Is vinegar OK to descale a gaggia classic? - Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine

Hi There,
Try descaling - sounds like the the solenoid is blocked with lime - don't use vinegar! Try that 1st.
If machine is more that 2 years - not regularly descaled or no water filter replaced regularly, it probably the solenoid.
It the machines is 4 years + replacing both would be a good idea. Gaggia classic solenoid Vibration pump Gaggia Rancillio

There is a descaling solution that you can buy but i just use white vinegar.
Fill the tank with the vinegar and turn on. Turn the hot water button on.... run for 15 seconds and then turn off. leave for 10 mins and repeat 5-8 times.
Then hold the hot water button on for 6 seconds.

Yes, the DeLonghi product will work well in your machine, no fear:)
Farmerbear at FixYa.com

If you can get hot water from the wand, then the problem is in the boiler fitting that feed the head, try descaling again, or remove the screen and diffuser and clean area or backwash machine.

If you use citric acid on the Classics aluminum boiler you are risking
serious corrosion. To descale an aluminum boiler you need tartaric acid
based descaler.

• but it is safe to use CleanCaf as a Descaler--Dissolve in water reservoir, run pump.
  
  
• also it is safe to BAckflush the machine with Cafiza/Joe Glo/PulyCaff. NO detergent gets in the boiler. it is impossible.
• dont use vinegar.

This will help. Thanks please keep updated.please please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya

Try running the descale again it is possible that some of the minerals got loose and blocked the valve in the brew head. If that does not work then you will have to open the machine and unblock the valve or hose that is clogged.

Hi there,
The most common problem with these machines is scale. Using a good descaler to start with may help but may not always solve the problem. If your machine is noisy it is the pump which may need replacing. If you open the steam valve when making the coffee it will shift any air lock. Out with that you may have to remove the shower plate underneath where the coffee handle goes and give it a good clean. Also there is a safety valve inside the group head which may be clogged up. I am a domestic coffee machine engineer based in glasgow and have machines sent to me from all over the UK. It is hard to eally fix problems without actually seeing the machine as it could really be anything. Boilers are small so tend to fill with scale and ****. go to www.theespressoshop.co.uk if you require any more assistance.

Kind Regards

David
Domestic Coffee Service

try this website http://www.bluebox.com.au/jcrayon/gaggia/

need to go through menu to factory reset. This gets machine to ready. You now need to decalcify with a citric acid descaler, not vinegar. With the water tank filled with descaling solution go through the menu to rinse option and rinse machine. When finished rinse cycle and with remaining descaling solution push water button open side knob and rinse the steamer system with descaler.

descaling time with descaler not vinegar descaler melt calcium no calcium in boiler =warmer coffee vinegar remove some calcium in piece that might block somewhere else


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PIERRE