Gaggia Classic Maintenance
While this is written with the Gaggia Classic in mind, this carries over to any espresso machine.
Daily
After making a coffee:
- Backflush with water.
- Wipe down and run steam wand.
- Wipe down machine.
- Wash portafilter and milk jug.
Every Couple of Days
- Empty drip tray.
- Empty knock box.
- Refill water tank.
Weekly
- Backflush using espresso machine cleaner.
- Clean drip tray.
- Clean knock box.
Every month
Clean Shower Screen
- Remove shower screen from group head.
- Soak in a warm solution of espresso cleaner and water. Let rest for an hour or so.
- Reinstall shower screen.
Every 3 months
Descaling
- Fill up the water reservoir to max.
- Add the descaling solution according to the manufacturers recommended ratio.
For reference the water reservoir is 2.1L when filled up to max.
- Turn the machine on and dispense 500ml of hot water through the steam wand.
Open the steam wand valve, and flip the brew and steam switches at the same time.
- Turn the machine off. Wait 20 minutes.
- Turn the machine on, dispense 600ml hot through the steam wand.
- Let the machine rest for a couple of minutes.
- Dispense 600ml through the group head. Turn the machine off.
You should have only a tiny bit of water left in the reservoir. You don’t want to empty it completely as air may get stuck in the pump.
- Remove and clean the reservoir.
- Add it back to the machine, fill it to the max.
- Dispense 500ml hot water through the steam wand.
- Let the machine rest a couple of minutes.
- Dispense 500ml hot water through the group head.