Press the button near the bottom left of the display to brew a long coffee. When the brewing is complete, empty the container of the water collected. Turn on the pump for 15 seconds. Allow the solution to flow through both the brew head and the steam nozzle for several seconds. After you wait, dispense two cups of water again through the steam wand. Wait three minutes and repeat this process. Do this until the water reservoir is completely empty.

Following these essential maintenance procedures will keep your machine free of coffee oils, limescale, and milk residue. Depending on how often you use your brewer, you may perform these tasks more frequently. As long as you perform regular maintenance, your machine will deliver tasty espresso for years to come!If you are using the Pannarello, remove it from the steam wand. Also remove the Intenza water filter. The descaling instructions are also in the user manual that you can see linked below at the bottom of this article.

To descale with the Gaggia solution, pour half of a 250-milliliter bottle into your water tank and fill the rest with water. Turn on your machine and dispense two cups of water through the steam wand into a container by pressing the espresso and steam button at the same time. Turn off your coffee maker and wait 20 minutes to allow the solution to take effect. I n our article on the complete maintenance of the Gaggia Classic you will see a video that describes how to do a proper descaling. Your machine needs some cleaning! Espresso machines are complex appliances that require a little more attention than your average coffee maker. The buildup of leftover grounds, milk residue, and minerals from your water can be very harmful to your machine. Performing a few basic cleaning and maintenance tasks will dramatically extend your espresso machine’s life and keep your espresso tasting its best.You’ve made the investment and finally gotten yourself a home espresso machine, and you’re enjoying espresso every morning. But over time, you start to notice your espresso is tasting burnt and bitter, and you’re not getting that nice layer of crema you got when the machine was new. Milk residue can easily build up on your Gaggia Pannarello Wand, so daily steam wand purging and cleaning are important. Immediately after using your steam wand, remove it from the milk, run more steam through it, and wipe it with a wet cloth. This will prevent your steam wand from clogging. Every 2 Months Make sure that you are using only filtered water in your water tank. Investing in a water softening filter system will reduce limescale buildup. Remove your water tank and rinse it daily with fresh water to keep it clean. Cleaning the Steam Wand The decalcifying process will clear your machine of limescale buildup that can wreak havoc on espresso machine internals and affect the flow of water. For this process, you’ll need a decalcifying solution. For your Gaggia Classic, the manufacturer recommends their Gaggia brand solution. I wouldn’t recommend using a homemade descaling solution such as vinegar or lemon juice because this can leave a lasting flavor in your machine.

Reinsert your portafilter and repeat this process without adding any more detergent. Give your portafilter and group head another rinse, and you’re all done. Every 6 Months Steam Wand Deep Cleaning Use the make hot water functionality to fill two 150 ml cups from the steam/hot water wand with the diluted solution. It is important to understand that when you do descale it is possible for chunks of scale to break loose and clog the "Three Way Solenoid Valve" If this happen then the three way solenoid valve will have to be removed for cleaning.When the empty water tank icon displays, take the water reservoir and rinse it thoroughly. Fill it with fresh water. Lime scale forms when water is heated or boiled. Lime scale particularly forms during the heating of ‘hard water’ which contains a lot of calcium and magnesium ions. The small pieces of lime scale that form end up in your tea or coffee. Regular declacification extends the lifetime of your machine and enhances the taste of your coffee. Remove the shower screen screw with the Phillips head screwdriver, and remove the shower screen plate with the Allen key. If the plate doesn’t fall out on its own, use your flathead screwdriver to remove it. Clear out any buildup with a descaler and a stiff brush.