How To Clean My Verismo

A detailed how-to on how to clean Verismo machine to make it shine and keep it running efficiently.

how to clean verismo machine

Our coffee makers might possibly be the most overlooked items in our home when it comes to cleaning. Keeping them nice and clean is important for so many reasons, but in short: a clean coffee maker makes better coffee and lasts longer.

There are simple steps you can do daily, weekly and monthly to keep your Verismo spotless:

Daily: Rinse the machine once, after the last time you use it (before turning it off).
Weekly: Rinse, and turn off your machine. Remove the drip tray and water tank and empty them. Wipe the unit with a wet cloth. Hand wash all removable parts with mild detergent and dry with soft cloth.
Monthly: Clean your machine with Urnex.
Every three months: Descale your machine with Durgol.

weekly cleaning

Starbucks recommends doing this every evening but there's really no need. If you see any dirt, of course, you won't just leave it sitting there, but I would keep this as a weekly routine. This weekly cleaning routine includes:

1. Rinse the machine once and turn it off.
2. Remove drip tray and water tank and empty them (discard water, throw away used pods)
3. Wipe the unit with wet, soft cloth.
4. Hand wash all the removable parts with mild detergent and dry with soft cloth
5. Put everything back.

CLEANING THE MACHINE, MONTHLY

Starbucks recommends you clean your machine every month or every 20-30 beverages and to use Urnex Full Circle Single Cup Brewer Descaling and Cleaning Liquid for this purpose. Here's how to do it:

1. Lift and close the handle to make sure the pod is sent to the bin, then remove the water tank.
2. Pour one bottle of Urnex into the reservoir and fill the rest with fresh water, to the max fill line.
3. Put the reservoir back, place a large cup or a bowl on the drip tray and rinse: for Verismo 580 and 583 use middle – brewed coffee button to rinse, for Verismo 600 and Verismo V use a dedicated rinse button. Repeat the rinse step until water tank is empty.
4. Remove the tank, rinse it well and fill with fresh water only. Put it back and repeat the rinsing process until empty. Do this twice.
5. Quickly wipe the machine with a wet cloth, empty the bin, put the reservoir back and you're done.

Note: You need to rinse and discard 1 reservoir of cleaning solution + water. Then rinse and discard 2 full reservoirs of fresh water. Don't forget to always keep a handle closed while rinsing.

DESCALING, EVERY THREE MONTHS

Starbucks recommends you descale your machine once every three months (depending on the level of water hardness in your area) and to use the Durgol Swiss Espresso Special Decalcifier.

Here's how to descale Verismo machine – models 580, 583 and 600:

1. Lift and close the handle, and remove the water tank.
2. Pour one bottle (4.2 oz) of Durgol into the reservoir and add about 12 ounces of fresh water. The reservoir needs to be only half full.
3. Put the reservoir back and rinse: for Verismo 580 and 583 use middle – brewed coffee button to rinse, for Verismo 600 use a dedicated rinse button. Repeat the rinse step until water tank is empty.
4. Remove the tank, rinse it and fill it to the max fill line with fresh water only. Put it back and repeat the rinsing process until empty. Do this twice.
5. Quickly wipe the machine with a soft cloth, clean out the bin, put the reservoir back and you're done.

Note: Rinse and discard 1/2 reservoir of Durgol + water. Then rinse and discard 2 full reservoirs of fresh water. Don't forget to always keep a handle closed while rinsing.

descaling

If you have Verismo V, the process is slightly different. Here's how to descale Verismo V machine:

1. Lift and close the handle to make sure there's no pod in the unit, then remove the water tank.
2. Pour one bottle (4.2 oz) of Durgol into the reservoir and add 13.5 ounces of fresh water.
3. Put the reservoir back, place a large mug or a bowl under the spout and turn the machine off.
4. While the machine is off, press the brewed coffee button and on/off button at the same time just once and hold them for a second. Don't press them few times or hold for too long.
5. Next, press brewed coffee button to start dispensing water – the brew button should blink white. Repeat the rinse step until water tank is empty (use brewed coffee button to rinse). Always keep a handle closed while rinsing.
6. Remove the tank, rinse it well and fill it to the max fill line with fresh water only. Put it back and repeat the rinsing process using brewed button until empty.
7. Wipe the machine with a soft cloth and clean out the bin.
8. Press and hold brewed button for 3 seconds to exit descale mode and you're done.

Note: Rinse and discard 1/2 reservoir of durgol + water. Then rinse and discard 1 full reservoir of fresh water.
how to descale Verismo v

It's recommended to descale your Verismo V every 3 months. If brewed button blinks red during drink preparation, you also need to descale the brewer. But, that's only if you're using the Verismo V model.

On old Verismo models (580, 583 and 600) the red button is a protection from overheating. If the rinse button is blinking red and hot water button is blinking green then that's the reason. This normally lasts for about 60 seconds and after that, the machine should turn on back again automatically (all lights will go green again). This can happen when the brewer is used a lot, so keeps the machine safe from overheating. You don't need to descale the brewer.

If brewed button on your Verismo V blinks red permanently and quickly, and won't stop even though you descaled your machine you will need to contact Starbucks Customer service at 1-800-334-5553.

PREVENTION, VERISMO SOUR MILK SMELL

After some time, your Verismo machine can develop sour smell because of the milk pods. With espresso machines, it's really important to clean all the parts that come in contact with milk, after each use. The problem with Verismo is that milk goes through an entire unit and you simply can't clean it properly. Starbucks recommends you rinse the machine after brewing a milk pod, but this isn't enough.
So, prevention is really important here. Because once that spoiled milk smell develops it's almost impossible to get it out. That's why I suggest avoiding using milk pods in your machine from the start, if possible. Spend your money on coffee pods instead and use real milk! Espresso tastes so much better with fresh milk and your machine will last longer. And will smell so much better. When using fresh milk, use after you're done with brewing process and pour milk directly into the cup. Do not use milk in the Verismo water reservoir because this can damage the machine.

Investing in a milk frother can be a good choice. The frother will last longer and I'm sure we all agree that fresh milk always tastes better than the powdered stuff. You can find some great options on Amazon.

If the smell has already developed, you can try cleaning your machine with special dairy cleaning solution like Rinza. It's for use on steam wands and milk frothers (not really for use on internal parts of the brewer, so please use at your own risk), but I'm sure it can help clean the milk protein build-ups and I honestly doubt it will do any damage.
How to clean Verismo with Rinza: pour 1 oz Rinza and 16 oz water in the tank, and place the tank on it's place. Run milk button twice. Let the brewer sit for 15 – 20 minutes, then press milk button again until the tank is empty. Remove the tank, rinse it well and fill with fresh water only. Put it back and repeat the rinsing process until empty. Do this twice. Note: You need to rinse and discard 1/2 reservoir of cleaning solution + water. Then rinse and discard 2 full reservoirs of fresh water. Don't forget to always keep a handle closed while rinsing.

I hope this helps!

Update: Starbucks has discontinued all Verismo models. Verismo pods are still available for purchase at select retailers and Amazon.

If you have a question about the Verismo system or you need help, Starbucks Customer Service is available at 1-800-334-5553.

Verismo compatible pods: If you're looking for Verismo pods alternative, the CBTL pods will work with your Verismo machine. There are also really cheap Italian coffee capsules($0.44 per pod) which also work with Verismo.

Want to upgrade? If you only drink Starbucks coffee, Starbucks now makes Nespresso pods for Nespresso OriginalLine espresso machines. If you don't necessarily drink only Starbucks espresso and you want a machine that can do both, coffee and espresso just like your Verismo, there's Nespresso Vertuo Line system.

Different from the Original line which only makes espresso, Vertuoline can make coffee and espresso. Vertuoline espresso pods are even cheaper than Verismo pods ($1.10 for coffee, $0.85 for espresso). The Vertuoline bundle (machine and milk frother) normally retails for $249.99, but you can usually get it for $170 on Amazon when it's on sale. Here you can read my Nespresso Vertuoline review. Plus, all Nespresso pods are recyclable.