How to Use Nespresso

Nespresso machines offer a convenient and quick way to get a morning cup of coffee. Once you have your coffee maker, you will need to purchase and insert the small capsules of ground coffee beans that Nespresso machines use to make a steaming hot espresso shot or full mug of coffee. Using these devices can simplify your life and reduce your annual coffee budget significantly, but only if you know the right way to use them. You’ll soon have no problem filling the water tank, inserting the capsules, and leaving the rest to the machine!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Making Coffee with Nespresso

1. Fill the water tank at least halfway. While you only need as much water as the capsule will use, having more water in the tank lessens the risk of scorching the ground coffee. You should use drinkable, clean water from a tap, filter, or bottle. Using quality water gives your coffee a good base.^[1]
   
2. Turn the Nespresso machine on. Depending on the model, there will be a button somewhere on the front or top of the machine to allow you to turn it on. Give the Nespresso time to preheat itself by waiting a few seconds for the flashing light to turn solid, e.g. 25 seconds for the Pixie.^[2]
   
   • On the Pixie, the power button is located on the back end of the top component, whereas the Essenza has a button on the face of the machine.
   • If you are having trouble finding the button, consult the manual your device came with. It will have a diagram locating all of the major features and buttons.
3. Place a cup of the proper size below the coffee outlet. Different machines have different recommended sizes, and there are settings and buttons to change the cup size from espresso shot glass to a full mug. Decide which size you want to make and set the cup on the platform.^[3]
   
   • Recommended sizes for your model will be listed in the Nespresso manual.
   • For large cups and small machines, you may have to lift or detach the platform for the cup to fit.
4. Open the capsule container. Some machines have levers, and others have a detachable or unlockable head, so be sure to find the right spot. Consult the manual if you have trouble locating the place where the pod in inserted. The Pixie has a simple lever that lifts to reveal the pod slot.^[4]
   
5. Place your Nespresso pod in the machine and secure the lid. Each machine differs on the direction your pod should face, but it is most likely that you should lay the capsule on its side or vertically with the logo facing upward. Close the lid or lower the lever, securing the pod in place and locking the lid if necessary.^[5]
   
   • Most Nespresso machines use a sharp needle-like piercer to puncture the capsule so keep your fingers safe by closing the lid after removing your hand.
6. Press the button, selecting the correct size if given the option. Many Nespresso machines have just one button, but if yours has several, choose the one that corresponds to the size cup you wish to make. Once you have pressed the button, your coffee will begin to flow as soon as the water is hot enough. The coffee button is often located in the same site as the power button, e.g. on the back of the top surface.^[6]
   
   • Some machines automatically stop the flow of coffee when the intended volume has been reached, while others require you to count seconds or flashes before pressing the button again to stop it.
   • If it takes time for the coffee to emerge, it may be because you placed the capsule in the machine before it finished preheating.
7. Eject the used capsule by lifting the lever. While your model may have a specific way to eject the pod, most Nespresso machines require the lever to be lifted, pressed down, or rotated in order to empty the capsule into the used container.^[7]
   
   • If the pod does not seem to drop down, try emptying the used capsule container to give it more room.
8. Add milk, cream, or sugar to your coffee, if desired. Just like a normal coffee maker, a Nespresso provides you with a coffee base that you can either drink black with nothing added, or make a mocha, latte, cappuccino, or any other coffee drink you can imagine.^[8]
   
   • You can make steamed milk at home using a steam wand or by simply heating and frothing the milk.
9. Re-order pods before you run out. Once you have become used to the convenience of quickly making your own coffee each morning, it can feel like a huge hassle to stop by a coffee shop on your way to work. To avoid this, order new coffee pods before the ones in your home are all gone, so that you can have a seamless stream of coffee.
   
   • Shopping for pods online allows you to save a specific cart of your favorite flavors in just the right quantities so that you can simply press the “purchase” button to order.
   • Pods typically come in bulk packs in counts of 10 up to 100 and counts of 50 from 100 to 300.

[Edit]Descaling the Machine

1. Descale your Nespresso machine at least twice a year. You should descale your machine a few times a year, leaving at most 6 months between descalings. This process will extend the Nespresso’s longevity and ensure that your coffee tastes its best. You will be removing lime build-up and other gunk from the inside of the machine.
   
2. Purchase a descaling kit or citric acid tablets. The easiest way to do descale your machine is by purchasing an official descaling kit from Nespresso and letting it do the work for you. Dissolving citric acid in water will also work.^[9]
   
   • The official solution contains lactic acid and some phosphates, which are powerful cleaners that target lime and scum-covered metals. They can be hazardous to your skin, so you have to be careful when using them. You should consult the descaling kit guide for further health and safety tips.^[10]
3. Empty the device of capsules. If there are any used or unused pods in the machine, it will affect the ability of the descaler to strip the machine. Remove them from the capsule holder and the used capsule container before proceeding.^[11]
   
4. Fill the water tank with water and descaling solution. Use the amount listed in your manual, as each machine requires different quantities of water to run through the entire machine. If you are using a homemade solution, be careful not to use too much or too little solution.^[12]
   
5. Place a or larger container below the spout. The descaling process requires a great deal of water, so it is important that you set a container under the coffee spout that can safely hold all of the water, descaling solution, and build-up without overflowing.^[13]
   
6. Press the required buttons on your Nespresso. Each model’s descaling process is started using a different combination of buttons. Check your manual to determine which ones you should press and for how long to begin descaling.^[14]
   
   • On the Pixie, for example, you have to press both coffee buttons at the same time to enter descaling mode.
7. Let the descaling process continue for 10 minutes. The process takes some time, as the device will be removing a great deal of gunk and lime scum from the channel that produces your coffee. Don’t interrupt the process or remove the container unless it is overflowing.^[15]
   
8. Repeat any necessary steps. Some machines, like the Pixie and Essenza, require you to place the used water back into the tank to repeat the process in order to ensure that the machine has been fully descaled. Doing this twice lets the solution soften the scum and lime, and then strip it on the second time.^[16]
   
9. Fill the tank with drinking water to run a cycle with no solution. This prepares the Nespresso for making coffee again by removing any leftover descaling solution. Afterward, rinse the water tank thoroughly before making another cup of coffee with the machine.^[17]
   
10. Exit descaling mode by pressing the same set of buttons. Simply reverse what you did to enter descaling mode before, and let the machine dry for another 10 minutes before making a fresh cup of coffee.^[18]
    
    • Wipe down the machine with a damp cloth. The outside of your Nespresso also needs care. It is a good idea to wipe it down at the same time that you descale so that you can keep the machine clean and dust-free.^[19]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.terripaddock.com/what-i-learned-today-nespresso-latte-making-for-dummies-in-7-steps-with-big-pictures/
2. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
3. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
4. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
5. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
6. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
7. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/coffee-preparation/guide
8. ↑ https://www.terripaddock.com/what-i-learned-today-nespresso-latte-making-for-dummies-in-7-steps-with-big-pictures/
9. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/order/accessories/original/descaling-kit
10. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/order/accessories/original/descaling-kit
11. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
12. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
13. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
14. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
15. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
16. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
17. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide/
18. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/machine-assistance#!/Pixie/instructions/descaling/guide
19. ↑ https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/order/accessories/original/descaling-kit