Xeno Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2011 Posts: 16 Location: NYC Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2012, 6:52pm Subject: A few questions on maintanance Gaggia Classic
Hi all,
It's been a while since I dabbled with my espresso machine. I just primed it, and now I want to descale it.
I know that I should remove the shower screen while descaling, but what about the shower screen holder plate. Also, does it help to soak the shower screen and holder plate in citric acid?
A different but related question - when cleaning with cafiza, I used to soak the shower screen in it. If citric acid isn't the right way to go, do I soak the shower screen holder in cafiza, or is the blackflush I usually do good enough?
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Wed Oct 31, 2012, 10:47pm Subject: Re: A few questions on maintanance Gaggia Classic
Cafiza only removes stuck coffee oils that otherwise would go rancid, while citric acid only removes scale. The first can be done by backflushing. However, after a while there's still some gruel accumulated behind the shower screen, so it's wise to remove it from time to time. Descaling is also required regularly, the interval depending on the water you use.
By the way, the boiler of the Gaggia Classic is made of aluminium. It's no good using citric acid on it, because it damages the boiler. It's better to use tartaric acid.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 11:18am Subject: Re: A few questions on maintanance Gaggia Classic
I hadn't thought of the material question, vs. the cleaner used, but - yes I'd remove that piece that the screen screws into it. It has a channel through it that can and will get clogged with scale. It's pretty easy, 2 socket head cap screws, 5mm I believe. The gasket should pop out pretty easily at this time as well, might be a good idea to check it's condition.
jimbo57 Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Location: SW Ohio Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia New Baby Grinder: Rocky Vac Pot: Several Drip: Pour Over Roaster: Sono, Hottop, Behmor
Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 11:50am Subject: Re: A few questions on maintanance Gaggia Classic
You may already be aware of this, but I thought I'd throw it out there (it's the Gaggia group on yahoo. There's quite a bit of great info out there on these machines.)
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