Care, choices and electricity costs

Home espresso machines: keep yours running well and your coffee costs down

Look after your home espresso machine, understand its care reminders and work out what it costs in electricity.

Espresso machine and cups on a kitchen counter beside a laptop and potted plants.

What do you need help with?

My machine says it needs descaling What does my machine cost to run? Which cleaning jobs are due? What do these flashing lights mean? What should I check about my water? Bambino or Bambino Plus?

Keep yours running well

The right guide for the job

Descaling

Is your machine due a descale?

Check model-specific timings and manual warnings before starting.

Routine care

Keep the cleaning jobs separate

Match cleaning, descaling and filter reminders to your Sage model.

Running costs

Put a cost on your electricity use

Use your own energy reading and unit rate in the calculator.

Water and filters

Start with your water supply

Check your water hardness and what jug-filter claims really mean.

A question about your machine?

Start with what you want to know

Which basket should I use with my Bambino?
Match the basket to the coffee you use.
Are these flashing lights a fault or a reminder?
Check what the lights mean on your Sage or Gaggia Classic E24.
Is the Bambino Plus worth it for the milk controls?
See what the Plus's automatic milk texturing adds.

Guide descriptions checked against the linked pages on 29 September 2026. We have not used these machines. Photos are licensed from Pexels and Unsplash and are not our own equipment. See photo credits.