Cafelat group gasket - almost 3 years on

MediumRoastSteam

I just thought it would be useful for users to see some of the benefits of the silicone group gaskets over they standard rubber counterparts.

With the rubber ones, they usually perish and harden after 1 year, maybe less, depending on usage.

So this is mine: almost 3 years old, removed from the group every 3 months or so, as it’s in use on a Lelit Elizabeth which sports a ring group - so not the E61 which requires it to be cleaned a lot more often.

So as you can see from the video, it’s still soft and elastic. There are no signs of wear and tear and it doesn’t bake on the group. Also, there’s no need to lubricate the gasket with a smear of lubricant. With rubber ones, if you don’t and leave it there for a while, you’ll have an interesting time removing it!

And back in situ:

Rob666

MediumRoastSteam I mostly agree. The one negative on my E61 is portafilter creep. I.e. the portafilter moves under brew pressure in the direction of remove…

DavecUK

MediumRoastSteam Mauro at Lelit says the Cafelat ones are really good, in fact he said he would send me one and forgot!

Doram

MediumRoastSteam With the rubber ones, they usually perish and harden after 1 year, maybe less, depending on usage.

Not to take anything away from the silicon one (it’s clearly more flexible), here is my original rubber gasket that came with Mara X and has been in use twice daily since September 2020. Never put any lube on it. It still has no cracks, doesn’t seem dry and creates a perfect seal with no effort. When I got the machine I bought 2 Cafelat silicon gaskets. I put one on, didn’t like the feel and thought I will use the rubber until it fails. 2.5 years on, I’m still using it.

I remember having baked, dry, hard to remove gaskets on Silvia, but the one I have now is different. Maybe rubber got better? Or perhaps E-61 doesn’t heat as much as Silvia?

MediumRoastSteam

Rob666 - never had that problem when I had an e61. Maybe your gasket/group needs cleaning (as in, coffee oils around the lugs of the group, or on the gasket itself) or is not the right size?

Rob666

MediumRoastSteam It’s all clean and the right size. Still a better option than the hard rubber one even though I have to keep an eye on the PF when pouring a shot.

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK

https://bellabarista.co.uk/products/cafelat-silicone-e61-group-head-gasket-8mm-red

£2.99 - 😗

Cuprajake

I always change out the group seal for cafelat

I had terrible experience with the blue seals for my londinuim however, the pulled the sleeve out the group.

Inspector

MediumRoastSteam sold out :(

It has been well over 2 years for my original rubber one, i also better change it as it became stiffer to lock the portafilter lately, if i can find one without £5 delivery charge.

Is yours 8mm or 8.3mm?

Edit: ok it should be 8mm one, i found from A1 Coffee with free delivery for £3.59

DavecUK

Doram treat yourself to a new one….

Giphy - Tell Go On GIF

MediumRoastSteam

Inspector - yep, red = 8.0mm. blue = 8.5mm

Doram

DavecUK Doram treat yourself to a new one…

But I like that one!

Inspector

Received 8mm Cafelat gasket today, upon removal of old rubber gasket i noticed there are some tiny cracks already around the internal rim, it wasnt leaking or anything but just an observation. Removal of old gasket was fairly easy compare to Gaggia Classic lol.

It’s still in decent shape to be fair i was expecting worse.

Anyway, replaced it with the new one, now bottomless portafilter locks straight and feels easier to lock it. I still need to hold the machine with one hand otherwise it slides to side. I will turn machine on and see if portafilter moves under pressure, because previously when i had gaggia classic i never got on well with cafelat gaskets. Portafilter was constantly moving while pulling a shot.

Edit: No movement on portafilter at all when pulling a shot. Bottomless portafilter locks also in straight position now.