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Bman40
User
Junior Barista
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Gaggia Espresso - black water after decal - 2007/03/12 21:48
Hi all
I have an ebay gaggia espresso, and its been a tank for almost two years (many thanks to Colin for getting me started in the espresso / coffee game) but....
I had been using a Gaggia decal product in the machine to clean out the 'gunk'...last month I went to espressotec in richmond they did not have the gaggia stuff, so bought the Saeco (urnex??) product and follwed the usual steps. When I let the decal sit for 15 mins and then ran the pump, the water came out BLACK!
I did it again today, and the water was still blackish, and there are tiny 'fines' in the bottom of the cup...
Is the urnex stuff safe for an aluminium boiler like the gaggia? Did I kill it? Can i fix it? do I need to replace the boiler? I cannot afford to replace the machine right now (saving pennies to get our kids to Europe next summer) so I need to fix the bugger.
Any tips / comments would be very helpful.
Barry in Richmond
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colin
Admin
Admin
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Re:Gaggia Espresso - black water after decal - 2007/03/13 09:30
No harm has been done --
I did the same with a Gaggia Classic on the weekend that has been busier than the shop kitty in a rocking chair factory...
The gal I gave the Gaggia too (Yes, I gave away a gold Gaggia Classic...) was informed that the Classic was suitable for home use... you know, a couple of shots or lattes a day. I also gave her a DEMO'd Solis Maestro.
What did she do? She brought it into her office and opened her own coffee shop! (Slight stretch...)The unit was getting used a dozen times a day. By the time I got to it, I had to run 2 batches of the URNEX through it and it was still puking out grey goo.
I mean, she was running the thing to death and took no care what-so-ever.
I guess that is what happens when you get something for free.
Any-ho - Keep running the water through til it comes out clear.
My motto: Clean it clean! Your machine I mean.
Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website |
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Barry
Visitor
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Re:Gaggia Espresso - black water after decal - 2007/03/13 10:21
Thanks Colin.
My Espresso gets put through the paces - usually 6 + shots every morning.
Like I say - its been a tank.
I pulled the boiler apart last night - there was a lot of scunge inside - biological YUCK - and some grey aluminum scale.
I used a nylon scrubbie to clean it out, then emery cloth followed by 200 grit wet/dry sandpaper to 'polish it up' a bit. I had a boiler gasket lying around, so i replaced it too. So far today its lookign better....I asked the 'boss' about a Silvia yesterday, and that went over well - NOT!!! gonna have to stick with this one for a while....
Barry
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