Espresso Machine Problem

oopsadaisydoddle

Hi there,

I'm just after a little advice please. I bought a Gaggia Cubika Plus espresso machine around the middle of November from Currys. In the last couple of days the milk frothed doesn't seem to be frothing! I have tried cleaning the machine as directed and also tried using whole milk (normally use semi) and this hasn't worked. Would I be entitled to a replacement? Or should I be doing something else before considering a replacement?

I love the machine and only want it to work as it should but I'm a bit worried about being able to prove the fault in the sense that the steamer (frother) still heats the milk but it is completely flat. Would the fact that it still heats it cause me any probs if I did try to get a replacement?

It definitely should froth and not just heat and it isn't doing this. I just want my lovely coffee back! I have the receipt as well by the way.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks.

VictoriaBlyth

Hi Daisy,

I have a Nespresso machine, with a milk warmer/frother and just wondered if it might be something as simple as trying to froth too much milk? In mine, there are 2 lines, one to fill to for frothy milk and one to fill to for warm milk. The first time I used it, I filled to the top line (warm) and tried to froth it. Thought it was pretty rubbish when it just came out warm.....then realised I had overfilled it.

You probably already know all of this, but just in case:)

oopsadaisydoddle

Thanks for replying. I'm only trying to froth the same amount as usual - either enough for one or two cups which is how I've used it since Ive had it.

I've tried the troubleshooting things in the manual and it hasn't made any difference and don't want to do much more in case I made the problem worse! I miss my lattes lol!

Itismehonest

Sometimes it's down to the fat content in the milk & this can differ slightly from bottle to bottle particularly if using milk from supermarkets where they can regularly change suppliers.

oopsadaisydoddle

Itismehonest wrote: »

Sometimes it's down to the fat content in the milk & this can differ slightly from bottle to bottle particularly if using milk from supermarkets where they can regularly change suppliers.

I did know about this but would there be such a big difference all of a sudden and ongoing? As I said I've tried using whole milk as suggested in the manual - actually a couple of different supermarket's and it is no different for the whole milk as it is for semi.

I've always used semi up until now and it has always been fine it seemed to be a sudden change. Also I'd used the machine on the morning with some milk and it was fine and then used the same milk at lunchtime and it was problematic with no froth.

Itismehonest

I'm not familiar with your machine, sorry, but the most common reasons for flat milk are overheating (got a thermometer to check?) & the holes in the steam wand not getting sufficient air intake. Sometimes this is just due to holding the milk jug too high (wand too far down in the milk) or because the holes have become blocked & need a thorough clean out.

oopsadaisydoddle

Thanks again for replying. I have tried cleaning it and do on a regular basis but I'll certainly do this again and try the other things you have suggested as well.

Also I wonder if it might be worth descaling it. It says every 3 to 4 mths (so shouldn't really need it) and although we don't live in a particularly hard water area, it's worth a shot!

Itismehonest

Yes, I'd go through all the possible things you can do yourself like descaling, cleaning (does it also have it's own cleaning function where you add tablets?), double checking the frothing holes are completely clear etc.

If, after all that (& the temperature is OK), then it's definitely one for the shop to sort out, I think.

oopsadaisydoddle

Still not right. Gave it a jolly good clean and primed the machine as if it was the first time. My coffee now is just like flat milky (very hot) coffee with a layer of bubbles on the top. As I said its very very hot - maybe that's an issue?

I've just ordered some Gaggia descaling solution off Amazon which had good reviews and also gonna get a thermometer.

Will see what happens after trying these things!

Itismehonest

Found this link which is specific to your machine

5 Put a mug under the steam nozzle and turn on the steam for a few seconds so that it stops spraying out water and starts blasting out steam. Turn off the steam, throw away the water in the mug and place the filled milk jug under the steam nozzle (I have been known to steam directly into the mug of milk if I’m only serving one).

6 Turn on the steam, start with the nozzle near (but not touching) the bottom of the jug, move it gently from side to side and up and down. Keep an eye on the thermometer – your target is 65 degrees Celsius, do not overheat the milk. As the milk starts to approach 47-50 degrees, lower the jug a little so that the nozzle is just on the surface and starts to slurp a little – this will produce lots of foam. If you fill the jug with foam, put the nozzle all the way in and return to just heating the milk. Once you hit 65 degrees, turn it off.

7 At this point you may wish to wipe off the steam wand, so that the milk doesn’t dry on.

8 Now, take the jug firmly on your hand, and bang it 3 or 4 times squarely on the counter. Before doing this, the milk was full of bubbles – some large and some small – if you poured this into a drink the large bubbles will burst and the foam collapse, so we burst them now, leaving only the small ones.

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If all this fails then you probably do have a faulty machine.

oopsadaisydoddle

Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to find that - I'm useless at finding things on the web!

I'll follow these instructions which are similar to what I do anyway but I don't have a thermometer which might be crucial for it working because I would definitely say my cuppa has been hotter than 65 degrees (I think anyway). I've never done the hitting it on the counter either so I'll try this!

And u have the descaler to try when it arrives.

Thanks again!