How Long Does a Nespresso Machine Last?
Nespresso machines are a little more complicated than your coffee or Keurig machines. However, they are pretty hardy devices, and for a good reason. Depending on your choice of Nespresso, it can cost you a pretty penny, so you want to get plenty of longevity out of one.
On average, you should expect to get somewhere between 6 and 10 years out of a quality Nespresso machine. Many factors can change that, such as the frequency of use, where it is used, and how well you maintain it.
Nespresso machines aren’t up there with full-fledged espresso machines, which are supposed to last a decade or longer, but they are considered an “in-between sort of compromise. Despite a Nespresso’s longevity, you will only get about a year in warranty coverage—possibly two.
- The Lifespan of a Nespresso Machine
- How Do You Increase a Nespresso Machine’s Lifespan?
- Daily Maintenance on a Nespresso Machine
- Weekly Cleaning a Nespresso Machine
- How to Descale Your Nespresso Machine
- Warranty Coverage for Nespresso Machines
- All Things Considered
- What To Do If Your Nespresso Machine Is Dead
The Lifespan of a Nespresso Machine
Most coffee machines will push ten years if you take good care of them and they aren’t used in something like an office environment. You can safely slash that longevity in an office simply because of how much strain will be placed on the machine.
Plus, in an office environment, nobody ever takes the time to maintain a coffee machine, much less a Nespresso machine. They simply use it until it breaks, then everyone pitches in for a new one.
Maintenance is important to get the most out of your Nespresso machine. Coffee tends to form a lot of gunk, especially since there is water and humidity around it often, and coffee grounds always find their way into every nook and cranny, no matter how careful you are.
If you don’t bother cleaning or descaling your Nespresso machine and use it often, there’s every reason to believe that it will choke in about two years—three with a bit of luck. The lifespan of a Nespresso machine is also a little misleading.
Sure, they get a pretty good reputation for lasting a long time. Most people don’t use a Nespresso machine nearly as much as a standard coffee maker or a Keurig, where simple, daily coffee is not much to ask for.
So Nespresso machines last longer because they aren’t used nearly as much. If you love an espresso first thing in the morning, you’ll use your Nespresso machine more than most.
How Do You Increase a Nespresso Machine’s Lifespan?
The simple answer is maintenance. There’s not much more to it than that. Maintenance doesn’t just mean checking things over as you would under the hood of the family car. It means establishing a routine where you consistently clean the machine.
Cleaning involves taking it apart to the degree you can without tools and thoroughly cleaning the machine from top to bottom. You also need to descale it now and then. Depending on how you use it, you should descale it once per month.
If the Nespresso machine is something you rarely take out, you should descale it after every few uses. You also want to keep your Nespresso stored in a cool, dry place that’s out of the way. Some people lack the counter space, and the Nespresso machine catches splashes from just about everything.
Stay away from anything third-party. If the Nespresso machine calls for a specific pod brand, you need to stick with that specific brand. Getting caught up in the “BOGO pods sales” or something along those lines is easy, and you end up using something off-brand.
It’s a good idea never to allow the machine water tank to run dry. Most Nespresso machines don’t have a sensor that tells the machine when the reservoir is empty. This cause the pump to run when water is not in the reservoir, which will eventually cause damage or burn the pump out.
Last but not least, turn it off when you are not using it. Of course, the machine is designed to be just fine when you have it switched on. However, it’s never a good idea to let current continue flowing to something you’re not using.
Daily Maintenance on a Nespresso Machine
Daily maintenance is probably the easiest part of owning your own Nespresso machine. You want to establish a daily routine with it because it will last much longer. Nespresso machines aren’t cheap, and you don’t want yours to bite the dust before two years are up.
- Rinse out all of the removable parts after each use
- Don’t leave the used pod or capsule sitting in there
- Keep your water tank reservoir full
- Wipe down the exterior surface of the machine once per day
- Wipe down the drip tray every day
That’s all there is to it. You don’t have to go above and beyond until you get to the end of the week, when you will do a much more thorough cleaning.
Weekly Cleaning a Nespresso Machine
The weekly cleaning ritual is more involved, and you will have to break down all of the removable parts of the Nespresso machine. You don’t need any vinegar. That will come later when you descale the machine.
- Cleaning toothbrush
- Water and a mild dish detergent like Dial or Dawn
- Microfiber cloth
Make sure you turn off the Nespresso machine before disassembling and cleaning it. Remove everything on the machine that is removable, including the water reservoir tank, the cup holder, and any other washable parts that are not mechanical.
Fill your sink with hot water and some of your dish detergent. Place all the parts in hot water, submerge them, and allow them to soak for 15 minutes to half an hour. Pull them out once the time is up, and use your toothbrush and microfiber rag/cloth to clean every part thoroughly.
Rinse them and set them aside to dry. Remember, when you install the water reservoir tank, fill it with water again. Be sure it is completely rinsed out because you probably don’t want to taste Dawn dish detergent in your morning espresso.
How to Descale Your Nespresso Machine
If you’re going to descale your Nespresso machine, you’ll also want to do a full cleaning regimen as you would normally do once a week. Most people suggest descaling a Nespresso machine once every three months or so.
However, you should descale it more often if you use the machine a lot. Daily or even daily use is enough to require a monthly descaling routine. Interestingly enough, you can opt for Nespresso’s descaling sachets.
It might make it a little easier for you to go with a product designed by Nespresso and manufactured solely for the sole purpose of descaling your Nespresso machine. If you don’t want to purchase one, you can always use the old-fashioned method, which means you will need some pure white vinegar.
There are a bunch of different types of Nespresso machines, and each of them operates a little bit differently from the next. They all have a descaling process to follow, whether you are using Nespresso sachets or pure white vinegar.
- Remove used capsules from the machine before you start
- Empty all containers of anything you currently have in them
- Fill the water reservoir tank with water/Nespresso sachet or with pure white vinegar
- Place a jar, large bowl, jug, or something to catch the water underneath the coffee outlet
- Run the machine as you normally would
Nespresso machines have their own descaling process, and each machine is activated differently. For the Nespresso Prodigio, you need to press all three buttons at the exact same time. For the Nespresso Vertuo, there is a single button, and you need to press and hold it for about 8 to 10 seconds.
The Nespresso Pixie, Nespresso Inissia, and the Nespresso Citiz have two flashing buttons. You must press both flashing buttons and hold them until the machine starts the descaling routine.
The Nespresso machine will take ten to fifteen minutes to run through the descaling process. Depending on which Nespresso machine you have, you might be required to fill the water reservoir tank again in the middle of the process.
Like you would with a coffee machine or Keurig, you need to run hot, regular water through the machine again once it is finished running through the descaling process. The clean water will help rid the machine of any residue from the descaling process.
Be sure to fill the water tank back up again when you’re all done. Allow everything else to dry, and you’re all set. Also, be sure to read your manual before you descale your Nespresso machine for the first time. As we mentioned above, each one might run through the descaling process a little differently.
Warranty Coverage for Nespresso Machines
Nespresso offers a two-year warranty on most of its Nespresso machines. There are exceptions, such as with refurbished machines or certain replacement parts. The warranty is a guarantee that there are no defective parts and a guarantee against bad workmanship.
Fortunately, Nespresso offers a customer service line (1-800-019-0900) that you can call between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. Nespresso offers a full range of assistance in operating and potentially repairing a problem with any one of their Nespresso machines.
If your Nespresso machine breaks inside its warranty, you will have to call the above number to talk to someone and file your claim. If you use a third-party capsule or pod with your Nespresso machine and the machine fails, it will void the warranty.
So long as you use Nespresso-approved capsules or pods, your warranty is secure, and Nespresso will repair or replace your Nespresso machine at no additional cost. Unfortunately, that does mean you will have to mail the Nespresso machine in and wait for the repair or replacement to come back.
If you’re outside of the warranty period, Nespresso customer service will give you a price on the repair, most likely based on what they find when you send it in.
All Things Considered
All in all, your Nespresso machine should last between 6 and 10 years if you have a solid, routine maintenance schedule and take the time to descale it at the recommended intervals. If you don’t take good care of your Nespresso machine, you may get lucky enough to get more than a few years out of it.
What To Do If Your Nespresso Machine Is Dead
I found this video discussing what to do if your Nespresso stops working. This might ressurect yours!
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