This won't "fix" anything. Having a simple gasket between the aluminium boiler and the brass group does nothing - as the two parts are very firmly connected by steel machine screws that attach the two together and that will happily conduct the electrons required for corrosion to occur . However, the galvanic corrosion that will occur between the aluminium boiler and the bare brass group is only marginally more than the galvanic corrosion that will occur between the aluminium boiler and a chrome plated brass group anyway. Neither are really worth worrying about, and it'll take years of use before you notice anything at all.
Galvanic corrossion will NOT be stopped by the insulating material since the two dissimilar metals are connected through the conductivity of the water itself. If your water is very soft... then you can have bigger problems.
The thinnest silicon sheet available is 0.1mm, I would use that instead of 0.8mm since you would want to the group-head to heat up fast. There are also 0.03-0.05mm Teflon sheet available (unfortunately not food-grade). I have made gasket out of it but not test them yet due to concern about food safety. You also need to insulate the screws to the boiler. I think it can be done easily with braided fiberglass sleeve, Kapton tape and some washers. Cut the sleeve to suitable length to fit on the screws, and stick Kapton tape to the washers and then apply the washers between the screw head and the boiler. I will also do the same to the brass steam valve on the top of the boiler. To push it further, apply a negative voltage of more than 2V to the boiler (with a resistor of more than 1M Ohm in series, with the group-head at ground potential), since Cu-Al cell generates roughly 2V. Without the resistor the current will electrolyze water into oxygen and hydrogen gas. Beware of electric isolation and safety if you want to use AC power. For trial I would want to use a lithium button battery but keep it out of the case because it is hot inside.
Could you not also use non conductive fastners using heat resistant polymers or ceramic coated botls? Also, I'm no expert but the two metals and the electrolyte isn't enough for galvanic corrosion to occur right? Like the electrolyte can't also act as the conductor between the metals? Also would be sensible to do a resistance check between the two once rebuilt just to make sure there no path between them through other fittings/earth bonding.. There's alot of comments saying this wouldn't work but I can't see why not and even if not fully stopping it surely it can reduce the effects massively.
Thanks for posting this fix. Your Decent & Gaggiuino comparison video sealed the deal for me but I haven't pulled the trigger on an EVO due to this Boiler issues. This fix video just might convince me once and for all.
Silicone gasket is not going to prevent galvanic corrosion between aluminum and brass as long as there's water flowing between the two dissimilar metals. The silicone gasket is not going to create sufficient distance to prevent galvanic corrosion.
I agree also and apart from that the bolts will remain without insulation. There is no way to avoid galvanic corrosion unless you put a brass boiler in there.
@@718og Chrome plating doesn't meet with current food safe regulations across the world and in many countries it's not allowed to use chrome in the food related industry. That's why Gaggia had to get rid of it in the first place.
@@Deeper-Trends Not only that chrome is not meeting food safe regulations, it is actually emitting toxic that could cause cancer. Europe is banning chrome even from motorcycle parts, that's how serious it is. Wouldn't want to put that in something you're going to drink.
Personally I went with the chrome plated group head as well (for what it's worth). They have been using that d design forever with no complaints. It's frustrating that they wouldn't just make a brass boiler to comply with new regulations.
I think this is still interesting, as maybe it will displace where the corrosion usually occurs. As someone else mentioned I'd think the galvanic corrosion will probably still occur through the stainless steel bolts connecting both parts... unless you somehow replaced the bolts with a material that chemically isolates the two parts, but is as solid as stainless steel, then again, the two parts are still linked through water. How well is this holding up to now, can you post an update the next time you do a full teardown/clean of the machine (For science :) )?
How many years have they told the world - do not connect copper and aluminum directly, they form a galvanic couple. But there were no electricians in Gaggia?
nice work, and nice video, i have some question if you don't mind can you link your steam wand? where did you got it from? and do you have the scale on the gaggiuino? and if you have it, is it worth it? which VST basket you have thanks for your time and for the video
Temp 94C Pre infusion 10sec 2.5 flow 3 bar pressure 60ml fill Pressure above On Soak off Pressure Profile Ease-in Transition Start at 9bar End at 5bar Slope 55sec Flow Limit 3bar Ease-in Transition
Great install - hoping that it lasts! I'm opening my machine this weekend to do a Gaggiuino and replacement boiler install on my Evo. Two questions: 1 - What silicone sheet did you use? If you purchased online, would you mind pasting a link? 2 - Why didn't you just install the O-Ring + Silicone? Would you have any concern with just installing both?
I used www.amazon.com/dp/B0931SP1QT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went back and did install the black o ring and its working great with both at first I thought the oring was to thick and would compress the silicon but looks like it working fine.
My gaggiuino kit comes tomorrow and new uncoated boiler comes today. I’m going to order a sheet as well. Don’t want to mix metals and water. Good job finding a quick fix without having to buy a whole new group head!
Its easy to install just drill two holes and screw in. I really like the articulation with the ball joint as before there was none. Plus no burn wand is nice too.
Sorry, but this WILL NOT tackle galvanic corrosion inside the boiler! The only benefit this will have is to prevent corrosion undermining the O-ring, which is neat, perhaps more effective than just smearing the boiler face with foodsafe silicone grease, but the interior will flake and corrode as before. In galvanic corrosion the water is the electrolyte, and the bolts still complete the circuit for the brass-electroyte-aluminium cell. What's more, you cannot safely disconnect the cell, because both components must be connected to a earth for safety reasons
I have the Gaggia Classic from 2019 but wish I had never bought Gaggia in the first place. We have all been duped by the 'image' Better would be tO buy Breville with a PID, then eventually upgrade to a prosumer machine. Gaggia is typical Italian mafioso.
This won't "fix" anything. Having a simple gasket between the aluminium boiler and the brass group does nothing - as the two parts are very firmly connected by steel machine screws that attach the two together and that will happily conduct the electrons required for corrosion to occur . However, the galvanic corrosion that will occur between the aluminium boiler and the bare brass group is only marginally more than the galvanic corrosion that will occur between the aluminium boiler and a chrome plated brass group anyway. Neither are really worth worrying about, and it'll take years of use before you notice anything at all.
Galvanic corrossion will NOT be stopped by the insulating material since the two dissimilar metals are connected through the conductivity of the water itself. If your water is very soft... then you can have bigger problems.
The thinnest silicon sheet available is 0.1mm, I would use that instead of 0.8mm since you would want to the group-head to heat up fast.
There are also 0.03-0.05mm Teflon sheet available (unfortunately not food-grade). I have made gasket out of it but not test them yet due to concern about food safety.
You also need to insulate the screws to the boiler. I think it can be done easily with braided fiberglass sleeve, Kapton tape and some washers. Cut the sleeve to suitable length to fit on the screws, and stick Kapton tape to the washers and then apply the washers between the screw head and the boiler.
I will also do the same to the brass steam valve on the top of the boiler.
To push it further, apply a negative voltage of more than 2V to the boiler (with a resistor of more than 1M Ohm in series, with the group-head at ground potential), since Cu-Al cell generates roughly 2V. Without the resistor the current will electrolyze water into oxygen and hydrogen gas. Beware of electric isolation and safety if you want to use AC power. For trial I would want to use a lithium button battery but keep it out of the case because it is hot inside.
Could you not also use non conductive fastners using heat resistant polymers or ceramic coated botls? Also, I'm no expert but the two metals and the electrolyte isn't enough for galvanic corrosion to occur right? Like the electrolyte can't also act as the conductor between the metals? Also would be sensible to do a resistance check between the two once rebuilt just to make sure there no path between them through other fittings/earth bonding..
There's alot of comments saying this wouldn't work but I can't see why not and even if not fully stopping it surely it can reduce the effects massively.
Thanks for posting this fix. Your Decent & Gaggiuino comparison video sealed the deal for me but I haven't pulled the trigger on an EVO due to this Boiler issues. This fix video just might convince me once and for all.
What steam wand does your GCP have? I’ve seen it in some of your videos and I’m jealous! Need a walkthrough.
Silicone gasket is not going to prevent galvanic corrosion between aluminum and brass as long as there's water flowing between the two dissimilar metals. The silicone gasket is not going to create sufficient distance to prevent galvanic corrosion.
I agree also and apart from that the bolts will remain without insulation. There is no way to avoid galvanic corrosion unless you put a brass boiler in there.
@@Deeper-Trends What about replacing the brass group head for the chrome plated version?
@@718og Chrome plating doesn't meet with current food safe regulations across the world and in many countries it's not allowed to use chrome in the food related industry. That's why Gaggia had to get rid of it in the first place.
@@Deeper-Trends Not only that chrome is not meeting food safe regulations, it is actually emitting toxic that could cause cancer. Europe is banning chrome even from motorcycle parts, that's how serious it is. Wouldn't want to put that in something you're going to drink.
Personally I went with the chrome plated group head as well (for what it's worth). They have been using that d design forever with no complaints. It's frustrating that they wouldn't just make a brass boiler to comply with new regulations.
I think this is still interesting, as maybe it will displace where the corrosion usually occurs. As someone else mentioned I'd think the galvanic corrosion will probably still occur through the stainless steel bolts connecting both parts... unless you somehow replaced the bolts with a material that chemically isolates the two parts, but is as solid as stainless steel, then again, the two parts are still linked through water. How well is this holding up to now, can you post an update the next time you do a full teardown/clean of the machine (For science :) )?
How many years have they told the world - do not connect copper and aluminum directly, they form a galvanic couple. But there were no electricians in Gaggia?
nice work, and nice video, i have some question if you don't mind
can you link your steam wand? where did you got it from?
and do you have the scale on the gaggiuino? and if you have it, is it worth it?
which VST basket you have
thanks for your time and for the video
Thanks for posting these video’s. I’ve learned a lot from watching them. Did you get the replacement boiler under warranty or just off the shelf?
Coffee bar setup tour?
Major shot envy!
Perfect Shot!
Would you mind sharing your profile settings?
Would be highly appreciated!
Thanks
Temp 94C
Pre infusion 10sec
2.5 flow
3 bar pressure
60ml fill
Pressure above On
Soak off
Pressure Profile
Ease-in Transition
Start at 9bar
End at 5bar
Slope 55sec
Flow Limit 3bar
Ease-in Transition
@@decentcoffeeeveryday❤ Thanks!
@@decentcoffeeeveryday Just had your recipe.
Best brew I had so far.
🎉❤
Thank you
How did you find this effected the heatkng up of the group head and maintaining temprature?
The link for uncoated boiler please?
Great install - hoping that it lasts!
I'm opening my machine this weekend to do a Gaggiuino and replacement boiler install on my Evo. Two questions:
1 - What silicone sheet did you use? If you purchased online, would you mind pasting a link?
2 - Why didn't you just install the O-Ring + Silicone? Would you have any concern with just installing both?
I used www.amazon.com/dp/B0931SP1QT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I went back and did install the black o ring and its working great with both at first I thought the oring was to thick and would compress the silicon but looks like it working fine.
My gaggiuino kit comes tomorrow and new uncoated boiler comes today. I’m going to order a sheet as well. Don’t want to mix metals and water. Good job finding a quick fix without having to buy a whole new group head!
¡Line voltage on the cup heater wires! ⚡
Was the steam wand install difficult? And is it a big improvement from the stock one?😊
Its easy to install just drill two holes and screw in. I really like the articulation with the ball joint as before there was none. Plus no burn wand is nice too.
Where did you get the slow feeder thing for the df64v
Mii Coffee
The real fix is getting a machine without an aluminum boiler. It has other health implications as well.
Sorry, but this WILL NOT tackle galvanic corrosion inside the boiler!
The only benefit this will have is to prevent corrosion undermining the O-ring, which is neat, perhaps more effective than just smearing the boiler face with foodsafe silicone grease, but the interior will flake and corrode as before.
In galvanic corrosion the water is the electrolyte, and the bolts still complete the circuit for the brass-electroyte-aluminium cell.
What's more, you cannot safely disconnect the cell, because both components must be connected to a earth for safety reasons
Get a Breville and just enjoy coffee lol.
I have the Gaggia Classic from 2019 but wish I had never bought Gaggia in the first place. We have all been duped by the 'image' Better would be tO buy Breville with a PID, then eventually upgrade to a prosumer machine. Gaggia is typical Italian mafioso.