CARE SHEET
Like a car, your espresso machine is an investment whose performance and longevity depend on proper care and
operation. To help ensure that you get the most out of your machine, we have outlined several key maintenance
procedures that will help to keep it brewing and steaming properly. The following information applies to most of
our Semi-Automatic espresso machines, unless indicated otherwise.
Group Head Cleaning:
Tools Required:
• Flat-Head Screwdriver
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Needle Nose Pliers
• A Stiff-Bristled Brush
• Gaggia 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.
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.
6. You should now be able to remove the group gasket. It is a large black rubber ring.
7. 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.
8. Once everything is clean, make sure you thoroughly rinse off any descaler or other detergent that you used dur-
ing the cleaning process.
9. Reassemble the group head and test to make sure it has been put back together correctly.
