Descale

Descale: the solution

The manual's method, with Gaggia's own descaler. A cup here is about 150 ml.

1. Remove the filter holder and empty the tank.
2. Pour half the bottle of descaler into the tank and fill it with fresh water to the max mark.
3. Switch on. Run 2 cups from the steam wand, then 2 cups from the group. Switch off.
4. Leave the machine switched off for about 20 minutes.
5. Switch on. Run 2 cups from the wand and 2 from the group. Switch off for 3 minutes.
6. Repeat step 5 until the tank is empty.

Water comes from the wand with the knob open and the brew and steam buttons pressed together.

Descale: four tanks of rinse

The manual's rinse.

1. Rinse the tank and fill it with fresh water. Empty the drip tray.
2. Open the knob, press the brew and steam buttons, and run the whole tank through the wand. Stop and close the knob.
3. Refill the tank, fit the filter holder and run the whole tank through the group.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 once more, for 4 tanks in all.
5. Refill the tank and load the circuit if it needs it.

Gaggia's website adds: descale every 2 months, or whenever you notice the water flow has dropped, and never with descalers based on mineral acids such as sulfamic acid. Whole Latte Love's pages give both monthly and two-monthly, and say the brass boiler keeps the same schedule.

Gaggia Classic E24: every job