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Date: 25 May 2007 23:13:39
From: Max Leggett
Subject: scale in a Gaggia Carezza
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I have a 2 year old Gaggia Carezza that suddenly stopped putting water
through coffee. Water flows freely through the shower head, the wand,
and through the empty basket, but not when I have coffee in the
basket. A few insipid drips is all. Steam works fine. Yrs truly has
never descaled the Gaggia in the last 2 years [d'ah ....] so I
descaled today. A very slight improvement, but still nothing like
normal. Should I descale a few more times, or have I shot the works? I
also removed and scrubbed the shower screen [also long overdue] but
still no espresso.
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Date: 26 May 2007 08:56:55
From: Flasherly
Subject: Re: scale in a Gaggia Carezza
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On May 25, 7:13 pm, Max Leggett <kidkoo...@gmail.com > wrote:
> I have a 2 year old Gaggia Carezza that suddenly stopped putting water
> through coffee. Water flows freely through the shower head, the wand,
> and through the empty basket, but not when I have coffee in the
> basket. A few insipid drips is all. Steam works fine. Yrs truly has
> never descaled the Gaggia in the last 2 years [d'ah ....] so I
> descaled today. A very slight improvement, but still nothing like
> normal. Should I descale a few more times, or have I shot the works? I
> also removed and scrubbed the shower screen [also long overdue] but
> still no espresso.
Before buying one, noticed over ratings and reviews a tendency and
need for regular cleaning, one reviewer cited after taking his into an
office environment. After a month or more, I briefly cycled lemon
concentrate through mine a few times, and also noticed improvements in
steaming and water retention (drips from the dispersal screen during
certain periods while coming up to temperature, and to lesser degree
from the wand). Next time will be an overnighter.
Also took it apart, out of the box new. Nice and tidy in there from
what I saw. More fun than a barrel of monkeys compared to r-n'-r-ing
two mbs last week on a 16:9 32" HD-LCD.
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Date: 26 May 2007 02:33:46
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: scale in a Gaggia Carezza
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Max Leggett <kidkool2u@gmail.com > wrote:
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Date: 26 May 2007 02:02:50
From: Bill (Adopt)
Subject: Re: scale in a Gaggia Carezza
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In article <6uqe535etg9p9mmabnf8780lvijabg9kq1@4ax.com >,
Max Leggett <kidkool2u@gmail.com > wrote:
> I have a 2 year old Gaggia Carezza that suddenly stopped putting water
> through coffee. Water flows freely through the shower head, the wand,
> and through the empty basket, but not when I have coffee in the
> basket. A few insipid drips is all.
If water is flowing freely then, apart from a fault
with your pump, perhaps the first and easiest thing
to look at is your grind setting/tamping 'weight'.
If you're using pre-ground, then try a lighter tamp
and see how that affects performance.
If you're grinding your own beans then first try the
lighter tamp and then try dialing in a coarser grind.
I guess it isn't unknown for some grinders to re-adjust
themselves in use especially if your burrs/grinding
plates are nearing the end of their useful life...
These adjustments may be all that you need ..well,
hopefully all that you will need ../but/..
> Steam works fine. Yrs truly has
> never descaled the Gaggia in the last 2 years [d'ah ....] so I
> descaled today. A very slight improvement, but still nothing like
> normal. Should I descale a few more times, or have I shot the works?
Try the suggestion above first - (tamp and coarser
grind)- if only because it's just a matter of a few
seconds adjustment). If the improvement is only minor,
then you could try an additional descaling ..and even
another if there is a noticeable improvement.
Like your heart, no pump and circulatory system likes
being ignored. I guess better to make descaling and
maintainance a regular diary date - along with the
regular diary date that you have with your GP and/or
Practice Nurse.
Prevention, where possible, is probably better than cure
as in either case the alternative death is an expensive
option designed to clear out your bank accounts p.d.q.!
> also removed and scrubbed the shower screen [also long overdue]
> but still no espresso.
Are the larger hole(s) underneath the dispersal screen
also clear? Might need a helping prod with the end of
a soft pipe-cleaner - mind, you'll need to have the
group sitting upright in the usual position and pumping
without the screen in place to observe if there is any
slight restriction. Obviously take care not to burn
yourself...
Hope helps as a start... :))
Bill ZFC
--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/
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Date: 26 May 2007 00:04:52
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: scale in a Gaggia Carezza
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Howdy Max!
Depending on how much you've used it the two years you've owned the Carezza,
it may be a simple fix or a slightly more complex fix - try the simple parts
first; descale it a couple more times & check the group valve for scale
build up. If that doesn't work, then it's on to the slightly (just a bit,
not much) job of disassembling the boiler & doing a manual descaling of the
aluminum upper boiler. It's all pretty simple stuff (how many Phi Beta
Kappa's do you figure saw this as a career path?)
Take a look here for more help:
http://home.earthlink.net/~r_harmon/Gaggia%20maintenence.htm.
Good luck!
--
Robert (Please don't buy from folks that post advertisements in this
newsgroup!) Harmon
--
http://www.tinyurl.com/mb4uj - My coffee pages.
http://www.tinyurl.com/2tnv87 - My 'Guidelines For Newbies' page.
http://www.tinyurl.com/2cr3e2 - I have things for sale here.
"Max Leggett" <kidkool2u@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:6uqe535etg9p9mmabnf8780lvijabg9kq1@4ax.com...
>I have a 2 year old Gaggia Carezza that suddenly stopped putting water
> through coffee. Water flows freely through the shower head, the wand,
> and through the empty basket, but not when I have coffee in the
> basket. A few insipid drips is all. Steam works fine. Yrs truly has
> never descaled the Gaggia in the last 2 years [d'ah ....] so I
> descaled today. A very slight improvement, but still nothing like
> normal. Should I descale a few more times, or have I shot the works? I
> also removed and scrubbed the shower screen [also long overdue] but
> still no espresso.
>
>
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