DeLonghi Eletta Explore ECAM45086S Superautomatic Espresso Machine

Before first use, remove all packaging. Install the DLSC002 water filter: soak for 1 minute, rinse, and seat in the filter holder inside the 1.8L water tank. Fill with cold, fresh water. Do not use distilled water.

Plug in and power on. The color touchscreen will guide you through initial setup: language, water hardness setting, and a rinse cycle. Enter water hardness based on your local water supply — this calibrates descaling intervals.

Fill the bean hopper with fresh whole beans. The integrated conical burr grinder has multiple settings for adjusting grind coarseness. Start at the default mid-range and adjust based on extraction time and taste. The LatteCrema Cool carafe keeps milk refrigerated — fill with cold milk and connect before selecting milk-based drinks.

21 One-Touch Drinks Including Cold

The Eletta Explore offers 21 one-touch recipes including Over Ice specialty drinks. Hot drinks: Espresso, Coffee, Long, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato, Caffe Latte, Flat White, Cortado, Doppio+, Espresso Macchiato, Hot Milk, Hot Water. Cold drinks: Cold Espresso, Cold Coffee, Cold Americano, Iced Coffee, Cold Cappuccino, Cold Latte Macchiato, Cold Flat White, Cold Latte. Cold brewing extracts at lower temperatures for a naturally smooth, less acidic result.

LatteCrema Cool — Refrigerated Milk System

The LatteCrema Cool keeps milk at refrigerator temperature throughout the day. Fill the carafe with cold milk, connect to the machine before selecting milk-based drinks. The system automatically dispenses and froths the correct volume for your selected drink. Run the milk clean cycle from the menu after each milk-based drink session. Disassemble and wash the carafe parts daily — all components are dishwasher safe.

Customization

Adjust drink strength (5 levels), coffee volume, and milk volume for each recipe. Save customized versions of any drink as personal favorites through the touchscreen. Multiple user profiles can be set up if multiple people use the machine with different preferences.

Pre-Ground Coffee

Use the bypass doser for a single shot of pre-ground coffee — add one level scoop to the doser above the group head before selecting your drink. Do not use for whole beans.

Daily — After Each Use

The Eletta Explore will automatically rinse the brew unit and milk circuit after each use. Empty and rinse the drip tray and grounds container daily. Rinse the milk carafe or milk container parts under warm water and allow to air dry. Wipe the exterior with a microfiber cloth.

Weekly — Brew Unit

Remove the brew unit (accessible through the side or front door depending on your model) by pressing the marked release. Rinse the brew unit under warm running water — do not use soap or detergent. Allow to air dry or towel dry before reinserting. The machine will prompt a brew unit removal when cleaning is needed; never force the unit while the machine is in operation.

Weekly — Milk System

Run the Eletta Explore's built-in milk system clean cycle after every milk-based drink session. Follow the on-screen or display prompts. Disassemble the LatteCrema carafe or milk tube and wash all milk-contact parts (carafe, lid, tube, valve) in warm soapy water. All milk carafe parts are dishwasher safe (top rack). Rinse thoroughly.

Monthly — Water Filter

Replace the DeLonghi DLSC002 water filter every 2–3 months or when prompted by the machine. To install, soak the new filter in water for 1 minute, rinse, insert into the filter holder, and seat in the water tank. Keeping the filter fresh reduces descaling intervals and improves taste.

Descaling

Descale the Eletta Explore when the display prompts a descaling cycle — approximately every 3–6 months depending on water hardness and usage. Use DeLonghi EcoDecalk descaler (DLSC500). Do not use generic or vinegar-based descalers — they can damage internal components. Follow the full descaling procedure on the display screen. Run the complete cycle without interruption.

Machine Won't Turn On or Brew

Check that the water tank is filled above the minimum line and properly seated. Ensure the drip tray and grounds container are correctly installed — most DeLonghi superautomatics will not operate if these are missing or not seated correctly.

Coffee Tastes Weak

Increase the coffee strength/intensity setting (most models allow 5 levels). Adjust the grinder to a finer setting. Check that the correct coffee amount is set for your drink. Ensure beans are fresh — stale beans produce a weaker, more bitter extraction.

Coffee Tastes Bitter

Reduce coffee strength/intensity or adjust the grinder to a slightly coarser setting. Check water temperature setting if adjustable — a lower temperature reduces bitterness.

Machine Prompts 'Empty Grounds Container'

Remove and empty the grounds container, then rinse and dry before reinserting. The container counts approximate shots — if you empty it before the prompt, the counter may not reset properly. Fully remove and reinsert to reset the counter.

Milk Not Frothing

Check that the milk carafe or frothing tube is properly connected and clean. Milk buildup in the tube restricts flow. Disassemble and rinse all milk-contact parts. Run the milk clean cycle. Use cold, fresh milk — refrigerator-cold milk froths best.

DESCALE Alert

Run the descaling cycle immediately using DeLonghi EcoDecalk. Do not continue brewing through a descale alert — scale buildup damages the boiler and affects performance. Follow the on-screen procedure step by step without interruption.

Warranty and Support

DeLonghi products carry a 2-year limited warranty, extendable to 3 years when you register your product at delonghi.com within 90 days of purchase. For warranty service or support, contact DeLonghi at 1-800-322-3848 or visit delonghi.com/en-us/customer-service.