Hello everyone,

I'm just starting out on the road to the god-cup. I've decided to skip simple consumer machines and jumped straight to Gaggia Achille, what with it being sold for about $320 around here.

However, after an evening of playing with this beast I'm rather confused (and Google didn't help). The main problem I have is that the green "correct pressure" light just won't turn on, ever, yet the manometer shows the pressure to be around 1.0-1.2 bars, the boiler turns off when 1.2 bars mark is reached and I'm fairly sure (i. e. it looks similar to buyer's guide videos) the water is flash-boiling when I pull the lever. Any ideas on that?

Another issue I had were leaks. First, I had steam leaking from the manometer gauge - fixed it by tightening the two screws on the back of the gauge. While that fixed the steam leak, I wonder if it also might have messed up the measurements? The other leak I had was from the boiler cap - this one was fixed by tightening it REALLY hard. Again, while that fixed the leak, I'm worried if it's the right way: wouldn't it damage the thread?

Finally, is it just me or is the included tamper a total waste of plastic? It won't even cover the grounds completely, I always have them squeezed out from the sides when I try to tamp. Maybe that's just my lack of skill or something?

Slaador wrote:The main problem I have is that the green "correct pressure" light just won't turn on, ever, yet the manometer shows the pressure to be around 1.0-1.2 bars, the boiler turns off when 1.2 bars mark is reached

I suggest you check the wiring to the switch OR the bulb is no good.

Slaador wrote:The other leak I had was from the boiler cap - this one was fixed by tightening it REALLY hard. Again, while that fixed the leak, I'm worried if it's the right way: wouldn't it damage the thread?

The boiler cap is sealed with a heavy o-ring contained in a shaped brass washer. You won't damage the thread as it is a good length. Maybe a little lube on the o-ring will make it seal with less force?

Slaador wrote:Finally, is it just me or is the included tamper a total waste of plastic? It won't even cover the grounds completely, I always have them squeezed out from the sides when I try to tamp. Maybe that's just my lack of skill or something?

Correct. It is useless, as is the steam valve, as you will discover

Read all you can on this forum about the Achille. The machine is worth taming

I guess I'll cope without the green light, seeing as it's probably the only faulty part anyway. Maybe I'll check it someday if I ever have to toy around with the p-stat.

Thanks for your answer, Craig, it's really encouraging. I was almost thinking I got some bad defects on my Achille. But now it's clear there's only my own inexperience. And a stupid tamper. Oh well.