How to Use a Nespresso Machine: Original and Vertuo Step by Step

Buying in Canada

Canadian machines run on 120 V like US models, but warranty is handled in the country of purchase, so buy a Canadian listing. In Canada the same Nespresso machines are sold under the Breville and De'Longhi names; the coffee system is identical, so compare colour, bundle and price. Our links open Amazon.ca with prices in Canadian dollars, and Best Buy Canada and Nespresso boutiques also stock them. Manuals and packaging are bilingual, English and French.

Before the first cup

Fill the water tank with fresh, cold water and put it back in place. Empty the drip tray and the used-capsule container if they hold anything from the box. Check the manual for the first-use routine for your model, which usually involves running water through the machine before the first capsule. Place the machine on a flat, stable surface with room to open the head.

How to turn on a Nespresso machine

Most machines turn on with a press of the main button, and the light starts to blink while the machine heats. On many models the light turns steady when the machine is ready. Heat-up time and the standby behaviour vary, so check your model's manual. If the machine does not respond, check the plug, the tank position and our guide to blinking lights.

Original machines: step by step

1. Lift the lever to open the brewing head.

2. Drop one Original capsule into the opening. The machine pierces it when you close the lever.

3. Close the lever firmly.

4. Place a cup under the outlet.

5. Press the button for the size you want: ristretto, espresso or lungo.

6. Lift the lever again afterwards. The used capsule drops into the container.

Vertuo machines: step by step

1. Open the head using the lever or handle on your model.

2. Insert one Vertuo capsule.

3. Close the head. The machine reads the barcode and chooses the brew program for that capsule.

4. Place a cup under the outlet, large enough for the capsule's size.

5. Press the button. The capsule spins while it brews.

6. Open the head to eject the used capsule.

Choosing capsule and cup size

The capsule decides most of the drink. On Original, press the size that matches the capsule's recommended cup. On Vertuo, the barcode sets the size for you, so match the cup to the capsule. If you want something stronger or milder, read what the numbers on Nespresso pods mean before you choose.

Milk drinks

Machines with a built-in milk system make milk drinks in the same session. Others use a separate frother, the Aeroccino, which heats and froths milk on its own. Our milk frother guide explains which milk works best.

After each cup

Empty the used-capsule container when it fills, empty the drip tray and refill the tank with fresh water. These three habits prevent most smell, taste and overflow problems. Wipe the outside and the brewing area when they look dirty.

Care that keeps it working

Descale regularly. Scale builds up inside the machine over time, so follow the machine's descaling reminder and your manual. See our descaling guide.

Set a cup size you like. Original machines let you set the volume for a button. Our cup size guide walks through it.

Follow a routine. A weekly and monthly routine is in our maintenance guide.

When something goes wrong

Capsule stuck: read what to do if a capsule is stuck. Water not flowing: see pump and flow fixes. Lukewarm coffee: see why coffee is cold. Loud pump: see noisy machines.

Lights and buttons: what they usually mean

A blinking light normally means the machine is heating or working, and a steady light means it is ready. A fast blink, a different colour or a pattern of flashes can mean the machine needs descaling or has an error, and the meaning depends on the model. Check your manual, or our guide to blinking lights, before you try to force anything.

Water: what to put in the tank

Use fresh, cold water and refill it rather than topping it up. Rinse the tank with clean water weekly. If your tap water is hard, scale builds faster, and filtered or softer water slows it down. See our guide for hard water areas.

A first set of capsules to try

Start with three capsules from your system: a lighter one, a middle one and a bolder one. Brew each at its recommended size, taste it black first and then with milk if you like it that way. This tells you which range suits you faster than reading descriptions. The intensity guide explains the numbers on the sleeve.

Using an Aeroccino, step by step

1. Pour cold milk into the jug up to the level marking inside.

2. Close the lid and place the jug on its base.

3. Press the button for hot or cold froth. Most Aeroccino models offer both.

4. Wait for the light to show that it is done, then pour the milk over your coffee.

5. Rinse the jug right away. Dried milk is much harder to clean.

A simple care routine

Questions people ask

How do I know if my machine is Original or Vertuo?

Original capsules are small, while Vertuo capsules are larger with a barcode. Our guide to identifying your Nespresso machine shows how to tell, and how to find the model name.

How do I open a Nespresso machine?

Use the lever or handle on the brewing head. On Original it lifts up, and on Vertuo it opens in the way your model shows. Do not force it if it is stuck: remove the cause first, as described in our stuck capsule guide.

How does a Nespresso machine work?

A pump pushes hot water through the capsule. Original machines use high pressure through a sealed capsule, while Vertuo machines spin the capsule and read a barcode that sets the program.