Take the panels off

No panels: the top comes off

The casing is one welded shell, so there are no panels to take off. Everything inside is reached through the top. Gaggia's manual does not cover this, and its safety booklet says repairs are only for a service centre authorised by Gaggia. This is the order in the 2019 Classic service manual, with detail from the retailer Whole Latte Love.

1. Switch off, unplug and let the machine go cold.
2. Take out the tank, the drip tray and grid, and the filter holder.
3. Lift off the tank lid.
4. Undo the two cross-head screws inside the black funnel, towards the rear. They may stay captive in the plastic.
5. Slide the top cover back and lift it.
6. Press the sprung tab on each of the two earth leads under the cover and pull the connector back.

The service manual also pulls the steam knob straight off at step 2.

Put the top back

The retailer's order for refitting.

1. Push both earth leads back onto their tabs. The two are interchangeable.
2. Put the cover's rear edge in first, then its front edge between the two lips.
3. Nudge the funnel forward so it drops into its opening.
4. Refit the two screws. The 2019 service manual gives 1.5 Nm, which is light.
5. Put the tank lid back on.

For more room inside, the three buttons push out forwards with their wires attached: press the sprung tabs at each side, top and bottom, with a flat screwdriver. The service manual says to mark the lamps so they go back in the same places.

Gaggia Classic E24: every job