Like other coffee makers, however, your Illy espresso machine can choose to “act up” every once in a while; preventing you from enjoying the nice cup of espresso coffee that you love to enjoy. If you are having issues with your machine, or need help performing various operations, here is a troubleshooting and how-to guide you can use.
How Do You Use Illy Espresso Machine?
Illy Espresso X7.1 machine
Turning on/off
Before switching on the machine check the water level in the tank; if necessary add water. Empty and rinse out the drip tray each time you fill the water tank.
To switch the machine ON, press the power button until it lights up.The icons in the circle will light up progressively to indicate the increase in the boiler temperature.After a few minutes, when the machine reaches the operating temperature, the brew button symbol will light up and you will hear a brief beep.If the triangular symbol lights up and intermitted beep is emitted, there is an issue with the machine.To switch the machine off, press the power button until the front panel goes off. Never disconnect the plug from the power outlet when the machine is switched on.
Making coffee
The X7.1 machine is designed to function exclusively with Illy “Iperespresso” capsules. To make coffee, follow these steps:
Turn the capsule holder to the left and remove it from the brew head.Insert the capsule into the capsule holder.Insert the capsule holder in the brew head; turn the handle to the right until it locks into place.Check that the coffee button is lit.Press and release the coffee button. The machine will brew the programmed quantity of coffee. To stop the flow in advance, press the button again.To make other coffees, remove the used capsule and repeat the steps above.
Setting the quantity of coffee in a cup
To set the machine to brew your desired quantity of coffee in automatic mode, follow these steps:
Insert a capsule into the capsule holder and then fit the capsule holder to the brew head.Place a cup beneath the capsule holder.Press the coffee button and keep it pressed until the coffee has reached the desired level. Release the button. The machine is now programmed.
To set the machine to work in the manual mode, follow these steps:
Insert a capsule into the capsule holder and the fit the capsule holder to the brew head.Place a cup beneath the capsule holder.Press the coffee button and keep it pressed until the machine automatically stops dispensing coffee. Release the button. In this case the programming has been cancelled.
When you have set the machine for manual mode of the quantity of coffee after you start brewing you will need to press the coffee button again when the coffee has reached the desired level in the cup so as to stop the flow. It is also possible to make coffee using the manual procedure in the automatic mode, to do that:
Press the coffee button for about 3 seconds;Press the coffee button again to stop the flow;In this way you will not change the quantity of coffee initially programmed.
Illy espresso machine Y3.2
For first use, or if the machine has not been used for a long time, you should rinse the internal components by cleaning the water tank and dispensing at least 3 mugs of water. To do this, follow these instructions:
Making espresso coffee
Making brewed coffee
Espresso cup quantity programming
Brewed coffee cup quantity programming
Temperature programming
How to Reset Illy Espresso Machine
Performing a reset will restore the machine to factory settings. To reset Illy Y3.2 machine follow the instructions below:
How to Make Illy Espresso without Machine
One way to make espresso without a machine is by using an AeroPress. The mechanism uses a plunger to generate pressure. The AeroPress equipment looks like a large plastic syringe with a filter for coffee at the end. In addition to the AeroPlace, you will also need specific filters. While the AeroPress can come with a pack of filters when you purchase it, in case it doesn’t then you can opt to buy the filters separately. For this process, you need the following supplies:
An AeroPress and two filtersDark roast or espresso beansA burr grinder or a finely ground mixA kettle or mug (microwave-safe)A thermometerA mug to collect your espresso
With the above supplies ready, then follow these steps to make your espresso:
How to Clean Illy Espresso Machine
Illy espresso machine Y3.2
Cleaning your Illy Espresso machine regularly helps keep it hygienic and working properly. However, the cleaning process might be different from your other appliances. For effectiveness and to prevent damage, you need to make sure you are following the proper cleaning procedure. There are also some safety precautions to observe to prevent shock:
Start by turning off the machine. Make sure the power button is off before unplugging the machine from the electrical outlet.Wait until the appliance is cool before cleaning.After it has cooled off, remove the water tank by pulling it down slightly and then outward.Use a damp cloth to clean the body and attachments, and then wipe with a non-abrasive dry cloth. Do not use detergents.Do not expose the machine to jets of water or immerse it in water, partially or fully.
For proper cleaning and maintenance, follow these steps:
Illy espresso machine X7.1
You need to clean the machine and its components at least once a week. Keep the water in the tank fresh; wash the tank and fill it daily with fresh drinking water. When cleaning, do not use ethyl alcohol, solvents, abrasive sponges, and/or aggressive chemicals. Follow the steps below to clean the machine:
How to Descale Illy Espresso Machine
Limescale buildup is normal with the use of the machine. If the brew buttons on the machine flash alternately, the machine needs to be descaled. The machine is equipped with automatic programming allowing you to optimize cleaning and to remove limescale deposits. You need to do the descaling procedure at least every 2 months.
Illy Y3.2
You can start the descaling procedure only when the machine is cold. If you don’t carry out the operations according to the indicated time, the machine will not start the descaling process. In this case, turn off your machine and repeat the steps from the beginning:
Illy X7.1
If the triangular icon in the central circle flashes (1 flash every two seconds), proceed as follows: At this point it is necessary to clean the internal water circuit of the machine of any residues of the descaling agent. That is, you must run the machine through a rinse cycle. Follow these steps:
Remove the tank and clean it thoroughly; fill it with 1 litre of fresh water (up to the MAX level).Place an empty container of at least 1-litre capacity beneath the brew head.Turn the steam wand towards the container; water will flow from both the brew head and the steam wand.Press the coffee button. The power button and the triangular icon in the circle will flash simultaneously to indicate the beginning of the cycle for rinsing the internal water circuit of the machine.At the end of the rinse cycle all the flashing signals will go off and a beep will be emitted. Remove the water collection container from beneath the brew head and wash it thoroughly.Refill the water tank again. Now the machine is ready for use.
How to Troubleshoot Illy Espresso Machine (X7.1) Doesn’t Make Coffee
If your Illy X7.1 machine is not making coffee, try the following troubleshooting instructions to resolve the issue:
Fill the water tank; make sure it is fitted completely into place.Remove the capsule holder from the coffee brew head.Wait until the coffee button lights up (machine ready to brew).Place a container underneath the brew head and press the coffee button.Dispense water for a few seconds.Stop the flow.Insert a new capsule in the capsule holder and fit it to the brew head; proceed with making coffee.
How to Use Illy Espresso Machine Pods
Illy E.S.E (Easy Serving Espresso) pods contain dosed and tamped measures of the illy blend, enclosed in filter paper designed to preserve critical flavor and aromas. An E.S.E pod is simply placed inside a compatible machine, and within 30 seconds yields an espresso with the signature illy taste. To use the pods, insert a pre-measured, perfectly ground and tamped pod into an E.S.E –compatible espresso machine and you have your espresso in less than 30 minutes. Each pod is individually wrapped to assure maximum freshness with every cup.
Why is My Illy Espresso Machine Not Working?
If your Illy coffee machine is not switching on;
The power button could be in the OFF (0) position. Make sure you switch the power button to ON (I) position.If the power button is ON but the machine is not switching on, check the power cord and make sure it is connected to a power socket conforming to the technical data indicated in the data plate.
If the machine doesn’t brew coffee;
The water tank could be empty. Make sure to fill the tank with water.The water tank might not have been properly inserted. Make sure you have inserted the water tank correctly.It might be due to incomplete closure of the moving part the machine head. Lift the capsule compartment cover and make sure that the capsule has been inserted in the compartment. Lower the lever up to the lock position. Then try again and brew coffee.Capsule may not have been inserted in the capsule compartment. Make sure to insert a capsule into the compartment.The capsule is not fully pierced. Use a new capsule.The pump may have failed to start. To fix this, make sure there in no capsule inside the machine. Lower the opening lever up to the lock position and then press any button to dispense water. Try again to brew coffee with a new capsule.
Check this too: Jura Espresso Machine How-to & Troubleshooting Guide If the capsule isn’t ejected;
The capsule is still in the compartment. Close the opening lever completely, then slowly open it again, to ensure the ejection of the capsule into the removable user capsule tray.
If the machine brews slowly;
This could be due to limescale in the hydraulic circuit. Start the descaling cycle .
Illy Espresso Machine Error Codes, Their Meaning and Fixes
Illy espresso machine buttons will light to indicate current status and errors. Below are the status indications and what they mean:
