Gaggia Classic problems; grouphead and steam

[EspressoGirl]

NOTE: Similar questions were posted on coffeegeek. Not much feedback so far.

1)I have recently bought this machine and pulled 10-15 shots but of the 5 holes that water comes through in the grouphead, 2 of the holes have a smaller stream (one of those 2 goes from having a little stream to no water coming out of it sometimes). Once there was a shower of extemely skinny jets of water coming out when I ran water through it with screen on. Recently, I took the screen off and made sure it was clean. It wasn't clogged at all. How can I fix this problem?

2)Also, no matter how many times I bleed the steam wand, water always comes out, so water is getting into my milk I am steaming. Again, how can I fix this?

The Tech at Importika.com claims both situations are normal and not a problem. Big help.

3)Does anyone know if the Silvia wand is the right size to fit in a Classic Gaggia if I want to replace the short steam wand it came with? (Any other wands fit?)

Thanks and I appreciate all advice.

[Javman1127]

I would recommend contacting Importika again and asked to speak with their tech manager. I have spoke with him on a couple issues and he's very good. I believe his name is Don.

Good luck

[aindfan]

1)I have recently bought this machine and pulled 10-15 shots but of the 5 holes that water comes through in the grouphead, 2 of the holes have a smaller stream (one of those 2 goes from having a little stream to no water coming out of it sometimes). Once there was a shower of extemely skinny jets of water coming out when I ran water through it with screen on. Recently, I took the screen off and made sure it was clean. It wasn't clogged at all. How can I fix this problem?

Have you unbolted the dispersion block and checked for any clogging through there? That involves unscrewing the two hex screws you see once you remove the shower screen. Before that, try running the pump with the shower screen removed and check the flow through the center screw hole. Then, put the screw back in (but not the shower screen) and see if the flow is even from the two or four holes (don't remember how many) in the dispersion block. If there is even flow through there, then check your shower screen again for clogged holes (hold it up to light - I'm sure you've done this already) or check if it is not a fairly uniform gently sloped dome-like shape.

2)Also, no matter how many times I bleed the steam wand, water always comes out, so water is getting into my milk I am steaming. Again, how can I fix this?

After you're done pulling the shot, be sure you're waiting about 30 seconds and beginning to steam before the ready light turns on. (You should time how long it takes for your machine's ready light to turn on and on subsequent steaming sessions purge about 4 seconds before that time elapses and begin steaming 1-2 seconds before the time elapses. This way the boiler stays on and it will take longer to run out of steam, as the boiler is helping you along the entire way.) The first blast of steam will always sputter a bit but should even out after a brief blast. While steaming I've found it most effective to open the valve all the way and once I get to 140 degrees I know it's time to crank it back closed. I am not certain whether the valve is "full open" after a single turn or not.

3)Does anyone know if the Silvia wand is the right size to fit in a Classic Gaggia if I want to replace the short steam wand it came with? (Any other wands fit?)

Thanks and I appreciate all advice.

The Silvia steam wand fit my Gaggia Espresso and I've seen it (online) on a Gaggia Coffee - I think the classic should be similar. The only difficulty with the replacement is removing a nut from the old steam wand - I had to crank mine into a vice and bend the wand to get the nut around the bend. I've gotten much better results with the new wand. (But now I've upgraded to a different machine - the Gaggia served me quite well for the time I had it and was an excellent learning tool.)

Good luck and please post the results - I'd be happy to hear if any of this info made sense or was useful.

[mhoy]

2)Also, no matter how many times I bleed the steam wand, water always comes out, so water is getting into my milk I am steaming. Again, how can I fix this?

How long are you waiting between the bleed and the steaming of your milk?

You need to bleed the steam wand and then immediately steam the milk. Otherwise as soon as the wand cools (even a little) water from the steam will condense inside it. On my Elektra T1 (which has plenty of steam) I clear the wand of water, and then steam the milk. If I wait or get interrupted before steaming the milk, I blast out some steam to get the water out and away I go.

Mark

[EspressoGirl]

If I could just bleed it, all would be fine. The problem is, no matter how many times I try to bleed it, there is a lot of water coming out of the steam. There is basically wet steam from the first second I open the knob. I keep trying to bleed it until hopefully no water is dripping out of the steam, but eventually the steam is just finished because water never stops coming out with the steam...

I haven't had the chance to try the other suggestion I received yet but will try that soon....