Hi,

Ive had a look around the net and cant seem to find much about this issue for this machine.

I have a Gaggia Deluxe ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-Coffee-D...B00008BQZ8 )

Which drips after producing an shot, my understanding is that because of the solenoid valve it should suck the excess off leaving a dry puck?

Is this something wrong with the machine, my technique?

Many thanks in advance

Jon

Jon,

I don't believe the model that you've referenced has a 3-way solenoid to relieve pressure after the shot.

The Gaggia Classic does, and if you take a look at the picture of that machine (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000C72XS/), you will notice a thin, vertical tube at the back of the drip tray on the left-hand side. This is the discharge tube, and is where water exits following a shot when using the Classic.

However, there is no such tube on the Deluxe because there is no solenoid valve. Consequently, the pucks are a bit "soupy". Maybe even more than a bit. If the drips you refer to are coming from the portafilter spout(s) immediately after stopping the shot, they are normal drips.

Hope this helps,

Greg

I second Greg.

I have a Deluxe at home and confirm there is no solenoid valve. Instead, the group valve is composed of a small piece of rubber (shaped like a mushroom) placed on the end of a spring. The tension in the spring forces the rubber gasket to seal the hole at the top of the valve, 1/4" away from the bottom of the boiler.

The group valve tends to wear out too quickly for my taste. After a while the rubber gasket fails to seal correctly and needs to be replaced. However, I have never seen a replacement of just the rubber part but only of the whole valve which costs over 20$ plus shipping, if available at all. You can try extending the spring to increase the tension once compressed, only to re-do the operation every other week. If your lucky it might only be a bit of scale on the gasket which breaks the seal.

If it drips a lot (1-2oz) after a shot you should take a look at the group valve. A good indicator if it drips too much is if the pump is loud and it takes > 1 second for the water to come out of the group.

Just be carefull when trying to remove the valve and specialy when putting it back. It is easily breakable if too much torque is applied to it.

Good luck.

Jerome