I had a quick look around the Resources before posting but could not see what I wanted. Basically, I'm fussy about allowing things to season but no more than that and keeping them clean.

I'm looking to give the filter screen in the group of my Europiccola a proper clean i.e. whilst I use a cloth and pull water through at the end of every usage (to simultaneously release the boiler pressure of course) I want to clean higher up inside and also both sides of the screen.

On a machine like a Gaggia (i.e. pump such as Cubika) you undo the centre screw which allows the screen to fall out. A Pavoni is smooth and does not have this. I'll have a look around the web later when I have more time but if there's an easy answer I'd appreciate it. If it's a bit of job akin to gasket changes then it doesn't sound like one for a regular clean and presumably one is better to backflush or run a boiler of espresso cleaner through (I have Puly products at home).

Thanks.

Hi Paul, I clean that screen every couple of months, assuming that you are in daily use. If you look at my thread on Refeathering the Peacock, you will find the steps to do this properly. Basically you remove the grouphead and then push down on the piston to pop of the grouhead screen. Please do not be tempted to take a shortcut and try to pry it off with a screwdriver or a knife. Take the right steps and you will find it just as fast and you can do a good cleaning of the grouphead as well. Just post if you get stuck.

I know this is probably heresy to some, but an earlier poster made tiny filters and put them on top of his tamped coffee before loading the portafilter. I've done the same with my Pavoni Pro, and I've noticed no real difference in performance. I'd have thought that the pressure might be affected and I'd need to pull harder, but I haven't seen that. It does keep the top screen much cleaner, and may help with the 2nd pull sucking up grounds. Try it.
matthew

Remove the nuts on top of the piston and tap the shaft down with a rubber mallet. Works like a charm.