Coffee barely dripping out when trying to pull a shot
I have had my Rancilio machine for five years. the coffee is barley dripping out when trying to pull a shot. I have never had this problem before. It is not the grind or the tamp. I am doing everything the same as always. I hear what sounds like the pump though not sure if it sounds as strong as usual.
Coffee Makers & Espresso... - Rancilio - Silvia Espresso Machine
Answers & Comments
Your filter is blocked. It can be one of two things.
1. Coffee - this is obvious
2. Calcium - if you have hard water (i.e. your hot water kettle has white stuff in the bottom attached to the element)
The sure fire solution is to address both and the procedure is easy.
Since the filter is stainless steel, it can take the high temperatures of a stove top. Put the filter directly on the element and set to high for 10 minutes. This will burn off any coffee clogging the filter. After that, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a pot, put the filter in and boil at max for 15 minutes.
This should do the trick. If it works for you, please click "yes" on "this is helpful", otherwise click "no". I searched for over a year to understand that my issue was a combination of two things so nothing worked for me. Clicking on yes/no would help the community understand if there are other unknown issues.
Check the shower screen in the head make sure it is not blocked with coffee oils, if it is hold it over an open flame and that will burn out the oils, when it cools re assemble and run the head without the filter holder to make sure you get a nice flow of water.