That little rubber seal/bung from the Gaggia Classic steam wand

zagmund

You know, the little teeny tiny one that you're always afraid you're going to lose when you take it apart to clean it . . . well, after about 10 years I finally lost mine.

As a result all the steam is coming back out the wand and not into the milk. On occasion the whole thing blows up and milk goes everywhere. It's cool, but a pain.

Does anyone know whether you can get replacements for that seal/washer/bung or whether you need to get a new wand ?

As a matter of interest, my classic must be approaching 10 years old now. Are there any parts which - while not exactly consumable - need to be replaced after a couple of years ? I'm thinking of things like the various pressure seals inside the machine, or even the pump.

Apart from the current problem (due to the lost bung/washer/seal) the machine seems to be performing well. Every 12-18 months I give it a bit of a clean and descale. Is there anything else be done on a machine this old ?

z

snollup

You could try this crowd, http://watermark.ie/, there the agents for Gaggia in Ireland afaik.

rymus

While I'm not exactly sure what a new seal/washer will cost you, it might be a good opportunity to stick a silvia steam wand on there. Not expensive and makes a hell of a difference over the stock wand. If the other half complains, say it's a necessary evil

snollup

rymus wrote: »

While I'm not exactly sure what a new seal/washer will cost you, it might be a good opportunity to stick a silvia steam wand on there. Not expensive and makes a hell of a difference over the stock wand. If the other half complains, say it's a necessary evil

Is this easy to do then? Do you know where I could pick up a Silvia steam wand?
Thanks.

rymus

I got mine off ebay mid last year from a guy in Scotland. He doesn't seem to sell much nowadays though. Only reason I went to ebay was that happydonkey didnt ship to Ireland. Can't remember exactly how much it was, but it wasn't more than about 15 quid (sterling). Installed with the aid of an adjustable spanner in under 10 mins. World of a difference and a damn sight easier to clean.

rubadub

Is this a complex shape? if not any old foodgrade silicone O-ring should to it, or maybe plumbers PTFE tape, or a tiny lick of foodgrade silicone from a silicone gun.

kmick

The electrical shop in Hardold Cross beside the Spar do parts and servicing.
http://www.kenilworthelectrical.ie/gaggia.htm