Coffee machine fixer

[missdiane]

Odd thread title I know
I know there is a few coffee fans in here... My gaggia machine seems to be blocked or broken and I wondered if anyone knew anyone locally who can fix these things? or knows what to look for. The local coffee shop cannot help me And my machine is my one pleasure in life I'm really missing
Thanks

[Pupp]

Di, chances are it is just scaled up... run a couple of doses of a descaling agent through it from the reservoir (followed by lots of clean water), then google 'backflushing' Get yourself a blind filter basket and regularly use a dose of a descaler in the blind basket to backflush the three way valve (this is the bit that get easily clogged).

The machines are really robust but very prone to this problem with our hard water, so need very regular backflushes to keep in order.

You can sort it

[Pupp]

http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/blind-backflushing-ba...

[Podie]

Gaggia Classic?

Got a virtually unused one you can have for £50.

[Podie]

Might even have a pack of descaler...

[missdiane]

Thank you both, this sounds like it might be right, I have de-scaled the main reservoir twice now, it seems to block a few days after

[Podie]

We always use filter water in the kettle and coffee machine...

[alpinemauve]

Coffee Classics in Braunston.
http://www.coffeeclassicsdirect.co.uk/

[Pupp]

alpinemauve said:

Coffee Classics in Braunston.
http://www.coffeeclassicsdirect.co.uk/

Now let's think about this... home Gaggia machine for, say, £250, or pro barista kit for £2,000...? Hmmmm

Another thing it could be Di, and it's happened to mine at times, is an airlock around the pump. Seems this can happen if descaler froths in the water circuit (which it might), or if the water tank empties when pulling a shot. Usually cleared by toggling the steam wand open and closed with the pump running, and by cycling the pump on and off to try and shock the water through... have seen reports of people using a turkey baster or syringe to pump water up the steam wand with the valve open, which then forces it through the rest of the circuit to shift stubborn air...

[Matt172]

Pupp said:

Now let's think about this... home Gaggia machine for, say, £250, or pro barista kit for £2,000...? Hmmmm

Another thing it could be Di, and it's happened to mine at times, is an airlock around the pump. Seems this can happen if descaler froths in the water circuit (which it might), or if the water tank empties when pulling a shot. Usually cleared by toggling the steam wand open and closed with the pump running, and by cycling the pump on and off to try and shock the water through... have seen reports of people using a turkey baster or syringe to pump water up the steam wand with the valve open, which then forces it through the rest of the circuit to shift stubborn air...

the guy at blenders in Northampton suggested the steam wand thing and that was fine, water shot out of that when we cycled it. We're going to order the backflushing thing when we come back from holiday and give that a try :thumgbup:

[Jem0911]

Bellabarista in Welly