I've just descaled by machine and after around 10 tank purges (including one through the steam wand) my water is still cloudy for the first few seconds. Is this normal? (photo above taken about 3 seconds after)

by Icy_Bandicoot_4362

20 Comments

  1. The_Pelican1245

    Does hot water from your kitchen sink do this too? Hot water is usually kinda cloudy when it’s first put in a glass.

  2. JSquidy

    I’ve always assumed this is just air trapped in the water or something, I have no idea what im talking about though

  3. Amazing_Bed_2063

    Just taste it. So many things can cause this and most are natural.

  4. Superb_Raccoon

    If it goes clear after a minute, it is microbubbles.

  5. LovelyHatred93

    Definitely just air in the water. Nothing to worry about.

  6. colonel_batguano

    If it clears up in a minute or so, it’s just dissolved gas. Most gases are less soluble near the boiling point, but when under pressure can remain in solution. Once the pressure is released, the dissolved gas will form bubbles like this.

    If it stays cloudy, you may need to look into the mineral content of your water.

    From your picture, I would bet money on it being dissolved gas.

  7. MediumForeign4028

    Thought I was in r/medical for a moment.

  8. Wolfgangnetz

    Can also happen when there is calcium build up in the machine boiler.

  9. Devanino

    I hope I’m not the only one that read that as back shots 😅

  10. AssignmentDueInABit

    When was the last time you descaled?

  11. JohnSlick83

    I just thought everyone used distilled water, blessed by the pope, and left in the moonlight for 6 hours, and then triple filtered through an AlkaViva…. Doesn’t get cloudy that way

  12. fewell8

    It’s most likely air. Does it clear up after ~1min?

  13. RepresentativeAspect

    It’s probably microscopic bubbles that dissipate after a few seconds or a minute – do they? Assuming the water is clear after a minute of sitting, does agitation make it cloudy again? If not, it’s bubbles. If so, then there some powder in there. In which case just guess is residue from a failed boiler element.

  14. thug-duck

    Had to double check the sub name…

  15. MuchReputation6953

    Does the user manual of thr espresso machine make any mention of or give any advice towards descaler solution selection?