Learn how to remove and clean the Solenoid Valve on your Gaggia Classic, as well as how to do a full teardown and deep cleaning of your machine's boiler.
JUMP TO: How to Clean 3 Way Solenoid Valve | How To Clean and Rebuild a Gaggia Aluminum Boiler
Why Am I Getting Steam Flow, But Not Brew Flow?
If you are able to get steam flow, but no brew flow, the solenoid valve is the likely culprit. This is a valve that is attached directly to the boiler. You should be descaling the machine, monthly. If you haven't been doing so, the valve can become clogged. You can remove and clean the valve, resolving the issue.
Check out the video below for information on the removal and cleaning process for the solenoid valve on the Gaggia Classic, Gaggia Classic Pro, and any Gaggia Baby with a solenoid.
Gaggia Classic Pro: How to Clean 3 Way Solenoid Valve
Where is the solenoid valve?
For starters, the solenoid valve in the Gaggia Classic (standard) is circled in red, below. This information can also be found in the Gaggia Classic Parts Diagram:
The solenoid valve for the Gaggia Classic Pro is shown below, also circled in red. This information can also be found in the Gaggia Classic Pro Parts Diagram:
How To Remove and Clean the Solenoid Valve
- When you remove and inspect it, the solenoid may appear clean, BUT there are two small holes that NEED to allow water flow through them. These holes are indicated, below:
- You will want to use forced air to make sure these pathways are clear, and that you can get airflow through them. An air compressor is best for this. If you don't own one or have one you can use, you can bring that part of the solenoid to a gas station, and use the air for your car tires to blast it out.
- Try removing and cleaning the solenoid, and make sure you can send forced air through the holes in the solenoid. If that doesn't work, you may need to try a boiler teardown and deep cleaning.
What if my Boiler Keeps Clogging?
If cleaning the solenoid valve DOES resolve the issue, it MAY still become clogged again if you have additional scale still in the boiler. So, if the machine clogs back up in a few days, that doesn't mean that the solenoid valve has failed; it means you would need to do the full teardown and deep cleaning of the boiler. I have a video on this, below:
Check out the video below on how to conduct a boiler teardown and deep cleaning of the Gaggia Classic, Gaggia Classic Pro, and and any Gaggia Baby series machine: