I just took my little blue Mini apart last night to put in a new piston seal. These tiny machines have so much going for them but seem to not get much love in the forums (with a few exceptions). Tiny footprint, rock solid temp stability, 58mm group, quick heat up, and the ability to pressure profile all day long. I highly recommend adding a second spring though if you are going to use the machine alot. The extra punch limits how much you have to help the lever along and brings the initial pressure closer to 9 bar.

Pretty little machine, those first photos tho did look like some war footage tho.

nice machine but my girlfriend is flipping out at the sight of a rack full of caneles hiding in the background...

did you bake them ?

The second spring was a huge help. I believe I actually got one of the springs that was initially sent to Europe and then I had it sent to the US. Long way for a spring to travel but very much worth it.

Quick question: do other 58mm Gaggia portafilters fit directly into the Mini or do you have to grind and modify the ears to make them fit as well? I currently have the stock portafilter in its unmodified state and an e61 filter that I had to perform a total hackjob on to make it fit. I would prefer one with the proper fit that I would just have to make bottomless.

coelcanth wrote:nice machine but my girlfriend is flipping out at the sight of a rack full of caneles hiding in the background...

did you bake them ?

yes 8min at 270 ° C and 1h00 at 180 ° (the recipe if you want ;-. The real molds fluted copper is better, but I use silicone molds.
I will reflect on this history of second spring ...
And my first shot! in true, the second, the first was too failed.

Hi Vincent,

nice job on the Mini Gaggia, well done. Mine is still awaiting a proper cleaning, the boiler seems to have some old coffee oils on all walls. However, I've not yet managed to take it apart, as the two front feet are broken and don't unscrew
Which brings me to my question: You said that on yours, also two feet were broken, did you repair them or replace them somehow? The only way for me to disassemble the machine would be to saw off the front feet.

Thanks,

Roland