Gaggia Instructions

Espresso

  • Allow your machine adequate time to heat up. Your portafilter along with the filter basket  (the bigger ("double") basket) should be in the group and heating for at least 15 - 20 mins.

  • Flush your group with fresh water. Draw at least 4 ounces of water. You may use the flush water to pre-heat your cup.

  • Fill the (dried) basket overflowing with coffee grounds and level it off with a finger.

  • Tamp down so that you form a nice level compressed puck of ground coffee.

  • Lock portafilter into place by turning the handle so it is just about pointing straight at you.

  • Wait for the temperature ready light (red indicator light on the pump/brew switch) to come back on before brewing your shot.

  • Check the electrical switches:
    • the power/boiler switch should be ON,
    • the steam switch (middle switch) should be OFF
    • the steam valve ( the black knob on the side) should be CLOSED.

  • Place preheated cup in position & turn on the brew/pump switch (the one on the far right).

  • Turn OFF the brew/pump switch when 25 seconds have elapsed.

Steaming/frothing milk

  • For the 20oz size pitcher, steam at least 10 ounces of milk at a time.

  • Turn the steam switch ON (the middle button). The steam valve should be CLOSED.

  • When the indicator light is ON you can start steaming.

  • You should blast out any water droplets left in the steam wand by quickly opening and closing the steam valve (the black round knob). You want DRY steam not WET steam. You may have to do this a few times. CLOSE the steam knob.

  •  Insert the end of the steam wand into the milk as far as it will go.

  • Turn OPEN the steam knob about one full turn or so. A loud high pitched squealing sound means that the steam tip is too deep in the milk. Bring the steam tip back up so that it is just grazing the surface. You will hear the chh...chh sounds. You are now STRETCHING the milk (introducing air) and you want to do this until the milk is anywhere between 80F to 100F.

  •  Once you have stretched far enough, move the wand tip to the side of the pitcher because you now want to SPIN the milk in the container. Ideally, you will create a standing wave.

  • Keep the tip deep until your frothing thermometer reads about 155F.

  • Quickly, CLOSE the steam knob. The temperature of the milk should not exceed 160F.

  • The milk will look like shiny table cream. Swirl the milk to smooth things out further.

  • Pour the microfoam onto the espresso in your cup

  • Flush your group and wand with 4 ounces (120ml) of water or more after brewing your shot. This will help clean the shower screen and clean out the milk residues from the steam wand. More importantly, it will refill and cool down the boiler.

TIP: The above instructions assume that you have taken off any turbofrother devices. Although your machine comes equipped with a turbofrother or foam assist device, we would strongly suggest that you remove it and try your hand at barewanding right from day one.

ALWAYS clean your machine after your shot has been brewed. Wipe down the shower screen as there will be some coffee grounds stuck to it. It is very important to ALWAYS clean the groove in the group. Remember to clean out the drip tray because your solenoid equipped espresso machine has pressure released about an ounce or so of coffee water as soon as you switched off the brew switch.

After steaming milk, remove the turbofrother attachment (if you are using it) and clean it thoroughly inside and out of any milk residues. A round toothpick or pin can be used to clear the small hole [depending on the type of frother you have] on the side of the turbofrother. Don't forget to clean the bare wand as well.

Make sure that you turn OFF the steam switch immediately after steaming so that you do not blow the internal thermal fuse. The fuse is designed to protect against an overheated boiler. This type of fuse is a one-time use fuse and has to be replaced if blown.

Turn off the machine immediately after doing so. Hot water sitting in a boiler for long periods of time can get acidic and can cause the aluminium part of the Gaggia boiler to corrode.

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