After using it every day for 4 years, it has become difficult to insert the coffee grind holder thing. The thing with a handle that holds the ground coffee. It appears that the gasket or "O" ring seal has swollen, making it difficult to push up and turn it to the left. What I really want is a full seal/gasket set for this La Pavoni EPC-8. Do you know where I might purchase such an item?

My X1 came with an ESE pod holder and a ground coffee holder so they are definitely available.

it could be grind stuck in the (yes the, as in the only) hole in the filter cup. remove the filter cup from the cup holder (the thing with the black handle) and use the tiny pin in the little brown tool to push out whatever is in there. you may have used to fine a grind or stuffed the filter cup too much. careful, that is how you break the plastic filter holder ring.

for calcifying, i just use plain white vinegar. i put it in straight into the clear water holder, about 3/4 cup, then i run it throuhg a bit, let it sit 5 min, run it through a bit, let it sit 30 min to an hour. depending on the day, i repeat a few times, rinse with clean water. i do this about every 2 months.

Unplug first. Unscrew the top. You need a long thin screw driver Phillips head is the best. Pock around the exit and entrance where the coffee beans are ground. Remember, the better the coffee and you will get more clumping of the beans. I works great. It is pain. The Chicago Clout man exits.

After 5 years, the plastic has become warped by the heat of being used. The warpage could be in the holder, in the slot it slides into, or, most likely, both. If you can't handle the difficulty, then it is time to replace the unit. Actually, 5 years on any appliance is darn good service.

Maybe the grind is too fine and it is building up too much back pressure. Max is normally around 15 bar, more than that and the pump stops functioning. Also try another silver bucket that holds the grounds, if it is double walled sometimes grinds too small can block them between the skins. There was often a single wall bucket available that eliminated the blockage problem.

Try backwashing the group with purocaff.
Are you using coffee ground at the store or do you grind just before use?
How fresh is the coffee less than a month or more?
If more than a month(whole beans) it is no longer useful.
If more than a 3 days(ground), that is stale also. It will be very diffucult to get good espresso from that(not impossible, but difficult).

If using store ground, it cannot be ground older than a week(coffee loses flavor and taste minutes after being ground). Try getting less coffee more often and adjust the grind setting that you use. If you have always used setting 3 on the store grinder try 2.5.
If grinding at home adjust the settings on the grinder to a slightly coarser grind and fill the portafilter slightly over the top of the basket, now tamp to the indent(fill line) in the basket. that should be sufficient to pull a great shot.

When using ground coffee, use coarser grind like the size of table salt grain. Feel the ground coffee for adjustment. Do not tamp, just level the cup with coffee grounds and lock the portafilter into the group ring. Pull the handle all the way to the right and hold. Turn espresso hot water switch on. Hold the portafilter pulled all the way to the right for 5 seconds (pre-infusion pressure builds up to 9 bars). Release the handle at the end of 5 seconds. Espresso shots should be max. 2-Oz. in the cup. For larger quantity, use two shots. For an Americano, add hot water instead of allowing 8-Oz. water to pump through the coffee grounds.

try removing the K-cup holder and inspecting the bottom hole opening. This is where the bottom of the K-cup holder would go through. Sometimes grounds can rest on that edge and fall into the coffee. I hope I could help!

Sometimes the grinder has grounds "jamed" in the coffee grinder outlet. First, while grinding try turning the "quantity dial" (has + and - on dial inside coffee bean holder) back and forth to see if that breaks the coffee loose. Next, Use a small brush to clean the coffee grounds channel inside the machine. To do this, remove the brewing section, liquid tray, and spend grounds holder. On upper portion of machine, just above the area where the brewing unit is a small "trap door" where coffee grounds are delivered to the brewing unit. slip the "trap door" open (it's spring loaded so you will need to hold it open) and with a small brush gently brush the accumulated grounds out of the channel. (There may be a large accumulation of grounds if you are using dark roasted "oily" coffee. Good luck! hope this works for you

1) Boil the water you’ll need in another pot.
2) Put 1 tablespoon of ground coffee (drip grind, not percolator grind) in the reduced diameter, perforated bottom of the brewing chamber.
3) Put the grind/water separator (the perforated, flat handled plate with cup markings on the handle) in the Brewing Chamber, over the coffee grounds.
3) Put the Brewing Chamber on top of the Holding Chamber.
4) Pour the appropriate number of cups boiling water into the brewing chamber; put the lid with the black knob on the brewing chamber.
5) Let the water drain through the coffee grinds (5-10 minutes).
6) Remove Brewing Chamber, clean out the coffee grounds, and replace the lid on the holding chamber.
7) Enjoy your coffee! Keep it warm on the stove at LOW heat setting.

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Charlie