Group Head Maintenance for your Astoria Espresso Machine

The primary purpose to clean and examine the group head gasket is to check for leaking. When making a beverage if you see leaking around the outside of the portafilter the gasket should be changed. The gasket seals the portafilter in the group head. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw from the screen and diffuser block. To remove the gasket use a pick and gouge the old gasket while prying with a downward motion. The gasket should simply pop out.

Inspect to make sure all areas of the head are clean. Take a new gasket numbers side up and insert the gasket back into place.

Replace the portafilter and check to make sure the gasket is secure in the head. Replace the screw with a new one and make sure all the holes in the screen and diffuser block are clean and free of debris. Make sure the screens are not crushed or mangled. Replace the screen and diffuser and tighten up the head be careful to not over tighten.

Your machine is now ready to make perfect espresso.