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Cleaning the gaggia

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  • #16
    Re: Cleaning the gaggia

    gaggiaboy....

    Aluminium is VERY reactive and will even be attacked by water.....

    Fortunately as soon as water (or even air) touches Aluminium it oxidises the surface forming a hard layer of aluminium oxide which resists further corrosion (Anodizing is just a chemically produced thicker layer).

    Now when you introduce acid - any acid- it will dissolve the aluminium oxide (as well as the calcium carbonate - the scale)... no aluminium oxide.... no protection for the aluminium and rapid corrosion...

    The acids action can be tolerated for a short time..... but long term it will do damage.

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    • #17
      Re: Cleaning the gaggia

      so short term gain-good cleaning, long term pain-more corrosion!

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      • #18
        Re: Cleaning the gaggia

        I thought backflushing with detergent wasnt recommended because of corrosive effect on the alloy shower head and screen. Thats why I changed mine to a commercial brass shower head and stainless steel shower screen.

        But maybe the corrosive effect is minimal and insignificant for short term exposure? Seems people are doing it and not reporting problems?


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        • #19
          Re: Cleaning the gaggia

          Hi Decaf.

          On my Classic the screen was stainless and the detergent didnt damage the dispersion block. I dont think that the detergent is particularly harsh. I never noticed any ill effect from backflushing..in fact the colour of the crud that came out convinced me of the benefit.

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          • #20
            Re: Cleaning the gaggia

            Regarding citric acid and aluminium I found this
            http://www.finishing.com/412/51.shtml

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            • #21
              Re: Cleaning the gaggia

              Hi guys! So i know im reviving an old thread, but i just purchased a Gaggia Classic, and have no clue about the best way to clean it. There seems to be different levels of cleaning: general cleaning, backflushing, descaling... So i have some questions if thats okay!

              1) When you generally clean it after every use, i know that you generally wipe it down, clean the drip tray, steamwand and so on. But do you unscrew and remove the shower disc and anything else up there, every time???

              2) Do you backflush after every usage? And does that just involve using a blind filter and inserting it in, and letting the water brew through it? Is there a wiggling to be done?

              3) Which specific descaler do people use that is the most effective for the Classic and the safest? And how often do we descale?

              Thank you very much everyone, much appreciated!

              Simon

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              • #22
                Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                Originally posted by 352F2B2928352D7E34460 link=1169432459/20#20 date=1255604518
                1) When you generally clean it after every use, i know that you generally wipe it down, clean the drip tray, steamwand and so on. But do you unscrew and remove the shower disc and anything else up there, every time???

                2) Do you backflush after every usage? And does that just involve using a blind filter and inserting it in, and letting the water brew through it? Is there a wiggling to be done?

                3) Which specific descaler do people use that is the most effective for the Classic and the safest? And how often do we descale?

                Thank you very much everyone, much appreciated!

                Simon
                Simon,

                Daily routine should include a simple water backflush - so use your blind filter do the same routine as you would with backflush detergent, but just with water.
                Weekly routine includes chemical backflush

                I only occasionally remove and soak the shower screen in backflushing detergent, but I weekly scrub around the group head using a specific cleaning brush available from your local sponsor

                Important to remember if you finish with steaming milk, run water through the group head to reduce the temperature of the boiler otherwise you will run the risk of doing damage if left on.

                In regards to descaling, see http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1253159244
                I use a Bombora or Cafetto descaler - speak to your local sponsor or give either of those companies a call and they will point you in the right direction.
                I would recommend between a 3 and 6 month descaling regime.

                Good luck
                Ben

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                • #23
                  Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                  Thank you so much for that very nice summary of the cleaning process, much appreciated!!! Youd think that youd get at least some cleaning products with the gaggia... ah well. Will any descaler and chemical cleaner for espresso machines do?
                  Important to remember if you finish with steaming milk, run water through the group head to reduce the temperature of the boiler otherwise you will run the risk of doing damage if left on.
                  Ah wow, i didnt know that! thanks for the heads up!

                  Simon

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                  • #24
                    Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                    hey guys!

                    I just finished backflushing and cleaning my machine with chemicals, and im backflushed it with no chemicals many many times, and the water that comes out of that long rod still smells a bit like... well not like water :P. Is this normal, or should i keep going until there is no smell??

                    thanks!

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                    • #25
                      Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                      Bump

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                      • #26
                        Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                        Originally posted by 3822262425382073394B0 link=1169432459/23#23 date=1256456322
                        hey guys!

                        I just finished backflushing and cleaning my machine with chemicals, and im backflushed it with no chemicals many many times, and the water that comes out of that long rod still smells a bit like... well not like water :P. Is this normal, or should i keep going until there is no smell??

                        thanks!
                        Backflushing is one process

                        De scaling is another

                        Note: Different chemicals and methods required for each... Do not confuse them . If in doubt RTFM

                        What do you mean LONG ROD ???

                        If you mean steam wand... Say so.

                        If that has lots of chemical smells, then that may mean that you have not followed the correct procedure...

                        Sounds like lots and lots of flushing to clean the system out... PEBFAG

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                        • #27
                          Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                          LONG ROD = solenoid valve drain pipe into the drip tray

                          Id go off colour - so if the water coming out of the pipe is clear, then you are ready to rock and roll. May take about 5 goes with the blind filter with no backflushing detergent

                          As AM said, descaling is an entirely different process. Have you got any desclaing liquid?

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                          • #28
                            Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                            Im not descaling, im backflushing it with chemicals. And i mean the decompression rod that lets water into the drip tray.

                            P.S. what does RTFM and PEBFAG mean? lol

                            Yeah the water eventually gets clearer and clearer, but it doesnt smell like water, and has a bit of a chemical sort of smell to it... The instructions say to put i spoon of it into the blind filter, insert handle, run for 10 seconds, stop for 10 seconds, and repeat that 5 times all up, then do the whole process again, but without the chemicals. I end up having to do it many more times to get the smell to diminish!

                            Ill try again and see how i go... thanks guys

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                            • #29
                              Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                              Originally posted by 6C767270716C74276D1F0 link=1169432459/27#27 date=1257575171
                              P.S. what does RTFM and PEBFAG mean? lol
                              http://www.acronymfinder.com/
                              RTFM - Usually means - Read The F^%ing Manual

                              As for PEBFAG, dont know for sure, but since it was from AngerManagment, it is probably a typo for PEBKAC or PEBCAM or some such thing. You can look them up.

                              Basically:
                              Problem Exists Between <variable one> And <variable two>.

                              I personally prefer PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer. Then again, I used to work for Cadburys IT department, so it was particularly relevant!

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                              • #30
                                Re: Cleaning the gaggia

                                AMs explanation
                                PEBKAC = Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair

                                PEBFAG = Problem Exists Between Floor And Group

                                In other words... Most issues and errors will be the user

                                KK

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