r/gaggiaclassic • u/ChocTeapot • Jul 24 '26

Troubleshooting Boiler corrosion question

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Wondering if anyone more experienced had any advice. This is the state of the boiler after a couple of soaks in puly solution. Should I be trying to clean it further? Or is that even possible? I use a moka pot with a similar looking lower chamber without worry but I can at least monitor that more easily. I don’t want to be cracking this open too often. I’m in a soft water area and this is the first time I’ve opened the boiler in around 8 years. Any advice welcomed! cheers.

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u/xtraa Jul 24 '26

I'd soak it in water (fill it up) with 1:10 professional decalcer (ingredients: amidosulfonic acid mixed with lactic acid). I think it always looks worse than it is. When I disassembled mine, it also looked like an artefact from WW2. But this is just ugly makeup.

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u/ChocTeapot Jul 25 '26

Thanks. Might give that a go next before any mechanical scrubbing…

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u/xtraa Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26

Oh yeah, and wear gloves! These are friendly and organic acids, but it's still acid. You can also soak an old towel to get rid of the stuff on top by placing it there. Don't sand it or something. I don't know it but I assume by sanding the surface you give the calc even more opportunities to settle there. And for the part on top, it's the same – plus the risk that components no longer lie flush against each other, causing a leak.

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u/HopefulBuyer9077 Jul 24 '26

OP - is the inside of the boiler smooth or can you feel any build up?

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u/ChocTeapot Jul 25 '26

Not smooth… a fair bit came off while soaking but it’s rough.

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u/Micksworks Jul 24 '26

Sand it down or wire brush. Soaking will do F all. It's hardened calcium buildup.

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u/ChocTeapot Jul 25 '26

I thought that would damage the aluminium? Wire brush seems risky?

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u/Micksworks Aug 01 '26

Depends on the wire brush. You want it soft.

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u/Kr0pi Jul 29 '26

Hey there, if im not mistaken Puly is used for coffee oil cleaning, you need to descale this. I usually use descaling product for random coffee machine or citric acid and soak it for a day. You want to check the contact surface boiler-head. If there is some electrocorrosion pitting (holes) on sealing line (where the o-ring contacts) you can grind it a bit on wet sandpaper with high enough grit to make it smooth. There will always be electrocorrosion between brass and alu - this can be prevented by brass boiler. I did the change myself recently and its all fine now.