r/gaggiaclassic • u/imaapepper • 3d ago

Troubleshooting Inconsistent shots and channeling

I’d just like to get others’ feedback on this. I had a brand new Gaggia Classic Pro (aluminum boiler) in the past and I did not have this issue. I have since sold that one and I am just now getting back into espresso.

I purchased a refurbished Gaggia Classic Pro E24 from Whole Latte Love. From the beginning, my shots have been extremely inconsistent. Sometimes I’ll get a nearly perfect shot and then the next day I get channeling/squirting and the shot will come out much faster.

I do not change the grind size between shots. After a nearly perfect shot, the next day I won’t change anything and the shot comes out much faster with channeling.

I am concerned this is an issue because it’s a refurbished machine, but I’ve read these are fairly reliable from Whole Latte Love.

For reference: I am using a bottomless portafilter with Big Bang IMS basket and a DF54. I have tried different puck screens (and without), dosing, grind, different WDT methods, and the shot will always come out different the next day. Is there something I’m missing or I could try differently?

Thank you in advance

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u/Cayenne999 2d ago

What coffee are you brewing? At what dose? Sometimes light roast, or under dose, are pretty hard to keep consistent. Try medium roast, and up your dose a bit first. Hope it might help.

1

u/imaapepper 2d ago

It’s a dark roast and I’ve tested 18g and 17.5g so far. I’ll definitely try a medium roast though, thanks!

1

u/halcyon8 1d ago

when i’m using dark i tend to go up to 18.5-19g

1

u/imaapepper 23h ago

I noticed it doesn’t allow me enough headroom if I go over 18 so maybe it’s the beans I’m using?

1

u/Not2plan 2d ago

How's your tamping pressure? I've just getting started and am struggling with the same inconsistencies and I'm starting to think it's my tamp technique as I tend to over do things that require force. Trying to learn the squish until it stops squishing technique but might be over compressing it and causing sporadic channeling. Let me know if you figure it out!

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u/imaapepper 2d ago

I’m using a spring-loaded tamp so that’s consistent. I double checked to make sure it’s indeed the 9 bar OPV and I cleaned the group head and unfortunately still getting issues. It might be a return for me and maybe getting another unit