I noticed while pulling a shot that there was some leakage around the portafilter. After taking a Q-tip and wiping the rubber gasket that the filter basket presses onto, there were some grounds.

While at the local hobby shop I found one of these empty glue bottles for $2.00. Came home filled it with water, keeping it upright, squeezed the bottle. The very small opening in the tip produced a forceful spray of water and considerable grounds dripped out of the group head from around the gasket.

As a matter of routine now, following the puck disposal, I take a damp cloth (careful the grouphead is hot) wipe the group head and screen, take my bottle filled with water and move around the gasket. Only takes seconds and no more leaks.

Below is an image of the bottle that I use for gasket cleaning.

Good idea! I've been dissatisfied with the job the group brushes do too. I use a paper towel once a day to clean. I wish someone came out with a 58mm circular brush, and a PF like handle -- put it in the group, flush and wriggle, and the group would be really clean.

another_jim wrote:I wish someone came out with a 58mm circular brush, and a PF like handle -- put it in the group, flush and wriggle, and the group would be really clean.

Like this?

Half-moon group brush from espressoparts.com

Had you been doing pf wiggle after pulling shot, and preparatory to doing backflush?

Kristi wrote:Had you been doing pf wiggle after pulling shot, and preparatory to doing backflush?

Yes Kristi and was surprised how much still came out after using the little squeeze bottle. I know my load (dose) is good at 14.6g since that is what the Coffeegeek guys suggested for the Solis SL70. Anyway couldn't hurt to use it.

HB wrote:Like this?

Whee! I hope all my wishes can come true this fast.

ldilts wrote:Yes Kristi and was surprised how much still came out after using the little squeeze bottle. I know my load (dose) is good at 14.6g since that is what the Coffeegeek guys suggested for the Solis SL70. Anyway couldn't hurt to use it.

I have made one similar to that. I used a 22 caliber nylon rifle brush I bent, but that looks like it would work much better.

I normally use the tip of a damp cloth to wipe around the gasket after a PF wiggle to get the remaining residue out. I may have to get one of those on my next parts order.

I use a plastic wash bottle:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=6252&gclid=CKO6v6T80YkCFQ5DUAodIzqHzg&cookie%5Ftest=1

Be sure to get one with the spout coming out of the center of the cap. If you remove the little tube inside the bottle you get a really good, directed stream with the bottle inverted. Works like a charm.