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Gaggia Classic still underextracting post group gasket change. Help!

  • 20-04-2014 8:17pm
    #1
    murphyebass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,553 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys, so it's starting to bug me now. I want to get my Gaggia Evolution working. I thought the group gasket change had helped but in reality it was more wishful thinking on my part.

    It's still underextracting. It's putting about 4oz through in the time it should be doing 2. The result is watery rubbish attempt at espresso.

    Other than changing the group gasket which solved the leaking water problem I also tried changing the grind, ie make it finer to slow things down. Didn't work. Tried tamping harder again no dice.

    I want to give the machine to my brother when I buy my new classic in the next few months but want it working otherwise there's no point.

    Things you may need to know to help troubleshoot.

    I bought the machine second hand a year or so ago. It never had a working indicator light which I'd like to fix. Maybe just a bulb? It also lets out a lot of steam from the group head when you take off the portafilter to put the coffee in from the grinder.

    Maybe it's just had its day but my curiosity is really getting the better of me hear. Even if it can't be fixed I'm dying to know what the problem is.

    Thank god for my aeropress in the meantime.

    Any help much appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Grind it fine enough so as it's choking and barely flowing than slowly/gradually adjust it coarser and retry?


  • #3
    murphyebass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,553 ✭✭✭murphyebass


    Gran Hermano wrote: »
    Grind it fine enough so as it's choking and barely flowing than slowly/gradually adjust it coarser and retry?

    Tried it again there now. Gaggia MDF at 2 on the grind which is incredibly low. It didn't choke the machine though. Still came out. Slightly slower but seriously that fine a grind should have stopped it dead. Still underextracting.

    I'll try this again tomorrow though with a couple of different beans just to be sure.

    Thanks for that though.


  • #4
    donnacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    murphyebass wrote: »
    Tried it again there now. Gaggia MDF at 2 on the grind which is incredibly low. It didn't choke the machine though. Still came out. Slightly slower but seriously that fine a grind should have stopped it dead. Still underextracting.

    I'll try this again tomorrow though with a couple of different beans just to be sure.

    Thanks for that though.

    I'd focus on the grind/grinder. When was the last time you gave a grinder a good clean?


  • #5
    murphyebass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,553 ✭✭✭murphyebass


    donnacha wrote: »
    I'd focus on the grind/grinder. When was the last time you gave a grinder a good clean?

    I've cleaned it recently but yeah could do with a proper take it apart etc clean.

    Anyway quick update. Started from the start this morning again but more clear headed.

    Ground at 1 on my MDF. Nearly choked the machine. Delighted!

    Ground at 2, still over extracted with about 1.5oz of coffee per 23second count.

    Ground at 3, pretty much spot on where I'd like it to be with the MDF not being stepless there's only so far you can dial in. It gave me a 2oz shot at 23seconds.

    Very nice result with Cuba Serrano coffee I picked up at Nicks in the phoinex park market yesterday. Not normally what id go for in an espresso but it sure is full over flavour. A dark full on Italian style espresso. I was talking to The man himself actually. Nice guy.

    Again thanks for the help guys think I was just half asleep last night plus the recommendation for espresso from the MDF is about a 6 so using 3 is way under the recommendation but maybe that just the cleaning needed.

    Anyway looks like I'll be hyper from espresso today!!


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