Portafilter handle dripping while brewing

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chanty 77
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Joined: 14 years ago

#1: Post by chanty 77 »

This is perplexing to me. On and off my portafilter handle will drip water off the end of the handle during brewing of espresso. Sometimes the puck is a little more moist looking, but not watery. Any ideas why this would be doing this? Thanks.

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HB
Admin
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#2: Post by HB »

Dried out grouphead gasket?
Dan Kehn

chanty 77 (original poster)
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#3: Post by chanty 77 (original poster) »

Nope, that was just replaced about a month ago.

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normriff
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#4: Post by normriff »

Sometimes people put them in a tub of soapy water or run them through the dishwasher. Is that possible in this case?

If it's leaking out around a new PF seal, then the basket could be banged up and need replacing.
Norm Riffle
The Original "It's A Grind", Portland Oregon - Espresso and Coffee Equipment Specialist since 1992

matt1203
Posts: 37
Joined: 13 years ago

#5: Post by matt1203 »

it happened to me just couple times, in my case I am sure it is not the group basket issue, I found it somehow I over tighten it, or slightly over dose the basket. if it happens every time then you should replace the group basket to see if that is the problem.

PobodY
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#6: Post by PobodY »

normriff wrote:Sometimes people put them in a tub of soapy water or run them through the dishwasher. Is that possible in this case?
That's what I was thinking too. - I recently rebuilt my steam valve and there was a lot of dripping from the knob... I'd soaked it in polycaf to clean it, and it was behind all the seals and slowly dripping back out.
It would be the same for the portafiller if you'd got water inside the handle whilst giving it a clean.

chanty 77 (original poster)
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#7: Post by chanty 77 (original poster) »

I'm thinking maybe that it is as simple as how I've been washing/cleaning the portafilter forever. I have a dishpan of sudsy water in which I use to wash dishes in general. After I am done making my cappuccino, I take out the basket and put the basket & portafilter in the sudsy water. I clean it well & put it on the counter to dry. Maybe I should not be putting the entire portafilter into the water. Maybe I should just dunk the end in the water where the basket goes into?

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craigcharity
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#8: Post by craigcharity »

Did you put the gasket writing side up?

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UltramaticOrange
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#9: Post by UltramaticOrange »

While shopping for a gasket, it was suggested that I also check the wear on the locking tabs of the portafilter and then suggested that if I don't want to spend the cash to replace a worn portafilter, I should get a 9mm or 10mm thick (as opposed to the standard 8mm for the Gaggia Classic) gasket. Lots of people seem to have gotten the 10mm gasket who then later complained that it was too tight.
If your tiny coffee is so great, then why don't you drink more of it?