How to clean an E61 dispersion screen

[Kristi]

On Silvia, it was easy - unscrew the screw and the screen and dispersion plate drops into your hand.

How do I remove the E61 (QM Eliane) screen? Is it possible to remove it without also removing the gasket? Does removing the gasket necessarily destroy the gasket? How often should the topside of the screen be cleaned? I used to get lots of junk out of there on my Silvia.

I've read all the links I can find. I have a non-ridged screen.

tia!
Kristi (QM Eliane, 2 Mazzer Majors)

[miKe mcKoffee]

Gasket holds screen in. Here's the procedure Click Here

[Kristi]

Gasket holds screen in. Here's procedure Click Here

Yeah I had read that one - I guess I can't remove the gasket other than when I am going to replace it? So I guess it doesn't get dirty in there?
tia
Kristi

[HB]

So I guess it doesn't get dirty in there?

If you are doing water backflushes after each session and weekly espresso cleaner backflushes, you'll be disappointed how squeaky clean it is behind an E61's dispersion screen (yes, curiosity drives me to pop out the screen every couple months). Many home baristas simply replace the screen and gasket as a set when it no longer seals well and don't worry about destroying the gasket in the process by sticking it with an awl.

While this setup may seem like a pain, the advantage is there's nowhere behind the screen for grinds to hang up (no screws), so it's pretty easy to keep clean without disassembly. In the end, there's no practical reason to remove the screen before the gasket is shot as long as you keep the machine regularly maintained.


This is after a few weeks (shame on me! )

If you look carefully, you can see the dispersion screen groove in the picture below. The "ungroovy" ones (left) usually have a thin metal ring spot-welded around the perimeter of the screen and a "dot" welded to the center, whose purpose is still a mystery to me. I've gotten both kinds off without nicking the gasket, but the ungroovy ones are more challenging (and I scratch the sides of them more).


Groovy on the right, ungroovy on the left

PS: See How to clean dispersion screen for a list of more threads on the topic.

[Kristi]

Okay. thanks Dan.

[jrtatl]

FWIW, I have removed my screen and gasket well over 100 times without destroying even one gasket. If you get leverage on the screen housing, the gasket usually comes right out with the screen. YMMV.

Also FWIW, the so-called groovy screens are the ones that come with my Expobar. I bought some ungroovy ones a while back. The groovy ones seem much sturdier; better construction. The ungroovy ones do not fit an Expobar as well as the groovy ones; however, the ungroovy ones seem to sit higher, allowing for a slightly larger dose. (I know this has nothing to do with the OP's machine, but thought I'd throw it in.)

Jeremy

[Kristi]

Was wondering what you used to leverage the basket?

[jrtatl]

I use a flat head screwdriver to leverage the basket. admittedly, this is easier with a groovy screen. i do this with my ungroovy ones too, but, same as Dan, I tend to scratch the outside of the housing on the ungroovy. I have also destroyed an ungroovy screen by trying to use the "spot welding ring" as a groove.




If you use the grouphead as the fulcrum, and get enough friction between the screwdriver and the outside of the screen housing, both the screen and the gasket will "pop" out together.

If my lame description doesn't help, I'll try to post a play-by-play pictorial when I have time. IMHO, the more often you remove the gasket, the less likely it will become "baked in." Theoretically, the only time you need to destroy a gasket in order to remove it is if it has become baked in.


Jeremy

[jrtatl]

In the end, there's no practical reason to remove the screen before the gasket is shot as long as you keep the machine regularly maintained.

to quote my favorite old school tennis player: "you cannot be serious!"

I backflush with detergent once a week. I pull my screen every two weeks or so. Despite the chemical backflush once a week, there are always brown deposits on the backside of my screen. maybe my situation is unique, but my experience tells me there is a marked advantage to regular pulling/soaking of the shower screen. I have about 8 screens (some groovy, some not) and 10 gaskets, so when I pull one set to soak, I throw a clean set on.

also, I pull and soak the screen anytime I significantly change the coffee I am using. I tend to buy from the same roasters over and over. When I switch from one roaster to the other, I'll clean the screen in order to start fresh. sounds anal, but I swear it improves the cup.

Jeremy

[miKe mcKoffee]

If you are doing water backflushes after each session and weekly espresso cleaner backflushes, you'll be disappointed how squeaky clean it is behind an E61's dispersion screen (yes, curiosity drives me to pop out the screen every couple months).

...In the end, there's no practical reason to remove the screen before the gasket is shot as long as you keep the machine regularly maintained.

Dan, you may wish to revise that statement based on later findings of your own and other's found here.

[mrgnomer]

After almost a year I pulled the gasket and screen off my Vetrano. Nasty. After all that time gumming onto the group it still came off easy using a blind filter portafilter wiggle. Lock in with a blind filter, let the pressure build up just until you feel it and loosen. If you hit the pressure right the gasket lifts out. There was enough showing for me to ease the gasket and screen right out with the end of a vegetable peeler. Not a problem and no digging.

Almost a year's worth of build up there. I'll be cleaning more often now.

[Cathi]

I'd be interested in your comments after you've had a chance to clean it in regard to improvement in taste. Bottom's up!

[mrgnomer]

I'd be interested in your comments after you've had a chance to clean it in regard to improvement in taste. Bottom's up!

Oh, it's hard to say if there was a significant difference in taste after cleaning up the screen and brew head since I'm switching roasts, blending and the extractions vary in quality. I just descaled the machine, boiler and HX, and the water tasted definitely sweeter afterwards and I think it's making for a cleaner espresso. I'm pulling more with the Cremina as well so the HX isn't getting as much use. You know how it is

[Ozark_61]

Kirk!

You rock! Using the blind basket to pop out the screen & gasket was waaaay easier than trying to spare my gasket with a screwdriver. Thanks for the tip. I didn't know - but on the the espressoparts.com website, it said to install the beveled (angled) edge of the gasket up. I had my gasket in flat side up since it seemed to make sense that way.. Oops!

Dan - I didn't see a sticky FAQ for home HX maintenance, but I would propose this be a part of it.

Geoff

[jesawdy]

You rock! Using the blind basket to pop out the screen & gasket was waaaay easier than trying to spare my gasket with a screwdriver.

This is the way I like to do it as well after seeing the suggestion. I discussed it a bit in the Bench thread - Quick Mill Alexia - Dispersion screen

Dan - I didn't see a sticky FAQ for home HX maintenance, but I would propose this be a part of it.

This thread and others about E61 screens and gaskets are in the E61 section of the Espresso Gear FAQs and Favorites.

[mrgnomer]

Kirk!

You rock! Using the blind basket to pop out the screen & gasket was waaaay easier than trying to spare my gasket with a screwdriver. Thanks for the tip. I didn't know - but on the the espressoparts.com website, it said to install the beveled (angled) edge of the gasket up. I had my gasket in flat side up since it seemed to make sense that way.. Oops!

Dan - I didn't see a sticky FAQ for home HX maintenance, but I would propose this be a part of it.

Geoff

I was surprised how well it works too.

Someone suggested the bevel is up or against the gouphead to allow a space to hook a tool under to pull the gasket out. Makes sense. The bevel might be there to allow for compression as well.

[RegulatorJohnson]

i highly recommend takin the screen out. its easy and fun. i use an ikea demi-spoon to pry it off. the spoon it my go-to tool of choice also for cleaning out the mazzer chute.

enjoy
jon

[Ozark_61]

I wouldn't bother prying the gasket out or the screen - it's not hard to damage those and it's far less risky to pop it out with the blind filter. The espresso parts page at: http://espressoparts2.zoovy.com/category/espressotutorials.e61groupmaintenance/ had good instructions for installing the gasket. Basically, use the portafilter without the basket to pop the dispersion screen with the gasket on already, wind it in, then put the basket back in the portafilter and then tighten it on. Believe it or not, I was using the other end of a toothbrush before to try to cram it back up in the gh...

Geoff