Gaggia Brera Descale, Step by Step (Instructions are wrong!)

The instructions that came with my machine turned out to be plain wrong. This is the correct sequence. It applies to Brera machine from 2014 onward. (See 0:52 for where the year label on my machine (inside the brew group door.) My machine is from 2014, I wonder if it was shipped with the instructions from earlier machines(?)
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[@ethanmiska2225]

So helpful! I spent 2 hours fumbling because I was following the Gaggia manual. Found this tutorial and everything worked without a hitch. Thank you

[@Greeves]

Thanks for posting the comment; that's really nice to hear.

[@jeffgoddard4100]

OMG! There is no way we would have ever figured this out using the owners manual. Thank you so much for the very helpful video.

[@Greeves]

Yes, it took me a while to work it out 😳 Glad it helped & thanks for posting the comment

[@teresareddy7291]

Thank u for the complete instructions. It is unbelievable that the new machines came with old obsolete directions. Thank goodness for people like u who post their newly acquired knowledge to TH-cam 🏆

[@Greeves]

I know what you mean - the supplied instructions should be up to date! I found the correct sequence on a forum somewhere but it took me a while to find. I'm really glad that the video helped and many thanks for letting me know :)

[@JoanneHarden-cd1gs]

I have 2 of these machines and have struggled with the descaling process via the Gaggia directions for years.
This is by far the best instructive video and was amazed at how easy the process was. In the past, I have always ended up with a stubborn descale icon which refused to reset after the process. This time after following 999 greeves,no problem and the icon disappeared at the finish.So good; thank you

[@Greeves]

Thanks. I'm so glad it helped :)

[@daveinnes1695]

Thank you!!

[@Greeves]

Glad if it helped 👍

[@yackandandah]

Fantastic guide thank you very much. Would not have been able to do this without your clear and thoughtful video

[@Greeves]

Thanks for commenting; that’s so nice to hear 🙂

[@fudge6848]

Thank you for the descaling video! I been appreciating all your videos when it comes to this espresso machines, there isn’t much videos on these.
Though, when I descale, it comes out normally from the steam wand but when it’s time to turn the knob back upright, all the water pours out from the bottom of the machine, mostly missing the drip tray and getting all over the table and dripping on the floor. Any ideas on why this is happening? The machine has only been used lightly for about 6 months.
Thanks :)

[@Greeves]

Hi. A few things occur to me; these machines have a factory programed microcontroller that determines their operating sequence. On my 2014 version (see 0:52 in) the microcontroller firmware clearly doesn't match the paper manual that came with the machine. I'd assume / hope that Gaggia fixed this on later machines. They have likely updated the firmware as well, especially as your machine was produced long after 2014. So your machine may behave differently to mine. Having said this, water should never pour from the machine missing the drip tray. This suggests a different fault & at 6 months old you should probably make a warranty claim. Water should only be able to leak from where the water tank connects, or from the brew group - both these areas should only ever leak slightly and into the drip tray. (I've done videos on changing the seals in these areas th-cam.com/video/gENeYgh6aBQ/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/Cahyt5S9fiw/w-d-xo.html but at only 6 months your seals should be fine). By the way, I do keep my machine on a tray - it hasn't happened often but I have flooded the worktop a few times when the drip tray's overflowed. The tray is simple 'insurance' & saves the mess. I hope this helps.

[@tonywilliams194]

you can't just put any descale in you machine if the solution is to strong you will strip the boiler wall and the boiller will start pitting

[@Greeves]

Thanks for your comment. In my view any fluid that's specifically intended for de-scaling aluminium and /or steel boiling vessels used for drinking water will be fine. I used lactic acid which is an organic acid, 10 times stonger than vinegar (acetic acid) but still unlikely to attack metal, rubber or others seals. The official Gaggia descaling fluid is also lactic acid based but costs significantly more www.descaler.co.uk/gaggia-decalcificante-descaler.html If still concerned best use the Gaggia product