If you notice your Babycook reservoir looks a bit like rust, no need to worry! The build-up in your reservoir can only be caused by added materials (i.e., minerals naturally found in water or food that has entered through the steam valve or been poured in with the water measured in the mixing bowl). These minerals are known as limescale and are mostly made up of calcium carbonate. Though these deposits are not harmful, the Babycook, like other heating appliances which use water (think espresso machines), needs to be descaled regularly to remove mineral deposits left from water. To further avoid build up it is important to always use your mixing lid when blending and to be sure that in between uses your blade has been removed and cleaned thoroughly before using the mixing bowl to measure water for steaming again.

We recommend descaling the reservoir with white distilled vinegar when the steam light starts to flash red. Note, it may be necessary to descale more often depending on your water source. Do not ever use a chemical de-scaler (such as CLR) or a coffee machine de-scaler in the heating reservoir, as these can damage the lining of the reservoir and are harmful when ingested. We also do not suggest scraping the reservoir with a foreign object, as this could damage the stainless-steel finish. Below we’ve outlined how to safely de-scale your Babycook step by step! These instructions are outlined in the instruction guide on page 7.

1) Unplug the appliance and let it cool, descaling is done when the appliance is cold

2) Pour a mixture of 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar (or for a more stubborn build-up 1 full cup of white distilled vinegar) into the reservoir and let it sit overnight or for up to 24 hours

3) Pour out the vinegar by tipping the appliance over the sink

4) Repeat steps 1-3 as many times as necessary until clean (check inside after each soak by using a small flashlight or your cell phone) Once clean, reservoir walls should be grey/ silver without spots.

5) Once clean, run 2 steam cycles with plain water using water level 3 to rinse out the vinegar

6) If the steam light is red before you start the second steam cycle, press and hold the steam button(s) for approximately 30 seconds or until the red light turns to white.

7) Clean accessories with warm soapy water

Build up

If you find that you have a more stubborn build-up on the walls of your Babycook water reservoir, an alternative method to using white distilled vinegar is cleaning with lemon juice. We do not recommend fresh lemon, however, as this could leave particles of the lemon in the reservoir. Please use juice from a bottle (without pulp.) For instructions on how to clean your Babycook with lemon juice, please click here.

Once the reservoir is clean, be sure to descale your Babycook at the first sign of build-up in the future. Keeping the reservoir clean is much easier than trying to remove stubborn build-up. If the reservoir floor appears discolored but there is no visible build-up on the surface and walls, descaling is not necessary (as this discoloration cannot be removed, though it is simply cosmetic).

If you have any questions regarding these cleaning methods, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here and happy to help! Contact our Customer Service for tips and tricks 

Happy pureeing!