a QR code with where to buy descaler. If you already have it, press “Next”.
- Fit the hot water spout. Press “Yes”, then attach the hot water spout from the accessories compartment.
- Empty the drip tray and grounds container. Put both back and press “Next”.
- Remove the filter. Take out the water tank, lift the lid and remove the water softener filter if one is fitted. Press “Next”.
- Add the descaler. Empty the tank completely, then pour in the descaler up to level A inside the tank (one 100 ml pack). Add 1 litre of drinking water up to level B. Refit the tank and lid and press “Start”.
- Place the container. Put an empty container of at least 1.5 litres under the coffee spout and the hot water spout. Press “Done”.
- Let it descale. Descaler comes out of both spouts, with automatic rinses at set intervals. After a few minutes, the first stage ends.
- Prepare the first rinse. Empty the container. Remove the tank, rinse it well under running water, fill to MAX with fresh water and refit it. Press “Next”.
- Run the first rinse. Put the empty container back under the spouts and press “Yes”. Hot water comes out of both spouts. When the tank runs out, empty the container.
- Refit the filter. Take out the tank and put the water softener filter back if you removed it. Press “Next”.
- Run the second rinse. Fill the tank to MAX, refit it and press “Next”. Put the empty container back and press “Yes”.
- Finish. When the tank runs out, empty the container, drip tray and grounds container. Top up the tank to MAX, refit it and press “Next”, then “Ok”. The machine heats up quickly and returns to the homepage.
If it gets stuck mid-cycle
- Power cut or interruption: De’Longhi says that when the machine is switched back on, it asks to resume the cycle from where it stopped.
- Water in the grounds container: the manual says this is quite normal during descaling.
- Asked for a third rinse: if you didn’t fill the tank to MAX, the machine asks for another rinse to clear all the descaler. Empty the drip tray first.
How to descale less often
De’Longhi recommends fitting its water softener filter. Once activated, the manual says it lasts about two months in normal use, or no more than three weeks if the machine sits unused with the filter fitted. Install or replace it from the “Water filter” item in the menu, which walks you through soaking and activating it.
Downsides
- At about 30 minutes, it’s one of the longer descale cycles.
- You’ll need to stay nearby to press buttons between stages.
- The Currys DLSC500 price can change.
Where to go next
- De’Longhi Rivelia review
- De’Longhi Rivelia vs Magnifica Evo
- How to descale a De’Longhi Eletta Explore
- Best bean-to-cup machines on a budget
FAQ
How long does a Rivelia descale take? About 30 minutes, according to De’Longhi.
What size container do you need? At least 1.5 litres.
Can you postpone descaling? Yes. Press “Cancel” and a reminder stays on the homepage, but De’Longhi warns that not descaling when required can cause faults not covered by the guarantee.
Can you use vinegar? De’Longhi says to use only its own descaler.