The Starbucks Verismo coffee machine is known to brew the best espresso and coffee at the comfort of your home. A coffee machine, just like any other appliance, is prone to breaking down or experiencing technical problems that may occur due to poor maintenance.
If you are reading this, you may have experienced one or more issues with your Verismo machine. Would you like to find Verismo troubleshooting techniques and make sweet and hot coffee? This article will explain the most common Verismo problems, their solutions, and tips on how to maintain your coffee machine.
How to unclog a Verismo machine?
Failing to clean a Verismo machine may result in it getting clogged. It is highly recommended that you clean it either on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. When cleaning on a daily basis, rinse the machine once after use before turning it off.
On a weekly basis, rinse the machine only once and switch it off. You should then remove and empty the drip tray and water tank. Clean the unit with a moist and soft cloth. The removable units must be hand washed with detergent and a dry soft cloth. You can then assemble the parts together.
Starbucks advises that you should clean your Verismo machine after every month or after brewing 20 to 30 beverages. The steps to cleaning the Verismo machine on a monthly basis are as follows:
- Raise and close the handle for the pod to fall in the bin, after which the water tank can be removed.
- Mix a full bottle of Urnex Full Circle descaling and cleaning liquid with fresh water into the reservoir up to the maximum fill line.
- Reattach the reservoir, put a mug or a bowl on the drip tray, and rinse until the water tank is empty.
- Remove the water tank, clean it and fill it with fresh water. Return it to the machine and repeat the rinsing step twice until it is empty.
- Wipe the Verismo machine with a moist cloth, clean out the bin and reattach the reservoir.
Why is my Verismo frother blinking red?
The Verismo button blinks red because the brewer requires to be descaled. This mainly occurs in Verismo model V. The machine should be descaled after every three months using either the Urnex Full Circle or Durgol Swiss Espresso decalcifier.
Here’s how to descale a Starbucks Verismo coffee machine:
- Raise and close the handle to detach the water tank.
- Mix a full bottle of Durgol and 12 ounces of fresh water into the reservoir at a half-full level.
- Reattach the reservoir to the machine and rinse. Repeat this rinsing step until the water tank is empty.
- Remove the water tank, clean it and fill it with fresh water. Return it to the machine and repeat the rinsing step twice until it is empty.
- Wipe the Verismo machine with a moist cloth, clean out the bin and reattach the reservoir.
For older Verismo versions, that is versions 580, 583, and 600, the red and green light simultaneously blinking indicates that the machine is overheating. There is no need to descale the brewer. If the button continues blinking even after descaling, contact Starbucks customer service.
Starbucks Verismo coffee machine has lost its prime
Another Verismo problem is when the machine has lost its prime on its pump. It restricts water from flowing through it. The steps below describe how to prime a Verismo machine:
- Switch on the Verismo machine but the brew and steam switches should be off.
- Put a large cup or bowl on the steaming wand and open the steaming valve.
- When the valve is opened but the boiler is not warmed for steaming, the pump will start and prime the pump.
- Once the water has continuously flown from the wand for a maximum of five seconds, close the steam valve. You can then heat water to steam or brew.
The Starbucks Verismo coffee machine won’t brew
The coffee machine may fail to make hot coffee because you do not have the general cycle. It is therefore advised that you regularly clean the cycle so that the machine heats properly and remains clean. Maintain temperatures between 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also make your coffee hotter by running one brew cycle excluding the pod so as to preheat the coffee machine efficiently. Another way of making hot coffee is by rinsing the mug with warm water before brewing your coffee.
Read Also: List of the best low-acid coffee brands
Verismo is not pumping water
There are reported cases where water is not coming out of some brand-new Verismo coffee machines. You need to give the machine some time before it dispenses water.
If you have correctly set up the Verismo, followed the manual’s instructions and nothing has happened after 2-3 minutes, then its dispensing unit is experiencing a technical problem.
There are two solutions in case this happens.
- You can either pump a top stainless-steel handle about 20 to 30 times to lessen the machine’s stiffness.
- You can also request a replacement machine from Starbucks.
If either of these methods does not work, you can call Starbucks customer service for assistance.
Verismo produces a sour milk smell
The Starbucks Verismo coffee machine may produce a smell like that of sour milk because of the milk pods. Starbucks advises that you rinse the machine after brewing the milk pods because milk comes into contact with every unit in the machine. Never use milk in the water reservoir since it will damage the machine.
There is a special dairy cleaning solution called Rinza that is recommended for cleaning the machine when the smell has developed. It should only be used on steam wands and milk frothers.
To be on the safe side, it is urged that you avoid using milk pods in your coffee machine. Alternatives for milk pods are coffee pods and real milk. They brew better coffee, maintain your machine for a long time, and smell much better. When you’re done brewing your hot coffee, pour fresh milk directly into the cup.
If your Starbucks Verismo coffee machine is not working or the problem is not highlighted here, you should contact Starbucks customer service for further instructions. They are available from Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.