Philips EP3241/54 how to set the water hardness
At first use; the default is 4 (hard water). The correct setting avoids descaling more often than needed.
Steps
- Measure the water hardness with the test strip: 4 red dots is above 21 dH, 3 above 14 dH, 2 above 7 dH, 1 red dot or 4 green dots below 6 dH.
- Switch the machine off.
- Hold the aroma strength icon until all its lights come on.
- Tap the aroma strength icon until the number of lights matches the hardness level, then press start/stop.
Using the aroma strength icon here does not change the strength of later drinks.
Source: Setting the water hardness Source: Setting the water hardness, p. 16
Other EP3241/54 procedures
- How to descale with Calc / CleanWhen the Calc / Clean light flashes slowly. Takes about 30 minutes.
- How to install and activate an AquaClean filterAt first use, when the AquaClean light flashes orange (after 95 litres), and at least every 3 months.
- How to remove and insert the brew groupFor weekly cleaning, and when the alarm light flashes.
- How to clean the brew groupRinse weekly; use a coffee oil remover tablet monthly.
- How to lubricate the brew groupEvery 2 months, and when the coffee is watery or the machine sounds different.
Sources
- User manual, Fully automatic espresso machine 800, 1200, 2200, 2300 and 3200 series (multilingual; English pp. 4–24). Versuni Holding B.V. Document 642001040436, revision 07/2026, 2026-07, 635 pages, en. dam.versuni.com (PDF). Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.