Expresso Head Cleaning

• Tools Required:

  • Flat-Head Screwdriver
  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • A Stiff-Bristled Brush
  • Decalcifying Solution
  1. Remove the water tank, drip tray and grid, portafilter, and power cord.
  2. Lay the machine on its back.
  3. Locate the shower screen. It is where you lock the portafilter into place.
  4. Remove the shower screen, it is fastened into the group head with a Phillips head screw in the center. Once the screen is out, the 3/4 inch-thick aluminum shower holding plate is exposed. It is held in place by two 5mm Allen bolts.
  5. The shower holding plate should just drop out after you remove the Allen screws. If it does not, use a large flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry out the shower holding plate. Be careful not to damage the ridge that the shower screen fits up into. If you do, a new holding plate is available.
  6. Sometimes, the shower holding plate may really be stuck. To remove a plate that is stuck, you can use a pair of needle-nose pliers. Open the pliers and stick the points into the holes where the Allen bolts were, then turn hard. This should free the shower holding plate. Clean out any build-up that you see using a stiff brush and some descaling solution – the same kind you would use to descale the machine.
  7. You should now be able to remove the group gasket. It is a large black rubber ring.
  8. Once the parts are removed, use a stiff brush and some descaler, like Gaggia Decalcifier, to clean any build up in the group head. You can also soak all metal parts in the descaler to remove tough stains and build up. DO NOT soak any plastic pieces in the descaler, as it can compromise their integrity. This is also a good time to soak the portfilter head and coffee baskets.
  9. Once everything is clean, make sure you thoroughly rinse off any descaler or other detergent that you used during the cleaning process.
  10. Reassemble the group head and test to make sure it has been put back together correctly.

Residents of the EU and Switzerland whose personal information Zendesk controls may request access and the opportunity to correct, amend, or delete that information. If You are our customer and would like to gain access to, or request deletion of information We have collected as data controllers, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will respond to such queries within 30 business days.