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: