Gaggia Classic Steam/FrothingProblem
I brought this one onmyself. My original problem/issue wasthat most times if doing a second pull within a few minutes of the first; itwas as if steam, not water was spewing through the Portafilter. It did not matter how fine the grind, howfull the basket or or how hard it was tamped, it would flow out as if the grindwas coarse and not tamped. I decalcifythe unit on a monthly basis and back flush weekly. I even swapped out the head screen mount witha brass one.
I thought perhaps thethermostats might be at fault and since they were not expensive, I replacedboth. Ahh, then it hit the fan! Now Iget no steam at all. When I replacedthe “stats”, I was careful; I removed power, did not disturb any other wiringand was again careful to not over tighten the stats when I put them in. Also, it used to be that when I activated thesteam switch, the ready light would go out until the steam temperature wasreached. Now it does not go out. I have a good electronic/electrical backgroundso I was not just blindly jumping into this.
I have done the following inthe way of trouble shooting:
1. I put theoriginal thermostats back in. No change,still no steam.
2. I checked thefuse, it is fine.
3. I checked theheating elements with an ohm meter and did read resistance. So they are not shorted or open.
4. I put athermometer to the top of the heating chamber and it reads approximately 145 F.
5. I get plenty ofhot water through the brew head.
6. I get plenty ofhot water through the steam wand when pumping water as if to make tea.
I am at a loss and have hadto resort to my old coffee maker. Mywife and I really miss our AM and PM cappuccinos and I would be very gratefulfor any hints someone could provide.
Tony
I brought this one onmyself. My original problem/issue wasthat most times if doing a second pull within a few minutes of the first; itwas as if steam, not water was spewing through the Portafilter. It did not matter how fine the grind, howfull the basket or or how hard it was tamped, it would flow out as if the grindwas coarse and not tamped. I decalcifythe unit on a monthly basis and back flush weekly. I even swapped out the head screen mount witha brass one.
I thought perhaps thethermostats might be at fault and since they were not expensive, I replacedboth. Ahh, then it hit the fan! Now Iget no steam at all. When I replacedthe “stats”, I was careful; I removed power, did not disturb any other wiringand was again careful to not over tighten the stats when I put them in. Also, it used to be that when I activated thesteam switch, the ready light would go out until the steam temperature wasreached. Now it does not go out. I have a good electronic/electrical backgroundso I was not just blindly jumping into this.
I have done the following inthe way of trouble shooting:
1. I put theoriginal thermostats back in. No change,still no steam.
2. I checked thefuse, it is fine.
3. I checked theheating elements with an ohm meter and did read resistance. So they are not shorted or open.
4. I put athermometer to the top of the heating chamber and it reads approximately 145 F.
5. I get plenty ofhot water through the brew head.
6. I get plenty ofhot water through the steam wand when pumping water as if to make tea.
I am at a loss and have hadto resort to my old coffee maker. Mywife and I really miss our AM and PM cappuccinos and I would be very gratefulfor any hints someone could provide.
Tony

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