Gasket and shower screen
What is under the group
Rocket gives owners this job (manual, figs 8.3 to 8.6). From the bottom up: the shower screen (the manual's "sprayer") sits in the gasket, and the two come out together. Behind them is the diffuser, which unscrews with a small slotted screwdriver.
There is no screen screw on this machine. Generic E61 guides (Clive Coffee, for example) describe a single centre screw holding the screen; that is a different design and does not apply here.
How often: Rocket says replace the gaskets when visibly worn. Seattle Coffee Gear says about yearly; Clive Coffee says the gasket every 12 to 18 months and the screen about yearly.
Screen, gasket and diffuser out
The manual's method, with the machine off and cold.
- Switch off and let the group cool completely.
- Take out the portafilter.
- Put a small slotted screwdriver against the inner edge of the screen and prise it down. The screen and gasket come out together.
- Unscrew the diffuser with the same screwdriver.
- Scrub inside the head with the brush.
- Wipe the portafilter seat with a damp cloth.
Soak the screen and diffuser now: the weekly soak.
New gasket, back together
The manual's order (fig. 8.6), with checks from retailers.
- Screw the diffuser back in.
- Take the new gasket and note its bevelled edge.
- Seat the shower screen in the gasket.
- Push the screen and gasket up into the group until they hook in place.
- Lock the empty portafilter in a few times to seat the gasket.
- Check the handle angle. Clive Coffee: with a new gasket, an empty portafilter should stop around the 6 o'clock position.