Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
10
Time Required
15 - 20 minutes
Sections
1
- Gasket
- 10 steps
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Introduction
The gasket creates the seal between the portafilter (which contains the coffee) and the group head of the espresso machine, ensuring water is pressurized through the grounds for good extraction. A cracked gasket will allow for pressure and water leaks resulting in poor espresso.
Before beginning, make sure your espresso machine is unplugged and completely cool.
What you need
Step 1
Gasket
- With your left hand, strongly grip the handle of the portafilter.
- Pull the handle to your left. This will unlock the portafilter.
- If the portafilter lock is too tight, place your hand on the top or bottom of the machine to provide additional leverage.
- Gently push down to release the portafilter.
With your left hand, strongly grip the handle of the portafilter.
Pull the handle to your left. This will unlock the portafilter.
If the portafilter lock is too tight, place your hand on the top or bottom of the machine to provide additional leverage.
Gently push down to release the portafilter.
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Step 2
- Slide the drip tray towards you to remove and set aside.
- Two holes in the middle of the tray are available to make the tray easier to hold on to when removing.
- Grasp the water reservoir using the front indention and the bottom of the tank.
- Pull the water reservoir towards you to remove and set aside.
- The drip tray and the water reservoir may contain water. Avoid spills if possible.
Slide the drip tray towards you to remove and set aside.
Two holes in the middle of the tray are available to make the tray easier to hold on to when removing.
Grasp the water reservoir using the front indention and the bottom of the tank.
Pull the water reservoir towards you to remove and set aside.
The drip tray and the water reservoir may contain water. Avoid spills if possible.
Step 3
- Carefully lay the espresso machine on its side.
- The espresso machine is top heavy with the drip tray and the water reservoir removed.
Carefully lay the espresso machine on its side.
The espresso machine is top heavy with the drip tray and the water reservoir removed.
Step 4
- Line the Phillips screwdriver up with the screw located in the center of the group head screen.
- Turn the screwdriver counter clockwise to remove the 6 mm Phillips #1 screw.
- If the screw is tight, use both hands to turn the screw driver.
- Applying pressure to the screwdriver will help prevent stripping the screw.
Line the Phillips screwdriver up with the screw located in the center of the group head screen.
Turn the screwdriver counter clockwise to remove the 6 mm Phillips #1 screw.
If the screw is tight, use both hands to turn the screw driver.
Applying pressure to the screwdriver will help prevent stripping the screw.
Step 5
- Insert the opening tool between the housing and the gasket.
- Pry the gasket loose from the housing.
- The screen is contained within the gasket and will not be damaged by prying the gasket loose.
Insert the opening tool between the housing and the gasket.
Pry the gasket loose from the housing.
The screen is contained within the gasket and will not be damaged by prying the gasket loose.
Step 6
- Remove the gasket and screen from the machine.
- Peel back the gasket from the screen in a circular motion.
- If the gasket is firmly stuck to the screen, soak in warm soapy water for approximately 30 minutes to loosen the coffee buildup.
- Discard the old gasket.
Remove the gasket and screen from the machine.
Peel back the gasket from the screen in a circular motion.
If the gasket is firmly stuck to the screen, soak in warm soapy water for approximately 30 minutes to loosen the coffee buildup.
Discard the old gasket.
Step 7
- Soak the group head screen in warm soapy water.
- Clean the group head with a nylon espresso machine brush and warm soapy water.
- Scrub the group head screen with a nylon espresso machine brush.
- The group head screen should be completely free of coffee oils and build up.
Soak the group head screen in warm soapy water.
Clean the group head with a nylon espresso machine brush and warm soapy water.
Scrub the group head screen with a nylon espresso machine brush.
The group head screen should be completely free of coffee oils and build up.
Step 8
- Place the group head screen inside the new gasket.
- Firmly press the screen into the seal in a circular motion.
- The screen fits snuggly but easily within the gasket.
Place the group head screen inside the new gasket.
Firmly press the screen into the seal in a circular motion.
The screen fits snuggly but easily within the gasket.
Step 9
- Place the gasket and screen back into the espresso machine.
- Insert the 6 mm Phillips #1 screw back into the middle of the screen and tighten in a clockwise direction.
- The tightness of the screw should be firm but not difficult to loosen. Do not over tighten the screw.
Place the gasket and screen back into the espresso machine.
Insert the 6 mm Phillips #1 screw back into the middle of the screen and tighten in a clockwise direction.
The tightness of the screw should be firm but not difficult to loosen. Do not over tighten the screw.
Step 10
- Set the espresso machine upright.
- Reattach the water reservoir and drip tray.
Set the espresso machine upright.
Reattach the water reservoir and drip tray.
Your espresso machine is now ready to use. Fill your portafilter with coffee, brew and enjoy your espresso.
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Author
with 1 other contributor
Carissa Baker
Member since: 09/20/2021
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Team
University of North Texas, Team 1-4, Friess Fall 2021
Member of University of North Texas, Team 1-4, Friess Fall 2021
UNT-FRIESS-F21S1G4
1 Member
1 Guide authored
Lily White - Sep 4, 2022
Reply
thanks so much. Do you have a photo of the brew group without the screen on it? mine is so filthy and water was only coming out of one side-Lily
