How to Make Hot Water with a DeLonghi Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

If you’ve ever wanted hot water from your DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machine—maybe for Americanos, tea, or cleaning—but weren’t sure how to get it without brewing espresso, you’re not alone. Many owners skip this feature simply because the steps aren’t obvious. But the good news? Your machine can dispense hot water easily, and it doesn’t involve running a full brew cycle.

To make hot water from your DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machine, ensure the temperature is ready (the single or double cup OK light is solid), move the milk frother to the side, place a container under it, turn the steam knob counterclockwise until hot water flows, then stop it by turning the knob clockwise once you have enough.

What You Need Before Making Hot Water

Before you start, your DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machine must be properly heated. That means waiting until the machine indicates the set brewing temperature is ready. Look for the temperature status light—either the single cup or double cup OK indicator—and make sure it’s lit solid, not blinking. This confirms the internal boiler has reached the optimal temperature for safe and effective hot water dispensing.

Step-by-Step: Dispensing Hot Water

Here’s how to physically get the hot water out of your machine:

• Move the milk foam (frothing) wand—also called the milk frother or steam arm—away from its docking position to the side of the machine.
• Place a heat-safe container, like a mug or kettle, directly beneath the steam wand where the milk frother usually sits.
• Turn the steam knob counterclockwise (left) as far as it will go. Do not stop partway. Keep turning until you feel or hear it stop moving. This action diverts hot water instead of steam through the wand.
• Hot water will now flow from the wand outlet into your container. Let it run until you've collected the desired amount.
• When you’ve got enough hot water, simply turn the steam knob clockwise (right) back to its original closed position. This stops the flow immediately.
• Finally, move the milk frother back to its original docked position on the machine.

Why the Milk Frother Needs to Move

Your DeLonghi’s steam wand is integrated with the milk frother, which normally dispenses steam for frothing milk. But by shifting the frother out of the way, you give the hot water a clear path to exit through the same nozzle. This design lets you access hot water without needing a separate hot water spout. The movement of the frother is essential to expose the water outlet—so don’t skip this step.

How to Know the Machine Is Ready

The temperature-ready indicators are crucial. On your DeLonghi control panel, there are separate OK lights for single and double cup brewing modes. Before attempting to dispense hot water, confirm that either the single cup or double cup temperature OK indicator is glowing continuously. This light tells you the machine’s heating system is at the correct temperature to deliver properly heated water. If the light is blinking or off, wait until it stabilizes—this ensures your hot water is adequately hot and safe for use with coffee or tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn the machine on or preheat it before making hot water?

Yes. Your DeLonghi machine must be fully powered on and warmed up until the single or double cup temperature OK light is solid. This confirms the internal boiler is at the proper temperature for hot water. Do not attempt to dispense hot water if the light is blinking or off, as the water may not be hot enough.

Can I make hot water without moving the milk frother?

No. The milk frother (steam wand) must be moved to the side to expose the hot water outlet. If you leave it in its normal docking position, you won't be able to access the hot water flow, since the design routes hot water through the same nozzle used for steam.

Is the hot water from the machine filtered or safe for tea?

The hot water comes directly from the machine’s internal boiler, which is heated but not filtered. It is generally safe for making tea or instant drinks, but for best taste and safety, use filtered water in your machine’s tank if you frequently use hot water for non-coffee beverages.

Does turning the steam knob too fast damage the machine?

No, but you must turn it all the way counterclockwise to start the hot water flow, and all the way clockwise to stop it. Avoid stopping midway by leaving the knob in an intermediate position. Always turn it fully in either direction to ensure proper operation and avoid leaks or incomplete shutoff.

Can I use this method to clean the machine?

Hot water from this method can be used for light cleaning tasks, such as warming a cup or rinsing, but for full descaling or deep cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s dedicated cleaning or descaling procedures. This hot water function is not a substitute for those maintenance steps.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Home Espresso

For making espresso-based drinks where you might want hot water—like an Americano—try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend, known for its balanced profile of nuts, chocolate, and caramel. For more vibrant fruit notes, the Ethiopia Humbera SOE highlights bright acidity and floral tones, while the Black Cocoa Blend offers bold roastiness with hints of dark chocolate and spice. All three work well in espresso and complement hot water-based drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.